Latest news with #PremiersPlate
1News
27-05-2025
- Sport
- 1News
'They got it wrong' : Auckland FC coach goes after refs after loss
The dream season is over. And the coach is fuming. But Auckland FC could not stop Melbourne Victory when it mattered most. Victory's 2-0 win at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday sealed an A-League Grand Final spot with a 2-1 aggregate score across the home and away semi-finals series. The shock result of the fifth-placed side toppling the Premiers Plate winners ended a barely believable run for an expansion club. It was a result that Auckland FC coach Steve Corica had questions about. Auckland took a one-goal advantage into the second semi-final at home, needing a win or a draw to continue making history in their inaugural season. ADVERTISEMENT After a goalless first half that ended with rising tempers, Victory scored first in the 54th minute to level the aggregate score and scored again in the 60th minute to take the lead and put the pressure on the hosts. Auckland could not respond, despite the support of a crowd of 29,148 fans. Corica said he believed a disallowed goal of Auckland's near the 70th minute mark was a turning point for his side. The ball was ruled by VAR to have gone out of the field of play before going into the goal. "The referees made a bad decision, the linesman has, and so has the VAR, whoever is in charge up there, because that would have obviously helped us get back into the game. "It wasn't our day, we had a few half chances, but it just wasn't falling for us. "We switched off a couple of times and let them get into the lead, but for me, we weren't given the opportunities to get back into the game because of that decision as well." Corica said he did not want an apology, like had been proffered for incorrect calls during the season. ADVERTISEMENT "I want the right decision to be made, and my opinion is they got it wrong, and that could have cost us getting back into the game for one and getting into a final. "You're talking about a big decision there, so you would hope they get it right, but I don't think so," he said. Victorious coach Arthur Diles said he believed things evened out across the season. "Over the course of a year, your luck comes and goes and come the end of the season it normally balances itself out, because there's been many games this year that we should have won and we didn't, we've been unlucky, but in the end you can talk about referees decisions, you can talk about luck bad luck or good luck but in the end of the season it normally pans out and it evens itself out."
Otago Daily Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Season over as Auckland FC toppled
By Felicity Reid of RNZ The dream season is over. And the coach is fuming. But Auckland FC could not stop Melbourne Victory when it mattered most. Victory's 2-0 win at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday sealed an A-League Grand Final spot with a 2-1 aggregate score across the home and away semifinals series. The shock result of the fifth-placed side toppling the Premiers Plate winners ended a barely believable run for an expansion club. It was a result that Auckland FC coach Steve Corica had questions about. Auckland took a one goal advantage into the second semifinal at home needing a win or a draw to continue making history in their inaugural season. After a goalless first half that ended with rising tempers, Victory scored first in the 54th minute to level the aggregate score and scored again in the 60th minute to take the lead and put the pressure on the hosts. Auckland could not respond, despite the support of a crowd of 29,148 fans. Corica said he believed a disallowed goal of Auckland's near the 70th minute mark was a turning point for his side. The ball was ruled by VAR to have gone out of the field of play before going into the goal. "The referees made a bad decision, the linesman has and so has the VAR whoever is in charge up there because that would have obviously helped us get back into the game. "It wasn't our day we had a few half chances but it just wasn't falling for us we switched off a couple of times and let them get into the lead but for me we weren't given the opportunities to get back into the game because of that decision as well." Corica said he did not want an apology, like had been proffered for incorrect calls during the season. "I want the right decision to be made and my opinion is they got it wrong and that could of cost us getting back into the game for one and getting into a final. You're talking about big decision there so you would hope they get it right but I don't think so," he said. Victorious coach Arthur Diles said he believed things evened out across the season. "Over the course of a year your luck comes and goes and come the end of the season it normally balances itself out, because there's been many games this year that we should have won and we didn't, we've been unlucky, but in the end you can talk about referees decisions , you can talk about luck bad luck or good luck but in the end of the season it normally pans out and it evens itself out."
NZ Herald
14-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Auckland FC chase historic A-League double in semifinals against Melbourne
After the Wellington Phoenix, they are the second New Zealand-based men's side playing in the transtasman professional football league. Why should I get behind them? Blues who? Auckland's new favourite sports team have continued to break records all season, on and off the pitch. With their family-friendly game-day experience, Auckland FC have sold out Go Media Stadium in Mt Smart three times on their way to being crowned Premiers. After dominating their inaugural season, losing just three matches in 26 games, Auckland lifted the Premiers Plate on April 27. They are the first football team in Aotearoa to win silverware in the A-League. What's the big deal about this month? Auckland FC qualified for the semifinals after finishing the regular season at the top of the pack. They meet the Melbourne Victory (who finished fifth) across two legs: the first in Melbourne on May 17 and the second back in Auckland on May 24. The games are played on aggregate, which means after the first fixture, it's essentially halftime. Whoever is to advance through to the Grand Final will be the team that has scored the most across the two legs. Away goals do not count double. If it's tied by the end of the second fixture, they will play extra time and, if needed, a penalty shootout. The Victory are widely regarded as one of the league's most dominant clubs, boasting four championships and three premierships, with more finals series wins than any other team. However, when it comes to head-to-head encounters, Auckland appear to be the more formidable side. This season, they held the Victory to a goalless draw at Mt Smart before securing a commanding 2-0 win across the Ditch. If Auckland are to come out on top of the two-match showdown, they'll host the grand final at Go Media Stadium, Mount Smart on May 31 – another perk they secured by finishing top of the ladder. Which players should you cheer for? Alex Paulsen, goalkeeper Paulsen, who played every minute of the regular season on loan from English Premier League side AFC Bournemouth, is having another rock-solid campaign between the sticks. The former Wellington Phoenix star kept 12 clean sheets and will be crucial to Auckland's success in the finals series. The young Aucklander will have vengeance on his mind after Melbourne knocked his Phoenix side out of the competition at this stage last season. Francis De Vries, defender Advertise with NZME. De Vries' defensive prowess and deadly left foot have been game-changers in his breakout A-League campaign. His form has earned the former Eastern Suburbs AFC player an All Whites call-up. Having provided seven assists and two goals in the regular season, Melbourne will surely be wary of De Vries when it comes to set pieces. Guillermo May, forward The striker was named the club's most valuable player for the season after amassing 11 goal contributions across their first campaign. The Uruguayan's press, link-up play and one-touch passes are almost as good as his shot from distance. Common Auckland FC phrases? Keen to catch up on the lingo? Here are some common Auckland FC fan phrases. 'Auckland FC are New Zealand's best team.' (In reference to their clean sweep over Kiwi rivals, the Wellington Phoenix.) 'How about that 6-1 win over the Phoenix?' (In reference to their final derby match against the Phoenix in Auckland, won 6-1.) Advertise with NZME. 'Neyder, the super sub.' (Striker Neyder Moreno is known for his clutch moments, often coming off the bench, scoring last-minute goals for Auckland FC.) 'Sad to see Paulsen go.' (Club officials have confirmed it's unlikely goalkeeper Paulsen will stay another season as he was only on loan from AFC Bournemouth for a year.) 'Melbourne hurt the Phoenix this time last year.' (Victory broke Wellingtonians' and Kiwis' hearts in the second semifinal in the capital last year. They won 2-1 in extra time.) 'Up the Port!' (Auckland FC's supporters group. They are loud and proud and have been from day one. Catch them in Bay 21 and 22 on the south stand at Go Media Stadium.) 'Where's the slide?' (Home games this season have featured a giant inflatable slide on the north bank promoting the club's family-first ethos.) Tyler Street Sport, The Brit and Takutai Square will all be hosting watch parties for the team's away semifinal. Attendees can expect a great atmosphere, with Takutai Square hosting a 30sqm big screen, cage football, DJ and lawn games, making it ideal for families. Watch on Sky Sport Grand final May 31: TBD v TBD
NZ Herald
11-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Auckland FC semifinals: Black Knights to face Melbourne Victory in A-League playoffs
Auckland FC will square off against the Melbourne Victory in a home-and-away semifinal series for a spot in the A-League men's grand final. The Victory upset the Western Sydney Wanderers, who were unbeaten in 14 matches, 2-1 in Saturday's elimination final to earn the right to meet the Black Knights, who finished top of the table to claim the Premiers Plate in their inaugural season. The first leg will take place at Melbourne's AAMI Park next Saturday, May 17 at 9.35pm before the second leg at Mt Smart Stadium the following Saturday, May 24, at 6pm. Auckland have had the better of their two regular-season meetings with the Victory, playing out a goalless draw on New Year's Day, before claiming a 2-0 win in Melbourne last month, thanks to goals from Louis Verstraete and Guillermo May. Victory boss Arthur Diles knows they will have to be at their best to beat Auckland.
RNZ News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
A-League semis: Auckland FC to face Melbourne Victory after upset
Auckland FC celebrate their A-League Premier Plate success. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Auckland FC are into the two-leg A-League semi-finals, after lifting the Premiers Plate in their first season in the competition. The newcomers had a week off, while they waited to see who they would face next. Now the final four have been found. Auckland FC - Finished top of the league. Auckland set all kinds of records this season - six wins in their first six games, five games before conceding a goal and longest unbeaten streak of any team this season at 14 games. Finished the regular season with 15 wins, eight draws and three losses. Melbourne City - Finished the regular season as the second-placed side and also secured a place in the AFC Champions League. Champions League football is normally reserved for the A-League premiers, but Auckland cannot play in Asian tournaments, so City fill the place and takes the NZ$1.3 million cheque qualification cheque. City finished the regular season with 14 wins, six draws and six losses. Western United - Finished third in the regular season and won an elimination final, thanks to a record-breaking hat-trick from Noah Botic, to earn a semi-final berth. Western had 14 wins, five draws and seven losses in the regular season. Melbourne Victory - Finished fifth in the regular season and caused an upset in the elimination final, beating Western Sydney Wanderers for the first time this season and ending the Wanderers 14-game unbeaten run. Victory ended the regular season with 12 wins, seven draws and seven losses. Auckland v Melbourne Victory Last time they played Auckland FC won 2-0 on 19 April in Melbourne. Melbourne City v Western United Last time they played, Melbourne City won 2-0 on 7 January in Melbourne. The semi-finals are played over two legs - home and away - with the team that score the most goals across both matches (aggregate score) moving on to the Grand Final on 31 May. Auckland FC chose to play the away leg first on 17 May, which will be held at Melbourne's AAMI Park at 9.35pm, and the second leg will be played at Go Media Stadium on 24 May at 6pm. Capacity will be increased at Mt Smart for the semi-final. Melbourne City are 'away' in the first leg on 16 May AAMI Park at 9.35pm and the second leg will again be played at AAMI Park on 24 May 9.35pm. Western United's normal home ground is Ironbark Fields in Tarneit, but the Australian Professional Leagues has decided they will host City at City's home ground. The one-off Grand Final will either be at Mt Smart Stadium, if Auckland win their semi-final series, or at AAMI Park. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
