Auckland FC have claimed the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League Premiership in their inaugural season.
The Black Knights wrapped up the Premiers Plate with two games to play after Melbourne City dropped points to Adelaide United in a 0-0 draw at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
The goalless stalemate left Auckland with an unassailable five-point lead at the top of the table.
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Sunday’s home clash with Perth Glory at Go Media Stadium has become a coronation for Steve Corica’s side, who will celebrate their Premiership triumph in front of their home supporters.
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Not only is the 2024-25 Premiership Auckland’s maiden title, but the Black Knights have become the first New Zealand side to win an A-Leagues Premiership or Championship; it means more history for Steve Corica’s record-setting Auckland in the first season of their existence, amid a 13-match unbeaten streak.
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It has been a season of records for Auckland FC.
Auckland’s six-game winning streak to start the season also broke Western Suburbs’ 47-year-old record for the best start by a new entrant in Australian national league history. A run of five successive clean sheets broke Preston’s 38-year-old record for the longest time before conceding in an Australian national league season.
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With top spot secured, Auckland FC will sit out the first week of the Finals Series as two Elimination FInals (3rd v 6th and 4th v 5th) determine which two teams progress to the two-legged Semi-Finals, where Auckland and the second-place finishers (either Melbourne City, Western Sydney Wanderers, Melbourne Victory or Western United) will be awaiting the two Elimination Final winners.
The winners of the two-legged Semi-Finals will progress to the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final on the weekend of May 31 – June 1.