Auckland FC's Hiroki Sakai scores and celebrates his goal. A-League Men, Round 21, Auckland FC v Adelaide United, Go Media Stadium. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / www.photosport.nz
An absolutely sensational eight-goal thriller.
Auckland FC and Adelaide played out 100 minutes of indescribable drama this afternoon, with the memorable battle ending in a 4-all stalemate.
Captain Hiroki Sakai looked to have things sealed with just minutes remaining, before Bart Vriends broke the hosts hearts with a 98th minute equaliser.
Auckland roared out to a 2-0 lead on the back of a brisk brace by Guillermo May, the first a superb strike from distance bending out of reach of Ethan Cox.
Just four minutes later, his second came in slightly sloppier fashion, as he chipped home to put his side firmly in control at Mount Smart.
Jordan Elsey pulled one back for Adelaide from a corner to send the sides to the sheds 2-1.
Shortly after oranges, Logan Rogerson extended the lead once again as Francis De Vries sent glorious corner for him to convert.
Right on the hour mark, Zach Clough netted a penalty to bring his side back within one, after Louis Verstraete was pinged inside the box for a challenge.
Clough then squared things up as he slotted another penalty, this time Tommy Smith the culprit.
Then as injury time ticked over, the skipper stood up and with a second shot, looked to have nailed the clincher as the crowd were sent into delirium.
However, that soon made way for utter disbelief, as a scramble saw the ball fall to the feet of Vriends, and he ensured the sides would not be separated to bring a close to an unbelievable clash.
Re-livee all the action with RNZ's live blog:
Squad lists
Auckland FC: Michael Woud, Hiroki Sakai, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Louis Verstraete, Cam Howieson, Luis Toomey, Max Mata, Guillermo May, Marlee François, Alex Paulsen, Liam Gillion, Francis de Vries, Callan Elliot, Finn McKenlay, Jesse Randall, Jake Brimmer, Neyder Moreno, Logan Rogerson, Luis Felipe Gallegos (two players will be omitted)
Adelaide United: James Delianov, Bart Vriends, Stefan Mauk, Ryan Kitto, Isaías, Luka Jovanović, Zach Clough, Jonny Yull, Jay Barnett, Ben Folami, Yaya Dukuly, Dylan Pierias, Javi López, Archie Goodwin, Ethan Cox, Austin Ayoubi, Ryan White, Panagiotis Kikianis, Ethan Alagich, Fabian Talladira (two players will be omitted)
