I've always followed football, sometimes not out of my own desire but because I was dating an ex who was a big Liverpool fan.
But while I have watched soccer games numerous times on screens of various sizes, I have never attended a live football game.
Last weekend, I was lucky enough to get invited to the historic first match for Auckland FC where I was in the Black Knights Lounge watching the new home team’s clash with Brisbane Roar.
After 17 years without a true home team in the A-League, this is truly an exciting time for Auckland - my adopted home city.
Through my work in Chow Luck Club, I have had quite a bit of dealings with Auckland FC and the collaboration we are having between the club and Ajisen Ramen also means that names like their new captain Hiroki Sakai and Alex Paulsen have become familiar.
Thrilled also that we have been part of community engagements that saw other players like Jesse Randall and Liam Gillian attend- to the delight of aspiring young Chinese football players at the Hedgehog Football Academy.
Having met these players in person also made me extra interested to catch them "live" at Go Media Stadium.
Context for the match
Auckland FC is the third attempt in Auckland to have a professional football club in the A-league following the Kingz and the New Zealand Knights. The side is coached by A-league winning coach Steve Corica who has won the championships twice both as a player and coach.
American billionaire businessman Bill Foley is the club’s majority owner, with other co-owners that include All Blacks Ali Williams, Kiwi NBA start Steven Adams, and former All Whites Winston Reid, Noah Hickey and Tim Brown.
After a mad rush to put everything together, the inaugural game is a make or break for the club.
Getting to Go Media Stadium
We drove to Go Media Stadium - I didn’t realize that parking was not available onsite even if you’re prepared to pay.
It is no wonder that the advice for fans is that using public transport is the best way to get there.
Stopping at Penrose Train Station would mean just a short walk to the stadium and there are lots of buses that make stops along Beasley Avenue and Church Street.
We eventually found an event parking outside Raffies Cafe, 1 O’Rorke Road, Penrose, which isn’t far from the train station. The damage however was $10 per hour (scan and pay) and it ended up costing us $40 in parking fees.
Lesson learned - I’ll be taking public transport next time.
Soaking up the atmosphere
I arrived slightly over an hour before kick-off. Yes, like I said earlier, I was among the privileged few who got invited to the Black Knights Lounge.
The food was pretty decent - loved the smoked salmon and king prawns - and the free-flow drinks. Disappointed that we could not have the ice cream because they were meant just for kids.
It felt more like a festival than a football game especially watching families with children having fun at the North End that even had a 25m slide and live DJ.
Over the south stand, Auckland FC’s supporter group marched in with chants and songs that added much to the atmosphere.
On field there were dancers and some other entertainment, while inside the lounge were formalities with speeches from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Bill Foley.
My heart pounded with excitement when I saw captain Hiroki Sakai led the team out accompanied by some of the kids from the Hedgehog Football Academy.
The match
I was still getting acquainted with the clapping and cheers when Hiroki Sakai ran down the right flank and delivered a cross that hit Brisbane’s Harry Van Der Saag for the ball to go into his own goal in the eighth minute.
I have never seen a crowd so euphoric before.
While some of the Auckland players were familiar to me, I didn’t know any of the Brisbane players.
Big applause came when the crowd numbers were announced - that it was a sold-out game attended by nearly 24,500 fans.
Besides Sakai, my heart also skips a beat every time Liam Gillian touches the ball, hoping that he would also add to the scoresheet. He forced a few great saves from the Brisbane goalkeeper, but unfortunately didn’t score.
Then late in the second half, the crowd went uncontrollably wild again when Logan Rogerson scored a second goal in the 74th minute.
My next highlight was when Jesse Randall came on to the field as a substitute.
The final whistle blew and there was rapturous applause for the home team after Auckland FC claimed this memorable win in their first-ever A-league fixture.
The Port crew, they just kept on cheering and singing non-stop throughout. I wonder what they are on to have that sort of energy.
At the end of the match, Auckland FC aka The Black Knights gathered in front of the home crowd, signing autographs and obliged to photo requests.
Post game thoughts
I consider myself lucky that my first A-league football match at a stadium turned out to be such a thriller. It was way more exciting than I imagined it would be. I will definitely return to Go Media Stadium again to watch Auckland FC - even if it means I have to buy my own tickets next time.
How to buy an Auckland FC game ticket?
For general tickets, you can use this link https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/auckland-fc-tickets/artist/3182280
However, follow Chow Luck Club and there will be opportunities to get discounted tickets when they are released.
