Top of the league but Auckland FC's Steve Corica already eyeing ...

With two wins under his belt, Auckland FC head coach Steve Corica is already looking forward to next Saturday’s first-ever A-League derby against the Wellington Phoenix. 

“It’s going to be the first ever derby so it’s going to be something special,” Corica told a media briefing after Auckland FC’s 1-0 win against Sydney.

“The fans are very passionate about the derbies, the players are (too) and we want to put on a good performance.

“It’s our first chance to be away from home and we want to go there and win. It’s as simple as that.

“It’s about going there, putting on a good performance and picking up three points but I’m sure it’s going to be a difficult game, a physical game as well.”

The two New Zealand teams fill the top two spots on the Isuzu UTE A-League table after Round 2.

Auckland FC have had a dream start to life in the A-League, and are the only club to nail maximum points for their two outings, and to have not yet conceded a goal.

Auckland FC drew 14,263 spectators to Go Media Stadium Mt Smart for their second home game, following their 24,492 attendance for the season opener against Brisbane Roar.

READ MORE: Auckland FC attract capacity crowd for debut — but how does it compare? >>>>

As well as the entertainment on the grass, the crowd were also treated to an aerial jibe from the Phoenix who organised a small aircraft to fly a banner over the stadium, bearing the words: ‘NZ is yellow — see you next week!”

“I missed it,” a laughing Corica said at his post-match briefing.

I just missed it! It was about next week, wasn’t it?”

Two games gone; the third is already on the radar …

Results

Game played on Sunday October 27, 2024

Perth Glory 0Wellington Phoenix 2 (Scott Wootton 39′, Tim Payne 49′)

READ MORE: Wellington Phoenix earn first win of new men’s A-League season >>>>

Auckland FC 1 (Nando Pijnaker 90+7′)Sydney 0

READ MORE: Auckland FC go top of A-League with last gasp winner from Nando Pijnaker >>>>