“The beautiful game is back in New Zealand’s largest region.”
The words of Sky Sports commentator Jason Pine set the scene as Auckland FC stepped out at Go Media Stadium for the very first Isuzu UTE A-League fixture in the club’s history.
The football-mad people of Auckland went almost 18 years without a local professional football club to support – but on Saturday afternoon, the long wait came to an end when Auckland FC walked out alongside Brisbane Roar in front of a sellout home crowd to officially begin New Zealand’s two-club A-Leagues era.
“It has been 18 long years since professional football has called Auckland home,” said Pine on the Sky Sports telecast.
“The pioneering Football Kingz and the ill-fated New Zealand Knights are just a distant memory for most in this part of the world – and for a long time it seemed that never again would Auckland have a football team to follow, a side to support, a club to call its own.
“But from their long-ago extinguished embers, driven by the vision and resources of its owners, the knowledge and know-how of its football department and the commitment and drive of its players, professional football today returns to the City of Sails.
“The beautiful game is back in New Zealand’s largest region.
“The dark days of the past have been illuminated by a billionaire Black Knight (owner Bill Foley), as football walks out of the shadows of its checkered history in this city, to what they hope will be a successful new dawn.”
READ MORE: Auckland FC kick off with a bang as rare A-Leagues anomaly helps Black Knights to historic win
Before a ball had been kicked in front of 24,492 fans at Go Media Stadium, it was clear that Auckland FC’s first Isuzu UTE A-League fixture would be a memorable affair.
But the on-field performance that followed helped turn a special occasion into something truly unforgettable for all involved at the club.
Brisbane defender Harry Van der Saag’s unfortunate own goal with just eight minutes on the clock put the hosts ahead and from there the Black Knights never looked back.
Under captain Hiroki Sakai’s leadership, Auckland’s defensive line held strong as All Whites forward Logan Rogerson doubled the lead in the second half to set up a convincing 2-0 win to the A-Leagues’ newest club.
‘The Port’, Auckland’s active supporter base, had arrived at the ground hours before kick-off to set the tone for the buzzing atmosphere at Go Media Stadium and after keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 win, Black Knights keeper Alex Paulsen was amazed by the atmosphere generated by the home support.
“Yeah, it was electric actually,” Paulsen said.
“The Port turned up and it was fantastic, I think all the boys are buzzing – especially for the fact they came in before the game started at the warm-up as well!
“It was just fantastic to have them behind us, supporting us all the way.”
From players to Prime Ministers, the atmosphere was noted by all inside Go Media Stadium.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who was in the house for the Black Knights’ first Isuzu UTE A-League fixture, joined the broadcast mid-game to marvel at the sights and sounds at Auckland’s historic home game, and pondered what the establishment of a second A-Leagues club in New Zealand could mean for the country in the future.
“The atmosphere is incredible,” said Prime Minister Luxon.
“The crowd is going off,” he added, “it’s a completely different atmosphere. Lots of young people in the audience and a lot of kids wearing the kits already. So, a pretty special day.
“I’m a big fan, I’m just a big supporter of what Bill Foley, (co-owners) Anna (Mowbray) and Ali (Williams) and others have all done to get this up and running. It’s a huge amount of effort, it’s a big investment and obviously a huge passion and commitment to make it come to life in the way that they have, which is pretty special.
“A really exciting day. A great day for football in New Zealand and Auckland. Thousands of kids are going to see their heroes here.
“We’ve had a lot of special football memories over the years here in New Zealand but this will just be the next level, which will be great.”
