Head coach Giancarlo Italiano believes his Wellington Phoenix side will have the support of most New Zealanders south of the Bombay Hills when they take on Auckland FC in Saturday’s derby.
“Outside of Auckland, I think most of New Zealand is cheering for us. I haven’t heard anyone from outside of Auckland saying they like Auckland,” Italiano told media ahead of the fifth men’s A-League derby between the rival clubs.
“But it’s more important for our fans. I think they deserve it.”
Italiano said any win against Auckland FC would be “satisfying” after the Aucklanders’ four wins in their meetings so far.
“Losing four is probably not a reflection of where both teams are at, but we didn’t capitalise on our chances and they did and that’s why they had four wins.”
Italiano wouldn’t be satisfied with a first point in the New Zealand derby. He’s after all three points.
“I’m not there to get a draw; we need to win.
“Because what’s important is we want to achieve the maximum result and position on the table, and we need to win away games.
“I’m going there with the mentality that we’re going to try and perform our best, play our best and I’m confident we’ll be at our best and that should be good enough to win.”
Steve Corica … keen to maintain his side’s derby dominance.
Auckland FC head coach Steve Corica told RNZ derby games were “special”, and he wanted to keep the dominance going.
“For us, it’s about winning at every opportunity and so far we’re doing a great job but that can turn around very quickly if we don’t do the right thing and to make sure that there’s no complacency, there shouldn’t be because we just had a loss last week, and we should be all hungry to want to get back on track and back to winning ways,” he said.
“It’s going to be an important game for both teams.”
Past meetings
All-time A-League head-to-head: Phoenix 0W, Auckland 4W & 0D.
Most recent meeting: November 8, 2025 – Wellington Phoenix 1 Auckland FC 2
How to watch
The game will be broadcast live and free-to-air on Sky Open and live on Sky Sport 2 in New Zealand, and on Paramount+ in Australia.
Fixture
Game to be played on Saturday December 6, 2025
Auckland FC v Wellington Phoenix
Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, Auckland, 5pm (NZT)
Pos
Club
MP
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Sydney FC
6
4
0
2
12
4
+8
12
2
Brisbane Roar
6
3
2
1
7
3
+4
11
3
Auckland FC
6
3
2
1
7
5
+2
11
4
Perth Glory
7
3
1
3
7
10
-3
10
5
Adelaide United
6
3
0
3
11
8
+3
9
6
Melbourne City
6
2
3
1
8
5
+3
9
7
Wellington Phoenix
6
2
2
2
8
8
0
8
8
Central Coast Mariners
6
2
2
2
7
8
-1
8
9
Western Sydney Wanderers
7
2
2
3
6
8
-2
8
10
Macarthur
7
2
3
2
7
10
-3
7
11
Newcastle Jets
6
1
0
4
11
15
-4
3
12
Melbourne Victory
7
1
2
4
11
17
-6
5
Table at 6am (NZT) on Saturday December 6, 2025.
Squads
Auckland FC
1. Michael Woud, 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, 14. Liam Gillion, 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: 27. Logan Rogerson (back from suspension).
Out: 52. Luka Vicelich.
Unavailable: 2. Hiroki Sakai (injured)
Wellington Phoenix (two to be omitted)
1. Josh Oluwayemi (Gk), 3. Corban Piper, 4. Manjrekar James, 5. Fin Roa Conchie, 7. Ifeanyi Eze, 11. Carlo Armiento, 12. Dan Edwards, 14. Alex Rufer (captain), 15. Isaac Hughes, 17. Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, 18. Lukas Kelly-Heald, 20. Ramy Najjarine, 24. Xuan Loke, 25. Kazuki Nagasawa, 27. Matt Sheridan, 29. Luke Brooke-Smith, 30. Alby Kelly-Heald (Gk), 37. Anaru Cassidy, 39. Jayden Smith, 40. Eamonn McCarron (Gk).
In: 30. Alby Kelly-Heald (Gk).
Out: 23. Luke Supyk (injured)
Unavailable: 6. Tim Payne (injured), 8. Paulo Retre (injured), 9. Hideki Ishige (injured), 10. Nikola Mileusnic (injured), 19. Nathan Walker (injured), 23. Luke Supyk (injured).
Officials
Referee: Adam Kersey.
Assistant referees: Kearney Robinson, Owen Goldrick.
Fourth official: Calvin Berg.
VAR: Alex King.
Assistant VAR: Brad Wright.
This story was first published on December 6, 2025.
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