Auckland FC Manager Steve Corica and Hiroki Sakai of Auckland FC with the A-League Plate Trophy, 2025. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
It is a great story, but Auckland FC coach Steve Corica said it is not over yet.
The debut club picked up their first silverware by securing top spot for the regular season and with it the A-League Premiers Plate.
They now have their sights set on the Championship which will involves the top six sides.
Auckland FC Manager Steve Corica celebrates with the A-League Premier Plate, 2025. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"It's a great story," Corica told RNZ.
"To start up a new club with no players, it actually feels very special"
Corica, who has previously won the A-League title with Sydney FC, said they felt they could be successful reasonably early in the season after gathering a squad with plenty of experience.
"The boys started to believe we could do something special in the first six games when we went unbeaten.
"Obviously the belief grows and you start to think yes we can do it.
"Bill Foley (owner) is very ambitious and wants to win trophies and to do it in our first season is really amazing."
It has been a remarkable season so far. In 25 matches Auckland have been beaten just twice, winning 15 and drawing eight.
Their +24 goal differential is also the best in the league.
Corica said the plan from here is simple.
"Just got to continue what we're doing, it is important that we keep on doing that and don't change the way we play.
"The boys should be very proud of this so far, but it is not done.
"We're defending well and that will be a key factor in the finals, while we also have to take our chances when they come."
Auckland play at Western United this weekend to end the regular season and will then have a week off before they get involved in the finals series.
The third to sixth placed teams compete in the first weekend with the winners then meeting the top two sides in a home and away semi-final series.
The Grand Final is scheduled for the weekend of 31 May.
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