Auckland FC's Francis de Vries celebrates his goal with Tommy Smith. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.
Analysis - Cohesion. It was one of the questioning buzzwords that accompanied Auckland FC at the start of their debut A-League season. How to throw a group of players together and hope they build the connections and chemistry necessary to succeed in such a short space of time?
In no other area is this potentially truer than at the back - where communication and understanding is vital to a successful defensive unit. Well, whatever the magic potion is, Auckland appear to have it, after yet another shut-out victory at the weekend.
Auckland's 2-0 win over the Newcastle Jets was their fifth win from five games this season. They are also yet to concede, breaking a 47-year Australian top-flight record previously held by Sydney's Western Suburbs in the process.
Winning five games without conceding at the start of a season is hard enough for any team. For example, in Italy's Serie A, where defenders are deified as much as attackers, the record is also five games, achieved by Juventus in 2014-15. This was a Juventus side moulded over several years and containing the likes of Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini - not a brand new set-up.
Auckland FC's Neyder Betancur scores and celebrates the opening goal of the match. A-League Men, Round 6, Auckland FC v Newcastle Jets FC, Go Media Stadium, Auckland. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.nz
The recruitment has been key. In goal, they have the reigning best keeper in the league. Alex Paulsen is too good for the A-League. But his new parent club, AFC Bournemouth, could not find him a temporary home in Europe and instead farmed him back to their sister club and he has answered every question asked of him.
Then there's the two centre-backs. We knew Dan Hall had what it takes from his performances with Central Coast but Nando Pijnaker has been a pleasant surprise - leading the league in defensive blocks.
In front of them, Louis Verstraete has emerged as one of the league's best imports. In a previous live blog, I compared him to a prime Nemanja Matic, a man once nicknamed 'The Spider' for his spindly legs and ability to catch opponents in his web. Anyone who has witnessed the Belgian this season will agree this comparison is apt.
Then there's the full-backs. Francis de Vries has been waiting for a big break but after a serious knee injury in July 2022 his professional career was in serious jeopardy. He turned 30 last week and it now seems his best years are ahead of him. And then, there's the captain, Hiroki Sakai. Is there a better use of an import player in the A-League this season? The Japanese legend brings a stoic stability to the right-back slot.
Fans at Auckland FC v Newcastle Jets FC, Go Media Stadium, Auckland. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.nz
It also transpires that when Sakai is absent, as he was this weekend, Auckland can rely on his replacement, Callan Elliott to step up. His 90 minute display was an outrageous achievement when considering it was his first game since 17 June 2023, a 4-1 loss to Sweden with the All Whites.
With Tommy Smith and Scott Galloway offering experience off the bench, Auckland have done exactly what you should do when building a new house. They have got the foundations right to start with. Now, injecting a little flair into the upstairs is all that is needed to ensure this solid unit can progress into a fairytale build.
In other football news
Auckland City are New Zealand National League champions once again, following a 2-1 win over Birkenhead United. Nearly 5000 fans watched on as Angus Kilkolly's extra-time goal secured victory for Albert Riera's men.
Auckland City FC captain Mario Ilich celebrates with trophy and team. Birkenhead United FC v Auckland City FC, Men’s National League Football final at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
In the Kate Sheppard Cup, Auckland United cemented their status as the nation's best domestic women's team, securing a second title in succession. A double from Charlotte Roche and one from talented future Football Fern (surely) Pia Vlok helped United to a 3-1 win over FC Waterside Karori at North Harbour Stadium.
Liverpool are now 11 points clear of reigning champions Manchester City in the Premier League, following a 2-0 win at Anfield. Arne Slot's team remained nine points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who scored five first-half goals to beat West Ham 5-2.
Chris Wood was back on the scoresheet, netting from the penalty spot as Nottingham Forest returned to winning ways - moving up to sixth in the table.
Elsewhere, Manchester United secured a first Premier League win under Ruben Amorim. Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford shared a brace each in a 4-0 win over Everton - meanwhile, Chelsea swept aside Aston Villa while Justin Kuilvert scored a hat-trick of penalties in Bournemouth's win over Wolves.
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