February 22, 2025 • 10 mins
Auckland FC coach Steve Corica believes there's now no doubt who is the best team in New Zealand after a third straight A-League win over the Wellington Phoenix - a 6-1 demolition at Mt Smart.
The Black Knights lead the A-League by a staggering eight points, while the Phoenix have fallen to 11th in the 13th-strong league.
Auckland FC coach Steve Corica joined Piney to recap the victory.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Third edition of the A Leagues New Zealand Derby has
been all Auckland f C. What on earth might play
out here this afternoon? Auckland still there?
Speaker 3 (00:24):
No, but I know can get the ladle.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Once start enough part tasted here the day Rochison, Well,
it's in a falling of times, dold, I know, Patrick.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Hero Rogerson.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
A five star performance still there.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
For Auckland s Brenda.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Six of the best from Auckland FC. A demolition job, yes,
and't then it was Auckland f C have demolished the
Wellington Phoenix six ' to one at a sold out
Media stadium, A record crowd as well. Twenty seven thousand
and nine were there yesterday, Colombian striker nay Dear Modeno
(01:14):
scoring a hat trick, Logan Rogerson got a couple of
goals and Jesse Randall also on the score sheet. Right
at the end, Auckland left C head coach Steve Corika
joins us thanks for your time. The day after the game, Steve,
actually can we start with the goal scorers? Because there
was a suggestion that Naydar Modino's second goal in his
hat trick actually deflected in of Logan Rogerson, who also
(01:37):
got a couple of goals. So who was actually claiming
the hat trick?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Yeah, Logan is actually claiming it. It actually did hit
him on the way through, so Nada actually knows they
did as well, so he's sort of said, is Logan's
hat trick? But like I said yesterday, for me, it
doesn't matter obviously who's scoring the goal as long as
as long as the goals are going in the back
and net. But either way, both of them had a
(02:03):
wonderful game, and yeah, suppose I might fight over a
little bit next week.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Though it's a terrific performance from your side, Steve. You
must have woken up as a pretty happy coach today.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
I thought they were outstanding in all aspects of the game,
you know. They they really showed a great deal of
desire to win that and really to go on with
the game as well, and to continue continue scoring. That
was a good sign as well, you know, so obviously
the goals help. Obviously a little bit disappointed as well
(02:36):
with the goal we did conceide, but other than that,
I thought everything was pretty much a perfect day for us.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Yeah, Wellington actually started the game all right. It was
not all after half an hour. Were you're always confident
though you'd break them.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Down of course, Yeah, but they do have obviously we
spoke about it before before the game. They have a
strong defense. They haven't conceded a lot of goals. So
for us to obviously put three past them in the
first half and then went on with it in the
second half was really pleasing. But yeah, they started really well.
I think the first I would say ten minutes it
(03:09):
took us to get into the game, and I think
after halftime as well, we had a little bit of
a slow start. But I think after them two sort
of initial periods, we really dominated the game and continued
working extremely hard to do what we did to them,
which was for me, it was a demolition.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Talk us through the period between minutes kind of thirty
one and forty when you scored three goals and basically
took the game away from the Phoenix.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Yeah, it's happens sometimes. You know, you get on a
bit of a role, you score one goal and then
you know we were getting good into very good areas.
We're knocking some very good balls, into the box. We
had a goal just allowed as well before that with
the max matter maybe push. So yeah, it's just you know,
we once we scored one, as you could see the
belief and the players were lifting, and we're getting ourselves
(04:01):
into very good positions to win that game.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
When you conceded but then scored again to go four
to one ahead, you know, the game's pretty much in
the bag at that stage. Do you have to consciously
encourage your guys to keep going or is that just
within their DNA at the moment.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
We spoke about it at halftime. You know, I think
we had sort of this same thing last week against Western.
We were turning it all up at halftime. We wanted
to go on and you know, win by more. We
didn't manage to do that last week, but we did
keep a clean sheets. Obviously tough conditioners last week, but
the message again was to keep going. You know, we
(04:37):
want to really give it to this team. And you know,
obviously the fourth goal, we made some changes as well,
which you know, a couple of players were on yellow cars.
We wanted to just protect them for next week. And
now the boys that come on also did really well,
and you know Jess. It's great for Jesse as well
to score his first goal for the club. It's really
(04:57):
pleasing to see everyone doing so well.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
You resisted the temptation to tinker with your starting a leaven,
even with one of your best players, Louis Vstrata returning
from suspension. Be upset about that, well, not upset, And
I was interested to see the teams when it came out.
You know, I'm a big fan of Louis, but.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Well we all are.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Man.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Well, he now just have to wait for his chance
to start again, because I guess if you're not change
a team that wins two nil, you're not going to
change a team that wins six to one.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
Yeah, well, you know there's a week's a long time
in football, you know, make sure everyone pulls up all
right and trains really well. Pleasing for me was his
attitude when he come on. Louis. You know, he's a
really good pro. He was a great guy and you
can see he's desperate to win his spot back because
he was excellent when he come on as well as normal,
breaking up play, always starting things off for us, and
(05:45):
he was he was doing his job as normal, which
was fantastic.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
That's what you want as a coach, That wasn't it, Steve.
You know you want every play whenever they get the opportunity.
But it you know, ninety minutes or nine minutes to
go on there and make your life difficult.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Right, Yeah, definitely, you know, we you know, we try
and bring that up that it's about attitude when you
come on and make a difference, and he did, and
you know, it's just good for the good for the team.
You know, it's competition for places, so keeping everyone on
their toes. Obviously with a player like Lewis on the bench,
I guess against Wellington, it's also good for the two
(06:19):
other midfielders which had very good games as well as you.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Know, indeed, what are you now, eight points clear, nine
games to go? Adelaide have a game to play today. Yeah,
it's a game that Yeah, it's almost yours to lose
now the minor premiership, Steve, Does that change your mentality internally?
Speaker 3 (06:36):
No, you know, like we're not even really thinking about
that at the moment. Obviously. Yeah, it's great to have
eight points clear, but they've got a game if they
if they win that today, it is down to five.
It's it's like two games. We have to play them
next week and it can happen. But obviously if we
can you know, beat them next week or then you know,
we will be sort of getting away from them, which
(06:57):
is obviously the plan for us, to just keep moving
forward slowly, being consistent with our performances and our results,
and try and break away as much as possible.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
You extended the contract of your skipper, Hierroarchi Saki this week.
How crucial a piece of business was that for you?
Speaker 3 (07:14):
Everyone loves him Hierroarchi obviously a fantastic guy, very humble
for where he's played and stuff like that, and a
really good leader for us and on the pitch as
well off the pitch. Yeah, I think he's been outstanding
this year. And obviously, you know, at that kind of age,
you know, he was on a shorter term contract. But
(07:36):
as you can see, he's still moving very well and
I'm sure he'll be able to play for another two
or three years still to come.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
You know the nature of the A leaguers that players
play here and often they move on to another club overseas.
How much interest has there been or do you expect
there will be in your players? From overseas clubs. Given
the way you're playing.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
I think, you know, the better we do, obviously, the
more profile the players will pick up. Obviously we have
our own clubs as well in the groups, so that's
obviously a very positive thing as well for some players
if if they can move into the to another club
in the group and want to move overseas, which is
you know, most young players dreams to play overseas and
(08:19):
and to do well over there and obviously make money
as well, which is a big factor in everything. But
I think now we haven't had a lot at the moment,
but you know we obviously first first season, we want
to keep this group together and try and do something
special and if we can do that then you know,
you know, there's going to be a lot of interest
(08:39):
in the future, I'm sure.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Can I just ask you specifically about Alex Paulson. We
know he's obviously with Bournemouth loaned back to Auckland FC.
Do you expect that a little bit just be the
one season that you have Alex with you?
Speaker 3 (08:50):
I think so you know that it was the plan
only for one year, you know, I'm sure Alex wants
to you know, if if he's not going to Bournemouth
next year. He will be probably loaned out to another club.
But I think he you know, for him as well,
to improve. I think he's had obviously a fantastic year,
large year with Wellington. He's on the right track again
this year to have a very good season as well.
(09:12):
So you know, our understanding was only one year. But
I suppose you never know what's going to.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Happen, Steve. All anyone is talking about in football circles
today is your team, your players. They won't be able
to avoid the hype around them. I'm sure they you know,
they can say, look, i'll stay off social media, but
you always want to have a bit of a look,
how are you going to keep us? How are you
going to keep them grounded?
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Yeah, we'll bring them back down to earth next week.
We're all, you know out. You know, I had a
little drink last night, I suppose with our staff or
what I did anyway, just at a restaurants, so I'm
sure they were celebrating as well with their families or whoever.
But yeah, it is tough sometimes after you have a
very high scorer and wind like that to sort of
bring them back down. But you know, I think they're
(09:55):
a good bunch of boys. I think they're fully focused
on what we what we want to achieve this year.
And yeah, I think you know the massive game that
is coming up. I think maybe that hard to bring
them back down.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
You must be enjoying your walks around Auckland's viaduct right now, mate,
getting people offering you to buy it, often to buy
a coffee or a beer for you.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
I am out at the moment of just under the
Breed actually a boy cafe. So it's very nice morning
this morning.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Well you deserve it. Steve, congratulations on a terrific performance yesterday.
All the best stuff for the week are here and
can't wait to see how it goes against Adelaide next weekend.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
Jeers Biney, thanks sne.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
No, thank you for joining us. Steve. Steve Courriker there,
head coach of Auckland FC. They can't possibly have imagined
that it would go this well.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live
to news Talk said B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Third edition of the A Leagues New Zealand Derby has
been all Auckland f C. What on earth might play
out here this afternoon? Auckland still there?
Speaker 3 (00:24):
No, but I know can get the ladle.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Once start enough part tasted here the day Rochison, Well,
it's in a falling of times, dold, I know, Patrick.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Hero Rogerson.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
A five star performance still there.
Speaker 3 (00:48):
For Auckland s Brenda.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Six of the best from Auckland FC. A demolition job, yes,
and't then it was Auckland f C have demolished the
Wellington Phoenix six ' to one at a sold out
Media stadium, A record crowd as well. Twenty seven thousand
and nine were there yesterday, Colombian striker nay Dear Modeno
(01:14):
scoring a hat trick, Logan Rogerson got a couple of
goals and Jesse Randall also on the score sheet. Right
at the end, Auckland left C head coach Steve Corika
joins us thanks for your time. The day after the game, Steve,
actually can we start with the goal scorers? Because there
was a suggestion that Naydar Modino's second goal in his
hat trick actually deflected in of Logan Rogerson, who also
(01:37):
got a couple of goals. So who was actually claiming
the hat trick?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Yeah, Logan is actually claiming it. It actually did hit
him on the way through, so Nada actually knows they
did as well, so he's sort of said, is Logan's
hat trick? But like I said yesterday, for me, it
doesn't matter obviously who's scoring the goal as long as
as long as the goals are going in the back
and net. But either way, both of them had a
(02:03):
wonderful game, and yeah, suppose I might fight over a
little bit next week.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Though it's a terrific performance from your side, Steve. You
must have woken up as a pretty happy coach today.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
I thought they were outstanding in all aspects of the game,
you know. They they really showed a great deal of
desire to win that and really to go on with
the game as well, and to continue continue scoring. That
was a good sign as well, you know, so obviously
the goals help. Obviously a little bit disappointed as well
(02:36):
with the goal we did conceide, but other than that,
I thought everything was pretty much a perfect day for us.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
Yeah, Wellington actually started the game all right. It was
not all after half an hour. Were you're always confident
though you'd break them.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Down of course, Yeah, but they do have obviously we
spoke about it before before the game. They have a
strong defense. They haven't conceded a lot of goals. So
for us to obviously put three past them in the
first half and then went on with it in the
second half was really pleasing. But yeah, they started really well.
I think the first I would say ten minutes it
(03:09):
took us to get into the game, and I think
after halftime as well, we had a little bit of
a slow start. But I think after them two sort
of initial periods, we really dominated the game and continued
working extremely hard to do what we did to them,
which was for me, it was a demolition.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Talk us through the period between minutes kind of thirty
one and forty when you scored three goals and basically
took the game away from the Phoenix.
Speaker 3 (03:37):
Yeah, it's happens sometimes. You know, you get on a
bit of a role, you score one goal and then
you know we were getting good into very good areas.
We're knocking some very good balls, into the box. We
had a goal just allowed as well before that with
the max matter maybe push. So yeah, it's just you know,
we once we scored one, as you could see the
belief and the players were lifting, and we're getting ourselves
(04:01):
into very good positions to win that game.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
When you conceded but then scored again to go four
to one ahead, you know, the game's pretty much in
the bag at that stage. Do you have to consciously
encourage your guys to keep going or is that just
within their DNA at the moment.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
We spoke about it at halftime. You know, I think
we had sort of this same thing last week against Western.
We were turning it all up at halftime. We wanted
to go on and you know, win by more. We
didn't manage to do that last week, but we did
keep a clean sheets. Obviously tough conditioners last week, but
the message again was to keep going. You know, we
(04:37):
want to really give it to this team. And you know,
obviously the fourth goal, we made some changes as well,
which you know, a couple of players were on yellow cars.
We wanted to just protect them for next week. And
now the boys that come on also did really well,
and you know Jess. It's great for Jesse as well
to score his first goal for the club. It's really
(04:57):
pleasing to see everyone doing so well.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
You resisted the temptation to tinker with your starting a leaven,
even with one of your best players, Louis Vstrata returning
from suspension. Be upset about that, well, not upset, And
I was interested to see the teams when it came out.
You know, I'm a big fan of Louis, but.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Well we all are.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Man.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Well, he now just have to wait for his chance
to start again, because I guess if you're not change
a team that wins two nil, you're not going to
change a team that wins six to one.
Speaker 3 (05:22):
Yeah, well, you know there's a week's a long time
in football, you know, make sure everyone pulls up all
right and trains really well. Pleasing for me was his
attitude when he come on. Louis. You know, he's a
really good pro. He was a great guy and you
can see he's desperate to win his spot back because
he was excellent when he come on as well as normal,
breaking up play, always starting things off for us, and
(05:45):
he was he was doing his job as normal, which
was fantastic.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
That's what you want as a coach, That wasn't it, Steve.
You know you want every play whenever they get the opportunity.
But it you know, ninety minutes or nine minutes to
go on there and make your life difficult.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Right, Yeah, definitely, you know, we you know, we try
and bring that up that it's about attitude when you
come on and make a difference, and he did, and
you know, it's just good for the good for the team.
You know, it's competition for places, so keeping everyone on
their toes. Obviously with a player like Lewis on the bench,
I guess against Wellington, it's also good for the two
(06:19):
other midfielders which had very good games as well as you.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Know, indeed, what are you now, eight points clear, nine
games to go? Adelaide have a game to play today. Yeah,
it's a game that Yeah, it's almost yours to lose
now the minor premiership, Steve, Does that change your mentality internally?
Speaker 3 (06:36):
No, you know, like we're not even really thinking about
that at the moment. Obviously. Yeah, it's great to have
eight points clear, but they've got a game if they
if they win that today, it is down to five.
It's it's like two games. We have to play them
next week and it can happen. But obviously if we
can you know, beat them next week or then you know,
we will be sort of getting away from them, which
(06:57):
is obviously the plan for us, to just keep moving
forward slowly, being consistent with our performances and our results,
and try and break away as much as possible.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
You extended the contract of your skipper, Hierroarchi Saki this week.
How crucial a piece of business was that for you?
Speaker 3 (07:14):
Everyone loves him Hierroarchi obviously a fantastic guy, very humble
for where he's played and stuff like that, and a
really good leader for us and on the pitch as
well off the pitch. Yeah, I think he's been outstanding
this year. And obviously, you know, at that kind of age,
you know, he was on a shorter term contract. But
(07:36):
as you can see, he's still moving very well and
I'm sure he'll be able to play for another two
or three years still to come.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
You know the nature of the A leaguers that players
play here and often they move on to another club overseas.
How much interest has there been or do you expect
there will be in your players? From overseas clubs. Given
the way you're playing.
Speaker 3 (07:57):
I think, you know, the better we do, obviously, the
more profile the players will pick up. Obviously we have
our own clubs as well in the groups, so that's
obviously a very positive thing as well for some players
if if they can move into the to another club
in the group and want to move overseas, which is
you know, most young players dreams to play overseas and
(08:19):
and to do well over there and obviously make money
as well, which is a big factor in everything. But
I think now we haven't had a lot at the moment,
but you know we obviously first first season, we want
to keep this group together and try and do something
special and if we can do that then you know,
you know, there's going to be a lot of interest
(08:39):
in the future, I'm sure.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Can I just ask you specifically about Alex Paulson. We
know he's obviously with Bournemouth loaned back to Auckland FC.
Do you expect that a little bit just be the
one season that you have Alex with you?
Speaker 3 (08:50):
I think so you know that it was the plan
only for one year, you know, I'm sure Alex wants
to you know, if if he's not going to Bournemouth
next year. He will be probably loaned out to another club.
But I think he you know, for him as well,
to improve. I think he's had obviously a fantastic year,
large year with Wellington. He's on the right track again
this year to have a very good season as well.
(09:12):
So you know, our understanding was only one year. But
I suppose you never know what's going to.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Happen, Steve. All anyone is talking about in football circles
today is your team, your players. They won't be able
to avoid the hype around them. I'm sure they you know,
they can say, look, i'll stay off social media, but
you always want to have a bit of a look,
how are you going to keep us? How are you
going to keep them grounded?
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Yeah, we'll bring them back down to earth next week.
We're all, you know out. You know, I had a
little drink last night, I suppose with our staff or
what I did anyway, just at a restaurants, so I'm
sure they were celebrating as well with their families or whoever.
But yeah, it is tough sometimes after you have a
very high scorer and wind like that to sort of
bring them back down. But you know, I think they're
(09:55):
a good bunch of boys. I think they're fully focused
on what we what we want to achieve this year.
And yeah, I think you know the massive game that
is coming up. I think maybe that hard to bring
them back down.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
You must be enjoying your walks around Auckland's viaduct right now, mate,
getting people offering you to buy it, often to buy
a coffee or a beer for you.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
I am out at the moment of just under the
Breed actually a boy cafe. So it's very nice morning
this morning.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
Well you deserve it. Steve, congratulations on a terrific performance yesterday.
All the best stuff for the week are here and
can't wait to see how it goes against Adelaide next weekend.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
Jeers Biney, thanks sne.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
No, thank you for joining us. Steve. Steve Courriker there,
head coach of Auckland FC. They can't possibly have imagined
that it would go this well.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live
to news Talk said B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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