“Obviously at home we’d like to, but we know it goes over two legs and again if we have to do this in the second leg in Adelaide, obviously we’ve got to show bravery when we take our penalties and hopefully we come out on the best side and we make it to another final, well, to a final.”
Steve Corica (inset) and his Auckland FC will now face Adelaide United in the A-League semi-finals after they beat Melbourne City on penalties. Photo / Photosport
Auckland FC took the lead just before halftime through a Guillermo May header, but a last-second goal from Melbourne City forced the game to extra time and eventually penalties.
The New Zealand-based side now have to face Adelaide United in a two-legged semi-final and Corica said he’s excited to face the South Australian side who beat them to second place on the final day of the regular season.
“They’re a perfect team, they want to play good football, they want to be aggressive as well with the ball, attacking team and we’ve always had good games against them,” the coach said.
Auckland FC coach Steve Corica called Adelaide United a “perfect team”. Photo / Photosport
“But obviously, you know, over two legs we need to come out on top and we’ve got to show our quality as well with the ball but also defensively and because they are another good team, which obviously nipped second spot off us as well.
“So I’m looking forward to it, it’s going to be very exciting.”
Auckland FC beat their upcoming opponents 2-1 in November, but came away with a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture held across the Ditch.
The first leg of the semi-final will be held at Go Media Stadium on May 9 at 6pm, while the second leg is the following Friday night at 9.35pm in Adelaide.