Nando Pijnaker of Auckland FC after scoring against the Brisbane Roar. Photo: Photosport
Coach Steve Corica says he favours points over performance after Auckland FC ground out a 2-0 win in Brisbane to surge further clear on the A-League standings.
Goals late in each half to Nando Pijnaker and captain Hiroki Sakai earned the visitors a welcome three points to extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches and push them seven points clear of second-placed Western United atop the standings.
Affected by very humid conditions, the Black Knights weren't at their fluent best against the lowly Brisbane Roar.
However, Corica said his team have reached the point in their maiden season where - with just five games remaining - they can target clinching the Premiers Plate by finishing as regular season winners.
Dan Hall of Auckland FC celebrates the goal of Hiroki Sakai (L) against Brisbane Roar. Photo: photosport
For that reason, he is prioritising league points and doesn't mind how they get them.
"Definitely, for me I'd take three points any day, over playing good football," Corica said.
"We did play some good football at times, we defended well at times, we dug deep at times and showed how much we wanted to win the game.
"At the end of the day it's about getting results, and for us it's about trying to win something.
"With Western having their bye, we thought we could go further ahead and put more pressure on them and continue our run of 10 games unbeaten, which is full credit to the boys - great attitude, great desire to go on and win that game in tough conditions."
Corica was pleased to end their run of three straight draws and also noted a tightening in their defence after conceding a total of seven goals across those three stalemates.
"We worked hard for a clean sheet and that was really pleasing. We've probably conceded a few too many goals of late and wanted to try and stop that."
Corica said injured midfielder Neyder Moreno could return for Saturday's home match against fifth-placed Western Sydney while forward Liam Gillion "is not far away either".
