Auckland FC boss Steve Corica labelled midfielder Louis Verstraete ‘unbelievable’ after the Belgian played a key role in helping the Black Knights secure their second victory in as many games.
In what was a dramatic afternoon at Go Media Stadium, the home side secured a stunning late victory over Sydney FC thanks to a 97th minute winner from defender Nando Pijnaker.
But while the New Zealand international took all the plaudits after his inventive back-heeled finish sealed the points late in the game, it was another player Corica waxed lyrical about in his post-match press conference.
MATCH REPORT: DRAMA IN AUCKLAND! Black Knights stun Sydney FC with 97th minute winner
“When I spoke to him on Zoom, when we were talking to him to try and get him to sign, he told me exactly what he wanted (to do) as a player,” said Corica when asked about Verstraete’s performance.
“He wants to win the ball… and that’s very rare, that kind of stuff. He wants to defend, he wants to make tackles and he does a great job.
“He motors around the field as well. He breaks up play and starts the attack off for us by doing that.
“The first two games, I think he’s been unbelievable.”
Victory over Sydney FC held extra-special importance for Auckland FC’s head coach given his association with the Sky Blues.
A championship winner as both player and coach with Sydney FC, Corica was removed from his position just three games into the 2023-24 Isuzu UTE A-League season following a poor start to the campaign.
“A little bit,” smiled Corica when asked whether or not he had mixed emotions heading into the clash against the club he’s so synonymous with.
“I think it was more unusual during the week because I was thinking about it a little bit more. (It’s) the team that I spent 19 years at.
“There’s still a lot of players that are still there, coaching staff as well – they’re all fantastic people as well.
“I had a wonderful time at Sydney, they looked after me and obviously we won a lot of trophies there as well.
“But coaching, like I said before, is about moving on, making yourself better.”
With six points from an available six, Auckland FC now head into their hotly anticipated round three derby clash with Wellington Phoenix sat on top of the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Not to be outdone by their new neighbours, Wellington Phoenix fans organised for a message to be flown over Go Media Stadium before kick-off against Sydney FC with a banner which read: ‘NZ IS YELLOW – SEE YOU NEXT WEEK’ – a gesture which Corica saw the funny side of.
“I missed it, I just missed it! It was about next week wasn’t it?” laughed Corica when discussing the banner.
“It’s going to be the first ever derby so it’s going to be something special. The fans are very passionate about the derbies, the players are (too) and we want to put on a good performance.
“It’s our first chance to be away from home and we want to go there and win. It’s as simple as that.”
“It’s about going there, putting on a good performance and picking up three points but I’m sure it’s going to be a difficult game, a physical game as well.”
