Newcomers Auckland FC start A-League journey in style with comfortable win

A-League life has started on a winning note for expansion outfit Auckland FC.

The A-League’s newest club has made a dream debut at the expense of one of the competition’s former powerhouses.

In front of a crowd of about 25,000, Auckland FC beat three-time A-League champions Brisbane Roar 2-0 on Saturday at Go Media Stadium.

The Black Knights took the lead in just the eighth minute courtesy of an own goal from Brisbane defender Harry Van der Saag.

A second-half goal from New Zealand international winger Logan Rogerson sealed what was a deserved win for the hosts, who became the third A-League expansion club to claim a victory in its first game.

The Roar, winners of the A-League in 2011, 2012 and 2014, lacked a cutting edge in attack despite some encouraging signs from recent signing Neicer Acosta, an Ecuadorian under 21 international winger.

Another recent addition, Netherlands-born Indonesia international striker Rafael Struick, came on as a second-half substitute but failed to have an impact for the visitors, who had earlier gifted Auckland its first A-League goal.

Auckland FC captain Hiroki Sakai is delighted after playing a part in his team’s first A-League goal. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Afforded far too much space in Brisbane’s penalty area less than 10 minutes into the contest, Black Knights captain and Japanese star Hiroki Sakai rifled a low cross across the face of goal.

Despite having no Auckland players near him, Van der Saag perhaps panicked in sticking a boot out attempting to deal with the cross.

However, much to his despair, his attempt to clear the danger resulted in him turning the ball into his own net.

The Black Knights had chances to increase their lead in the second half through striker Guillermo May and attacking weapon Liam Gillion.

Their second goal eventually came in the 74th minute through Rogerson, who produced a controlled finish at the far post after being left unmarked by Brisbane’s defence.

Roar skipper Jay O’Shea said his team “played well in patches”.

“In the second-half when we had probably played our best patch, they went and scored a second goal, and that was a sucker punch for us,” O’Shea said.

“We need to go back on the training ground, and work a lot harder to be better in the next couple of weeks.”

Defensive dilemma

Brisbane’s defensive resources were stretched, with left-back Corey Brown unavailable due to a suspension hanging over from the red card he received Brisbane’s previous competitive match, a 4-2 Australia Cup playoff loss to Perth Glory on July 23.

Former American under-20 international defender Marcus Ferkranus also didn’t make the trip across the ditch because of a knee injury.

It led to a reshuffled backline that included Lebanese international midfielder Walid Shour playing as central defender alongside another of the Roar’s off-season recruits, former Adelaide United and Sydney FC centre- back Ben Warland.

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