Sydney FC vs Auckland FC: Late equaliser not enough to lock in second spot
Auckland FC showed character to twice fight back with goals from Guillermo May — the second in the 90th minute — and earn a 2-2 draw in Sydney on Sunday night.
But they fell short of the win required to lock in second spot and direct entry into the semifinals.
Instead, Adelaide United overtook Auckland in the final game of the regular season, with Luka Jovanovic their two-goal hero.
Melbourne City led for an hour until Jovanovic equalised in the 79th minute and then scored a dramatic 98th-minute goal as Adelaide snatched a 2-1 win.
The upshot is that Auckland, pushed down to third, must now host Melbourne City in one of this weekend’s two elimination finals.
Win that, and they play Adelaide in the semifinals.
Although Auckland fell short, their second-half performance will be a much-needed tonic after a difficult few weeks.
That period was played at finals-like intensity and Auckland responded to the pressure with their comeback. They could have won, with Sam Cosgrove agonisingly close to scoring a few minutes before May’s equaliser.
The senior players stood up for Auckland, led by Dan Hall and Louis Verstraete, while May was superb as a second-half substitute.
Auckland fell behind in the 56th minute to Ben Garuccio’s strike, at a time when the home side had all the momentum. But the Black Knights equalised 10 minutes later, after May reacted quickest to a Cosgrove flick-on.
However, Sydney FC restored their lead through Alexandar Popovic and looked to have sealed their first victory over the New Zealand club, before May’s late intervention.
The first half was cagey and cautious, no surprise given the two teams had the best defensive records in the A-League. Auckland struggled to assert themselves – particularly in possession – and couldn’t make many inroads.
They had just two shots in the first half and failed to test Sydney goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares. Indeed, they had only five touches in the opposition penalty area before the break, as the home defence was effective in shutting down any threats.
Auckland also lost central midfielder Felipe Gallegos midway through the half with a hamstring strain, replaced by Cam Howieson.
Sydney created considerably more. Garuccio was the closest, finding his way past three defenders, but his angled shot slammed against the crossbar, before Michael Woud got down well to save the follow-up effort from Tiago Quintal.
Auckland would have been satisfied with the halftime score – as a platform to launch – but their plans unravelled in the 56th minute with Garuccio’s shot from outside the area. It wasn’t the cleanest strike but was perfectly placed through a couple of defenders and past Woud, who was wrongfooted.
Lachlan Brook then lifted a free kick from a handy position just over the bar, as Auckland looked to get back into the match. That was a warning sign, before Auckland’s equaliser in the 67th minute.
It came – like so many this season – from a set piece as Callan Elliott hurled in a long throw. Cosgrove got the flick-on, before an unmarked May cleverly directed his header back across the grain, though Sydney will wonder about their positioning.
Auckland then enjoyed a sustained positive period, though Jesse Randall failed to back himself when his pace carved out an opening. Sydney came again, with a series of dangerous moments. That pressure told with their second goal, as Popovic forced home from a sharp corner routine, escaping Hall.
That seemed the killer strike but Auckland showed courage. Cosgrove was inches away from converting a Randall cross at the far post, before May’s equaliser.
It was a brilliant move. Randall’s acceleration took him to the byline, with his cross headed on by Howieson. Substitute Liam Gillion then showed remarkable composure in the circumstances, looping the ball back in for May to send a thumping header into the back of the net.
Sydney FC 2 (Ben Garuccio 56’, Alexandar Popovic 85’)
Auckland FC 2 (Guillermo May 67’, 89’)
Halftime: 0-0