The weather meant the match was delayed for an hour, before it eventually kicked off at 6pm.
A lightning storm preceded Auckland FC v Wellington Phoenix. Photo / Photosport
Given the difficult conditions, especially in the first half, the quality of the football was impressive.
It was an encouraging performance from Auckland FC – probably their best of the season in possession – as they created plenty. But they lacked the final killer touch, with Logan Rogerson missing a gilt-edged chance with minutes to go, while Sam Cosgrove had several opportunities.
But Phoenix keeper Henry Gray was a big presence and Wellington’s defensive structure is much improved this season. They fashioned a few chances but lost their way somewhat after halftime. Auckland had a different tactical shape, at times almost a back three, which created more space further forward.
There were typical derby moments, with some robust challenges and a couple of mini melees.
There were three changes to the Auckland starting XI that faced Brisbane. Jake Brimmer was ruled out, after a shoulder injury suffered in training, replaced by Dan Normann, while Callan Elliot was preferred to Lachlan Brook and Cosgrove returned from his one-match ban.
The build-up on Saturday afternoon was intense, with torrential rain blanketing Penrose, then regular bouts of lightning. But the weather eventually cleared, rewarding the 18,477 valiant fans that had gambled on the trip.
Given the conditions and the waterlogged pitch, the first half had decent quality. The rain came again briefly – soon after kickoff and by then Alex Rufer and Bill Tuiloma had already made their presence felt with strong challenges. The Phoenix settled quicker – with some half chances around the penalty area, while midfielder Kazuki Nagasawa should have done better, skewing his shot wide from close range after some head tennis.
It was relatively open – perhaps because of the conditions – and Auckland looked good down both flanks. Michael Woud had to be alert after Rafael Duran redirected a Bryce Duke shot, while a Francis de Vries free kick from 25 metres was well struck and just over the bar, though Gray had it covered.
Auckland FC’s Sam Cosgrove clashes with Wellington Phoenix’s Bill Tuiloma. Photo / Photosport
It was physical, with Corban Piper throwing himself around, though the crowd enjoyed a well-timed Sakai tackle on the Phoenix striker.
There were more half-chances than anything else, with the final shot or pass not quite there.
Probably the best opportunity fell to Bill Tuiloma just before the break, but he directed his header straight at Woud from a precise Rufer cross.
Conditions were significantly better in the second half, with the rain gone and the pitch mostly dried out.
A vital Rufer block stopped Nando Pijnaker, after the ball fell to the centre back following a free kick.
Cosgrove was unlucky, inches away from opening the scoring on the hour mark, with his shot deflected wide of the far post by Gray as it went through his legs without the keeper knowing much about it, after incisive passes by Sakai and Lachlan Bayliss had created the opportunity. That lifted everyone present, with Cosgrove close to getting away soon afterwards.
The English striker had come into the game; a well-struck half-volley, from Rogerson’s delivery, was on target but cannoned into James McGarry, before a far-post header hit the side netting.
Auckland FC’s Lachlan Brook’s shot is saved against the Wellington Phoenix. Photo / Photosport
Auckland had all the impetus, with Phoenix coach Chris Greenacre introducing Riley Bidois for Duran, while Brook came on for a dazed Elliot, after a head knock. Brook had an early chance – though the excellent Gray was there to smother – before Brook and Piper were booked, as tempers frayed in an ugly incident that had also involved Alex Rufer.
It was a frenetic finale. Rogerson went close twice. First, as he just failed to connect with a Brook cross that eluded everyone, before an almost identical situation, where he probably should have scored at the far post.
Auckland FC 0
Wellington Phoenix 0
H/T: 0-0
Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.