Navy blues start year with a bang
Auckland City Football Club is quickly getting back into the winning groove with two away triumphs after the ASB Premiership resumed last week.
The navy blues kicked off the year following their FIFA Club World Cup Finals excursion with a clash against Waikato FC, who were put to the sword 4-1 at Centennial Park.
Daniel Koprivcic bagged the first goal in the third minute, but the hosts gradually got back into the match and deserved their equaliser when Waikato’s Sam Margetts netted on the half-hour mark.
But there was only one team in it by the second spell, with City regain- ing the lead four minutes into the second half.
Manel Exposito thundered home a shot into the top corner before he and Koprivcic netted another pair of goals a minute either side of the hour mark.
Canterbury United dominated the early stages against Auckland in Sunday’s match in Christchurch.
Andrew Barton headed Canterbury in front from an Aaron Clapham cross in the 12th minute.
City gradually worked their way back into the contest and drew level 14 minutes later when Alex Feneridis headed home a Luis Corrales cross.
The hosts were further silenced seven minutes into the second half when Koprivcic doubled the visitors’ lead following some poor Canterbury defending.
The visitors eventually sealed the points 11 minutes from time when substitute Tade headed home a free-kick, extending their lead to the final 3-1 scoreline.
City now lie second in the table, five points behind cross-town rivals Waitakere United but with a game in hand for Waitangi Day.