League

La Bombonera
Spectators: 7492 (Terracing: 5992, Seating: 1500, VIP seats: 0) Melbourne 2023's Rudolph Sibbold started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. When Karl Tinsley fell near the penalty area in the 3rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Melbourne 2023's protests and gave Karl Tinsley a yellow card for diving instead. In the 3rd minute, Karl Tinsley hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Bruno Venz during the 4th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 4th minute, Bruno Venz hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Berry Pustak recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 6th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Carson Feutrill showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Peter Orr, who was totally free with the ball in the 7th minute. Melbourne 2023's Carson Feutrill played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Peter Orr in the 9th minute of play. Elliott Sibbold received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 12th minute. Nash Watson tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Melbourne 2023's defense didn't have a chance, in the 15th minute, when Peter Orr scored to the left of an out of position Carson Feutrill, making the score, 1-0. A hard shot 18 in the game by Berry Pustak from a close distance when the talented Carson Feutrill managed to make a qualified save. Melbourne 2023's players were relieved. A collision led to Melbourne 2023 getting a freekick after 19 minutes play. Antonio Tupman hit a great ball. If Elliott Sibbold had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 25th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. After 27 played minutes Melbourne 2023 got a freekick which was hit by Antonio Tupman. 28 minutes into the match, Melbourne 2023's goal looked a bit too open when Peter Orr came free, but Carson Feutrill reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Carson Feutrill made an important save on a dangerous shot by Berry Pustak in the 29th minute. Rudolph Sibbold recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 39th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 39th minute, Rudolph Sibbold made a precise shot to the right of Nash Watson. Auckland FC's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-2. A collision led to Auckland FC getting a freekick after 42 minutes play. Brock Tenser hit a great ball. After 45 played minutes Auckland FC got a freekick which was hit by Ren Hinwood. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 1-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Peter Orr to make the kick off. Rudolph Sibbold sent away a hard shot on goal in the 58th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Elliott Sibbold was extremely unlucky when he, in the 63rd minute, took a shot that hit the right post and went out. In the 67th minute Peter Orr shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Carson Feutrill saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Brendan Krause charged in rather forcefully in the 69th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Brendan Krause the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Elliott Sibbold walked up to take care of the penalty kick. He was aiming for the top corner, but the ball went just outside the post. Rudolph Sibbold's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Nash Watson read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 76th minute of play. If Elliott Sibbold had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 87th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. A collision led to Melbourne 2023 getting a freekick after 90 minutes play. Antonio Tupman hit a great ball. In the 91st minute, Ren Hinwood sent off a long shot on goal, but the shot was nowhere near the goal and Melbourne 2023's Carson Feutrill didn't even have to move. Peter Orr fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 93rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Carson Feutrill having to interfere. Antonio Tupman's late challenge caught a Auckland FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Antonio Tupman helped the player get up and apologised. The supporters of Auckland FC booed when Melbourne 2023 was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 98 match minutes in a wonderful position. Antonio Tupman didn't get a good kick on the ball. When the match was over Melbourne 2023 could go home with a victory in their luggage, having controlled the game far better than Auckland FC throughout the match.