Stars to play at home
After an incredible end to the year Auckland City FC fans finally have a chance to watch their heroes play on home soil this Sunday.
Coach Ramon Tribulietx and his men will take on the Wellington Phoenix reserves at Kiwitea St from 2pm.
Captain Ivan Vicelich, who was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honours, will lead the Navy Blues into action against a Wellington side which will likely feature players who have been on the fringes of the Hyundai A-League club side.
City will have all their stars on show from their Moroccan success which saw them finish third in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Sunday’s Kiwitea St clash will be their second of 2015 after City put on another massive performance against the Japan national side at the weekend.
The international friendly was played in Cessnock, New South Wales in sweltering conditions.
Despite City going down 2-0 to a full strength side, the Oceania champions dominated possession.
Tribulietx was disappointed with the loss of a second goal after dominating the game for large periods but given his team footed it with an international side, he expressed a degree of satisfaction.
‘‘I think the game was pretty even. We had more of the ball by a mile and Japan were sitting deep and they made it difficult for us to penetrate.
‘‘We could’ve scored. It was a great chance but once again, in some respects, I don’t care as much about the result as I do about how we played.’’
After Sunday’s match with the Phoenix reserves Auckland City FC will take on NZ Wanderers in ASB Premiership action on January 14 at North Harbour Stadium.