Auckland FC shattered more records as the Isuzu UTE A-League newcomers soared to the top of the table with a 1-0 victory over Macarthur Bulls on Sunday.
Guillermo May’s first A-Leagues goal proved the difference in Sydney, where Auckland became the first team in the history to win their opening four matches in the competition.
May’s 34th-minute goal at Allianz Stadium also saw Auckland become the first team in Isuzu UTE A-League to keep four clean sheets in their first four games in the league, surpassing Adelaide United in their first match in Australia.
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With the win, Auckland leapfrogged rivals Wellington Phoenix atop the standings heading as seventh-placed Macarthur dropped six points off the pace.
There was plenty of action from the outset in the Unite Round matchup after an early warning sign from 2024 Australia Cup champions Macarthur – Ariath Piol got in behind Auckland’s defence but his strike was kept out by Paulsen in the 17th minute.
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Four minutes later at the other end, Jake Brimmer rounded Macarthur goalkeeper Filip Kurto as the goal opened up for him to score but the Auckland star tried to square the ball to a team-mate but it was picked off by Luke Brattan in the nick of time.
A gilt-edged chance went begging for Valere Germain and Macarthur when a sublime cross found the Bulls captain but the former Monaco and Marseille star somehow managed to miss the target from close range in the 24th minute.
Then, Macarthur were punished for a sloppy give as May scored his first A-Leagues goal and the club’s first on Australian shores.
Auckland’s advantage was kept intact on the stroke of half-time when Paulsen’s one-handed save thwarted Piol from an acute angle.
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Paulsen was scrambling 23 minutes from the end as Kealey Adamson’s long-range strike fizzed just wide of the post.
There was a stoppage-time chance for Brattan, who tried his luck from distance but it bounced wide of Paulsen’s post.
