logo
Live updates: Drama as Melbourne Victory take two goal lead

Live updates: Drama as Melbourne Victory take two goal lead

RNZ News24-05-2025

Melbourne Victory's Zinédine Machach and Auckland FC's Luis Leiva, at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, on Saturday.
Photo:
Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.nz
The biggest moment of Auckland FC's extraordinary debut season is here, as they hold a precious 1-0 lead into the second leg of their A-League semi-final.
A draw or a win at a sold-out Mt Smart Stadium will send Auckland through to the final, with the crowd hoping to come back next weekend for what would be a historic home grand final.
Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog:
Auckland FC
: Alex Paulsen, Hiroki Sakai, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Louis Verstraete, Cameron Howieson, Luis Toomey, Max Mata, Guillermo May, Marlee François, Michael Woud, Liam Gillion, Francis de Vries, Callan Elliot, Jesse Randall, Jake Brimmer, Dan Hall, Neyder Moreno, Logan Rogerson, Luis Felipe Gallegos
Melbourne Victory:
Mitch Langerak, Adama Traore, Lachlan Jackson, Brendan Hamill, Ryan Teague, Daniel Arzani, Zinedine Machach, Nikolaos Vergos, Bruno Fornaroli, Jordi Valadon, Joshua Inserra, Nishan Velupillay, Fabian Monge, Jing Reec, Roderick Miranda, Joshua Rawlins, Alexander Badolato, Jack Duncan, Luka Kolic, Kasey Bos

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

All Whites end Canadian Shield with a loss to Ukraine
All Whites end Canadian Shield with a loss to Ukraine

RNZ News

time2 hours ago

  • RNZ News

All Whites end Canadian Shield with a loss to Ukraine

Marko Stamenic of New Zealand heads the ball at goal. Photo: Kevin Sousa / The All Whites have been beaten 2-1 by Ukraine in their second game at the Canadian Shield four-nations tournament in Toronto. The result means the New Zealanders finish with a win and a loss after their first up 1-0 victory over Cōte d'Ivoire on Sunday. The 25th ranked Ukrainians completely dominated the first half and should have been ahead if it wasn't for a couple of fine saves from All Whites keeper Max Crocombe. Ukraine had the first scoring opportunity in the 15th minute when a header from a cross forced a finger-tip save from Crocombe who was again called upon in the 30th minute to keep the Ukrainians out. The New Zealanders were able to get back into the game after half time, but it was Ukraine who opened the scoring in the 54th minute when a strike from Oleksiy Hutsuliak just inside the penalty area beat Crocombe at the near post. New Zealand replied five minutes later when Marko Stamenic headed home from a corner. Liberato Cacace's corner was headed back across the goal by Michael Boxall allowing Stamenic to flick the ball into the goal. Arsenal midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko then put Ukraine in front in the 74th when he was left unmarked in the box and powered home a cross. All Whites goalkeeper Max Crocombe is forced into a save against Ukraine during the Canadian Shield men's football tournament in Toronto. Photo: Kevin Sousa / Coach Darren Bazeley made three changes from the side that beat Cōte d'Ivoire with Michael Boxall starting at right-back, Matt Garbett on the left wing and Ben Waine up front. Callum McGowatt was left out of the side while Bill Tuiloma and Kosta Barbarouses were on the bench along with Chris Wood. Ukraine made nine changes from the side that lost 4-2 to Canada in their opening game. Ukraine took a young side to the tournament, including a half a dozen players that play domestically in Ukraine, while the rest came from other parts of Europe. There are just two games each in the Canadian Shield tournament with the team with most points winning the title. Canada play Cōte d'Ivoire later on Wednesday.

Football live updates: All Whites v Ukraine
Football live updates: All Whites v Ukraine

RNZ News

time4 hours ago

  • RNZ News

Football live updates: All Whites v Ukraine

Sarpreet Singh celebrates after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier OFC - New Zealand All Whites v Fiji at Sky Stadium, Wellington. Photo: Masanori Udagawa/Photosport Can the All Whites follow up their impressive win over Ivory Coast with another result against Ukraine? This will be a tough assignment, with 61 rankings separating the two sides, however the All Whites have won their last seven games in a row. Kick-off is at 9am NZT.

All Whites v Ukraine live updates, Canadian Shield
All Whites v Ukraine live updates, Canadian Shield

NZ Herald

time4 hours ago

  • NZ Herald

All Whites v Ukraine live updates, Canadian Shield

Live updates of the Canadian Shield match between the All Whites and Ukraine. All Whites 1 Ivory Coast 0 This was the statement result the All Whites have been waiting for. In their first match since qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, New Zealand have achieved one of their most impressive wins in recent years. They have beaten the Ivory Coast 1-0 in Toronto on Sunday, just the third victory over African opposition in their history. And this was a big scalp – against the current African champions – a team ranked inside the top 50 (41), well above the 86th-ranked All Whites. The decisive goal came in the 41st minute through a brilliant Elijah Just strike, a sumptuous finish after Marko Stamenic's threaded pass from a quick transition. It was a surprise – as Ivory Coast had looked much the more dangerous team – with New Zealand hanging on for long periods in the first half. Considering the opposition, it was one of the best performances against a non-Oceania team in Darren Bazeley's tenure, alongside draws with the Republic of Ireland and United States. And they did it without Chris Wood for most of the game, with the veteran Premier League striker restricted to a 10-minute cameo at the end. It's a huge boost, ahead of Wednesday's match (9am) against Ukraine. There are high hopes for this Ivory Coast team, seen as their best in a decade. But New Zealand are out to make their own mark in the countdown to next June. Such matches in neutral venues, at the end of long club seasons, can be difficult to assess, but there was a lot to like. The All Whites were defensively exceptional and well organised – Finn Surman was outstanding – while the offensive options improved in the second half. There were four changes from the starting XI that beat New Caledonia 3-0 in March. Bill Tuiloma replaced the injured Tim Payne at right back while Surman and Just were preferred ahead of Michael Boxall and Matt Garbett respectively. Kosta Barbarouses was the other inclusion, with Wood's workload being managed since the hip injury he suffered in March. To say New Zealand's opening goal came against the run of play would be an injustice to that football cliché. The All Whites had struggled to create much of note, while the African team had been dominant, carving out numerous opportunities. But a combination of tenacious defending and wasteful finishing kept the scoreline blank, until Just's delightful goal. It came after Joe Bell had won the ball near halfway, allowing Stamenic to run at a retreating defence. He produced a slide-rule pass for Just, with the Austrian-based winger managed an inch-perfect, angled finish just inside the far post. It was his eighth international goal and continued his rich run, scoring six in the last year. It was a shock to the Ivory Coast side and their large colourful support inside BMO Field. They had the run of play, with their pace, movement and angles, while New Zealand were mostly shadow-boxing, unable to get much going. They tried to keep to their structure but were being stretched down both flanks, with Nicolas Pepe and Evann Guessannd prominent. The All Whites were punished for some loose passing and Pepe had two early chances, with the second a volley just over the bar. Goalkeeper Max Crocombe had to make a strong save from Emmanuel Latte in the 15th minute, after a turnover from a New Zealand throw. Surman had to be alert to deny the same player, while another shot from Pepe went wide. Ivory Coast should have taken the lead after 36 minutes, after neat interplay worked Pepe into space. But the Villareal winger's shot was blocked by Surman, whose positioning was outstanding. The second half was a tighter affair. Ivory Coast continued to push, while the All Whites were more enterprising. From their first corner – in the 60th minute – Tuiloma could have extended the lead but was unable to connect at the far post. Soon afterwards, Bazeley made three changes, with Callan Elliott (for Tuiloma), Matt Garbett (Just) and Alex Rufer (Sarpreet Singh) introduced. Surman and Bindon were forced into more vital clearances. Wood and Michael Boxall came on in the 80th minute, as New Zealand occasionally threatened on the break. The finale was tense – as Ivory Coast threw the kitchen sink – with Simon Adingra's header hitting the post – but the All Whites hung on.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store