Auckland FC Makes History, Inches Closer to the Premier’s Plate

Auckland FC is on the brink of securing their first-ever Premiership in their debut season of the Isuzu UTE A-League after defeating Melbourne Victory 2-0 on Saturday evening.

Belgian midfielder Louis Verstraete and Uruguayan striker Guillermo May were the heroes at AAMI Park, where the soaring Auckland side took a significant step towards claiming the Premier’s Plate, extending their remarkable unbeaten streak to 13 matches during a record-setting season at the expense of the fifth-placed Victory.

Notably, Alex Paulsen’s sensational save in the 85th minute, denying Nikos Vergos, played a crucial role in the outcome. Auckland can officially secure the Premiership if Western Sydney Wanderers triumph over second-placed Melbourne City on Saturday night. Such a result would leave the Black Knights with a commanding seven-point lead and just two matches left to play.

For Melbourne Victory, this loss ended their five-match unbeaten streak at home, though they remain five points clear of seventh-placed Sydney FC.

Australian legends Mark Bresciano and Vince Grella were in the stands at AAMI Park, where the first half saw few clear opportunities amid a tense atmosphere.

The second half, however, brought the match to life as Auckland began to assert their dominance after the interval.

Guillermo May came close, sending a shot just wide of the post in the 50th minute, followed by a missed opportunity for the visitors just two minutes later.

But the Black Knights didn’t have to wait long for their breakthrough.

It was Verstraete who found the net with a strike from the edge of the box, which eluded keeper Mitch Langerak, who protested that an Auckland player was offside and blocking his view. Nonetheless, replays confirmed he was onside.

Auckland’s goalkeeper, Paulsen, made a remarkable stop to thwart Victory’s Socceroo Nishan Velupillay from close range, although the attempt was ultimately ruled out for offside, which Paulsen was unaware of at the time.

The goalkeeper was in action again in the 85th minute, somehow managing to stretch low to flick away Vergos’ header that was destined for the back of the net.

To cap off the performance, May sealed the points for Auckland in the dying moments of the match, bringing a hush over the Victory supporters.