Auckland FC head coach Steve Corica is “pretty sure” Alex Paulsen will not be in the Isuzu UTE A-League season as the star goalkeeper looks to move to the “next level” abroad.
With Auckland leading 1-0 heading into the 85th minute, the New Zealand goalkeeper pulled off a jaw-dropping save to deny Nikos Vergos, which Victory boss Arthur Diles labelled “world class”.
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“This is just unbelievable,” former A-Leagues star Erik Paartalu said on Network 10 commentary. “This could be the save of the season.
“It’s behind him. That was going in for all money. That has no right to be kept out of the net, Alex Paulsen.”
Paulsen has established himself as one of, if not, the best goalkeeper in the Isuzu UTE A-Leagues, having earned Goalkeeper of the Year honours with Wellington Phoenix in 2023-24 before Bournemouth pounced to sign the 22-year-old.
There has been talk of a move to Scottish Premiership outfit Hibernian, who are also part of the Black Knight Group, along with Bournemouth and Auckland.
Asked about Paulsen’s future post-game and whether he is ready to cement himself as a number one abroad, Corica told reporters: “I don’t think we will (keep him).
“He needs to go. He’s had two good seasons. He wants to play at a higher level like everyone does.
“He is on the books of Bournemouth. I’m not sure where he’s going to go next season but I’m pretty sure it won’t be with us unfortunately. That’s the way it goes.
“He’s had a great year last year. Just fell short towards the end but hopefully we can get him over the line this season and not only win the Premiership but win the Grand Final if we can.”
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Paulsen has kept 11 clean sheets this season and Corica added: “He is a confident player. He is a very good shot-stopper as you can see.
“There’s areas of his game he can improve on and obviously he knows that.
“But he is a fantastic goalkeeper and he has a lot of strengths. He just needs to keep improving and he’s doing that.
“He probably needs to play at the next level to improve more and I’m sure he will.”
