Head coach Steve Corica is enjoying the competition for places in his Auckland FC starting line-up between All White Callan Elliot and club captain Hiroki Sakai.
Elliot (26) has been the side’s starting right back in the absence of Japan international Sakai, who is returning to match fitness after six weeks of treatment for a hamstring problem.
Auckland FC play Western Sydney Wanderers at CommBank Stadium on Friday night (10pm NZT).
Sakai (35) came off the bench in last weekend’s 2-1 win against the Central Coast Mariners, but Corica says he’ll have to fight to get back his starting spot.
Of Elliot’s recent performances, Corica said: “He’s doing a very good job.
“Obviously, he’s keeping Hiroki out at the moment.
“Hiroki got some minutes (last week) which was great for us, and, you know, the team need him. Obviously, he’s the leader and the captain, and it’s good to have him back but for me, Callan’s been doing an excellent job.”
Corica said Elliot was pushing hard to get into the All Whites.
“He sees a chance there … and we believe that he’s good enough for that but he needs to continue doing what he’s doing at the moment, and that’s playing well, getting forward, defending for his life and making sure the team wins.”
Meanwhile, Corica is happy his side is playing on Friday night.
“I love Friday nights,” he said.
“It’s good, especially after a win. You can just watch the other games and see how they go.”
Fixture
Game to be played on Friday December 19, 2025
Men’s A-League
Western Sydney Wanderers v Auckland FC
CommBank Stadium, Parramatta, 10pm (NZT)
Club
MP
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Sydney
8
6
0
2
15
5
10
18
Auckland FC
8
5
2
1
12
7
5
17
Brisbane Roar
8
4
3
1
8
3
5
15
Melbourne City
7
3
3
1
9
5
4
12
Perth Glory
8
3
1
4
7
11
-4
10
Adelaide United
8
3
0
5
12
11
1
9
Western Sydney Wanderers
8
2
3
3
6
8
-2
9
Newcastle Jets
8
3
0
5
14
17
-3
9
Central Coast Mariners
8
2
2
4
9
12
-3
8
Macarthur
7
2
2
3
4
7
-3
8
Wellington Phoenix
8
2
2
4
10
14
-4
8
Melbourne Victory
8
2
2
4
6
12
-6
8
Table at 5pm (NZT) on Thursday December 18, 2025.
Squads
Western Sydney Wanderers (two to be omitted)
2. Gabriel Cleur, 4. Alexander Bonetig, 5. Dylan Scicluna, 6. Mohamed Al-Taay, 8. Steven Ugarkovic, 9. Kosta Barbarouses, 17. Jarrod Carluccio, 19. Ruon Tongyik, 20. Lawrence Thomas, 21. Aydan Hammond, 22. Anthony Pantazopoulos, 23. Bozhidar Kraev, 24. Nathan Barrie, 25. Joshua Brillante, 26.Brandon Borrello, 30. Jordan Holmes, 31. Aidan Simmons, 32. Angus Thurgate, 39. Awan Lual, 45. Alou Kuol.
In: 24. Nathan Barrie 39. Awan Lual,
Unavailable: 3. Alex Gersbach (injury).
Auckland FC (two to be omitted)
1. Michael Woud, 2. Hiroki Sakai, 3. Jake Girdwood-Reich, 4. Nando Pijnaker, 6. Louis Verstraete, 7. Cameron Howieson, 8. Felipe Gallegos, 9. Sam Cosgrove, 10. Guillermo May, 11. Marlee François, 15. Francis de Vries, 17. Callan Elliot, 19. Oliver Middleton, 20. Oli Sail, 21. Jesse Randall, 22. Jake Brimmer, 23. Dan Hall, 27. Logan Rogerson, 35. Jonty Bidois, 77. Lachlan Brook.
In: Nil.
Out: Nil.
Unavailable: Nil.
Officials
Referee: Alex King.
Assistant referees: George Lakrindis, Andrew Lindsay.
Fourth official: Jake Rose.
VAR: Tim Danaskos.
Assistant VAR: Hugh Fenton-White.
This story was first published on December 19, 2025.
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