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Auckland FC survive late scare to prevail in NZ Derby
Joanna Guelas, AAP • December 6th, 2025 7:25 pm
Auckland FC have taken out the latest Kiwi Clasico by beating rivals Wellington 3-1 | Photo: AAP
Auckland FC have prevailed in a see-sawing A-League Men derby, piling the misery onto a 10-man Wellington with a sensational 3-1 victory.
English striker Sam Cosgrove was the hero for Steve Corica's men, standing tall when the Phoenix came to life late in Saturday's clash at Go Media Stadium.
Wellington had threatened to deny the home side victory despite losing defender Manjrekar James in the 46th minute, when captain Alex Rufer leveled the scores in the 55th with a rocket from outside the box.
James had been sent off for fouling Cosgrove with the Englishman baring down on goal.
But Cosgrove continued to cause chaos for the visitors, earning two penalties.
It was forward Ifeanyi Eze who first gave away a spot kick in the 60th minute, before Dan Edwards fouled the Auckland striker again minutes later.
Phoenix goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi was able to deny Cosgrove at the first time of asking to keep the sides level.
And he also kept out the second, but defender Francis de Vries followed up his miss to slot home in the 72nd minute.
Cosgrove popped up again in the 80th, setting up substitute Guillermo May's goal for the final say.
Auckland triumph over their bitter rivals for the fifth-consecutive time since joining the competition last season.
It is their second-straight derby win this campaign, after claiming a 2-1 win in round four.
The Black Knights can finish the round top of the table after nabbing their third win in five.
Giancarlo Italiano's side languish in eighth after failing in their bid for first back-to-back wins this season.
Auckland had enjoyed maximum impact from their top talent in a lop-sided first half.
The home side landed the first blow when Callan Elliot broke from the pack down the right wing.
Elliot easily found Logan Rogerson, whose clinical cut back was finished off by Lachlan Brook in the seventh minute.
Midfielder Brook almost pulled off a first-half brace in the 22nd minute when Louis Verstraete lobbed the ball into open pastures.
But Brook was denied by the boot of Phoenix goalkeeper Oluwayemi.
Wellington could only land one shot on target despite having more possession opening 45, with winger Carlo Armiento's sixth-minute attempt blocked.
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