Alex Paulsen of Auckland FC celebrates a goal. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
It wasn't pretty, but Jesse Randall's goal proved crucial at the weekend as Auckland FC earned an embattled 1-1 draw with the in-form Newcastle Jets this weekend.
The brave forward levelled the scoring by putting his body on the line to nod home Hiroki Sakai's delivery, after Eli Adams' thunderous strike had given the home side the lead. Ultimately, it proved vital, as Auckland went on to earn a point rather than lose three, despite Louis Verstraete's second-half dismissal.
But despite the courage on show, it was not the turning point in this fixture. That pivotal moment belonged to Auckland's goalkeeper Alex Paulsen.
Just shy of 20 minutes into the game the uncharacteristically out-of-sorts Nando Pijnaker handled in the box, affording Jets captain Kostas Grozos the opportunity to double his side's lead. However, his effort, admittedly a poor one, was kept out by the sprawling Paulsen. Prior to that, the jet-heeled Newcastle had threatened to run away with proceedings against a caught-cold Auckland - but Paulsen kept his opponents at bay on numerous occasions, not just from 12 yards.
It's a sight fans of the Wellington Phoenix will be accustomed to. The 22-year-old saved three penalties last season in a league-leading campaign. Saving a penalty is always impressive, but when it comes against the likes of Adam Taggart, Jamie Maclaren and Uli Davila, as the young stopper's did in 2023-24, it becomes even more eye-catching.
Luis Gallegos of Auckland FC. Photo: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images
And catch the eye he did, specifically that of AFC Bournemouth, the English Premier League club who decided to bring Paulsen in last summer before controversially loaning him back to fellow Bill Foley-owned outfit the Black Knights.
It's not controversial to suggest Paulsen has not been as outstanding as he was with the Phoenix last term. But he has still, potentially, been the best goalkeeper in the league, although the mid-term recruitment of Mitch Langerak at Melbourne Victory is testing that logic.
Which presents a future problem for Auckland, head coach Steve Corica and director of football Terry McFlynn. One of the reasons for Auckland's unprecedented success this term has been their brand spanking new ensemble of players. Unlike, let's say the Phoenix, they are yet to be raided from all corners of the globe. But in Paulsen, that plunder has already happened. It is hard to see Bournemouth wanting Paulsen playing another season in the A-League. That would be seen as a mistake in regard to his development as a potential first-teamer, or income generator. So come next season Auckland will lose the best goalie in the competition and begin hunting for an able replacement.
Filling the goalkeeper slot is one of the toughest jobs for an A-League team. Using a visa slot is risky and rare. Again, look at the Phoenix, whose off-season recruit Josh Oluwayemi is now riding the bench and occupying a juicy foreign player space in the process. Auckland do have Michael Woud, whose own first-team aspirations were hijacked when the opportunity to bring Paulsen to his hometown club emerged. Then there is a small pool of trans-Tasman custodians to pluck from.
This weekend, Paulsen demonstrated his importance to Auckland and, for now, the club will simply be embracing his impact as they continue in pole position for Premier Plate glory. But it's a sign of the challenges to come for the impressive A-League debutants and something the powers-at-be are likely already preparing for after such a conspicuous campaign.
Been obsessed with the new E.R-meets-24 style US TV drama The Pitt this week starring a slightly more worn looking Noah Wyle, but Giancarlo Italiano is starting to age just as fast at the Wellington Phoenix. I think it is time to call time of death on their play-off aspirations after Western United made light work of a 4-1 win on Saturday. It's a young team, and one with potential for the future, and Chiefy is doing the right things by exposing his fledglings now. But it might feel like they are on life support for the rest of this season.
No such bad luck for the Wellington Phoenix women's team, who kickstarted their own play-off hopes with a late comeback win over Western Sydney Wanderers. The 2-1 victory ends a run of five without winning and keeps them in the hunt.
Chris Wood's Nottingham Forest put a firm grip around the Premier League's top four at the weekend. Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the later winner in a 1-0 win over the ailing reigning champions Manchester City.
Other than the chase for the top four the Premier League looks fairly dull for the rest of the season. Liverpool are now 15 points clear of Arsenal after the Gunners dropped points at Manchester United. Meanwhile, the bottom three, Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton all lost again and look destined for an immediate return to the second-tier.
