Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC
Photo: PHOTOSPORTS

Wellington Phoenix v Auckland FC

Start: 5pm Saturday November 2

Sky Stadium, Wellington

Live updates on RNZ Sport

Since Auckland FC’s arrival in the A-League was confirmed, the countdown has begun for this moment. The new team, which currently has two wins in its debut season, travels to the capital this weekend for what should be a fiery reception from last year’s preliminary finalists. The match will be the first professional derby in New Zealand football history, but why is it so important?

What is a derby?

Oskar Van Hattum celebrates the Phoenix’s last goal.
Photo: Photossport

Teams from the same geographic area make up derbies, as they generally have very divided fan bases. Auckland and Wellington obviously don’t share a border, but they fall into the category as the only two New Zealand teams in the A-League. This rivalry is expected to become the highlight of both teams’ seasons, one in which they take another step to claim local bragging rights. The Phoenix made the decision to fly a plane over Auckland’s final home game, carrying a banner that read “New Zealand is yellow, see you next week.”

Does the A-League have other derbies?

Yes, both Sydney and Melbourne have highly anticipated big derbies every season. Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers regularly attract over 25,000 spectators, while the Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory derby attracts 20,000 spectators. While this first edition is being played in Wellington, the second match on December 7 at the Go Media Mt Smart Stadium is already sold out.

Will there be problems?

Old Firm derby.
Photo: Visionhaus/Getty Images

Unfortunately, football has a reputation for being aggressive and violent among fans off the field, and derbies around the world are notorious hotspots for this type of behavior. Already this week there is been reports that the Phoenix have increased security for the game and while there have been nothing more than a few braggarts talking to themselves on social media, the fact is that the 500 Auckland FC fans traveling for the game will be by far the Sky’s largest visiting section. The stadium has ever hosted.

However, whatever happens it will be light years away from the most famous football derbies in the world. The Old Firm Scottish derby between Celtic and Rangers FC is rooted in social division and sectarianism and requires hundreds of police and security staff to manage. The Argentine Superclásico between River Plate and Boca Juniors goes a step further and simply prohibits visiting fans from even attending each other’s matches, under penalty of instant arrest.

What about football?

Louis Verstraete of Auckland FC is tackled by Corey Hollman of Sydney FC during the second round of the A-League Men’s match between Aukland FC and Sydney FC at Go Media Stadium on October 27, 2024.
Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty

Auckland F.C. hot start for the season is exactly what coach Steve Corica was looking for, especially as his last game was a thrilling 1-0 win over his former team Sydney FC. The game reached the 97th minute, which showed that the new boys have the heart to last until the end. Meanwhile, the Phoenix have had a victory and a draw, but they will rely on the great game experience they acquired in last season’s great campaign.

An addition to the squad by Auckland FC during the off-season really set their rivals on fire. Alex Paulsen, who had an excellent season in goal for Phoenix earlier this year, ended up in Auckland after some somewhat shady dealings through the new club and its owner’s connections.

what they are saying

“People are excited, but the players have to be smart, not crazy. Obviously, we will give everything on the field, but we won’t go crazy, we don’t need a red card or something like that. The season is long, so we have to be smart.” “. – Auckland FC captain, Hiroki Sakai.

“Our club is the people’s club. Wellington is a very small demographic and for a long time was basically the torch bearer for all football in New Zealand. We have a lot of fans across New Zealand and a lot in Auckland too.” – Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano.

what this represents

Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix fans
Photo: PHOTOSPORTS

Many great rivalries are built between teams representing different socio-economic classes and while it is a stretch to say that Auckland FC is for the rich people and Phoenix is ​​the working class team, there is at least a grain of truth at the top end. . Auckland FC is owned by American billionaire Bill Foley, whose ongoing support for Donald Trump’s presidency has not gone unnoticed. Based on Italiano’s comments, this means Phoenix can easily claim the moral high ground in what will hopefully be an exciting and long-lasting New Zealand football derby.