Think Sakai is doe back so likely Elliot switches over.
Massive loss and downgrade however.
Massive loss and downgrade however.
YoungHeartHM wrote:
Francis de Vries out for 6 weeks with that calf injury suffered in the Finland game.
Big blow for them. Who even goes to LB in that Auckland squad now?
Sakai got injured early March, and they said a 5 week wait to recover from his pulled hammy. So if he's close to fit, Elliot across to the left.
Otherwise Girdwood-Reich has played a bit at full back? Young Vicelich to come in as a CB alongside Hall, if Pijnaker is still not fit?
If Corica was desperate he might shoe horn Liam Gillion into the up and down role.
Zac Zorocich I think has been the main LB in their OFC Pro League team, and played a bit of ALM at the Mariners.
But FDV is a huge cog in AFC's team. A massive out for them as the season finishes.
Edit - https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360958211/francis-de-vries-out-six-weeks-massive-hit-auckland-fc
While there’s no obvious replacement for de Vries at left back in the Auckland squad, captain Hiroki Sakai’s expected return could see Callan Elliot move over from the right.
Otherwise Girdwood-Reich has played a bit at full back? Young Vicelich to come in as a CB alongside Hall, if Pijnaker is still not fit?
If Corica was desperate he might shoe horn Liam Gillion into the up and down role.
Zac Zorocich I think has been the main LB in their OFC Pro League team, and played a bit of ALM at the Mariners.
But FDV is a huge cog in AFC's team. A massive out for them as the season finishes.
Edit - https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360958211/francis-de-vries-out-six-weeks-massive-hit-auckland-fc
While there’s no obvious replacement for de Vries at left back in the Auckland squad, captain Hiroki Sakai’s expected return could see Callan Elliot move over from the right.
It’s understood Sakai and centre back Nando Pijnaker would travel to Adelaide with the rest of the team on Wednesday after their own injury spells, providing Corica with extra defensive options.
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Half a Pint wrote:
Maybe we could get a friendly between the Wāhinix and Chelsea Women
I read somewhere that if Spurs gets relegated then the Auckland game is off because the Championship starts two weeks earlier than the EPL. Is that correct?
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Former England international and Tottenham Hotspur legend Ledley King is this week’s special guest on New Zealand football show The Unused Subs.
In town to promote July’s match between Spurs and A-League club Auckland FC, King watched the All Whites beat Chile 4-1 at Eden Park.
Now a club ambassador for Spurs, King caught up with show hosts Goran Paladin and Paul Ifill, who he played against at youth level.
Now a club ambassador for Spurs, King caught up with show hosts Goran Paladin and Paul Ifill, who he played against at youth level.
In the interview, King talks about:
- His days with Spurs, where he played 268 games.
- Memories of former clubmate and All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen.
- His impressions of other Kiwis in the English Premier League, including Chris Wood and Winston Reid.
- The latest ructions at Spurs, where manager Igor Tudor has left after only 44 days in the job.
- Whether Spurs will be in the EPL or the English Championship by the time they tour New Zealand and Australia in July.
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austin111 wrote:Half a Pint wrote:I read somewhere that if Spurs gets relegated then the Auckland game is off because the Championship starts two weeks earlier than the EPL. Is that correct?
Maybe we could get a friendly between the Wāhinix and Chelsea Women
possibly, championship starts the weekend of 14th August, EPL starts 22nd.
AFC vs Spurs is schduled for the 26th July, so plenty of time for them to travel home and be back for Championship kick off. You'll probably find most of their starting players wont travel anyway.
AFC vs Spurs is schduled for the 26th July, so plenty of time for them to travel home and be back for Championship kick off. You'll probably find most of their starting players wont travel anyway.
Queenslander 3x a year.
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It will be the Spurs v SFC (Jul 29th) and v Chelsea (Aug 1st) games in Australia that follow Auckland where the scheduling gets tight for an Aug 14th Championship KO
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Very upsetting that DeVries is injured.
So sorry for him personally, he comes across as a good man and player, and this was his big chance to get some time on the field at the World Cup.
Hope he comes right to take some part in the finals series of the A League
So sorry for him personally, he comes across as a good man and player, and this was his big chance to get some time on the field at the World Cup.
Hope he comes right to take some part in the finals series of the A League
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Endorsed by
Game to be played on Friday April 3, 2026
Adelaide United v Auckland FC
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide, 9.35pm (NZT)
Adelaide United v Auckland FC
Coopers Stadium, Adelaide, 9.35pm (NZT)
Squads
Adelaide United
3. Bart Vriends, 4. Panagiotis Kikianis, 7. Ryan Kitto, 9. Luka Jovanović, 10.Juan Muñiz, 12.Jonny Yull, 14.Jay Barnett, 17.Ben Folami, 19. Yaya Dukuly, 22. Joshua Smits, 23.luke Duzel, 35.brody Burkitt, 40.Ethan Cox, 42. Austin Ayoubi, 44. Ryan White, 52. Sotiri Phillis, 55. Ethan Alagich, 62. Fabian Talladira, 65. Joey Garuccio, 87.Anselmo de Moraes
3. Bart Vriends, 4. Panagiotis Kikianis, 7. Ryan Kitto, 9. Luka Jovanović, 10.Juan Muñiz, 12.Jonny Yull, 14.Jay Barnett, 17.Ben Folami, 19. Yaya Dukuly, 22. Joshua Smits, 23.luke Duzel, 35.brody Burkitt, 40.Ethan Cox, 42. Austin Ayoubi, 44. Ryan White, 52. Sotiri Phillis, 55. Ethan Alagich, 62. Fabian Talladira, 65. Joey Garuccio, 87.Anselmo de Moraes
In: 40. Ethan Cox, 62. Fabian Talladira.
Out: 13. Max Vartuli (omitted), 36. Panashe Madanha (omitted).
Unavailable: 11. Craig Goodwin (groin, long term), 18. Jake Najdovski (knee), 20. Dylan Pierias (knee, long term).
Out: 13. Max Vartuli (omitted), 36. Panashe Madanha (omitted).
Unavailable: 11. Craig Goodwin (groin, long term), 18. Jake Najdovski (knee), 20. Dylan Pierias (knee, long term).
Auckland FC (two to be omitted)
1. Michael Woud, 3. Jake Girdwood-Reich, 6. Louis Verstraete, 7. Cameron Howieson, 8. Felipe Gallegos, 9. Sam Cosgrove, 10. Guillermo May, 11. Marlee François, 12. Jimmy Hilton, 14. Liam Gillion, 17. Callan Elliot, 18. Finn Mckenlay, 21. Jesse Randall, 22. Jake Brimmer, 23. Dan Hall, 27. Logan Rogerson, 28. Bailey Ferguson, 35. Jonty Bidois, 52. Luka Vicelich, 77. Lachlan Brook.
1. Michael Woud, 3. Jake Girdwood-Reich, 6. Louis Verstraete, 7. Cameron Howieson, 8. Felipe Gallegos, 9. Sam Cosgrove, 10. Guillermo May, 11. Marlee François, 12. Jimmy Hilton, 14. Liam Gillion, 17. Callan Elliot, 18. Finn Mckenlay, 21. Jesse Randall, 22. Jake Brimmer, 23. Dan Hall, 27. Logan Rogerson, 28. Bailey Ferguson, 35. Jonty Bidois, 52. Luka Vicelich, 77. Lachlan Brook.
In: 2. Hiroki Sakai, 4. Nando Pijnaker,
Out: 15. Francis de Vries (calf injury),
Unavailable: 20. Oli Sail (long-term injury)
Out: 15. Francis de Vries (calf injury),
Unavailable: 20. Oli Sail (long-term injury)
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Well truely a make or break season game for AFC.
Win and the minor premiership still remains a very realistic option. Also will put a decent gap between them and Adelaide for the top two spot.
Lose and the possibility of a top two finish diminishes greatly as Adelaide gets within striking distance.
Win and the minor premiership still remains a very realistic option. Also will put a decent gap between them and Adelaide for the top two spot.
Lose and the possibility of a top two finish diminishes greatly as Adelaide gets within striking distance.
Auckland will rise once more
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Endorsed by
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/04/03/weve-got-something-up-our-sleeve-auckland-fc-coach-steve-corica/
Without ever-present full-back Francis de Vries missing through injury, Corica has acknowledged he’ll need to come up with a Plan B for the men’s A-League fixture at Adelaide’s Coopers Stadium.
Without ever-present full-back Francis de Vries missing through injury, Corica has acknowledged he’ll need to come up with a Plan B for the men’s A-League fixture at Adelaide’s Coopers Stadium.
“We obviously have to fill the void there for this game,” Corica told Auckland FC’s YouTube channel.
“We’ve got something up our sleeve,” he said.
Corica said the options included playing All Whites full-back Callan Elliot on the left or club captain Hiroki Sakai in that role.
Sakai has been named in the matchday squad as he rebuilds his fitness following hamstring problems.
“Or we can change the system a little bit,” Corica suggested.
Goalkeeper coach Jonathan Gould told Sport Nation that All Whites defender Nando Pijnaker was building in fitness after an ankle problem, and he could play on the left side of the defensive line, hinting that Corica could be looking at a back three.
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