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WEL vs AKL
A-League Men
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Men
Men
Wellington Phoenix
vs
Auckland FC
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FT
2
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Full-Time: 0 - 2
Auckland FC have won the inaugral Kiwi Derby thanks to a late double from Jake Brimmer. Make sure you stay with us on Tribe for action from the rest of tonight's A-League triple header, including Perth's visit to the Mariners which has already got underway. It's been a pleasure bringing you all the action from Sky Stadium on this special afternoon. For now, Harrison Ryburn signing out.
Auckland FC have the bye next week, but they'll be back in two weeks time for Unite Round against Macarthur. Meanwhile, Wellington travel across the ditch next Sunday for a clash with the defending champion Mariners. Importantly though, the next Kiwi Derby isn't too far away, with the Phoenix already eyeing up revenge when they clash again at Mt Smart Stadium on December 7.
Despair for the Wellington Phoenix and this big home crowd in contrast. They certainly played their part in the intensity of the affair, congesting the middle of the park, and making it a battle throughout. Giancarlo Italiano's side just lacked a consistent attacking threat though, and failed to take the chances when they came. Ishige arguably should have put them ahead with their best opening of the match around the hour mark, but he failed to put it away, and Wellington were made to pay. Encouraging the high press from Auckland FC played into their opponents hands too, and ultimately cost them with the error from Oluwayemi, struggling for enough options to break up the pitch and get around their opponents. This will hurt the Phoenix, and after their stellar run to the semi-finals of the competition last season, they're now playing catch-up behind their new northern rivals.
Derby delight for Auckland FC and The Port at the final whistle. Their whirlwind start to life has continued in the capital, and they've toppled the Phoenix off their throne as New Zealand's number one professional football side. Steve Corica's side were good value for it too. They always looked the slightly better side, and put together over double the amount of efforts on the Wellington goal, exposing their opposition by pressing high and stealing possession high up the pitch. It worked for the goal late on, but it was also a feature throughout, and whilst they were slightly more patient today, moving it out wide for the wingers to get involved, was again a big part of the plan. Eventually the pressure told late on for the two goals, and Jake Brimmer will go down as the hero of the inaugral Kiwi Derby. Watch out, a big night awaits in the capital for The Port!
Fulltime in Wellington and the first-ever Kiwi Derby goes the way of Auckland FC, courtesy of two late goals. It was an Australian who decided it, with Jake Brimmer coming off the bench to score both. The late Phoenix capitulation would never have transpired if not for a horror error from Josh Oluwayemi whilst playing out from the back though, and Brimmer was on hand to slot home, before doubling the advantage in the final seconds of injury-time. It's probably a deserved result on the basis of play, and Auckland FC have now opened their first A-League season with three victories, and bragging rights to go alongside it.
90+6'
TWO FOR BRIMMER! BRAGGING RIGHTS SECURED FOR AUCKLAND! And fitting that it should be an Australian to decide the first Kiwi Derby! Wellington are caught with too many numbers forward, and the Black Knights strike on the counter. Toomey bursts forward down the left, before cutting inside and running the byline. He plays a low cross inro the back post, where it falls on a plate for Brimmer to tap into the back of the net for Auckland's second. The Port goes manic again, and the rest of Sky Stadium falls silent!
90+6'
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J. Brimmer
Assist: L. Toomey
90+6'
Ishige lifts the delivery into the back post, where Auckland allow the ball to bounce before nervously clearing. It comes back for Oluwayemi, who launches it long again.
90+5'
The free kick is given away and Wellington win it straight back. Rufer launches it long for Rojas, but Smith gets in the way to clear. It comes wide for Colakovski on the right, who holds up play and links up with Rufer in support. The latter tries another long ball into the middle where AFC head away. It comes back out for Rufer on the rebound though, and the captain wins a free kick in the centre of the attacking half with a foul from Toomey. Ishige will take.