Auckland FC put an exclamation mark on their 2024/25 campaign yesterday evening, beating Perth Glory 1-0 in front of a nearly sold-out home crowd before lifting the A-League Premier's Plate at their first attempt.
The team were already premiers before walking onto the pitch at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium for one last time in the regular season.
After 90 minutes, 28 shots, and a goal direct from a corner by Marlee François, Auckland FC lifted the trophy.
Speaking to 1News following the game, Auckland FC forward Max Mata said the club’s achievement this season had been “unbelievable”.
“I’m from Auckland, so to do it in front of the home crowd is unbelievable,” he said.
Midfielder Cam Howieson said: “It means a lot, obviously. This group of players, we came together brand new, and it’s a dream come true, what we’ve accomplished."
Vice-captain and defender Tommy Smith said lifting the trophy at home was “brilliant”.
“It was already in the bag, but to put another win on the board in front of the home fans in the last regular season game is a great feeling."
Defender Francis De Vries believed pulling off a trophy-winning season was “definitely” possible from day one.
“It’s always a possibility. Was it realistic, did we think we were going to do this, I don’t know,” he said. “Some of the more experienced players knew that we could do this, and the coaching staff did too.
“It feels great to have achieved it.”
This season marked a huge bounce-back for head coach Steve Corica, who had left his previous role at Sydney FC after losing the first three games of the 2023/24 season.
He said winning the premiership meant “everything”.
“That’s what it’s all about. We strive to be the best, and we are the most consistent team over the course of the season, so to hold up the Premier's Plate, it means a lot."
The celebrations won’t be too long for Auckland FC, however, as the team now turns their attention to finals football, and a two-leg semi-final later this month to try and punch their ticket to the A-League grand final.
Support has been 'incredible'
Defender Dan Hall and chief executive Nick Becker spoke to Breakfast about the growth of support for Auckland FC this season. (Source: 1News)
Speaking to Breakfast this morning, defender Dan Hall said the team celebrated “accordingly” last night.
He said Corica had told the players “not to undervalue what we’ve accomplished”.
Hall moved to Auckland from the Central Coast Mariners at the start of the season and said it was 'incredible' to see support grow over the season.
“When I first came to Auckland, you wouldn’t really see any Auckland FC shirts around, but now, you walk the streets, and I see them pretty much every time I go to the shops. It’s been incredible to see the support.
“We wanted to win for them and I’m glad that we did.”
Auckland FC chief executive Nick Becker said the city had been hungry for a football club.
“They’re ready to support a professional football club, but they wanted something different, and I think we’ve offered that, and we’ve shown that we’re the real deal on the pitch, and there’s an amazing experience around.”
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