It’s the grand final no one saw coming: Auckland FC versus Sydney FC. Third on the ladder versus fifth. And tomorrow night, before a sold-out crowd, it will be played in New Zealand.
Following remarkable and unexpected twists, Auckland will host powerhouse Sydney in the A-League Men’s grand final at Go Media Stadium, in a match already being described as historic for Kiwi football.
For a club still in its infancy, the achievement is staggering.
“Short answer is no, we didn’t see this one coming,” RNZ sports reporter Felicity Reid tells The Detail.
“It’s going to be the first time in A-League history that teams that hadn’t finished in first or second are actually in the grand final.”
And the reaction from the Australian teams?
“They don’t want it in New Zealand,” she laughs. “This is the Australian competition, the pinnacle of what they do. Playing in New Zealand is not what anyone would have expected … absolutely not.”
In less than two years, Auckland FC has gone from ambitious newcomer to title contender – building a fan base, creating a football culture and giving New Zealand sports fans a competitive and successful team in a strong Australian market.
Reid, who has been following the team since day one, says their rapid rise has been driven by standout performances across the park, “good recruitment,” and the leadership of coach Steve Corica, who will be taking on his old club tomorrow night.
“I think they made a good signing when they brought Steve on as the head coach. He’s someone experienced in the A-League; he knows what is happening within this, and he’s also a winner. He knows how to get to a grand final.
“Because he has been a coach, a player and a captain who has A-League titles, he knows what it’s going to take.
“The twist of finally winning one for Auckland could come against the club he has won all these things with before.
“Before he arrived here, he was Mr Sydney FC.”
Corica was with Sydney FC for 19 years. He was the longest-serving head coach and won 13 trophies during his tenure.
But in late 2023, it was announced he was “parting ways” with the club.
Reid tells The Detail that “he didn’t leave Sydney on the best of terms.
“In essence, [he] was fired after not a great start to that season.
“He arrives in Auckland, a little bit of an opportunity to redeem, I guess, his coaching credentials. Auckland believed in him, rightly so, look where he’s got them… but that will probably be bubbling up inside when Sydney shows up here.”
Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker tells The Detail that Corica is a “born winner”.
“He’s clearly a very experienced coach, a very successful one. He loves the boys … he makes them want to play hard. He’s done a fantastic job in such a short time.”
He says while Auckland FC is new to the competition, the team is not there to “make up the numbers, we want to be there to take home some trophies”.
And beyond the football itself, he says Auckland FC’s success is already being seen as bigger than sport.
There are hopes the grand final will inject millions into the local economy through tourism, hospitality and events – with bars, restaurants and hotels expected to benefit from the influx of supporters and visitors from around the country and across the ditch.
“It lifts the city, and I think it’s a fantastic achievement for the boys to do that and get us there, and it’s a wonderful thing for the city,” says Becker.
There’s also growing belief that the club’s success could inspire more Kiwi kids to pick up football boots.
And Becker says this Saturday night, the final is “going to be awesome. It’s going to be such a special occasion, and to be able to make a grand final but also host it for the first time in your own backyard is incredible. I’m so proud of the boys … and we can’t wait to get in front of a full house.”
For the record, Reid is picking Auckland to win 3-2, while Becker is slightly more optimistic with a 3-1 to Auckland final score.
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