The mission is simple for Auckland FC head coach Steve Corica in Saturday’s inaugural New Zealand Derby against rivals Wellington Phoenix.
“I want to go there, try and steal the points, and come home,” Corica told reporters.
All eyes will be on Wellington this weekend as the Phoenix welcome high-flying Auckland to Sky Stadium in Round 3 of the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Currently sat first and second in the standings respectively, the ‘Nix will be hoping to silence their new neighbours by handing them their first ever competitive loss; a win for last season’s Semi-Finalists would also see them climb to the top of the ladder.
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“It is a derby game. It is for the fans. They want those bragging rights and obviously we want to continue our run,” Corica – who insisted the pressure is on the Phoenix as the home side – said in his pre-game press conference.
“We want to control the game. We want to play good football as normal but it is going to be passionate. We have to make it that way. It is a derby game.
“What I’ve seen before in derbies I’ve been involved in, both teams are very physical, it’s going to be a very fast game.”
Corica, smiling, added: “I think they’ve thrown a few things in the media, what I’ve read. That’s part and parcel of the derby, trying to pump it up.”
Auckland have two wins from two games to start their A-Leagues existence. They are just the second team in the history of the competition to achieve the feat.
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“Well I don’t think a lot of people would’ve thought we’d be here right now at the top,” said the former Sydney FC boss when asked whether he wanted to be the hunted or hunter.
“I’ve always been… at Sydney we liked to be at the top when I was there. We’ve always been the hunted. It’s no different.
“We need to be consistent with what we’re doing. Whether we’re up the top, we want to win games and continue that.
“Whether we’re chasing the top… it’s all about the performance and improving each week.”
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Saturday’s mouth-watering matchup will also see former Phoenix star Alex Paulsen return to Wellington, this time as an opposition player.
Paulsen – originally from Auckland – announced himself with the Phoenix last season before earning a transfer to Premier League outfit Bournemouth.
Paulsen has played an important role in Auckland’s perfect start to the season and his loan move to the Black Knights has only added fuel to the fire ahead of his Wellington reunion.
“Just to remain calm,” Corica said of his advice for Paulsen. “He’s going back to his old club, he’s going to get booed. That’s part and parcel of football these days.
“He just needs to focus on that, and only that. He will be fine.”
