December 5, 2025 • 8 mins
It’s a big weekend for domestic football, with the second NZ derby going down at Mt Smart Stadium this evening.
Auckland FC claimed victory in the first derby of the year down in Wellington, holding on after being reduced to nine men in the second half.
Coach Steve Corica told Piney that a derby is something special, but you don’t want to overplay the game too much in your head during the week.
He says that during the week leading up to the game, they have to keep the players focused on what they’re doing normally in the games, which has worked for them so far.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Steve Coriker joins U. Steve, thanks for taking the time
for a chat. I want to ask you about the
way you approach these derbies. First of all, you have
always as a head coach embraced these games and the
occasions that they are. Some coaches say, oh, look, it's
just another game. They're all worth three points. It's no
different from playing another opponents. But you always talk about
how big these derbies are for fans and for players,
(00:35):
and I guess the coaches as well. Why do you
take that view?
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Well, they're all worth three points, but the Derbies are
something special, I think, and you have to treat them
that way. You know, it's the first time, well second
year in a row now that there's been a Derby
in New Zealand, so and you saw the first three
were amazing, even the last one that we won with
nine men. They always bring something special and I think
Derby's meant to be like that. The fans love them.
(01:05):
You know, today obviously there's going to be hopefully a
full house in our Go Media Stadium, which obviously they
bring the noise and bring the atmosphere and that's what
that's what football's about as well.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Did you all love of these big occasions get sort
of fostered by your time as boss of Sydney FC,
when you had those those derbies against Western Sydney two
or three times a year, and you embrace those occasions
as well.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Yeah, definitely we do. You know, there are some amazing
atmospheres as well. In the Sydney Derby even I think
when I was an assistant coach under Graham Arnold, we
had sixty five thousand I think at Anz Stadium for
a domestic derby, So you know that's pretty special, I think,
(01:50):
you know, and you can just feel the passion, the
noise and obviously the Kiwi Derby is going down that track.
It's obviously you know, obviously at the moment we're four
nila up. But you know, you can't take you can't
rest on what's happened in the past. It's it's if game.
Football is a strange game. You can play your best
(02:13):
football and still lose. So you have to be right
on your on the game.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
And your passion for these games and your attitude towards
them is clearly permeated into your players as well. The
way they've talked about these games during the week. Do
you have to step in any way control their emotions
and weeks like this and going into games like these,
you definitely.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Can tell when it's Derby week. You know, they get
very excited. Obviously they know it's coming. Trying not to
treat every game on his laurels and that my Derby's
obviously something different, and I think that's the way we
try and treat them. You know, it's sometimes you have
to calm them down a little bit. You don't want
to overplay the game too much in your head during
(02:56):
the week. You want to stay obviously just focused. And
during the week we try and keep it much the
same to make sure that you know, they do continue
doing that they do normally in games, but then when
you get to match day, you know it's different. So, yeah,
it's been working for us and hopefully we continue to
(03:18):
keep winning. Obviously winning is nice, never nice to lose one,
but hopefully that won't happen today.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
You come into this game off the back of a
rare defeat. Do you have to filter last week through
the fact that for the last twenty minutes or so,
the conditions were basically unplayable.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
There's a lot of positives out of last week. We
created a lot of chances. Probably a negative part of
that is we didn't we didn't punish them when we
had the opportunity. And then obviously the conditions were tough
for both teams come the end of the game, which
they had the lead already by then, so it's made
it a little bit more difficult for us. But I've
(03:58):
also spoke about, you know, we're conceding. We can see
the two goals last week and they were quite sloppy goals.
So it's about working keeping clean sheets this week and
we see how we go.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Are you missing Hiroki Sarkis on field leadership, Well, he.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Doesn't talk much, Hiroki, but you know he does lead
by example on the pitch, and you know, as much
as Kallen Elliotts I think has done it has done
a great job for us. You know, I think the
boys know when Hiroki's not playing, so he sort of
calms the team a little bit just by his presence
and his experience. So you know, obviously we'll have him
(04:39):
back into the squad next week, but right now we
don't have him today, and you know, Callen's been doing
a great job for us, so you know, if he
remains focused Kellen and he does what he's been doing
in the last couple of weeks, that's all we can ask.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Was there any temptation to try and have Hiroki involved
in this one today?
Speaker 3 (04:57):
No, none at all. I think we you know, we
knew six weeks ago this is the game he's going
to come back. Hamstrings are quite quite tough if you
try and force him back, you know, even a couple
of days earlier, a week early, you know you could
be facing another six to twelve weeks out, So we
didn't want to risk that. Obviously, Darby's are important, but
(05:18):
I think it's important that we get Hierarchi back fully
fit and continues for the rest of the seasons as
much as, you know, as as quickly as possible after today.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
What about Gijure Moomi. We saw him this last week.
He'd played the first five games of the season, but
it felt as though looked as though, and you'll be
able to confirm this, that he was he wasn't one
hundred percent. He picked up another knock. I know last week.
What's his likely contribution this afternoon going to be he's
in the metch day squad presumably.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Yeah, he's he's back in. He's trained the last couple
of the last three days. So yeah, Listen, he had
an operation on his knee in pre season, you know,
obviously desperate to get back for the start of the season,
so you know he was back for that, not fully
fit as well. Once he did come back physically, and
(06:08):
it's taken him a little bit of time and obviously
still feeling a little bit of that knees it will swollen.
He got he got it drained last week and had
some some of the stuff, so you know, hopefully he
said it's much better this week, but you know, I
think it's going to be ongoing for a little bit longer.
So but it's good to have him back into the squad.
And you know, he's a quality player and he did
(06:31):
so well for us last year and we just need
to get him back to what he was doing last
last season.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Both of your goals in the first derby the season
came from defeating the Phoenix. As much talked about high line,
how much of your attacking focus has has been on
that again, or do you expect to have to use
different strategies today.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Well, I think, you know, definitely that plays the part
of it, because they are playing still playing the high line,
so obviously there's something we've spoken about and worked on
today and for today's game, and but there's there's obviously
other ways as well to beat them, and you know,
we can't be just one dimensional. We have to have
(07:12):
other options as well, and you know we've looked at
that also, and yeah, so we'll go from there and
hopefully it all pans out nicely.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
And I know you're only worrying about today, but after
this game five or of your next six are away
from home, how much does your prep and approach change,
Steve in a typical week with so much travel to
be factored into it all.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Yeah, you know, we've had three home games, which are
going to be great, obviously great, but then then you've
got to travel. So we got three in a row
and then I think one at home and then I
think another two or three away.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
So it's going to.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
Be difficult, there's no doubt about that. But I think
last year we showed we were just as good away
from home as at home, So I'm hoping it's going
to be much the same this season. But you know,
the travel does take it is toll on players, you know, physically. Obviously,
we try and do the best we can to make
(08:13):
sure that they recover properly and give them, you know,
days off so they can freshen up. But yeah, I'm
actually looking forward to obviously having a few games away
from home as well.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Well, looking forward to a big occasion to go Media
Stadium this afternoon in the first instance. Thanks for chatting
to us on matchday, Steve all the best today.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Thanks thank you Banion.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk z B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talk ZB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Steve Coriker joins U. Steve, thanks for taking the time
for a chat. I want to ask you about the
way you approach these derbies. First of all, you have
always as a head coach embraced these games and the
occasions that they are. Some coaches say, oh, look, it's
just another game. They're all worth three points. It's no
different from playing another opponents. But you always talk about
how big these derbies are for fans and for players,
(00:35):
and I guess the coaches as well. Why do you
take that view?
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Well, they're all worth three points, but the Derbies are
something special, I think, and you have to treat them
that way. You know, it's the first time, well second
year in a row now that there's been a Derby
in New Zealand, so and you saw the first three
were amazing, even the last one that we won with
nine men. They always bring something special and I think
Derby's meant to be like that. The fans love them.
(01:05):
You know, today obviously there's going to be hopefully a
full house in our Go Media Stadium, which obviously they
bring the noise and bring the atmosphere and that's what
that's what football's about as well.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Did you all love of these big occasions get sort
of fostered by your time as boss of Sydney FC,
when you had those those derbies against Western Sydney two
or three times a year, and you embrace those occasions
as well.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Yeah, definitely we do. You know, there are some amazing
atmospheres as well. In the Sydney Derby even I think
when I was an assistant coach under Graham Arnold, we
had sixty five thousand I think at Anz Stadium for
a domestic derby, So you know that's pretty special, I think,
(01:50):
you know, and you can just feel the passion, the
noise and obviously the Kiwi Derby is going down that track.
It's obviously you know, obviously at the moment we're four
nila up. But you know, you can't take you can't
rest on what's happened in the past. It's it's if game.
Football is a strange game. You can play your best
(02:13):
football and still lose. So you have to be right
on your on the game.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
And your passion for these games and your attitude towards
them is clearly permeated into your players as well. The
way they've talked about these games during the week. Do
you have to step in any way control their emotions
and weeks like this and going into games like these,
you definitely.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Can tell when it's Derby week. You know, they get
very excited. Obviously they know it's coming. Trying not to
treat every game on his laurels and that my Derby's
obviously something different, and I think that's the way we
try and treat them. You know, it's sometimes you have
to calm them down a little bit. You don't want
to overplay the game too much in your head during
(02:56):
the week. You want to stay obviously just focused. And
during the week we try and keep it much the
same to make sure that you know, they do continue
doing that they do normally in games, but then when
you get to match day, you know it's different. So, yeah,
it's been working for us and hopefully we continue to
(03:18):
keep winning. Obviously winning is nice, never nice to lose one,
but hopefully that won't happen today.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
You come into this game off the back of a
rare defeat. Do you have to filter last week through
the fact that for the last twenty minutes or so,
the conditions were basically unplayable.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
There's a lot of positives out of last week. We
created a lot of chances. Probably a negative part of
that is we didn't we didn't punish them when we
had the opportunity. And then obviously the conditions were tough
for both teams come the end of the game, which
they had the lead already by then, so it's made
it a little bit more difficult for us. But I've
(03:58):
also spoke about, you know, we're conceding. We can see
the two goals last week and they were quite sloppy goals.
So it's about working keeping clean sheets this week and
we see how we go.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Are you missing Hiroki Sarkis on field leadership, Well, he.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Doesn't talk much, Hiroki, but you know he does lead
by example on the pitch, and you know, as much
as Kallen Elliotts I think has done it has done
a great job for us. You know, I think the
boys know when Hiroki's not playing, so he sort of
calms the team a little bit just by his presence
and his experience. So you know, obviously we'll have him
(04:39):
back into the squad next week, but right now we
don't have him today, and you know, Callen's been doing
a great job for us, so you know, if he
remains focused Kellen and he does what he's been doing
in the last couple of weeks, that's all we can ask.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Was there any temptation to try and have Hiroki involved
in this one today?
Speaker 3 (04:57):
No, none at all. I think we you know, we
knew six weeks ago this is the game he's going
to come back. Hamstrings are quite quite tough if you
try and force him back, you know, even a couple
of days earlier, a week early, you know you could
be facing another six to twelve weeks out, So we
didn't want to risk that. Obviously, Darby's are important, but
(05:18):
I think it's important that we get Hierarchi back fully
fit and continues for the rest of the seasons as
much as, you know, as as quickly as possible after today.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
What about Gijure Moomi. We saw him this last week.
He'd played the first five games of the season, but
it felt as though looked as though, and you'll be
able to confirm this, that he was he wasn't one
hundred percent. He picked up another knock. I know last week.
What's his likely contribution this afternoon going to be he's
in the metch day squad presumably.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
Yeah, he's he's back in. He's trained the last couple
of the last three days. So yeah, Listen, he had
an operation on his knee in pre season, you know,
obviously desperate to get back for the start of the season,
so you know he was back for that, not fully
fit as well. Once he did come back physically, and
(06:08):
it's taken him a little bit of time and obviously
still feeling a little bit of that knees it will swollen.
He got he got it drained last week and had
some some of the stuff, so you know, hopefully he
said it's much better this week, but you know, I
think it's going to be ongoing for a little bit longer.
So but it's good to have him back into the squad.
And you know, he's a quality player and he did
(06:31):
so well for us last year and we just need
to get him back to what he was doing last
last season.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Both of your goals in the first derby the season
came from defeating the Phoenix. As much talked about high line,
how much of your attacking focus has has been on
that again, or do you expect to have to use
different strategies today.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Well, I think, you know, definitely that plays the part
of it, because they are playing still playing the high line,
so obviously there's something we've spoken about and worked on
today and for today's game, and but there's there's obviously
other ways as well to beat them, and you know,
we can't be just one dimensional. We have to have
(07:12):
other options as well, and you know we've looked at
that also, and yeah, so we'll go from there and
hopefully it all pans out nicely.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
And I know you're only worrying about today, but after
this game five or of your next six are away
from home, how much does your prep and approach change,
Steve in a typical week with so much travel to
be factored into it all.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Yeah, you know, we've had three home games, which are
going to be great, obviously great, but then then you've
got to travel. So we got three in a row
and then I think one at home and then I
think another two or three away.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
So it's going to.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
Be difficult, there's no doubt about that. But I think
last year we showed we were just as good away
from home as at home, So I'm hoping it's going
to be much the same this season. But you know,
the travel does take it is toll on players, you know, physically. Obviously,
we try and do the best we can to make
(08:13):
sure that they recover properly and give them, you know,
days off so they can freshen up. But yeah, I'm
actually looking forward to obviously having a few games away
from home as well.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Well, looking forward to a big occasion to go Media
Stadium this afternoon in the first instance. Thanks for chatting
to us on matchday, Steve all the best today.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Thanks thank you Banion.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk z B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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