1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,507 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:13,587 Speaker 1: from Newstalks EDB one hand. 3 00:00:13,627 --> 00:00:16,147 Speaker 2: If you like on the Premier's plate after last night, 4 00:00:16,827 --> 00:00:19,707 Speaker 2: to wait to get the middle am I arriving now? 5 00:00:20,227 --> 00:00:23,667 Speaker 2: It's over his head? Pear his defrees for Struta. 6 00:00:24,107 --> 00:00:30,987 Speaker 3: It's Kriptain Louis for Struta for Auckland. Had Steve Coricer's 7 00:00:30,987 --> 00:00:36,187 Speaker 3: team have hit the front in that bit potentially to 8 00:00:36,307 --> 00:00:38,707 Speaker 3: win the premiership as early as tonight. 9 00:00:39,627 --> 00:00:42,867 Speaker 2: So it's just explained they didn't win it last night 10 00:00:42,947 --> 00:00:45,787 Speaker 2: with Melbourne City closing to within a point. They went 11 00:00:45,827 --> 00:00:48,587 Speaker 2: seven points cleare Auckland. Melbourne City drew last night, so 12 00:00:48,667 --> 00:00:51,307 Speaker 2: six points. I've just explained how that all works. But 13 00:00:51,907 --> 00:00:56,267 Speaker 2: it means that Auckland FC could win the Premier's Plate 14 00:00:56,507 --> 00:01:00,627 Speaker 2: at home against Perth Glory a week today. They actually 15 00:01:00,707 --> 00:01:03,387 Speaker 2: might even win it before they play that game because 16 00:01:03,427 --> 00:01:07,467 Speaker 2: Melbourne City play Adelaide the night before. If they don't 17 00:01:07,467 --> 00:01:10,787 Speaker 2: win that game Melbourne City, then Auckland have the Premier's Plate. 18 00:01:11,187 --> 00:01:13,027 Speaker 2: I'd quite like to see it come down to that 19 00:01:13,227 --> 00:01:16,307 Speaker 2: that Perth game, because Auckland FC could win the Premier's 20 00:01:16,347 --> 00:01:18,867 Speaker 2: Plate at home in front of what's likely to be 21 00:01:18,867 --> 00:01:22,667 Speaker 2: a very very big crowd. Auckland's FC's director of football 22 00:01:22,747 --> 00:01:25,387 Speaker 2: is Terry mcflynn, who joins us from Melbourne just before 23 00:01:25,387 --> 00:01:27,507 Speaker 2: the team flies home. Terry, thanks for your time mate. 24 00:01:27,787 --> 00:01:30,707 Speaker 2: First of all, last night a two yeerl win over 25 00:01:30,947 --> 00:01:32,907 Speaker 2: Melbourne Victory. What did you make of the of the 26 00:01:32,907 --> 00:01:35,027 Speaker 2: performance at Amy Park in general terms? 27 00:01:35,947 --> 00:01:39,187 Speaker 4: Yeah, look, I thought it was a very professional performance 28 00:01:39,267 --> 00:01:41,307 Speaker 4: and I think it was a real Oakland FC dn 29 00:01:41,347 --> 00:01:43,267 Speaker 4: air performance where we just kept going and kept going 30 00:01:43,347 --> 00:01:46,107 Speaker 4: and grind down the opposition. I think in the first 31 00:01:46,107 --> 00:01:47,787 Speaker 4: half we knew we knew it was going to be difficult. 32 00:01:47,987 --> 00:01:51,707 Speaker 4: Obviously melbourn Victory are fighting to maintain their position in 33 00:01:51,707 --> 00:01:53,027 Speaker 4: the six as well, so he knew it wasn't going 34 00:01:53,067 --> 00:01:55,387 Speaker 4: to be an easy game and there's no easy games 35 00:01:55,387 --> 00:01:57,787 Speaker 4: in this league. But I think we weathered the storm. 36 00:01:57,827 --> 00:02:01,587 Speaker 4: Early on. I thought Alex Pulson was absolutely fantastic again 37 00:02:02,347 --> 00:02:03,747 Speaker 4: and then the second half, as I said, it was 38 00:02:03,787 --> 00:02:07,147 Speaker 4: a real typical Auckland FC performance where we dominated with 39 00:02:07,227 --> 00:02:10,987 Speaker 4: him the ball, growing on opposition until we finally got 40 00:02:10,987 --> 00:02:12,627 Speaker 4: the breakthrough and got to deserve it too. 41 00:02:12,707 --> 00:02:14,867 Speaker 2: The win their phrase you used there the Aukland ft 42 00:02:14,907 --> 00:02:16,907 Speaker 2: C D and A. I heard Steve Corriker and say 43 00:02:16,907 --> 00:02:19,947 Speaker 2: the same thing after the game last night, just that 44 00:02:19,947 --> 00:02:23,307 Speaker 2: that desperation on defense, that that never say die editude, 45 00:02:23,347 --> 00:02:26,547 Speaker 2: just the the I guess the desire terry to deny 46 00:02:26,987 --> 00:02:30,507 Speaker 2: Melbourne victory a very good attacking side, anything really in 47 00:02:30,507 --> 00:02:32,227 Speaker 2: the way of too many concrete opportunities. 48 00:02:33,227 --> 00:02:36,347 Speaker 4: Yeah, we knew obviously the coaches and the analysis team 49 00:02:36,347 --> 00:02:39,187 Speaker 4: had done a fantastic job and analyzing Melbourne victory and 50 00:02:39,227 --> 00:02:41,907 Speaker 4: how they how they'd like to hurt their opposition. We 51 00:02:41,987 --> 00:02:44,947 Speaker 4: knew their front four was very very attack mind that 52 00:02:45,147 --> 00:02:48,107 Speaker 4: very creative in attacks, and we knew we had to 53 00:02:48,107 --> 00:02:50,147 Speaker 4: shut them down. I thought Massache in the middle of 54 00:02:50,187 --> 00:02:52,947 Speaker 4: park was was fantastic for them yesterday. He's a fantastic 55 00:02:52,987 --> 00:02:56,187 Speaker 4: footballer to watch. But I thought our boys started the 56 00:02:56,187 --> 00:02:59,427 Speaker 4: game plan and did a fantastic job in in nullifying 57 00:02:59,467 --> 00:03:02,827 Speaker 4: as Ani for Loopal a very Goosi for only when 58 00:03:02,867 --> 00:03:04,827 Speaker 4: he came on as well. So I think they only 59 00:03:04,867 --> 00:03:07,027 Speaker 4: really had one real clear cut at the goal, and 60 00:03:07,067 --> 00:03:09,107 Speaker 4: again Alex stood up to the challenge on that one. 61 00:03:09,187 --> 00:03:12,747 Speaker 4: So yeah, it was a real resolute defensive performance. You know, 62 00:03:12,747 --> 00:03:15,267 Speaker 4: we said that right from the outset that defences will 63 00:03:15,307 --> 00:03:17,867 Speaker 4: win your championships, and we've been fantastic all season. So 64 00:03:18,347 --> 00:03:20,187 Speaker 4: I think we looked at the stats yesterday, We've picked 65 00:03:20,227 --> 00:03:22,587 Speaker 4: up twenty five points at home, twenty five points away 66 00:03:22,587 --> 00:03:24,827 Speaker 4: from home. We've lost one game at home, lost one 67 00:03:24,867 --> 00:03:27,507 Speaker 4: game away, so we've been consistent right across the whole season. 68 00:03:27,547 --> 00:03:30,307 Speaker 4: So we're looking forward to getting back in front of 69 00:03:30,347 --> 00:03:34,387 Speaker 4: a full hosted Go Media stadium on Sunday and getting 70 00:03:34,427 --> 00:03:35,387 Speaker 4: the job done there as well. 71 00:03:35,627 --> 00:03:38,107 Speaker 2: Just on the Paulson save, it comes late in the game, 72 00:03:38,107 --> 00:03:42,307 Speaker 2: you won the lap, It's an absolutely magnificent save from 73 00:03:42,427 --> 00:03:45,267 Speaker 2: Alex Paulson, save of the season contender. Then you go 74 00:03:45,307 --> 00:03:47,547 Speaker 2: down the other end shortly afterwards and make it to nil. 75 00:03:47,667 --> 00:03:51,627 Speaker 2: So how big a moment was Alex Paulson's save at 76 00:03:51,627 --> 00:03:52,547 Speaker 2: that time in the game. 77 00:03:53,187 --> 00:03:55,427 Speaker 4: That was massive. It was absolutely massive, And you know, 78 00:03:55,467 --> 00:03:57,707 Speaker 4: I think that's when you look right across the whole group. 79 00:03:57,987 --> 00:03:59,547 Speaker 4: And we spoke to a voice during the week about 80 00:03:59,547 --> 00:04:02,027 Speaker 4: big players stand up in big moments, and there was 81 00:04:02,587 --> 00:04:04,827 Speaker 4: a few moments Chester to do with Australia. I thought 82 00:04:04,867 --> 00:04:09,027 Speaker 4: was back to his best yesterday. I thought Alex was fantastic. 83 00:04:09,427 --> 00:04:12,147 Speaker 4: Thought Dan Hall was excellent again, So yeah, we just 84 00:04:12,227 --> 00:04:15,147 Speaker 4: kept going. We knew that if we pressed high we 85 00:04:15,267 --> 00:04:17,627 Speaker 4: get opportunities, and like you said, that second goal come 86 00:04:17,627 --> 00:04:20,067 Speaker 4: from a high press. Louis wont high up. He had 87 00:04:20,067 --> 00:04:22,227 Speaker 4: the composer to get inside the box, beat a defender 88 00:04:22,267 --> 00:04:24,387 Speaker 4: square for Kishim went to wrap it up at two 89 00:04:24,467 --> 00:04:26,787 Speaker 4: nils so instead at the start, Jason, I think it 90 00:04:26,787 --> 00:04:29,707 Speaker 4: was a really professional performance from the boys. We knew 91 00:04:29,707 --> 00:04:31,747 Speaker 4: we had to come down here get the job done 92 00:04:31,827 --> 00:04:32,547 Speaker 4: and that's what we did. 93 00:04:32,707 --> 00:04:35,147 Speaker 2: So after you had won, you needed Western Sydney to 94 00:04:35,187 --> 00:04:37,467 Speaker 2: beat Melbourne City last night if you were gonna win. 95 00:04:37,507 --> 00:04:39,267 Speaker 2: The Premiers played last night with the couple of games 96 00:04:39,267 --> 00:04:41,227 Speaker 2: to spare that would turn it up early, got Pig 97 00:04:41,267 --> 00:04:43,227 Speaker 2: back to two too, then scored what looked to be 98 00:04:43,267 --> 00:04:45,867 Speaker 2: the winner lights on that was chalked off by v Ai. 99 00:04:45,947 --> 00:04:48,587 Speaker 2: How are the emotions? Did you all watch that game together? 100 00:04:49,227 --> 00:04:52,747 Speaker 4: We did this obviously. It started shortly after ours Phoenix 101 00:04:52,787 --> 00:04:54,787 Speaker 4: as the boys were we're doing a bit of recovery 102 00:04:54,827 --> 00:04:57,107 Speaker 4: in the change room, my spats and massize and things, 103 00:04:57,107 --> 00:04:59,787 Speaker 4: so we actually saw the first two goals in the 104 00:04:59,867 --> 00:05:02,067 Speaker 4: change rooms before we left the Emmy Park. We got back 105 00:05:02,107 --> 00:05:05,947 Speaker 4: to the hotel just before halftime. Obviously, Melbourne said he 106 00:05:05,947 --> 00:05:08,427 Speaker 4: made a two just before halftime and we all had 107 00:05:08,427 --> 00:05:10,667 Speaker 4: dinner together in the team room and we watched the 108 00:05:10,707 --> 00:05:12,667 Speaker 4: game and then it went to two two, and obviously 109 00:05:13,067 --> 00:05:15,147 Speaker 4: as the clock was taken down Western so you got 110 00:05:15,187 --> 00:05:17,147 Speaker 4: the as you said, they got the free kick right 111 00:05:17,187 --> 00:05:19,427 Speaker 4: of to death and yeah, let's just say there's a 112 00:05:19,467 --> 00:05:21,107 Speaker 4: there's a lot of celebrating for about two and a 113 00:05:21,107 --> 00:05:24,467 Speaker 4: half minutes until the vah I chopped it off. So yeah, look, 114 00:05:24,467 --> 00:05:27,987 Speaker 4: it's what we knew that to win the premierships and everything, 115 00:05:27,987 --> 00:05:29,667 Speaker 4: we'd come down to ourselves and if we if we 116 00:05:29,747 --> 00:05:31,747 Speaker 4: kept destiny in our own hands, which we have done, 117 00:05:32,147 --> 00:05:33,987 Speaker 4: then we'll be fine. So for us, it would have 118 00:05:34,027 --> 00:05:37,467 Speaker 4: been nice obviously to be gone back flying into Auckland 119 00:05:37,467 --> 00:05:41,427 Speaker 4: today as the premiers into Auckland. But I think it'll 120 00:05:41,467 --> 00:05:42,827 Speaker 4: be a special moment if we can get the job 121 00:05:42,867 --> 00:05:44,787 Speaker 4: done at home in front of our friends, family and 122 00:05:44,947 --> 00:05:46,587 Speaker 4: the port on Sunday. 123 00:05:46,707 --> 00:05:49,227 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think that that's the that's the silver lining here. 124 00:05:49,267 --> 00:05:51,027 Speaker 2: As you say, you've obviously preferred to win it as 125 00:05:51,027 --> 00:05:52,827 Speaker 2: soon as you can, but you'll get the chance in 126 00:05:52,827 --> 00:05:55,427 Speaker 2: front of your home fans next Sunday. They have been magnificent, 127 00:05:55,467 --> 00:05:58,227 Speaker 2: haven't they, And it would would be quite special, wouldn't it. 128 00:05:58,227 --> 00:05:59,907 Speaker 2: Almost fist thing if you were to lift that first 129 00:05:59,907 --> 00:06:02,147 Speaker 2: piece of silverware in front of in front of the 130 00:06:02,147 --> 00:06:02,987 Speaker 2: fans that go media. 131 00:06:04,467 --> 00:06:06,547 Speaker 4: Yeah, it looked it would be absolutely amazing. You know, 132 00:06:06,627 --> 00:06:09,787 Speaker 4: right from the very first pre season friendly we had 133 00:06:09,827 --> 00:06:11,867 Speaker 4: in I think it was the end of July start 134 00:06:11,907 --> 00:06:14,827 Speaker 4: of August at Auckland United when they turned up there 135 00:06:14,867 --> 00:06:17,547 Speaker 4: and no one really knew anything about the football club 136 00:06:17,627 --> 00:06:19,547 Speaker 4: or who we were or what we were doing. And 137 00:06:19,627 --> 00:06:21,747 Speaker 4: I think we've all gone on this journey together and 138 00:06:22,667 --> 00:06:24,427 Speaker 4: you know, as you said that, they've been absolutely fantastic, 139 00:06:24,467 --> 00:06:26,107 Speaker 4: both at home and away. You know, the support we 140 00:06:26,147 --> 00:06:29,947 Speaker 4: had in Sydney last week was amazing. Having that number 141 00:06:29,947 --> 00:06:32,747 Speaker 4: of people travel from Oakland across to support the boys 142 00:06:32,747 --> 00:06:35,147 Speaker 4: meant a lot to them. And again yesterday, you know, 143 00:06:35,187 --> 00:06:37,747 Speaker 4: we had a few hundred there at the game yesterday 144 00:06:37,747 --> 00:06:40,707 Speaker 4: and the boys celebrated with them after the game. So yeah, look, 145 00:06:40,707 --> 00:06:43,267 Speaker 4: I think it will be a special moment, but again 146 00:06:43,307 --> 00:06:45,827 Speaker 4: we need to remain focused. We need to make sure 147 00:06:45,827 --> 00:06:48,587 Speaker 4: that the boys will cover well this week. A bit 148 00:06:48,587 --> 00:06:51,667 Speaker 4: of a longer turnaround. We've got eight day turnaround before 149 00:06:51,667 --> 00:06:54,107 Speaker 4: we play Sunday, so we'll fly back into Auckland today, 150 00:06:54,267 --> 00:06:58,347 Speaker 4: not tomorrow, of train Tuesday, Wednesday, of Thursday off train 151 00:06:58,427 --> 00:07:00,467 Speaker 4: Friday Saturday, and then get ready for the game Sunday. 152 00:07:00,827 --> 00:07:03,427 Speaker 2: Thirteen games on dating at Terry had the number of 153 00:07:03,587 --> 00:07:06,307 Speaker 2: drawls in the last little while become in any way 154 00:07:06,427 --> 00:07:08,747 Speaker 2: frustrating for you or for Steve the players. 155 00:07:10,707 --> 00:07:13,267 Speaker 4: Not really. I think the obviously you want to win 156 00:07:13,267 --> 00:07:16,787 Speaker 4: every game, but I think every team we knew every 157 00:07:16,787 --> 00:07:19,467 Speaker 4: team goes through a little bit of dip in form 158 00:07:19,507 --> 00:07:22,307 Speaker 4: throughout the season, whether that be through injury, suspension, or 159 00:07:22,347 --> 00:07:25,467 Speaker 4: just purely based on form or travel. The good thing 160 00:07:25,507 --> 00:07:28,187 Speaker 4: for our season is that our dip in form ended 161 00:07:28,227 --> 00:07:30,587 Speaker 4: with draws, you not defeat. So I said, we've only 162 00:07:30,587 --> 00:07:34,347 Speaker 4: lost two games all season, one at home one away, 163 00:07:34,507 --> 00:07:36,667 Speaker 4: so our dip in form coinocated with a lot of 164 00:07:36,707 --> 00:07:39,027 Speaker 4: the draws. So I think, as long as you maintain 165 00:07:39,147 --> 00:07:41,547 Speaker 4: picking up points, as we said at the minute, we're 166 00:07:41,547 --> 00:07:44,107 Speaker 4: sitting on fifty points. We've always said two points a game, 167 00:07:44,427 --> 00:07:47,227 Speaker 4: we're winning the competition. So we're on track to maintain 168 00:07:47,307 --> 00:07:48,627 Speaker 4: that level of consistency. 169 00:07:48,747 --> 00:07:51,427 Speaker 2: Yeap close enough to touch, Travel safe, Terry. Thanks for 170 00:07:51,467 --> 00:07:54,587 Speaker 2: your chet today, Mate'll see you next Sunday. Thanks, take 171 00:07:54,627 --> 00:07:56,387 Speaker 2: care you take care too, Matt. That it's Terry mcfluinn, 172 00:07:56,427 --> 00:08:00,467 Speaker 2: director of football with Auckland FC. Close enough to touch. Indeed, 173 00:08:00,507 --> 00:08:03,747 Speaker 2: just one point from their remaining two games will ensure it, 174 00:08:03,787 --> 00:08:04,987 Speaker 2: and they may not even need that. 175 00:08:05,627 --> 00:08:08,827 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 176 00:08:08,907 --> 00:08:12,227 Speaker 1: to News Talk set B weekends from midday, or follow 177 00:08:12,267 --> 00:08:13,867 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio