Cam Howieson’s first ever A-Leagues goal proved to be the difference at Go Media Stadium as Auckland FC defeated Sydney FC 1-0 to clinch their first ever Isuzu UTE A-League Championship.
Played out in front of bumper crowd in Auckland, the decisive moment occurred in the 60th minute as Howieson’s deflected effort nestled into the back of the net to send the home crowd wild with joy.
The result also means Black Knights boss Steve Corica is now the most successful coach in A-League Men’s history after clinching his third Championship to sit alongside his two Premierships and an Australia Cup title.
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The conditions were perfect for football and perfect for a Grand Final at Go Media Stadium but chances in the first half were certainly at a premium.
Sydney FC forward Apostolos Stamatelopoulos fashioned a chance all of his own making, chesting a loose ball down inside the box but his half-volley was easily saved by Auckland keeper Michael Woud.
The home side had plenty of the ball but, much like their opponents, they struggled to carve out any real openings in front of goal, with forward Jesse Randall firing a low effort into the arms of Sydney keeper Harrison Devenish-Meares on the approach to half-time.
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Both sides though came flying out of the traps in the second half with Sydney FC midfielder Tiago Quintal fortunate not to receive a booking for a late tackle on Dan Hall before Sam Cosgrove then went down inside the box under pressure from Rhyan Grant but no penalty was awarded.
Things were beginning to boil over as Louis Verstraete picked up a yellow card in the 53rd minute, joining Nando Pijnaker in the book after a late challenge on Paul Okon-Engstler before Hall and Randall were both then booked for cynical fouls.
Despite losing their cool though it was the home side who took the lead on the hour mark as midfielder Howieson chose the perfect moment to score his first goal for the club; lashing a left footed volley from the edge of the box that flicked off the outstretched boot of Jordan Courtney-Perkins and into the back of the net beyond the diving Devenish-Meares.
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Cameron Howieson of Auckland FC is congratulated by team mates
Auckland remained the dominant side but Sydney passed up a glorious chance in the 81st minute as Stamatelopoulos charged into the Black Knights box and picked out substitute Rhys Youlley, however the midfielder’s low effort was tame and went straight into the body of Woud.
A packed out crowd of 28,374 almost blew the roof off Go Media Stadium in the 82nd minute as Randall chopped inside the sliding Alexandar Popovic and looked for all the world as though he’d put the game to bed but blazed his shot high over the bar from close range.
Sydney threw the kitchen sink at the home side in a bid to find the winner but Auckland’s defence held firm as they clinched their first ever Isuzu UTE A-League Championship in just their second season in the competition.
Goalscorer Howieson was also then awarded the prestigious Joe Marston Medal for his match-winning performance.
WHAT THEY SAID
Three-time Championship winning defender Dan Hall spoke with Paramount+ after the full time whistle.
A delighted Jesse Randall spoke with Paramount+ after his final game for the club before departing for Dundee United.
