Francis De Vries is the Isuzu UTE A-League’s set-piece king in 2024-25 – but if you ask the Auckland FC star, he hasn’t always been renowned for creating goalscoring opportunities with his wand of a left foot.
The Auckland left-back has six assists this season, with five coming from dead-ball situations. Three of De Vries’ assists have come from corners, with one produced from a free-kick and another, incredibly, notched direct from a throw-in to Guillermo May in last weekend’s pulsating 4-4 draw with Adelaide United.
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No player has produced more assists from dead balls than De Vries this season, and only four players (Zach Clough, Marin Jakolis, Jed Drew, Brandon Borrello) have more assists (seven) than De Vries’ six after 21 rounds of the regular season.
The New Zealand international has been one of the standout players in the competition this season, with his set piece and crossing ability complementing his solidity in a defence that has conceded just 17 goals in 18 games.
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But in the aftermath of Auckland’s 4-4 draw with Adelaide, De Vries revealed crossing has not always been a strong part of his game. In fact, a lack of quality in ball delivery once led to him being dropped from a junior side.
“I think growing up as a left-footer, you tend to get pushed in that direction a little bit more because there’s not as many of them on the team,” he said.
“When I was younger, a coach actually told me that, when I was 13, I didn’t make a team because my crossing wasn’t good enough. So I remember thinking about and (it) – it wasn’t, like it was right, because I was struggling to get the ball to the ground and stuff.
“But I really consciously remember that and going to the park and practicing on that, and when you’re by yourself, it’s one of the easiest things to practice on.
“So learning that technique has been incredible for me and my career, and I’m glad it’s contributing well for the team as well. But it’s not anything unless the guys knock it in. So you have the boys in the middle are doing well.”
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Auckland have scored 15 goals from set pieces this season – the most of any team in the league. Steve Corica’s side sit eighth in the rankings for goals scored from open play, highlighting how important dead ball delivery has been in terms of turning chances into goals for an Auckland side sitting eight points clear at the top of the table after 21 rounds.
De Vries believes consistency has been key to his side unlocking its potential from set pieces, when it comes to practicing both the delivery of the ball into dangerous areas and the runs made to meet the delivery and find the back of the net.
“Probably consistency of delivery into the right places, players making the right runs, us obviously practicing on it each week,” he said.
“So it’s a lot of things that add up, but nothing happens by accident. And I think it’s mostly credit to the boys in there getting in the right position and finishing it off, which is great.”
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After Saturday’s 4-4 draw with Adelaide, league leaders Auckland now turn their attention to a Round 22 clash with Newcastle Jets across the ditch at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Newcastle are currently enjoying a stellar run of form, having won their last three games off the back of back-to-back draws, meaning Rob Stanton’s side head into Round 22 unbeaten in five games.
“It will be a good game,” De Vries said. “They’re obviously a very good side. I think some other people, Steve (Corica) included, have spoken about that at length last time we played them, and in pre-season, I remember, they moved the ball really well.
“They’ve got some exciting players. They seem to be coming together as a unit, scoring goals. So here it’s going to be a great match to watch, and we’re going in there fully focused and prepared.”
