Moments after incomes a yellow card from the referee, Louis Verstraete supplied the gamewinner with little greater than 10 minutes remaining in regulation time, when he pounced on a ricochet off the goalpost and slotted a first-time rightfoot effort.
Englishman Sam Cosgrove put the house aspect on the board first within the twenty fifth minute, when Francis de Vries expertly guided a free-kick throughout the aim from the precise nook, discovering his striker on the far publish to nod house.
Adelaide equalised on the stroke of halftime, with Luka Jovanovic dribbling into the goalmouth and beating goalkeeper Michael Woud from pointblank vary – the primary aim towards the Black Knights this season.
Verstraete’s decisive blow got here off a cross from Guillermo Might, headed onto the publish by Jesse Randall, earlier than falling completely for the midfielder.
“We hadn’t beat Adelaide but, in order that was our first win,” mirrored Auckland vice-captain Jake Brimmer, who assumed the management position, when skipper Hiroki Sakai was misplaced to a hamstring damage early.
“Final yr, we had some entertaining video games and we managed to get the job achieved tonight, so we’re pleased with that.”
Auckland FC face Kiwi rivals Wellington Phoenix within the capital subsequent week, understanding they swept the collection convincingly of their debut 2024/25 season.
“This offers us large confidence, however we stay humble and transfer onto the derby subsequent week. We’re all wanting ahead to it and it ought to be one.”
The Phoenix can be a part of Auckland atop the standings on Sunday, if they’ll win at Central Coast.
