In a clash between the A-League Men’s first and third-placed sides, the Black Knights avoided consecutive losses at home, but weren’t able to seize on the chances they created.
Both sides had only conceded eight goals each to start the 2024/25 season, sharing the tag of being the most resolute defences in the league, a statistic that will remain unchanged until Saturday at the earliest, when the Victory host the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Yet, despite failing to seize the opportunity to add another win at their home ground, Auckland FC can, and will, take huge confidence in the fact they’ve now gained four points from their last two matches - against the two sides that contested last year’s final.
For Auckland, the left-sided partnership of Francis de Vries and Liam Gillion continue to stand out among the best in the competition. Louis Verstraete gave another reminder of his importance at the base of midfield, even if he did pick up a fourth yellow card of the season and risks suspension if he accrues one more.
After having the better of the early exchanges, Auckland FC’s set piece almost earned the breakthrough, only for Victory keeper Jack Duncan to make an outstanding point-blank save at the far post to deny de Vries from a corner.
But as the first half wore on, the Victory were able to assert themselves into the contest, and overturned Auckland’s advantage in possession.
Goalkeeper Alex Paulsen was tested by an effort from Victory midfielder Ryan Teague and was forced to produce a fingertip save, diving to his right to deny the visitors the opener.
As the Victory continued to enjoy the majority of possession, Auckland FC were forced into long balls to test the opposition defence, as both Hiroki Sakai and Gillion had chances in the Melbourne half. However, Duncan was quick off his line to limit any real threat to his goal.
Despite their statistical advantage, though, the Victory managed just one shot on target in the first half, as neither side was able to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes.
So far this season, Auckland FC have made a point of being a stronger team in the second half, and that looked to continue after the break.
Guillermo May appeared to beat the offside trap when he was played through by Neyder Moreno, and rifled the ball into the back of Duncan’s net - only for the assistant referee to eventually raise the flag for offside.
Melbourne were forced to be patient for their chances, and were unfortunate to be kept out when substitute Clarismo Santos threatened the goal with a ball lifted over Tommy Smith, only for defensive partner Nando Pijnaker to come to his rescue and clear the danger.
But the longer the second half went, the clearer it became that the Victory would be content in leaving Auckland with a draw - and didn’t even record a shot on goal in the second half.
As the final 10 minutes loomed, Corica went to his bench and changed both wingers, swapping Gillion and Moreno for Jesse Randall and Logan Rogerson respectively.
A late chance saw Duncan make another save, coming off his line to deny substitute Max Mata after a run from Verstraete in midfield.
With three minutes of added time signalled, the Victory had two final chances, firstly when Jing Recc was played through on goal, one-on-one with Paulsen - only for a last-ditch slide tackle from Sakai to halt any danger.
Nishan Velupillay had the final opportunity to snatch three points for the Victory, only for his curled shot to sail wide of Paulsen’s goal.
Regardless, Auckland FC still hold a five-point lead at the top of the table, even if that can be cut to two points if Adelaide United can overcome Macarthur FC on Monday.
The Black Knights can now enjoy a 10-day break before their next encounter, with the gruelling away trip to face Perth Glory on January 11.
Alex Powell is an Online Sports Editor for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016, and previously worked for both Newshub and 1News.
