All posts tagged: ALeague

Auckland’s A-League success exceeds expectations for Corica

Auckland’s A-League success exceeds expectations for Corica

Published by Sam Flores

May 24 : Coach Steve Corica said Auckland FC had exceeded expectations by adding the A-League championship title on Saturday to the premiership crown claimed in their debut season last year to cap a successful second A-League campaign for the fledgling club. The ex-Sydney FC coach led his side to a 1-0 win over his former employers at a sold-out Mount Smart Stadium as Auckland FC became the first team from New Zealand to win the grand final in the competition’s 20-year history. “I had done everything at Sydney FC so I didn’t have anything to prove as a coach,” said Corica, who had led former club to the A-League championship in 2019 and 2020. “What I wanted to bring was joy to the people here in Auckland because they’ve been so wonderful to me and our players in the first two years. “A premiership in our first season and a grand final win in the second year is more than we could’ve asked for. “We’ve got the right people in. It’s about belief and …

Auckland edge Sydney 1-0 to become New Zealand’s first A-League champions

Auckland edge Sydney 1-0 to become New Zealand’s first A-League champions

Published by Sam Flores

May 23 : Cameron Howieson struck in the second half with a touch of fortune as Auckland FC beat Sydney 1-0 in the Grand Final on Saturday and became the first New Zealand team to clinch an A-League championship. Scoring his first goal for Auckland in his 58th match, midfielder Howieson’s 60th-minute volley from well outside the area took a deflection before fizzing past wrong-footed goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares. That was all the hosts needed to secure the trophy in their second season, sending most of a sold-out crowd of 28,374 at Auckland’s Mount Smart Stadium into ecstasy. “I’m so stoked. This was our goal from the start of the season. And we’re here and we’ve done it,” said Auckland forward Jesse Randall. “I’m so proud of all the boys and the staff, we’ve put so much work into this.” Auckland joined a select group of cross-border winners in world soccer, emulating AS Monaco, who have won eight titles in France’s Ligue 1 and Northern Ireland’s Derry City, twice league winners in the Republic of Ireland. They …

Auckland edge Sydney 1-0 to become New Zealand’s first A-League champions

Sydney deny Newcastle in shootout to reach A-League Grand Final

Published by Sam Flores

May 16 : Sydney FC scraped into the A-League Grand Final with a 4-2 win on penalties at Newcastle Jets on Saturday after the second leg of their semi-final finished 1-1 in regular time and 2-2 on aggregate.  Ben Garuccio sealed the shootout after Sydney goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares saved Xavier Bertoncello’s effort, leaving most of a sold-out crowd at McDonald Jones stadium devastated. Patrick Kisnorbo’s Sydney will bid for a record-extending sixth league title at Auckland FC, having been held 1-1 at home by the Jets in the first leg. “I kind of had my spot, I was confident with it,” said Garuccio of his winner. “It worked out. The boys were so good. “I think (Devenish-Meares) has been the best keeper in the league by a country mile.” Piero Quispe put Sydney 1-0 up in the 64th minute and the visitors defended grimly to be within seconds of victory but Newcastle winger Eli Adams conjured a last-gasp equaliser in the sixth minute of injury time. Newcastle won the Australian Cup in the off-season and …