A bitter disappointment for Auckland FC, as their performance against the Central Coast Mariners last weekend ruled them out of the Premiers Plate race.
But the Plate isn’t the be all end all, and a victory in tomorrow night’s game would lock them into second place and let them skip straight to the semifinals.
Dan Hall, defender for Auckland FC, joined D’Arcy to discuss.
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Episode Transcript
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldgrave from News Talk sedb Auckland FC.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
They would be rather upset. There's an understatement with their
showing last weekend. They last one zip to the Central
Coast Mariners in their own backyard, so Premiere Plate race
is finished for them. However, tomorrow's match still holds much
import because a win means they lock in second place
(00:34):
and they skip the first round elimination finals of the
A legs. That puts them straight into the semi finals.
Plenty to play for Dan Hall, a defender for AKFC,
and he joins us.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Now, good morning, Dan, Hello, how are you going.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
I'm going very well, not going to Australia, which is
what you guys are going to do. You've got the
last game of the regular season coming up tomorrow. How
about an understatement for it's not that important, is it?
Speaker 4 (01:02):
Yeah? No, I think you know, definitely a massive game obviously,
you know the Premier's Plates. We can't attain that unfortunately,
but what we can do is try and cement us
for in the top two.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
So that's what we're going for.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Prime focus coach wise, what do you look at do
you think you can't lose? Do you think you must win?
How do they prepare your head space for this now
the Premier's plates no longer and in existence for you?
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Yeah, I think it's more just about you know, obviously
it's disappointing, but about refocusing and I guess come finals football,
you really want to be in the best form as possible.
And obviously the results haven't been as as good as
we'd like, so to try and go into finals off
a win would be a lot better than not.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
So that's what we're going for.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
What do you approve to yourself this year, the team
and that space because it has been an odd yet
you've not really been a runaway juggernaal but he's still
right near the top of the table. So you've shown
an ability to bounce back from unlikely situations. Wouldn't it
be the biggest lesson so far to the season, Dan.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
Yeah, I think so, and I think it also, you know,
this season has really shown just the high standards that
we've we've set upon ourselves, Like you know, we're still
in the top two, where people are saying, you know,
the season hasn't been ideal when you know, top two.
You ask other clubs if they would be top two,
you know they would love to be.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
So I feel like, you know, the resilience from the group.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
Even though when results aren't going our way, we really
bond together and you know, try and push on.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
As it always looking back at the last few games, because
you're not really covering yourself from corry, have you you'd
be I expect a little upset about what happened last
week against Central Coast and I'm thinking the week before
it was a draw, so you're not on the greatest run.
But this season you've done that and come back with
a win, so it's it's tracking.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
Well, right Dan, Yeah, exactly, obviously.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
Yeah, if you look at the last five games, you
know the results haven't been what we'd wanted to be
and I guess we're trying to rectify that this week.
But as I said, you know, finals football, I guess
does help, but it also goes out of the window
when it's one off games and we're just looking to
get through Sydney with the best result possible and then
looking to crack onto finals.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Any point in looking behind you because here's a couple
of teams breathing down your neck.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
Right, Yeah, of course, you know, the ladders closer than ever,
And obviously we're aware that if we don't get results,
you know, it gives opportunities for other teams to jump us.
So I feel like for us, we're just really just
focusing on the group at the moment and what we
want to do, and you know, just focusing on us
getting the result and then from there, see what happens.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
What did you pull out of the Central Coast Marinus game,
anything relevant that you need to carry and recognize.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
Yeah, I think obviously, I feel like we lacked the goals. Obviously,
if not scoring, which is frustrating for us, and I
feel like the majority of the game, you know, we
were the better side. But obviously if you don't put
the ball in the net, teams can punish you, and
you know they did, and I guess we just got
to learn from that and move forward.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
And the nature of the team. You running pretty much
a full quiver a. You're not like stressing over anybody
not being available. I'm talking about the six Bay obviously.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
Yeah, look, I think this back end of the season,
you know, we've had quite a few big injuries to
some key players, and I feel like that's obviously hasn't
been been the best timing on things, but that's football,
as I said before, And you know, we're hoping just
to get through this week and come finals, hoping for
you know, the return of some key players, which would
(04:40):
definitely help our finals push.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
What do you do in your own personal space to
help prepare for games like this that have come at
a critical part of the season. Any method that you
go through and think you've learned over years playing the
game that you can apply in this specific situation.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
Dan, I try not to try not to over complicate anything,
you know. I feel like as long as I have
a nap before the game, I'm ready to go.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
So that's my key to success.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
I like that sleep.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
What about fuel?
Speaker 2 (05:10):
What are your stuff and your god before you play?
Speaker 4 (05:12):
I'm pretty I'm pretty flexible with what I eat free game. Obviously,
when you're away on away trips, it's different to what's
available when you're at home. So I think for me,
it's just being flexible. If I can get some sushi
in that obviously I enjoyed, and I feel like that's
some good fuel that.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Makes sense, and it's quick and it's simple. As well,
and it's pretty consistent. You get it the same thing globally, right,
so there's no surprises.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Yeah, exactly, exactly right.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Looking forward to this game, there's a lot on it.
But by the sounds of it, you guys are tracking
in the right direction. The results don't say you are,
but the results of the whole year, so you definitely
are right. This is the mercial nature of Auckland f C.
So farther here. So dare I say you're at a good spot?
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Right? Yeah, that's a very positive outlook on it, and
I tend to agree. I think, you know, as long
as you know we have that upward trajectory, it's not
always going to be you know, our winds aren't always
just going to continue rising.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
It's going to be up and down.
Speaker 4 (06:08):
But as long as you're pushing forward, I think that's
all that we can ask for.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
It's all about manifestation, Dan Hall, get in there and
create that reality. You're going to not win the premiere plate,
but you bringing home a title.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
It's the main thing.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
Good on you, mate, Thanks very much for your time as.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Always, perfect appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
Thank you for more from the Your Sport Breakfast with
Darcy Watergrave. Listen live to News Talk said Be on
Saturday mornings, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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