![\"Dan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/dan-hall-of-auckland-fc-celebrates-following-the-a-league-me-KZUDCO3GCBALBNSNYRYUWYC5JQ.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAuckland FC place so much importance on penalty shootout preparation in A-League knockout matches, they devote part of the week practising their walk from the halfway line to the penalty spot.<\/p>\n
The Black Knights emerged victorious against Melbourne City in their elimination in Auckland on Saturday, thanks to winning a tense penalty shootout 7-6. The scores were locked together 1-1 after fulltime and extra time.<\/p>\n
The first 12 shots in the shootout all found the net until Melbourne defender Nathaniel Atkinson had his shot saved by Auckland goalkeeper Michael Woud.<\/p>\n
Dan Hall brought the home crowd to their feet when he then converted from the spot, the defender sending Auckland through to a two-leg semi-final against Adelaide United.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Dan Hall of Auckland FC celebrates following the A-League Men Elimination Final match between Auckland FC and Melbourne City at Go Media Stadium. (Source: Getty)<\/p>\n
Auckland FC director of football Terry McFlynn told Morning Report he wasn’t surprised his players were a perfect seven-from-seven in the shootout, given their preparation during the week.<\/p>\n
“For us, we knew there was a big possibility of penalties, so we have to replicate that as best we can,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We worked on that during the week. Players walking from the halfway line to the penalty spot just to familiarise themselves with that walk.<\/p>\n
“You try and replicate that and you try and make the players familiar with it, so that when it comes game day, it’s not new to them.<\/p>\n
“They’ve done it before, they’ve practised it, they’ve visualised it and then just visualise the ball hitting the back of the net.<\/p>\n
“I thought all our players was very clinical and very concise with their penalties.”<\/p>\n
Prior to the match, Hall had yet to score a goal in his two seasons at Auckland but held his nerve under accute pressure.<\/p>\n
![\"Auckland](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/auckland-fc-fans-crowd-and-supporters-aka-the-port-auckland-OE7ZPYGSU5F75FCLX7OMUU2DJU.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Auckland FC fans, crowd and supporters aka The Port, Auckland FC v Melbourne City, A-League Elimination Final match at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday 2 May 2026. (Source: Photosport)<\/p>\n
McFlynn said he had full confidence the Australian-born Fijian international was capable of doing the job.<\/p>\n
“I’ve always thought he’s been a big threat for us at set pieces. So I was hoping he would get a goal from open play, but it wasn’t to be and it came down to the penalty shootout,” he said.<\/p>\n
“So it’s good for him to get on the score sheet for us finally.<\/p>\n
“I’m very confident in all our boys. We practised them during the week and I’d watched the penalties and I knew Dan was very clinical in his conviction of where he was going to go with the penalty shot. I was very confident that he would score.”<\/p>\n
The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including a grisly murder shocks Sydney Police, and Liam Lawson crashes out of the Miami Grand Prix. (Source: Breakfast)<\/p>\n
Auckland FC will host the first leg of their semi-final against Adelaide on Saturday night, followed by return match in Adelaide the following Friday.<\/p>\n
The Black Knights were eliminated at the same stage last season, beaten over two legs by Melbourne Victory.<\/p>\n