Australasia’s premier football competition kicks off this weekend and hometown newbies Auckland FC will be out to make a lasting first impression against the Brisbane Roar at Go Media Stadium.
The off-season has seen the club make some key signings comprised of established All Whites including superstar Goalkeeper Alex Paulsen acquired via a switcheroo loan deal with sister club AFC Bournemouth, talented youngsters, and Hiroki Sakai a veteran of three World Cups for Japan.
Sakai has also been entrusted with the captaincy for the inaugural 2024-2025 Isuzu UTE A-League season, and the club said the Japanese international brings a wealth of experience having played at the highest level of European football.
“I understand the responsibility and pride that comes with being captain of this team,” Sakai said.
He will be aided by mid-fielder Jake Brimmer, a handy acquisition for the club who boasts 99 appearances with last season’s runners-up Melbourne Victory, and 34-year-old defender Tommy Smith who suited up 247 times for Ipswich Town in the English Premier League.
“I’m excited to lead Auckland FC and work with such a talented and committed squad, including Jake and Tommy, who will play crucial roles in guiding us through the season. Together, we’re ready to take on the challenges ahead and make our supporters proud, “Hiroki Sakai said.
Auckland has been without a team in the A-League since the New Zealand Knights were dissolved in 2007, with the country’s representation limited to the Wellington Phoenix.
As a result, the team has a big job to convince a notoriously apathetic Auckland sporting market that they are the real deal.
However recent investment in the club from NBA star Steven Adams and talk of a purpose-built upgrade to Western Springs Stadium has piqued the interest of football fans.
Initiatives like the one hundred limited edition Auckland FC ‘Day 1’ football shirts up for grabs across the city thanks to a new sponsorship between the club and ANZ Bank New Zealand will accelerate fan engagement.
100 shirts will be hung across the city from now until Saturday, with clues to their location located at @ANZAotearoa on Instagram.
Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker told the Times in July the game in the supercity was now in a better space after the success of last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“73 clubs across the region and 100,000 people participate in the sport across the city and those numbers just didn’t exist 16 years ago – you are kind of comparing apples and watermelons, “Becker said.
He confirmed all of Auckland FC’s games would be played at the family-friendly time of 5 pm on Saturdays throughout the summer.
“You have to work with your audience. A pre-dinner kickoff means the whole family can go and be home by 8- 8:30 and it doesn’t disrupt the whole night. We play in summer so the weather is nice and you don’t have to battle the Southern motorway to get here, “he said.
Tickets for Saturday are available at Auckland FC.co.nz
