Auckland FC were on the wrong end of a five-goal drubbing in Matchweek 2 but former A-Leagues strikers Kosta Barbarouses and Roy O’Donovan believe new boss Pedro Moreira won’t be too alarmed by what he saw.
The reigning champions took the lead against Western Sydney Wanderers care of Luka Vicelich’s first-half strike but after Brandon Borrello equalised before half-time, the Wanderers then ran riot after the break.
Former Auckland winger Liam Gillion scored against his old side to make it 2-1 before Nicolas Milanovic added a third. Auckland found a way back into the game via a Borrello own goal but late strikes from Miguel De Pizio and Atiya Waraga ensured the Wanderers fans went home happy.
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The result comes as a shock for Auckland following their 3-1 win over Melbourne City in Matchweek 1, but O’Donovan and Barbarouses believe Portuguese boss Moreira won’t be panicking just yet.
“I don’t think Auckland were bad. I think they were bad in transition and I thought Wanderers were unbelievable in transition,” Barbarouses said on episode 2 of A-Leagues: On the Whistle.
“If you watch the game back, four of their five goals were scored from one or two passes after winning the ball back, and Auckland just couldn’t deal with it.
“So, look, I think it was sort of a similar performance from Auckland last week to this week.
“The difference was that Wanderers were relentless going forward and on the counter attack.
MATCH REPORT: Wanderers put five past defending Champions Auckland FC
“I don’t think it’s cause for Auckland to worry too much. I think they just probably need to be a little bit smarter going forward, and probably leave another man in front of the Wanderers’ top two that stay high and sort of cover from the front and behind.
“But Wanderers, they’re gonna cause some teams headaches, and Macarthur next week, they’re going to need to be very careful.”
For the Wanderers, the difference between their Sydney Derby display in Matchweek 1 of the new season compared to that of their five-star showing in Matchweek 2 was akin to chalk and cheese.
But former Jets, Mariners and Roar striker O’Donovan believes the characteristics on show from Ufuk Talay’s side in both games all point to a promising campaign, especially given the side finished rock bottom last season.
“What I liked about the Derby last week was they showed grit and resilience,” O’Donovan said on the A-Leagues: On the Whistle podcast.
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“There were times last year when confidence was waning, and they, as a squad, were kind of unsure whether they were coming or going at times.
“They showed that resilience and grit to get the job done.
“They were not losing the Derby, regardless if they were going to try and win it or not, they were not losing it. So that’s tick number one for me.
“What I was very impressed with [against Auckland] was them going forward. Some of the attacking football yesterday… Borello, good to see him back to his best. Di Pizio, terrific.
“Waraga, the last two weeks, I thought against Sydney FC he was the difference maker. He was the one that could have won the game for them last week. Very impressed with him.
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 24: Ufuk Talay head coach of the Wanderers looks on ahead of the round two A-League Men match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Auckland FC at CommBank Stadium on October 24, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
He continued: “But what I’ve been most impressed with was that goal, the own goal Borello scored.
“Lawrence Thomas comes, [it] slips out of his hands, hits Borrello on the back of the head, goes in. [Anthony] Pantazopoulos, Borrello and Lawrence Thomas [are] looking at each other.
“I reckon that last year that could have been a derailing moment of that game and could have been their downfall. But they went on and went forward with the game after that, which I was very impressed with.”
Next up for the Wanderers is short away trip to South West Sydney on Saturday night where they take on local rivals Macarthur Bulls FC at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Auckland FC are on the road again in Matchweek 3 of the 2026/27 A-League Men season as they travel to Suncorp Stadium to take on a rejuvenated Brisbane Roar, who won their first game of the new season beating Perth Glory 2-1 at home.
