Auckland FC's Hiroki Sakai dejected after their semi-final loss to the Melbourne Victory. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.nz
It was so nearly the perfect ending to a perfect debut season. Auckland FC came within touching distance of an unprecedented Premier's Plate and A-League Championship double in their inaugural campaign. But in a season where they did almost everything right - recruitment, tactics, fitness, fan connection, discipline - one crucial attribute failed them at the vital moment in their semi-final loss to Melbourne Victory: luck.
Nando Pijnaker has been a rock at the back all season, consistently putting his body on the line with scant regard for his personal wellbeing. No player in the league finished with more clearances than his 186. In one recent match, he produced three in quick succession as Auckland's trademark dogged defence held firm under pressure.
But at Mount Smart on Saturday, the bounce didn't go his way. In the 55th minute, Zinedine Machach let fly with a speculative effort that clipped Pijnaker's sliding knee and careened cruelly past a wrong-footed Alex Paulsen.
Zinédine Machach of Melbourne Victory takes a shot at goal to score, Auckland FC v Melbourne Victory FC, leg 2 of the A-League semi final at Go Media Stadium, Auckland. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Just like that, Auckland's first-leg advantage was gone. Five minutes later, things unravelled further. Still rattled, the defence switched off. Bruno Fornaroli, as wily as ever at 37, ghosted off Pijnaker's shoulder and was played onside by a lagging Francis de Vries. That was all the invitation he needed, and suddenly, Victory were in front.
Auckland struggled to create meaningful chances, but they did still manage to get the ball in the net. Logan Rogerson, so often the scorer of crucial goals this season, nodded home at the back post after Guillermo May's looping cross. However, the whistle blew, referee Alex King and his fellow officials adjudged the ball had gone out of play. Post-game, Steve Corica was right to share his doubts and disappointment at the decision. A video assistant referee check barely lasted a few seconds, and in their haste, the officials may have got this one wrong.
Even when Melbourne did gift Auckland a chance, goalkeeper Jack Duncan spilling a hail mary cross onto the outstretched limb of an advanced Pijnaker, his effort was scrambled off the goal-line.
Sometimes, in football, your luck is just out. And who knew that it had actually started a week earlier at AAMI Park, when Neyder Moreno's late effort ricocheted between both posts before squirming away from goal?
Auckland thank their fans. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.nz
Auckland's misfortune is not to downplay Melbourne Victory's deserved triumph. Fortune favours the bold, and much like his brave turtleneck fashion choice, Victory head coach Arthur Diles' daring formation paid off. The visitors started with five attackers, including the mercurial Fornaroli. Diles went all in, and got his and his team's just rewards.
As for Auckland, they have undoubtedly had their share of luck this season. A team doesn't score as many late goals as they have without the ball bouncing their way now and again.
But when it mattered most, lady luck deserted them, which, as reasons for falling short of a dream debut double go, is about as good an excuse as you can get.
In other football news:
Chris Wood will not be playing Champions League football with Nottingham Forest next season. They needed to beat Chelsea on the final day to have any chance of making it into the top five but a 1-0 loss condemned them to seventh position. The kicker, Aston Villa and Newcastle United lost, meaning a Forest win would have seen them finish fourth. Instead, the UEFA Conference League awaits the All Whites captain.
Speaking of the All Whites, Darren Bazeley announced his squad for upcoming friendlies against the Ivory Coast (June 8) and Ukraine (June 11). There are recalls for Ben Old, Finn Surman, Bill Tuiloma, Callan Elliot and Nik Tzanev.
Sam Sutton has officially joined Perth Glory from the Wellington Phoenix. He's not the only one out the door this week. Nearly the entire backroom team, including assistant coach Adam Griffiths, are goneburger after a massive internal reshuffle.
Sunderland will be joining Leeds United and Burnley in the Premier League next season after a dramatic 2-1 win over Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final. They will hope to fare better than recently promoted sides. None of the past six to be promoted have survived their first season while 10 of the last 15 have suffered the same fate.
