Source: Radio New Zealand
Sam Cosgrove of Auckland FC celebrates his goal with team-mates Francis de Vries and Louis Verstraete in their 1-0 win over Sydney FC at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, on Saturday. Photosport
Auckland FC have regained the men’s A-League competition with a gutsy 1-0 win over Sydney FC on Saturday.
It was a game of drama, with Auckland bouncing back after going three matches without a win.
Coach Steve Corica had demanded more focus at the back end of their matches after they surrendered early leads in their last couple, and they showed plenty of defiance to hold on after Englishman Sam Cosgrove put them in front in the 20th minute.
It was his seventh goal of the season, and came from a melee in the Sydney goal area with Cosgrove’s left foot stab doing just enough to put his side on the scoreboard.
Cosgrove had a much better shot at goal in the 60th minute when he headed what looked likely to be a brilliant goal from a pinpoint Marlee François cross only to be denied by a flying save from Sydney goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares.
The goalie produced some other great saves against a fired-up Auckland attack, but he had to bow to redeemed Auckland keeper Michael Woud who didn’t let any of Sydney’s numerous attempts through.
Woud had made costly errors in his previous two outings and only got to play after Oli Sail’s knee injury ended Sail’s season last weekend.
“We’ve been going 1-0 up a lot lately and then been conceding goals late on, so I am really pleased to get a clean sheet,” Corica told Sky Sport.
“Sometimes you have to do it the hard way, but I think that was a really good performance from our boys.”
While Auckland FC sit top of the points ladder with the win, Newcastle Jets can quickly regain it if they beat Adelaide on Sunday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
