Dan Hall was the outstanding figure on the field – with a number of vital tackles and blocks – but the rest of the back five weren’t far behind. There were warriors across the park, principally Howieson and Louis Verstraete, who were outnumbered but never yielded.
Corica named an unchanged XI for the final , which meant a back five again and Francis de Vries on the bench. The crowd started building at 530pm, more than two hours before kick-off. The Port came early too – with their Oasis inspired banner “We see things you’ll never see” a dig at the Wellington Phoenix. The weather was perfect, impressing the large Australian broadcast contingent, including A-League legend Archie Thompson.
It was all set up for Auckland FC but Sydney had been in hot form since new coach Patrick Kisnorbo took over in March and they hadn’t lost an A-League away match in more than three months.
There was an electric atmosphere at kick off, with chants of Auckland, Auckland reverberating around the capacity crowd. Hall managed crucial early block – setting a pattern for the night – while Sam Cosgrove was pushed to the ground in the penalty area but referee Alex King waved away appeals from the home side.
It was tight and cagey. Auckland had half chances – Verstraete was tackled on the edge of the area, then Howieson just failed to capitalise on a Harrison Devenish-Meares slip up.Sydney were taking chances in their own area – trying to draw Auckland in – and looked dangerous on the break.
But the home side had the initiative, though captain Hiroki Sakai implored them to calm down. Randall threatened to get away a couple of times – but was reeled in – before he finally cut inside to get free just before halftime, his thumping shot too close to the keeper.
Auckland were up for it, flying into challenges, with one of Howieson’s (legal) tackles like something out of a Merseyside derby. Elliot and Verstraete were others to make their physical presence felt. But there was warning just before the break, with Hall across to clear, as two Sydney attackers raced through.
Randall was away again early in the second half – but well covered – before Hall saved Nando Pijnaker’s blushes with a vital interception. Tiago Quintal was lucky to avoid sanction, after a late challenge on Hall, with Verstraete picking up the first yellow soon afterwards. Things then went a bit mad, with three more bookings in a blink (Hall, Cosgrove and Elliot) to the crowd’s disgust.
Then came Howieson’s moment in the 59th minute, one that is destined to be replayed for years to come. As Sydney failed to clear from a long throw, the ball bounced back and forward before Howieson struck, with a firm half volley from just inside the area, which was deflected in by defender Jordan Courtney-Perkins. It would have tested Devenish-Meares anyway but the touch made completely sure.
Quite bedlam, with a flare thrown from the port and Th’ Dudes anthem Bliss blared over the stadium speakers. From there the game opened up – Sydney FC had to push forward – and Auckland enjoyed some of their best passages, without an end product, as the visitors defended well. And they had chances too, with some nervy moments, though Randall should have sealed the win with 10 minutes to play. He did everything right, breaking down the left then cutting inside his marker but he somehow skied his effort from barely six yards, with the crowd already on their feet.
The final period was far too tense from an Auckland point of view, as they didn’t manage the game as they would have liked and gave hope to Sydney FC, who threw everything. But one last Hall block, before a Pijnaker clearance, then the sweet sound of King’s whistle, after five minutes of added time, meant the party could begin.
Auckland FC 1 (Cam Howieson 59)
Sydney FC 0
Halftime 0-0
Auckland FC have the chance to become the first New Zealand team to win the A-League grand final.
But the Black Knights face a Sydney FC side who have won the competition five times in their history.
Here is everything you need to know about the A-League’s biggest game of the season.
Road to the grand final
Both sides took the long route to the competition’s biggest game.
Auckland FC had a better finish on the regular-season ladder, taking third place and 42 points, which forced them into an elimination final with Melbourne City.
The Black Knights won that match on penalties and put in a very strong second-leg semi-final performance against Adelaide United to win the tie 4-1 on aggregate.
Meanwhile, Sydney FC finished fifth in the regular season, which set them up for an elimination final against the Melbourne Victory.
Sydney won their first playoff game 1-0 and then settled their semi-final tie against Premier’s Plate holders the Newcastle Jets with a 4-2 win on penalties.
Auckland FC v Sydney FC
Saturday, 8.10pm
The Black Knights have put their poor end-of-season form behind them with impressive results in the A-League playoffs, including a dominant victory over Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium in South Australia.
Despite a tough start to the second leg, Auckland FC looked on top throughout the match, with goals from Jake Girdwood-Reich, Sam Cosgrove and Logan Rogerson helping them through to the grand final.
Auckland FC have the chance to win the A-League grand final on Saturday. Photo / Photosport
Coach Steve Corica opted for a back five in Adelaide, with Nando Pijnaker returning to the starting XI, something he could opt for again, given how effective it was last time out.
Captain Hiroki Sakai was instrumental throughout, showing impressive play going forward, while Girdwood-Reich put in a player-of-the-match performance as the team’s standout player in attack and defence.
Sydney FC had a mixed end to their regular season, winning one of their last five games, but look to be a team who know how to put in a strong performance in post-season play.
They were unlucky to not progress to the grand final in normal time against the Newcastle Jets, conceding in the 96th minute of their second leg to force the game to extra time.
However, the five-time champions absorbed any further pressure thrown at them by the Premier’s Plate winners to send the match to penalties, which they eventually won 4-2 on enemy territory.
Auckland FC beat Sydney in their previous meeting at Go Media Stadium in February, while the teams drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture.
The Australian side were able to come away with a victory in their other trip to New Zealand this season, beating the Wellington Phoenix 1-0 at the start of March.
Auckland FC beat Sydney FC the last time they played at Go Media Stadium. Photo / Photosport
Weather
Fans might want to take a jacket to the stadium, with some cooler temperatures forecast for the evening, but MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said there could be a slight risk of rain throughout the day.
“It’s generally settled weather, with the wind direction being a sort of east-southeast, which typically is going to be pretty good for Auckland, you get quite a lot of sheltering from Coromandel Peninsula,” Ferris said.
“However, it is modelled to see some showers around Auckland, it does look to be more so in the afternoon and it might even, if you’re all lucky and get out and support the lads, it might come right by kickoff is kind of what I’m seeing.
“There’s a little bit of cloud around, but that will just make it not cool off too quickly after dark.”
He said fans might not feel too cold overall if they’re all packed in together at the stadium.
“Definitely take a coat, but I don’t think we’re going overly cold.
Ferris said there was a minimum of 12C forecast, with 19C the high, “so it’ll still be in the sort of mid-teens at sunset”.
“It does look like there’s still a little bit of a breeze, maybe that won’t be so much of an issue inside the stadium if you’re all packed in, but to and from the game, definitely worth having something a little bit warmer.”
Fans are advised to bring a jacket to the grand final. Photo / Photosport
Travel advice
Bus and rail services to the stadium are included in match tickets from 4.30pm, while a dedicated “fan train” will run from Waitematā Station (Britomart) to Penrose at 7pm.
Auckland Transport will provide extra train capacity and two buses will be on standby to support the NX1 service if there is high demand.
Auckland Transport CEO Stacey van der Putten asked those going to the fixture to plan trips ahead of time.
“It’s been fantastic to enjoy the real buzz around the city and beyond that Auckland FC has brought to us,” she said.
“It’s going to be a big weekend for Auckland so we’re asking people to plan their trips ahead of time so they can travel smoothly.
“Just like after all big events in Auckland and around the world, there may be a bit of a wait while our team works hard to help get you home on board our buses and trains.”
Auckland Transport ambassadors will be on Station Rd near Penrose Train Station to offer face painting before the match, as well from 6pm to 7.45pm.
Kickoff is at 8.10pm.