Head coach Albert Riera was gracious in defeat after his Auckland City side were knocked out of the Chatham Cup by Western Springs who won the tie 3-2 after extra time.
“Congratulations to Western Springs,” Riera said after the match at Springs’ Seddon Fields.
“They put up, you know, a very good battle. I thought it was a very good game of football … both teams trying to play out, and pressing high.”
The loss ended Auckland City’s unbeaten run in all competitions this calendar year, and denies them the chance of winning back-to-back Chatham Cups.
“We’ve played a lot of games … it’s the first time we lost this season, so I’m very proud of this group of, you know, players.
“They tried their best again; they created a lot of chances (and) until the end, they showed a lot of belief but again you know it’s always a learning in every game and I think today we have to learn a few things and again, I mean heads up after the next game and we’ll keep going.”
City went ahead in the 14th minute through in-form striker Ryan de Vries who has now scored in 11 consecutive games, bagging 20 goals since May.
But Western Springs came back through Keegan Kelly to send the sides into the break at 1-1.
City skipper Cam Howieson put the cup holders ahead in the 62nd minute but a second Kelly goal forced the game into extra time.
Kenta Nakashima scored the winner for Springs early in the extra period of play.
Springs join Melville United, Wellington Olympic and Roslyn Wakari in the quarter-final draw, while four more fourth round ties will be played on Sunday.
The goals and coach Riera’s post-match comments
Results
Game played on Saturday July 8, 2023
Chatham Cup
Fourth round
Western Springs 3 (Keegan Kelly 18′, 81′, Kenta Nakashima 94′)
Auckland City 2 (Ryan de Vries 14′, Cam Howieson 62′)
*After extra time, teams tied 2-2 after 90 mins.
Roslyn Wakari 4 (Callum Smith 9′, Nathan Wilkie 43′, 48′, Zac Baird-Hodge 49′)
Wanaka 3 (own goal 14′, Blair Scoullar 28′, Alex Wright 90+3′)
Petone 0
Wellington Olympic 5 (Joel Stevens 16′, Ben Mata 22′, 61′, Gianni Bouzoukis 25′, 41′)
Fencibles United 0
Melville United 2 (Isaac Bates 24′, Erik Panzer 67′)
Fixtures
Games to be played on Sunday July 9, 2023
Chatham Cup
READ MORE: Who’ll be basking in Chatham Cup glory after this weekend’s fourth round? >>>>
Fourth round
Birkenhead United v Eastern Suburbs
Allen Hill Stadium, Devonport, 2pm
Hamilton Wanderers v Ngaruawahia United
John Kerkhof Park, Cambridge, 2pm
Napier City Rovers v Waterside Karori
Bluewater Stadium, Napier, 2pm
Cashmere Technical v Christchurch United
Garrick Memorial Park, Christchurch, 2pm
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