Auckland FC are now five points clear at the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League following an entertaining goalless draw with Melbourne Victory on Wednesday.
Both sides had good chances to break the deadlock at Go Media Stadium on New Year’s Day, with Victory keeper Jack Duncan catching the eye with an impressive performance to help the away side seal a valuable point in Auckland.
Auckland defender Francis De Vries went closest to finding the back of the net but his powerful header was somehow stopped by Duncan on the line as both sides were forced to settle for a draw.
Subway Socceroos winger Nishan Velupillay went close to snatching a dramatic late winner for the away side but his shot flew inches wide of the far post in the 93rd minute.
The result moves the Black Knights five points clear of second-placed Adelaide United while Victory are now level on points (18) with the Reds in third place.
Kicking off 2025 in front of a strong crowd at Go Media Stadium, defender Nando Pijnaker set the tone for the afternoon when he fired a dipping volley narrowly over the ball from an Auckland set-piece.
Peeling away to the far post at a corner, an unmarked De Vries then sent a bullet header towards goal which was somehow flicked over the bar after hitting Victory keeper Duncan in the face.
The away side had their first sight of goal in the 13th minute as the impressive Ryan Teague drilled a shot narrowly wide of the target from the edge of the box.
Reno Piscopo then had Auckland keeper Alex Paulsen scrambling in the 19th minute but fortunately for the Black Knights’ shot-stopper Piscopo’s deflected effort landed on the roof of the net.
Victory went close again, this time in the 25th minute, as Jason Geria almost opened the scoring in his 200th Isuzu UTE A-League match but his curling effort sailed wide of the far post after he’d combined well with Daniel Arzani down the right.
Auckland FC’s resident saxophonist had the fans on their feet at half time with a brilliant rendition of ‘Freed from Desire’ and that seemingly had the home side pumped-up after the restart.
Striker Guillermo May found the back of the net in the 47th minute after beating Duncan from a tight angle however the goal was chalked off due to May being offside.
Auckland midfielder Louis Verstraete then tested Duncan from the edge of the area with a low effort as the Black Knights continued to knock on the Victory door but the opposition stood firm.
Both sides continued to push for a late winner and Victory sub Velupillay almost came up with the golden moment in the dying seconds.
Sprinting clear down the left, Nikos Vergos cut the back to Velupillay who then bent a right footed shot agonisingly wide of the far post, much to the relief of keeper Paulsen.
The result means Auckland FC move five points clear at the top while Victory become just the second side to have snagged a point from Auckland this season.
