Can anyone stop history-making Auckland FC? The Black Knights made it five wins from their first five Isuzu UTE A-League campaigns after overcoming Newcastle Jets 2-0.
Neyder Moreno was the hero for high-flying Auckland – the Colombian recruit came off the bench and broke the deadlock with seven minutes of regulation remaining at Go Media Stadium, where Francis De Vries sealed the points six minutes later on Saturday.
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“It’s another record for the boys. It’s history and a great achievement,” Auckland head coach Corica told reporters.
“They’re working hard. You can see how hard they’re working to keep a clean sheet.
“It’s hard to stop every opportunity. Alex made a great save to keep us with the clean sheet.
“Obviously very happy. That’s five wins on the trot, five clean sheets. A pretty amazing start.”
Auckland are top of the standings, five points clear of Wellington, who have the bye this weekend while Newcastle are 11th and six points outside the top six.
It sets up the blockbuster New Zealand Derby perfectly, with Auckland set to host rivals the Phoenix on December 7.
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For the first time this season, history-making Auckland were without their captain and Japanese superstar Hiroki Sakai, who was absent due to a hamstring injury.
As the rain fell at Go Media Stadium, the Jets had an early chance to silence the home crowd but Auckland goalkeeper Alex Paulsen stood tall to thwart Newcastle forward Ben Gibson in the third minute following a brilliant throughball from Eli Adams.
As the rain continued to fall, Newcastle shot-stopper Ryan Scott came up big to keep the scores level in the 24th minute – Dan Hall’s acrobatic strike at the back post pushed over the bar.
Scott’s reaction in the 62nd minute left Auckland players bemused as to how the ball stayed out of the net after his last-ditch block and Mark Natta’s clearance frustrated the home side once more.
GET YOUR TICKETS TO ROUND 6 OF THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE SEASON!
The Jets caused some concerns 17 minutes from the end when Clayton Taylor forced a fine save from Paulsen before a follow-up effort flashed just wide of the post.
Moreno broke Newcastle’s resistance in the 84th minute with his first goal for the club after his volley found the back of the net.
Justin Vidic thought he had equalised three minutes later but the Jets forward’s goal was ruled out offside before De Vries made sure of the points for Auckland in the 89th minute.
