As always, we were at Go Media Stadium for the match between Auckland FC and Central Coast Mariners and unfortunately for us, it ended in a 2-2 draw … with their equalising goal at the 90th minute. Yes, a point for the draw is still OK, but we were playing at home against a team way down in 10th position.
On a positive note, Dan Hall played his first match since 7 December after he had broken a bone in his ankle during training. It was fortunate that Dan Hall was back as both Nando Pijnaker (with his 5 yellow cards) and Louis Verstraete (with his red card in the last match) were out for the match. Dan Hall took out the Player of the Match.
This time for the families, there was a huge inflatable Pirate Ship at the north end of the stadium (for kids up to 14 years of age – unfortunately for us adults who would have done it). The pirate ship was a great dig at the Central Coast Mariners (a mariner is someone who works on a boat or ship). That means we (Auckland FC) are the pirates that were going to plunder the mariners and leave with the rewards (in this case, only one point instead of three).
Sunday 16 March 2025, 5:00pm (NZ)
Go Media Match Attendance: 14,040
Auckland FC vs. Adelaide United Goals
Final Score: 2-2
The Auckland FC Goals were:
⚽️ 9′ Guillermo May
⚽️ 78′ Callan Elliot
The G. May goal was a great header after a cross from Jesse Randall.
Callan Elliot’s goal came from a free kick by Francis de Vries.
Also worthy of note was an amazing save by Alex Paulsen at 36′.
The Central Coast Mariners Goals were:
⚽️ 71′ Vitor Feijāo (His first A-League goal)
⚽️ 90′ Nicholas Duarte (His first A-League goal)
That equalising goal in the last minute was heartbreaking for the Auckland FC fans. That is usually something WE do!
This is the third draw in a row for Auckland FC, let’s see if we get back into winning for against Brisbane Roar in the next match.
Previous Match – Auckland FC and Central Coast Mariners
The last time Auckland FC and Central Coast Mariners met was on Saturday 28th December 2024 at industree Group Stadium in Gosford, Australia. You might remember their stadium because of the huge sauce bottles behind one end of the pitch.
In that game Auckland won 4-1 with goals by Sakai (12′), Brimmer (31′), May (39′) and Rogerson (84′).
