Auckland FC's Nando Pijnaker scores and celebrates his goal. Photo / Photosport
Auckland FC's Nando Pijnaker scores and celebrates his goal. Photo / Photosport
Opinion by Michael Burgess
Michael Burgess has been a sports journalist since 2005, winning several national awards and covering Olympics, Fifa World Cups and America’s Cup campaigns.
Football writer Michael Burgess looks at the key talking points from Saturday’s blockbuster A-League derby, in front of a sold-out crowd at Go Media Stadium at Mt Smart
Are Auckland FC lucky?
The new team have certainly benefited from their early-season schedule, only having to crossthe Tasman once in the first six games.
That was the point Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano was trying to make with his pre-match comments – though associating the word “lucky” with Auckland’s record-breaking start was a stretch.
Playing at home has helped Auckland with momentum, but the main reasons for their astounding success are simple. They are well-coached, mentally resilient and physically fit. They have a strong roster, a structure that suits them and a culture and cohesion that has been built remarkably quickly.
In terms of the weighted draw, it’s standard practice for expansion teams, as the A-League want to drive early interest to build a following. Back in 2019-20, Western United played their inaugural game in Wellington – to capitalise on former Phoenix coach Mark Rudan returning to the capital, then had seven of their next eight games in Victoria, including six in Geelong.
In the 2020-21 season, Macarthur FC started their life with a trip across town to Western Sydney Wanderers, then had four of their next five games at home.
Where Italiano does have a valid gripe is the early Phoenix scheduling. They had to travel to Perth, one of the longest trips in world football, ahead of their round-three match against Auckland FC in Wellington.
Given the importance of that match – and the fact it is their only home derby this season, it was a ridiculous scenario and surely compromised them physically in the 2-0 loss. Then they had a bye before Saturday’s game, which is not ideal.
Heroes and villains
Every derby match-up – from Sydney to Melbourne, Manchester to Merseyside – needs heroes and villains.
This rivalry – after just two matches – already has ample fuel to feed the narrative. Auckland FC goalkeeper Alex Paulsen was a focal point on Saturday, as he was in the capital.
Fellow custodian Josh Oluwayemi, who will be haunted by his horror gaffe in Wellington, had another shaky moment that contributed to Auckland’s second goal in an otherwise decent performance.
Black Knights youngster Luis Toomey has stirred things up, while Phoenix captain Alex Rufer was probably lucky to escape stronger sanction late in the match after his clash with the same player.
To top it up, there is the simmering tension between the two coaches. It all adds up to rivalry that is genuine – rather than manufactured – and quite brilliant. It’s real and is only going to get bigger.
Auckland FC goalkeeper Alex Paulsen was a focal point on Saturday. Photo / Photosport
Captivating crowd
The atmosphere on Saturday was incredible, comparable to some of the best sporting occasions in this city in recent years. The travelling Wellington support played a big role – with their back-and-forth banter with the home fans.
At times on Saturday, it didn’t feel like New Zealand but more like something you would encounter in Europe or South America, with the colour, the noise, the tribal taunts and the feeling in the air.
It was also an illustration of Auckland FC’s staggering footprint. How can a new club, with no history behind them, mean so much to so many so quickly?
“Collectively, we have been blown away by the response from Auckland as a city,” Auckland FC chief executive Nick Becker told the Herald.
“It feels like the whole city has got behind us. [But] if you take a step back and look at how this all happened ... from a start we want to be a big part of Auckland, we want to make Aucklanders proud and be a club that Aucklanders say they support.
“We didn’t exist 12 months ago, they haven’t heard of us six months ago and now the city seems to be behind us.”
Auckland FC players celebrate with Nando Pijnaker (centre right) after his goal on Saturday. Photo / Photosport
Auckland FC prosper under pressure
Once again, Auckland handled the big occasion better than their rivals.
The Phoenix had their moments – in a superior performance to what they managed a month ago – but too many players weren’t at their best, with loose passes or errant positioning.
Auckland FC weren’t entirely smooth but they looked more comfortable on the ball and created more pressure without it.
A long haul for the Phoenix
Though it sounds ironic – given Auckland are the new club – the Phoenix will be the slower burn of the two New Zealand clubs during this A-League season.
With such a turnover during the off-season and the loss of so many key players, it was always going to take a while and it hasn’t quite clicked yet. Their true potential won’t be known for some time.
That’s the same for Auckland FC, though their upward trajectory is more obvious. They know their game plan and tactics, they believe in the system, they are defensively tough to crack and they have built incredible spirit.
What is exciting – and daunting for their rivals – is how good they could be, once their attacking combinations have had more time together.
Michael Burgess has been a sports journalist since 2005, winning several national awards and covering Olympics, Fifa World Cups and America’s Cup campaigns.
