Auckland FC have been given permission to party hard in light of their Isuzu UTE A-League Premiership triumph but head coach Steve Corica insists his side are just getting warmed up when it comes to silverware.
Corica’s side went into Sunday’s home clash with Perth Glory already confirmed as Premiers following second-placed Melbourne City’s goalless draw with Adelaide United on Saturday night.
With the pressure off and the atmosphere pumping at a rain-soaked Go Media Stadium, the Black Knights eventually got the goal they needed to see off the Glory in the 62nd minute as winger Marlee Francois opened his account in style by scoring direct from a corner.
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While an inspired goalkeeping performance from Glory shot-stopper and Auckland native Oli Sail prevented it from being a rout in front of the 24,221 in attendance, the Black Knights duly wrapped up their 15th win of the season before lifting the Premiers Plate high into the night sky.
“Yeah obviously we want to celebrate,” beamed a jubilant Corica in his post-match press conference.
“I want to speak to the players about celebrating. They deserve it. I’m talking about tonight and maybe tomorrow!
“But after that, I think we have to think about recovering and getting ready for the weekend’s game, because that’s important as well.
He continued: “We want to finish the season strong away from home. So obviously tonight we’ll have a few drinks together here (Go Media Stadium) and I think we’ll go to the Black Knights club as well. All the families, I think, will be over there.
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“Then after that, we’ll separate, let the boys be boys, and enjoy themselves together. And our staff will be obviously having a quiet drink or two together.”
Eight points clear heading into the final round of Isuzu UTE A-League fixture, Corica’s side have been an almost ever-present at the top of the ladder throughout the regular season and not only possess the best defence in the league but also the third-best attack.
Auckland travel to Ironbark Fields on the final day of the campaign to face a Western United side fresh from their 1-0 win over Sydney FC on Sunday afternoon but despite having already clinched the Premiers Plate Corica says he won’t be resting any of his star players.
“No, not really I don’t think so at this stage because we have the week off after that. So if we don’t play them next week, they’ll have two weeks (off) then it’ll be three weeks before they play again in the semi-final.
“The momentum is good. We continue what we’re doing, and we try and beat Western there next week.”
Western’s victory over Sydney FC leaves them with a shot of claiming second spot on the ladder and with it, a place in next season’s AFC Champions League Elite, as they now sit just a point behind Melbourne City who currently occupy second place.
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Regardless of how the Black Knights fare though in the final round of the season, Corica says his side are fully focused on going on to make even more history after becoming the first New Zealand side to win the Isuzu UTE A-League Premiership.
“It’s been an amazing journey so far,” said Corica when asked for his reflection on the day and and the season as a whole.
“Obviously, we’re not done yet, (we’ve) still got another trophy that you know we want to try and achieve that as well.
He continued: “(To) make us the first team to do the double in our very first year. Wanderers obviously won the Premiership before in their first year so we want to try and top them if we can.
“That’s the motivation of the players to do that, you know, it would be something really special if we could get the double.”
