Auckland FC have become just the second side in A-Leagues history to win their first two matches after they defeated Sydney FC courtesy of a goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
A stunning end to proceedings saw Sydney FC have what they thought would be the winner chalked off in the 82nd minute due to an offside call before Black Knights defender Nando Pijnaker sent the home crowd into a frenzy with less than a minute remaining in the Round 2 showdown on Sunday.
Failing to clear their lines from a free-kick, the Sky Blues defence didn’t pick up Pijnaker who pounced, backheeling the ball between the legs of goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, sending the Black Knights to the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder.
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It also gave Auckland head coach and Sky Blues legend Steve Corica bragging rights in his first reunion with Sydney since leaving the Sky Blues during the 2023-24 campaign.
To add injury to the insult of losing in stoppage time, Sydney will now be sweating over the fitness of star winger Joe Lolley, who was forced from the field in the first half with what looked to be a groin injury.
An already vocal crowd at Go Media Stadium were given an extra pump-up before the game after a plane was spotted circling ahead with a banner which read ‘NZ is Yellow – see you next week!’ – a cheeky message from Wellington Phoenix fans ahead of the first ever derby clash between the two sides.
A lively start saw Sydney – without Douglas Costa – test Auckland keeper Alex Paulsen in the 11th minute but Joe Lolley’s freekick from the edge of the area was comfortably saved by the New Zealand international.
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The away side then threatened Paulsen’s goal again, this time in the 20th minute as Brazilian Leo Sena took aim from outside the box but his shot curled past the far post.
The Black Knights responded with two good chances of their own; first Rogerson firing straight at Andrew Redmayne after beating the offside trap in the 21st minute before Uruguayan forward Guillermo May then sent a curling effort over the bar shortly after.
Looking to take advantage of Sydney FC’s high line, Auckland continued to play balls into the space behind the Sky Blues defensive unit with May proving to be a constant thorn in their side.
Disaster then struck for the Sky Blues in the 32nd minute after star winger Lolley went down holding his groin.
Receiving treatment, the Englishman then tried to play on but two minutes later was down on the turf once again, this time though he was unable to continue and was replaced by Patrick Wood.
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To make matters worse for the visitors, head coach Ufuk Talay was then forced to his bench once again after central midfielder Corey Hollman went off injured less than five minutes into the second half.
Now the side asking all the questions, Auckland FC were inches away from taking the lead in the 56th minute.
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A sumptuous through ball from Luis Felipe Gallegos picked out the run of Gillion who, after getting the ball under control, fired past the on-rushing Redmayne but his shot crashed back off the crossbar.
Sydney FC then had claims for a penalty waved away in the 59th minute despite defender Francis De Vries appearing to haul striker Patryk Klimala to the ground inside the box.
Jordan Courtney-Perkins was then denied the game’s opening goal after forcing Paulsen into a brilliant reaction save in the 82nd minute however the breakthrough would come soon after – or so we though.
Failing to clear their lines from the resulting corner, Auckland were punished after Ouahim’s driven ball into the area was flicked into the far corner by defender Matthews.
However, a lengthy VAR check deemed Klimala was in an offside position as the ball ricocheted around the box and as such, Matthews was denied a first ever Isuzu UTE A-League goal.
But there was still time for late drama. Failing to clear a free-kick into the box, the Sydney FC defence couldn’t deal with the threat of Pijnaker, who’s cheeky backheel squirmed through the legs of Redmayne and over the line, blowing the roof of Go Media Stadium.
