Auckland FC have claimed their third New Zealand derby win of the inaugural OFC Pro League season, defeating South Island United 5-2 at Eden Park.
In a dress rehearsal for their semi-final showdown in eight days time, the Aucklanders survived a second-half comeback by the South Islanders to secure their second win of the Leaders Group.
A flurry of second-half goals brightened a match that looked to be a tense stalemate in the first half. Both teams battling for possession and creating half chances early on, but were unable to convert.
Auckland FC had the clearer chances, including an excellent opportunity for Oscar Faulds but were unable to find an early breakthrough.
It was perhaps no surprise then that when the opening goal did arrive, it came via a rather unconventional route.
Sustained pressure from Auckland FC in the final ten minutes of the half saw Luke Casserly’s men win a corner, with Emiliano Tade’s effort looping over everyone and nestling in the far corner to give his side the lead.
Both sides lifted the intensity in the second half, with flurry of goals coming in an end-to-end period. Rob Sherman’s men found their first thanks to a David Yoo close-range finish, before Riley Grover’s effort from distance took a wicked deflection to fly past Eli Jones and give South Island United the lead.
Unwilling to go down, Auckland FC struck back, scoring three goals in nine minutes to storm back into the lead 4-2. Aston Burns, who came back into the line-up after missing the last match against Bula FC, picked up a brace – scoring either side of an own goal, before Isa Prins finished the game off with a strike in the final minutes of the match.
The two sides now prepare for their semi-final showdown at Go Media Stadium next Wednesday, with fellow semi-finalists South Melbourne FC waiting to see who they will face after this weekend’s semi-final playoff.
Auckland FC: 5 (Emiliano TADE 38′, Aston BURNS 58′, 67′, Own Goal 62′, Isa PRINS 86′)
South Island United: 2 (David YOO 50′, Riley GROVER 56′)
HT: 1-0
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek