Auckland FC are looking to maintain their spot at the top of the A-League ladder ahead of the first professional football derby in New Zealand this weekend.
The Wellington Phoenix are to host the match at Sky Stadium, with over 20,000 Kiwi football fans expected to turn out.
Auckland FC coach Steve Corica said he's anticipating a physical and fast game.
"I'm excited, I've looked forward to this game since the draw first came out," said Corica. "It's the first opportunity to play away from home as well, so we’re looking forward to it."
The new A-League side have won both of their opening matches in front of a boisterous Auckland crowd at Go Media Stadium.
Steve Corica said his team wants "bragging rights" from their first match against Wellington Phoenix. (Source: 1News)
"Obviously it's just another game, but it’s a derby game and it’s for the fans - they want those bragging rights and we want to continue our run.
"It’s just the occasion - it's all about the fans, they love it. We want to put on the best performance we can for them and also give them bragging rights for the city and for the country."
The Phoenix cheekily had a plane fly over Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday with a banner reading: "NZ is yellow - see you next week!"
Auckland FC sit at the top of the A-League table on six points, after picking up a 2-0 win against Brisbane Roar in the opening round, and scoring an injury-time winner to take a 1-0 win against Sydney FC last Sunday.
The Phoenix are right behind Auckland on four points, having picked up a 1-1 draw against Western United and a convincing 2-0 win over Perth Glory in the "distance derby".
"It’s a great game for both of us because we’re both up the top at the moment and we both want to stay there. It’s obviously great for New Zealand football as well."
Corica pointed out that the Phoenix are most dangerous on the counter attack, with Kosta Barbarouses always being a threat. He added that his team need to be more patient this weekend against the Nix.
"I just want to go there, steal the points and come home."
Corica said there weren't going to be too many changes to his squad apart from Colombian winger Neyder Moreno's likely inclusion.
He said that Kiwi forward Max Mata also has a slight calf issue so he may be in doubt.
Auckland FC skipper Hiroki Sakai said the derby will be a special day for all of New Zealand.
The Japanese fullback said he wants his team to be disciplined, as in previous derbies he's played in things have boiled over.
Sakai played in a derby match for Marseille against Paris Saint-Germain which featured five red cards and 15 cards shown in total.
"People are excited but players have to be smart not crazy," said Sakai. "Obviously we will give everything on the pitch but we won't go crazy, we don’t need a red card or something. The season’s long so we have to be smart."
Auckland FC's squad features four former Nix players including goalkeeper Alex Paulsen, who is returning to the capital for the first time since leaving the club at the end of last season.
All Whites are also featured among both squads, so many of the players already know each other well.
Included in that group is defender Nando Pijnaker, who scored the winner for Auckland FC in front of 'The Port' last weekend to spark wild celebrations.
"I've watched it back probably too many times, I don't score too many goals," he said, adding it was important they didn't get too caught up in the moment.
"We’re just going to focus on ourselves mainly. Obviously we're going down to win the game and put on a good performance for our fans, so that’s the most important thing.
"I hope there’s a great atmosphere, I hope that the stadium is full and there’s lots of noise."
SHARE ME