Auckland FC have responded to the first defeat in their history in comprehensive fashion, cruising to a 4-1 win over Central Coast and re-establishing themselves atop the A-League Men ladder.
Beaten 4-0 by Western United last week, the first time the expansion franchise had been beaten in their short history, the instant response from Steve Corica’s side at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday afternoon ensured that regardless of results elsewhere, they will enter a blockbuster New Year’s Day clash with Melbourne Victory at the competition’s summit.
“We were extremely disappointed with last week's performance,” Auckland's Nando Pijnaker told Paramount.
“We all wanted a really good response and I think we did that, we're really happy.
“Disappointed with the goal we conceded but to score four goals away from home is really good, really positive.”
Mired in 10th, the Mariners return to action in their traditional New Year’s Eve fixture, this time against Melbourne City, but they could be without Lucas Mauragis in that game after he was forced off early in the second half.
Hiroki Sakai got the Kiwis off to a strong start in the 12th minute when he powered a header past Mariners keeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen, following a perfectly placed cross from Francis De Vries.
The hosts levelled things three minutes later when Mikael Doka squared a free kick to the top of the box and Alfie McCalmont laced a deflected effort past Alex Pualsen, but Auckland soon moved to take back control.
Jake Brimmer restored the lead in the 31st minute with a snap outside-of-the-boot attempt after an initially wayward first touch and it was 3-1 in the 38th when Guillermo May pounced to poke home after a De Vries cross snaked past Brimmer, defender Nathan Paull and Peraic-Cullen.
Inserted into the starting XI for the first time this season after recovering from a chest injury, Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury was taken off by Mark Jackson at halftime as part of a shift from a back five to a back four.
The Mariners had the best of play following the adjustment but substitute Logan Rogerson’s 84th-minute strike condemned them to back-to-back home game losses conceding four goals.
“They pressured us a lot,” Pijnaker said of the second half.
“We were fighting a little bit at the back but we managed to defend really well and take all the pressure and then, ultimately, we won the game.”
