A tough, physical game with a high level of good football content.
Despite the even score, Roar took the first half pretty solidly and it was really just the final quarter of the game where Auckland started to mount some consistent pressure. Both teams had chances throughout the whole game and it would not have been a surprise if either team got a second at some point - but the desperation and resilience of both teams saw a lot of opportunities blocked.
Strangely Valkanis only made 2 substitutions; and those in the 79th minute. Obviously happy with the balance of players against their direct opposition and wanting to keep the pressure on - but we felt it in the last 20 odd minutes plus time added with a much flatter level of energy and quality.
Personally I think it better to sacrifice what is working well for higher energy levels as the game wears on. A drop in focus or qulaity can mean a goal against you all too easily.
Auckland's goal came off a fantastic free kick strike from Brook - but he did earn the free kick making sure the ref saw some accidental contact with a full body throwdown. He wasn't the only player to do it and it was done often by both teams - but his was the one that he made count.
In the wall, D Valkanis actually looked like he ducked in preparation for a jump too late - which did not look good to my eyes - but I think it was Klein whose head just missed making contact. Brilliant strike and Bouzanis had no chance at it.
More good chances for us in the first half, including a crossbar shot, but finally converted with a great piece of passing up the middle between Ruhs and Vidic - who then ran on and shot wide of the lunging keeper and into the bottom left corner.
Herrington had a couple of unusual moments today - both involving bouncing balls - where he misread or misjudged something about the ball's path. The worse of the two saw his opponent goal side with Herrington in control of his positioning, but the bounce went right over his head and became an open run on goal. Herrington got back and put enough pressure on to spoil the chance, but in doing so he did make some incidental contact on the Auckland attacker and on another day they could have dropped and possible gained a penalty from it.
Bouzanis made a couple of hideous choices with the ball at his feet - stumbling over feet and ball to create the hint of an opportunity for Auckland. Nothing came of it other than a pulled butt muscle or two on my part, but I do not feel comfortable when he advances towards his opponents with the ball at his feet. He thinks he is a better ball player by foot than he is.
That said, all players made mistakes at times but it was a really good effort all over the pitch by the Roar. I did not see a poor player out there.
Klein did a fantastic job under pressure - both with and without possession. O'Shea was masterful with his touches and passing and proving his age is not the end of his effectiveness yet.
Stajic strong, quick and aware putting close pressure on any player looking dangerous in his vicinity.
We used the ball over the top, along the ground, out wide and switched across all game making it very hard for Auckland to limit our attacking raids.
Auckland, for their part, showed they felt the absence of some of their key players without being soft. May just did not have any forward impact on the game to my memory, and the close attention and high energy of the Roar coming back to shut down anything coming forward turned attacking raids into moments rather than sustained efforts with multiple options.
We still felt vulnerable in the box on every set piece within range - with Auckland's delivery being quality time after time and players striving to make meaningful contact. I think the feeling of vulnerability is one of habit rather than fact given our goal has been protected so often this season.
MacNicol and Lauton replaced Ruhs and Vrakas at the 79th minute. Neither player replaced the physical presence of the players leaving the field and they did not have much of a chance to build into the game with us tiring and making poorer passes then dropping back deeper to close out options for Auckland.
A very good contest all game across the park. Regardless of the outcome it showed that we can forget our previous seasons' form and focus on this season in its own right.
Definitely in the mix 5 games into the season.
