Auckland win their first A-League derby against Phoenix

Auckland remained unbeaten in the A-League after a thrilling 2-0 win over Wellington Phoenix, with Jake Brimmer scoring both goals late in the Kiwi derby.

The score became 0-0 in the 88th minute in the first match between the two teams when Phoenix goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi made a critical error and sent a soft ball straight to Brimmer, who was only a meter or so away.

Brimmer made no mistake and the deadlock was broken in a tense and exciting match in front of a record regular season crowd at Wellington’s Sky Stadium of 26,252.

Louis Twomey scored Brimmer’s second in the 96th minute to give Auckland a remarkable three wins from three matches in their first season, maintaining their position at the top of the A-League.

The Wellington crowd was loud, booing their former goalkeeper Alex Paulsen as he took the field for the Aucklanders. He was booed again, especially when he gratefully accepted a half-volley from Costa Barbarouses in the 17th minute.

The first half was an even affair with Auckland starting strongly before Phoenix stepped up their game midway through and the visitors then finished stronger with Oluwayemi making a fine save from a powerful shot from Liam Gillion, one of Auckland’s best players. players.

Both teams had scoring chances in the second half and the game became tighter late in the game before Wellington stumbled.

This was not the result Phoenix captain Alex Rufer wanted. He was involved in drama before the match. He was sidelined Thursday with a knee injury, but passed a fitness test Saturday morning, clearing him for his 150th game with Phoenix.

He said he was determined to play.

“I didn’t want to let the team down. In these games you can fight through pain and play through pain.” he told Sky Sport.

Rufer said he was “extremely disappointed” by his team’s late departure.

“We didn’t take our chances and were very naive at the end, we made some very bad mistakes and it cost us the game.”

However, Auckland captain Hiroki Sakai expressed his joy, saying he was “very happy” with the win as a rowdy group of Auckland fans celebrated.

“Thanks to both fans, it was a great atmosphere for the first derby. I really enjoyed the game, it was an exciting match,” Sakai told Sky.

Coach Steve Corica took the pressure off his players by telling them it was a derby, not a final.

“We’re not that nervous, we’re acting normal. We’re just enjoying the match.”