Louis Verstraete of Auckland FC contests the ball. Photo: AAP / Photosport
A refreshed and refocused Auckland FC lived up to their favourites tag against Melbourne Victory in the first leg of the A-League semi-finals.
Three weeks after lifting the Premiers Plate Auckland kicked off their home and away semi-finals with a 1-0 win over Victory on a damp Saturday night in Melbourne.
A 64th minute goal from Auckland's leading goal scorer Logan Rogerson was all that separated the sides on the scoresheet but Victory coach Arthur Diles believes intent in front of goal was the difference too.
Auckland could have taken a two-goal lead home had a shot from Neyder Moreno not bounced off both posts and back into the arms of goalkeeper Jack Duncan, as time was ticking down at AAMI Park.
Diles' side has been unable to score against Auckland in any of their three meetings this season and they will have to change that quickly if they are to keep Auckland from progressing to the grand final with another win next weekend.
"We need to be better. We had a lot of the ball and in the end we've got to create more and be a little bit more ruthless in front of goal and even taking more shots," Diles said.
"Not enough shots for me in that performance and little details in terms of execution or decision making in and around the box."
Auckland coach Steve Corica was pleased with the way his side embraced the occasion in front of a crowd of 14,121, which included a strong travelling Auckland contingent, in slippery conditions.
"Would have been nice to go in with a 2-0 lead into the game at home but I'm very proud of the way we defended today one v one. We really did a fantastic job on their dangerous players and it showed in the result," Corica said.
"I'm impressed by the way that they worked hard for each other and did exactly what we wanted them to do defensively and if you do that you get the rewards for it.
"We're always good for a goal and probably deserved another one but we're obviously pleased to have the one goal lead going home."
Auckland took their time to settle against a club with plenty of finals experience and Rogerson said there were some nerves.
"My first experience in finals football and I think I was a bit shellshocked for the first 10 to 15 minutes; they kept coming and coming but obviously as the game went on I grew it into it and I think the team did too."
In the other semi-final, at the same stadium, on Friday night between Western United and Melbourne City, City came out strong with a 3-0 win.
To give United plenty to chase in the return leg back at AAMI Park on Saturday.
The winner of that tie will already know their Grand Final opponent with Auckland and Victory playing at an earlier time in Auckland.
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