Auckland pose for a phone photo as they celebrate victory with a late goal by Neyder Moreno. Photo: Mark Evans / www.photosport.nz
For the second year running, with 10 games left to play, a New Zealand side is five points clear at the top of the A-League Men's ladder and looking likely to win their first domestic silverware. The other Kiwi outfit is struggling to keep pace with the top six, with a playoff spot looking increasingly unlikely. But if you had suggested 12 months ago that the fledgling Auckland FC would be the table-toppers and Wellington Phoenix the strugglers, most would have brushed you off as, at the very least, eccentric.
But here we are. With 10 games remaining for both in this season's A-League, the Black Knights are now strong favourites to do something Wellington have yet to achieve in their near 18 years of existence. Meanwhile, the Phoenix are six points back from Sydney FC in the final play-off place, with just one win in their last seven outings.
This weekend saw Wellington fail to double down on their Melbourne Victory revenge tour, as they fell to defeat against last season's semi-final combatants. Optimism was definitely present when a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture left the Phoenix second in a Kiwi one-two back in November. Since then, just nine more points have been accumulated as Giancarlo Italiano's side have faded down the table.
Guillermo Bartesaghi of Auckland FC heads the ball at goal as Filip Kuro of Macarthur FC reacts to make a save in their men’s A-League football match at Mt Smart Stadium, 1 Feb 2025. Photo: Photosport
Meanwhile, Auckland claimed vengeance from their first ever loss, with a 2-0 win amid gale force gusts at Western United. Scoring late has become a habit of Steve Corica's side but this time it was a mad dash at the end of the first-half at the tempest that was Ironbark Fields and Pavilion.
Goals within the final three minutes of the opening period from Guillermo May and Max Mata proved to be the match-winners, as they caught a napping home defence off guard. Saying that, how Auckland forward May generated enough power to score from 30-yards into the headwind is as big a mystery to me as it was the sprawling Matthew Sutton in the Western United goal. For Auckland, it was the perfect tonic to finally wash down that 4-0 loss from December.
Both performances galvanised the feeling around each club since the heady days of November, when both occupied the league's top two places. For Auckland, an unwavering belief in their defensive stability and attacking opportunism. For Wellington, a lack of attacking prowess and a sense of a season slipping away, to be filed as 'developmental' for their impressive array of young talent.
Phoenix captain Alex Rufer shoots a penalty during the A-League Men’s Semi Final against Melbourne Victory, 2024. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
But there is reason for optimism in the Phoenix camp. Alex Rufer is back from illness while new signing Chico Gerlades will hopefully add the guile Chiefy's offensive unit is currently missing.
It sets up a tantalising third, and likely final, Kiwi Classico of the season at Mount Smart on Saturday. Football is a fleeting game and the dramatic switch in fortunes from these two sides one anniversary down the track perhaps sums that up perfectly.
In other football news:
Wellington Phoenix's women's side are now four games without a win after losing 2-1 to Perth Glory in the Distance Derby - Tiana Jaber the unfortunate scorer of a crucial own goal in a tight contest in Western Australia.
Mixed emotions for Chris Wood this weekend. The All Whites striker continued his impressive campaign, scoring his 18th Premier League goal of the season against Fulham. Unfortunately, a header from Calvin Bassey meant it was in a losing effort, as his Nottingham Forest side lost 2-1.
Manchester City issued a statement of intent behind them with a 4-0 pasting of Newcastle United. While Mohamed Salah may be the Egyptian King, Omar Marmoush could claim to be the Prince of Egypt, with a hat-trick that showcased his credentials.
Elsewhere, Manchester United lost 1-0 at Tottenham in the battle of the season's under-achievers, while Liverpool and Arsenal kept pace with each other at the top of the table with hard-earned victories over Wolves and Leicester City respectively.
