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A-League Men
2024-25
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AKL vs BRI
A-League Men
Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, Auckland
Men
Men
Auckland FC
vs
Brisbane Roar
2
FT
0
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 2 - 0
That wraps things up from this one, but thanks for joining us on Tribe. This is Ryan Nixon (@NewYorkNixon) signing off.
There's a big task second up for the new boys, as they're back at home again next week with one of the traditional powerhouses in Sydney FC coming to visit. The Roar also face Sydney next, as they're off next week, before their home opener on November 1.
Auckland have to be pleased with their first outing, as they not only scored the two goals, but looked resolute defensively. Sakai, along with Dan Hall and Nando Pijnaker, were at the heart of that effort, while Louis Verstraete and Felipe Gallegos provided plenty of support in front. Their attacking cohesion can only get better the more they play, but there's plenty of promising signs for this new venture.
Brisbane had a few half chances, particularly towards the back end of the first half as they settled into things and tried to find an equaliser. Neicer Acosta showed that he'll be a constant threat this season, with a number of bright moments, while Keegan Jelacic and Antonee Burke-Gilroy were others who asked questions with their play out wide. However, they struggled to test Alex Paulsen, with a lot of efforts coming from range.
AUCKLAND WITH THE WIN! They start their debut season in the league in dream fashion, keeping a clean sheet and picking up the three points via an early Harry Van Der Saag own goal, and a coolly taken second from Logan Rogerson. In all fairness, they were thoroughly deserving of the win too, creating plenty of half chances going forward through Rogerson, Liam Gillion and Guillermo May, while Francis De Vries and Hiroki Sakai provided impetus with their surges forward on the flanks. It didn't always result in quality chances, with Macklin Freke not forced into too many saves, but it didn't matter, as the two goals were more than they required.
90+5'
De Vries deals with the latest ball in behind, and Auckland are again able to send the ball well up the park.
90+4'
The Roar appear destined to their fate now, as a hopeful ball in behind is picked up by Hall and he tees up Paulsen for another clearance.
90+2'
SHOTS! The Roar try and build another attack, but the cross ends up through to Randall. He heads clear, and then has the pace to get to the loose ball himself. Randall goes off on a gut-busting run to spring them onto attack, with Gillion then having a shot that's blocked. The rebound is tracked down, and Sakai then slips Gillion in behind. He ignores Mata in front of goal and blasts it into the side netting.
90+1'
Auckland are gifted possession high up the park, but the lose it and the Roar have a chance to spring forward. A wide pass to Hingert is misplaced though, and out for a throw.