Nando Pijnaker scoring a goal during the A-League Men Round 24 match between Brisbane Roar and Auckland FC at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Photo: Dave Hunt/ Photosport
Auckland FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Kick-off: 5pm Saturday 5 April
Go Media Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
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Auckland FC's 2-0 win mirrored the result from the opening day of the season against the same opposition, writes Mathew Nash.
It was perhaps fitting that Auckland's return to winning ways came against their first-ever opponents, the Brisbane Roar. After three successive draws, which threatened to derail the Black Knights' Premier's Plate procession, Auckland swept aside the Queenslanders on a chewed-up Suncorp field in sticky humidity on Sunday night.
The 2-0 win mirrored the result from the opening day of the season against the same opposition. It also highlighted a return to a style that has served this Auckland side so well in an unprecedented debut campaign.
Auckland's run of five wins, with no goals conceded, was a record-breaking start to the season, which laid the foundations for Steve Corica's side to regularly snatch late wins or see out narrow leads.
But in recent weeks, Auckland have become leaky at the back. The 4-4 draw with the swashbuckling Adelaide United and the 2-2 draw with a resurgent Central Coast Mariners are the case in point. Auckland conceded ugly goals to end both fixtures, goals they would not have shipped in that opening quintet of games.
Perhaps it was the high from thrashing Wellington Phoenix 6-1, or the dip in form and presence of Louis Verstraete, or the absence of Dan Hall. But for some reason, Auckland's rock-steady defensive record got shaky, with Melbourne City overtaking them in that category record prior to this weekend.
Steve Corica and Ruben Zadkovich following the A-League Men Round 24 match between Brisbane Roar and Auckland FC at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Photo: Dave Hunt/ Photosport
So it was back to basics on Sunday as Auckland went seven points clear at the top of the table. For the first time since December, Corica could pair his first-choice centre-back duo of Dan Hall and Nando Pijnaker. Auckland have conceded just once in the seven games they have played alongside one another this season.
Alex Paulsen showed his best form, as did Versraete, who appears to be back in favour after a middling couple of months. Francis de Vries toned down his marauding style, while Hiroki Sakai was his usual formidable best. Tommy Smith returned to being 'The Closer' to tighten things up defensively late on, along with Callan Elliot, who replaced an understandably gassed de Vries to ensure no more of his recent fatigue-induced late lapses.
Was it pretty? At times, no. Was it exciting? Probably not. But Auckland have spoiled us for entertainment in their debut campaign - a boring but effective wag of the tail might be just what fans and the team need before a shot at ultimate glory in the post-season play-offs.
Photo: Masanori Udagawa
In other football news:
After arguably their best performance in weeks, the chat around the Wellington Phoenix should be about their 2-2 draw with Western Sydney. Instead, the news cycle in the capital has been swamped by the early release of Marco Rojas. The Kiwi legend was supposed to be the creative spark that pushed Giancarlo Italiano's side forward this season but injuries have blighted his return and he is now seeking new pastures. Hopefully some of the money saved can go towards a potential permanent deal for Chico Geraldes, the Portuguese import who has captured the imagination of fans on and off the pitch with his mercurial ability and magnetic personality.
Chris Wood's Nottingham Forest are into the FA Cup semi-finals after a penalty shoot-out win over Brighton. The All Whites striker missed the game with the hip injury suffered on international duty but will hope to return in time for the final four clash against Manchester City at Wembley on April 27.
Wellington Phoenix's women have had a productive campaign, but it is likely to end before the post-season following their latest loss, a hard-fought 1-0 reverse at home to league leaders Melbourne City. It puts Paul Temple's side four points off the top-six with just two games of the regular season remaining.
