From Newcomers to Finalists: Auckland FC’s Dream Season

In only the second season of Auckland FC’s existence, the Black Knights have made it onto the biggest football stage in Oceania. The A-League consists of 11 teams from Australia and only 2 from New Zealand. No one could have expected one of those two teams from Aotearoa to come out and dominate these bigger teams with so much more history. 

AFC Badge

Auckland FC, founded in 2024, is led by the Japanese veteran Hiroki Sakai, who faced some of the world’s biggest stars while at Olympique de Marseille in France. Alongside him, several members of the All Whites National team, including Jesse Randall, Francis De Vries, and Michael Woud, represent Auckland FC in the A-League.

Hiroki Sakai playing for Marseille in 2021

Following their recent win against Adelaide United (4-1 on aggregate), Auckland FC will face Sydney FC on the 23rd of May. Because Auckland finished higher in the regular-season table than Sydney, the rights to host the finals fall to Auckland and its home ground, Go Media Stadium. 

Go Media Stadium

Reaching the finals capped off a historical second season. Regardless of the final result, Auckland FC’s first year demonstrated that the club can compete at the highest level in Australian and New Zealand football and could become a major force in the A-League for years to come.