Marlee Francois of Auckland FC, during Auckland FC v Perth Glory FC at Go Media Stadium, Auckland. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Auckland FC capped a remarkable inaugural regular season at Mount Smart by clinching a 1-0 win over Perth Glory at Go Media Stadium on Sunday night, celebrating their maiden Premier's Plate triumph in style.
Marlee Francois's first goal for the club proved crucial but was something of a subplot as the Black Knights lifted silverware at the final whistle.
Despite the title being sewn up after Melbourne City's 0-0 draw last night, Auckland looked to cement their status as the league's best in front of an electric crowd of 24,221.
Auckland dominated from start to finish, racking up 27 attempts on goal, but despite their relentless pressure, it took until the 62nd minute for the deadlock to finally be broken.
Francois delivered a wicked in-swinging corner that evaded a crowded penalty area and the unfortunate Oli Sail before nestling in off the post - his first goal for the club and one that sparked jubilant celebrations both on the pitch and in the stands.
Goalkeeper Sail, returning to his hometown, was heroic for Perth, making a string of superb saves to frustrate Auckland throughout a one-sided fixture. Max Mata, in particular, was unlucky not to find the net, denied several times by last-ditch defending and Sail's brilliance.
Perth, rooted to the bottom of the table, offered flashes of resistance through Adam Taggart and substitute Khoa Ngo, but Alex Paulsen stood unthreatened in the Auckland goal.
The result not only sealed a fitting finale to Auckland's regular season home campaign but also marked a significant milestone - bringing the Premier's Plate to New Zealand for the first time in the A-League Men's history.
Auckland now turn their attention to the play-offs, buoyed by a dominant performance that underlined their title credentials.
Next up - a trip to Western United, where they will aim to maintain momentum heading into the business end of the season.
Catch up on the action with RNZ's live blog:
Squad lists
Auckland FC: 1. Michael WOUD, 2. Hiroki SAKAI, 4. Nando PIJNAKER, 5. Tommy SMITH, 6. Louis VERSTRAETE, 7. Cameron HOWIESON, 8. Luis TOOMEY, 9. Max MATA, 10. Guillermo MAY, 11. Marlee FRANÇOIS, 12. Alex PAULSEN, 14. Liam GILLION, 15. Francis DE VRIES, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 21. Jesse RANDALL, 22. Jake BRIMMER, 23. Dan HALL, 25. Neyder MORENO, 27. Logan ROGERSON, 28. Luis Felipe GALLEGOS
Perth Glory: 1.Oli SAIL, 3.Anas HAMZAOUI, 4.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS, 7.Nicholas PENNINGTON, 10.Nikola MILEUSNIC, 13.Cameron COOK, 16.Adam BUGARIJA, 17.Yuto MISAO, 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Trent OSTLER, 21.Luke AMOS, 22.Adam TAGGART (c), 23.Patrick WOOD, 25.Jaylan PEARMAN, 26.Khoa NGO, 27.Will FRENEY, 28.Kaelan MAJEKODUNMI, 29.Tomi MRCELA, 35.Seb DESPOTOVSKI, 36.Takuya OKAMOTO
