HBF Park (Perth)
Saturday, January 31, 11:45pm NZT
Written by Jono Ross

Auckland FC will make their longest away trip this week when they travel to Perth to take on Perth Glory. It’s always difficult to get a result there, but the players will be gunning for the three points.

Like Auckland FC, Perth Glory have struggled for consistency this season. They are a difficult opponent for everyone, a team that is unpredictable and can beat anyone at any time.

At the end of November, they went on a three-game winning streak, but that momentum stalled as they won just two of their next five games. Their unpredictability is dangerous. A team that was expected to beat Perth ends up losing (for example, when they play Melbourne City and win 3-1).

Perth have done their homework against Auckland FC and will look to exploit our weaknesses over the next month or so. If they take advantage of their dangerous man, they could scream an upset victory on Saturday evening.

If they win, Glory could move up in the league. If they lose, they could fall to last place depending on the results of the bottom two teams.

I did that last week. Teams below us are allergic to being at the top of the league. Sydney FC moved into first place on Monday night after a 2-2 draw with Central Coast Mariners last weekend. The title was in doubt, but Melbourne Victory won 4-0, leaving Auckland FC in first place with a one-point difference.

Oakland played the Mariners at home last weekend. It was expected to be an easy win from the fans’ point of view, but the opposite happened. Especially in the first half, Auckland FC had many chances to change the game. It looked like an easy chance to score but we just couldn’t execute it and Central Coast keeper Andrew Redmayne came on fire and shut out everything that came our way.

The Mariners’ first goal came just before the halftime break, the most inconvenient time for any team to score against. Cosgrove nodded us in front of Port in the 58th minute and it looked like we were going to win, but the Mariners were awarded a goal in the 89th minute. It ended 2-2.

The team will be looking for revenge against Perth this week. They travel to a place where they have yet to win in the league. The last time we played away against Perth, the away team won 1-0 and everyone was scratching their heads as to why we didn’t win.

It’s funny how things come together sometimes. Oli Sale may get his first chance this week against his old club from last season. If given the chance, there is no doubt that all eyes will be on him as he makes his AFC debut after waiting patiently behind the scenes.

Auckland FC must win this week to maintain their lead.

Featured players

Perth’s Adam Taggart has the potential to upset Auckland FC this weekend. The 32-year-old hasn’t quite found his shooting boot so far this season, but the 2023/2024 A-League Golden Boot winner is not a player to be taken lightly. He has scored just three goals so far, but will no doubt be looking to increase that number when he takes to the pitch on Saturday night.

Jesse Randall scored a great goal last week off an assist from Guillermo May. The beautiful finish into the top left corner took the winger’s goal tally this season to five. He’s trailing Cozzie and Brooke, who are fighting for six points each.

If Corica decide to change goalkeepers, Oli Sale will definitely be a player to keep an eye on. The former Perth Glory keeper could make his AFC debut. He will look to make an immediate impact in goal.