Catch up on the Isuzu UTE A-League Team of the Week, powered by Opta.
The 2025-26 Isuzu UTE A-League season came to a dramatic close over the weekend as Auckland FC defeated Sydney FC in the Grand Final.
Having bagged the match winner as well as taking out the prestigious Joe Marston Medal, it’s no surprise that this week’s top point scorer was Auckland FC midfielder Cam Howieson.
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As expected it’s Auckland domination in the final Team of the Week for the 2025-26 Isuzu UTE A-League season and joining Howieson in the midfield is teammate Louis Verstraete, who put in another combative performance in midfield, whilst Sydney FC youngster Wataru Kamijo also put in an all-action display that earned himself selection.
Up front it’s Auckland’s front three from throughout the regular season who take their place in the line-up with Jesse Randall, Sam Cosgrove and Lachie Brook all earning selection after helping their side clinch the Isuzu UTE A-League Championship.
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In defence, Sydney FC skipper Rhyan Grant‘s all-action display sees him selected at right back whilst Auckland FC captain Hiroki Sakai is deployed at left full back. Central defenders Nando Pijnaker and Dan Hall are selected in the heat of defence after both put in commanding displays in the Grand Final.
Meanwhile Auckland FC goalkeeper Michael Woud was a safe pair of hands between the posts at Go Media Stadium and he’s rightfully selected as your goalkeeper in this week’s Team of the Week.
Team of the Week
Opta Points is a system where points are given to players for certain on-field actions. Players who complete the full game duration on the field typically end up with a point total ranging from 10 to 40 points. (View the full breakdown of Opta Points below).
Explained: Opta’s Team of the Week using Opta Points
The scoring system distinguishes only between field players and goalkeepers, assigning the same number of points to all field players for corresponding actions. A distinctive feature of this system is its exclusive focus on in-game actions, refraining from awarding points for post-game performances, such as securing a victory or allocating bonus points for maintaining a clean sheet.
Positive actions (goals, passes, tackles, etc…) will add to a player’s score and, conversely, negative actions (cards, own goals, goals conceded) will reduce a player’s points total. Theoretically, a player’s points value is unlimited, and players can conclude a game with negative points. However, players who complete the full game duration on the field typically end up with a point total ranging from 10 to 40 points.
Goals, Shots on target, shots off target, blocked shots, own goal, assists, passes, crosses, tackles, interceptions, fouls won, fouls conceded, offsides, yellow cards, red cards, goals conceded, penalty won, saves, penalty saved are included in Opta Points.
