Photo: RNZ
Melbourne Victory v Auckland FC
Kick-off: 9.35pm Saturday, 16 May (NZT)
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Auckland FC's trophy cabinet has barely had time to gather dust and the Black Knights are already beginning their quest to give a lonely Premier's Plate some company.
They play the first of their A-League Finals Series semi-final shootouts this weekend, looking to take a strong advantage into next week's second leg at Mount Smart.
It's already a remarkable achievement for the freshman outfit but standing in their way are one of the league's powerhouses, Melbourne Victory, who know how to stifle Kiwi dreams at this stage of the competition.
Auckland FC team news
Auckland FC Manager Steve Corica celebrates with the A-League Premier Plate, 2025. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Steve Corica's men have had a hefty break following their final day 4-2 reverse at Western United and the result is a fully fit and firing squad ready to head across the ditch and pull off a result on Saturday night.
The formation Corica decides upon will be interesting. A three-man defensive unit with wing-backs was deployed the last time these teams duked it out, with Auckland coming out victorious by two-goals-to-nil.
Auckland will no doubt have a similar system readily available if Corica and co deem it necessary.
Goalkeepers: Alex Paulsen, Michael Woud; Defenders: Hiroki Sakai ©, Nando Pijnaker, Dan Hall, Tommy Smith, Francis de Vries, Callan Elliot; Midfielders: Louis Verstraete, Cameron Howieson, Luis Toomey, Jake Brimmer, Felipe Gallegos; Attackers: Max Mata, Guillermo May, Jesse Randall, Logan Rogerson, Neyder Moreno, Marlee Francois, Liam Gillion.
Melbourne Victory team news
The Phoenix sit dejected after their loss as Melbourne celebrate during the A-League Men’s Semi Final. Photo: Photosport / Marty Melville
As for the Victory, they harbour just the one new injury concern from their Elimination Series triumph over Western Sydney Wanderers, with Adama Traore sidelined. However, a returning Rene Piscopo will give Arthur Diles much needed attacking impetus. Mitch Langerak remains in the treatment room, with Jack Duncan set to feature in his place.
Duncan was in the Wellington Phoenix side that earned a 0-0 draw at this stage last season, before being gunned down at Sky Stadium the following week.
Auckland FC would no doubt take a similar result at AAMI Park, but will be desperate to avoid a similar overall fate.
Goalkeepers: Jack Duncan, Daniel Graskoski; Defenders: Lachlan Jackson, Brendan Hamill, Roderick Miranda, Joshua Inserra, Joshua Rawlins, Kasey Bos; Midfielders: Ryan Teague, Zinedine Machach, Jordi Valadon, Fabian Monge, Reno Piscopo; Forwards: Daniel Arzani, Nikolaos Vergos, Bruno Fornaroli, Clerismario Santos Rodrigues, Nishan Velupillay, Jing Reec, Alexander Badolato.
Recent meetings
Auckland players celebrate their 2-0 win with their fans. Photo: Con Chronis / Photosport
19 April 2025 Melbourne Victory 0-2 Auckland
01 January 2025 Auckland 0-0 Melbourne Victory
Just the two previous meetings between these two sides and Auckland have yet to concede a goal against their weekend opponents.
That's good going considering the array of attacking talent on hand for the home side, and something Auckland will look to continue this weekend.
Prediction
How do you even begin to predict this? Auckland have the upper hand over Victory so far but as their head coach Diles pointed out this week the finals are a different beast.
It's a different pressure, higher stakes and following a loss and two-week break, who knows how Auckland will be impacted? In saying that, you can only go by history and, so far, Auckland have managed to get the better of Victory by shutting them out with relative ease.
If they can do that again this weekend, but snatch a goal as well, then a final spot might be in sight.
Melbourne Victory 0-1 Auckland FC
