Latest news with #A-LeaguePremier'sPlate
News.com.au
30-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Auckland FC keen to take part in proposed OFC Professional League
Auckland FC's disappointment at being unable to compete in next season's AFC Champions League Elite competition may be tempered by the Black Knights' potential participation in next year's proposed OFC Professional League. A spot in the lucrative AFC Champions League Elite competition usually goes to the winner of the A-League premiership. However, despite winning the A-League Premier's Plate in their debut season, the Black Knights are ineligible to compete in an Asian Football Confederation competition as they are a club from New Zealand, which is part of the Oceania Football Confederation. The A-League's Champions League Elite representative next season will therefore be the team that finishes second on the ladder. With one round of the regular season remaining, four clubs – Melbourne City, Western United, Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory – remain in contention for second spot. Auckland could yet play a part in determining who finishes second, with the Black Knights meeting Western United – placed third – at Ironbark Fields on Saturday night. And while the Steve Corica-coached Black Knights have switched their focus to adding the A-League championship to their premiership success by winning next month's finals series, they are also planning for next season in the hope of competing in the OFC Professional League, a planned new eight-team competition set to start in January involving Oceania clubs and potentially also including at least one Australian NPL club. As is the case with the AFC Champions League Elite, the winner of the OFC Professional League would have the chance to play in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and every four years in the FIFA Club World Cup. Black Knights chief executive Nick Becker said the club had made a submission to be part of the OFC Professional League and had the support of the Australian Professional Leagues – which runs the A-League – the OFC and New Zealand Football. 'We're just waiting confirmation of whether we're accepted into the league and what the player regulations and all the infrastructures are,' Becker said. 'We don't have full visibility on player regulations on who can and can't compete in it and the number of A-League players we'd be able to field in that competition. 'We'd probably have to have effectively two squads … but we've got a decent-sized squad now, so we'd like to use as many of our own players as possible. 'It would be a good result to be in it to make up for (being unable to play in the AFC Champions League Elite competition).' Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand's other A-League club, has also made a submission to play in the OFC Professional League, which would conclude with a final in May next year.
1News
28-04-2025
- Sport
- 1News
Auckland FC players on 'unbelievable' Premier's Plate win
Auckland FC put an exclamation mark on their 2024/25 campaign yesterday evening, beating Perth Glory 1-0 in front of a nearly sold-out home crowd before lifting the A-League Premier's Plate at their first attempt. The team were already premiers before walking onto the pitch at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium for one last time in the regular season. After 90 minutes, 28 shots, and a goal direct from a corner by Marlee François, Auckland FC lifted the trophy. Speaking to 1News following the game, Auckland FC forward Max Mata said the club's achievement this season had been 'unbelievable'. 'I'm from Auckland, so to do it in front of the home crowd is unbelievable,' he said. Midfielder Cam Howieson said: 'It means a lot, obviously. This group of players, we came together brand new, and it's a dream come true, what we've accomplished." Vice-captain and defender Tommy Smith said lifting the trophy at home was 'brilliant'. 'It was already in the bag, but to put another win on the board in front of the home fans in the last regular season game is a great feeling." Defender Francis De Vries believed pulling off a trophy-winning season was 'definitely' possible from day one. 'It's always a possibility. Was it realistic, did we think we were going to do this, I don't know,' he said. 'Some of the more experienced players knew that we could do this, and the coaching staff did too. 'It feels great to have achieved it.' This season marked a huge bounce-back for head coach Steve Corica, who had left his previous role at Sydney FC after losing the first three games of the 2023/24 season. He said winning the premiership meant 'everything'. 'That's what it's all about. We strive to be the best, and we are the most consistent team over the course of the season, so to hold up the Premier's Plate, it means a lot." The celebrations won't be too long for Auckland FC, however, as the team now turns their attention to finals football, and a two-leg semi-final later this month to try and punch their ticket to the A-League grand final. Defender Dan Hall and chief executive Nick Becker spoke to Breakfast about the growth of support for Auckland FC this season. (Source: 1News) Speaking to Breakfast this morning, defender Dan Hall said the team celebrated 'accordingly' last night. He said Corica had told the players 'not to undervalue what we've accomplished'. Hall moved to Auckland from the Central Coast Mariners at the start of the season and said it was 'incredible' to see support grow over the season. 'When I first came to Auckland, you wouldn't really see any Auckland FC shirts around, but now, you walk the streets, and I see them pretty much every time I go to the shops. It's been incredible to see the support. 'We wanted to win for them and I'm glad that we did.' Auckland FC chief executive Nick Becker said the city had been hungry for a football club. 'They're ready to support a professional football club, but they wanted something different, and I think we've offered that, and we've shown that we're the real deal on the pitch, and there's an amazing experience around.'
RNZ News
27-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Auckland FC wins A-League Premier's Plate; fans savour first season silverware
Even though results overnight meant Auckland FC had won the A-League Premier's Plate before their game against Perth Glory had even begun, it didn't stop the team's fans descending en masse to Go Media Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday. A full house watched the eventual 1-0 win and lifting of the club's first piece of silverware, all full of praise for what had been achieved in only their first season. "I think a lot of Aucklanders have been gagging, gagging for a football team for a long time," said fan Ollie, who was attending the game with his wife and two-year-old daughter. "So it's been a long time coming, we're all excited." The family friendly environment at Mt Smart was a constant theme among people, with the police confirming late in the game that there had been no incidents like the assault on a visiting Western Sydney Wanderers fan several weeks ago. Auckland FC's Marlee Francois curves the ball in from a corner to score. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Fans Katie and Lizzy, both from England, said the while the crowd was "getting there" in comparison to what they were used to back home, it was still a great occasion. "It's super entertaining, I love that they're winning," said Katie. The team had even managed to convert at least one fan who would usually be coming to Mt Smart to watch the Warriors. "It's massive. I mean, for football in rugby country, and I grew up a league and rugby fanatic. It was the first time I've been coming to a football this year," said local fan Steve. The atmosphere created by the home fans was something that Perth Glory coach David Zdrilic admitted played a part in the result, as well as the overall success of Auckland FC this season. "It was like a European atmosphere," he said, in reference to Auckland's active supporter group The Port. "It's something we want in the A-League, all the teams are trying to do that. Obviously we're the same, we have a great fan base at home and we want to create those kind of atmospheres. For a new club to come in like Auckland have and produce the season that they've had and the crowds…winning creates that. Today was difficult…they obviously wanted to finish off with a party." Hiroki Sakai and Steve Corica celebrate with the A-League Premier's Plate. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ His counterpart Steve Corica, who has now coached Auckland FC to 14 straight unbeaten performances, said that since the Plate was already sewn up, the only pressure was to deliver for their fans. "We didn't want to let them down, we didn't want to let ourselves down either. I think the way we played showed there was a little less pressure," he said. "First and foremost a big thank you (to the fans) for showing up on a rainy day. The Port has grown over the season, they've really got behind us since the moment we started this team. It's been an amazing journey so far." However, while Corica said he'll be happy for his players to celebrate this historic feat, he wants their minds back on the job for the final game of the regular season on Friday against Western Sydney in Parramatta. Auckland will be aiming to become the first team to ever win both the Premier's Plate and overall A-League title in their first season, with home advantage clinched if they reach next month's grand final.
RNZ News
26-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Football: Auckland FC to lift A-League Premier's Plate in front of bumper home crowd
Auckland FC and the A-League Premier's Plate Photo: supplied Auckland FC's dream debut season just got better by becoming the first New Zealand side to win the A-League Men's Premier's Plate, which they will share with home fans on Sunday. With two games left in their regular season, Auckland FC sealed top spot and the Premier's Plate, after second-placed Melbourne City drew 0-0 at home to Adelaide United on Saturday night. The result left Auckland in an unassailable position, with just one match remaining in the 2024/25 season for Melbourne City. Auckland FC meet Perth Glory on Sunday afternoon, and regardless of the result will lift the Premier's Plate in front of an expected sold-out home crowd at Auckland's GO Media Stadium. It caps off an historic inaugural season for Auckland FC, who made a record-breaking unbeaten start to life in football's A-League. Backed by one of the league's best defences, a strong attack and fantastic home support, Steve Corica's men have led the league for much of their first season. Auckland FC have locked in a semi-final berth, but also a chance to host the grand final. A-League executive chair Stephen Conroy congratulated Auckland FC. "It's testament to all involved with Auckland FC for the impact they've had on and off the field; playing fantastic football and building an incredible connection with the local football community. "We look forward to seeing them complete the regular season and move into the finals series, where they will push to become the first-ever team to win the Premier's Plate and Championship in their inaugural season." The finals series kicks off on the weekend of 9-11 May, with two elimination finals between third and sixth, and fourth and fifth, with the two winners facing the top two sides in two-legged semi finals. The winners will then progress to the grand final, with the highest placed team from the regular season earning the right to host the showpiece event on the weekend of 31 May - 1 June.
