Published 1 day ago • loading... • Updated 24 hours ago
Auckland Reach First A-League Grand Final with 3-0 Win over Adelaide
Auckland FC limited Adelaide United to one shot on target and became the first New Zealand club to reach the A-League Men’s grand final.
On Friday, Auckland FC secured their first A-League Grand Final appearance with a 3-0 victory over Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium, making the Black Knights the first team from New Zealand to qualify for the season decider with a 4-1 aggregate win.
Coach Steve Corica, who built the club three years ago, led his 'walking wounded' squad to a dominant defensive performance, limiting Adelaide to one shot on target in front of 14,716 fans.
Jake Girdwood-Reich opened scoring with a header before Sam Cosgrove doubled the lead with a 58th-minute penalty; Logan Rogerson sealed the win in the 86th minute from a counter-attack to complete the 3-0 result.
The result ended Adelaide United's 11-game unbeaten streak at Coopers Stadium, with Dutch centre back Bart Vriends acknowledging the visitors' dominance: 'They set up a strong defence and were physically very strong.'
Auckland awaits the winner of Saturday's semi-final between Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC; if Newcastle wins, Auckland travels to McDonald Jones Stadium, while Sydney's victory means Auckland hosts the Grand Final next week.