Auckland FC shattered more records as the A-League newcomers soared to the top of the table with a 1-0 victory over the Macarthur Bulls.
Guillermo May’s first A-League goal in the 34th minute proved the difference in Sydney on Sunday night, where Auckland became the first team in league history to win their opening four matches.
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Auckland also became the first team in A-League history to keep four clean sheets in their first four games in the league, with goalkeeper Alex Paulsen yet to concede, surpassing Adelaide United in their first match in Australia.
With the win, Auckland leapfrogged the rival Wellington Phoenix atop the standings as seventh-placed Macarthur dropped six points off the pace.
There was plenty of action from the outset in the Unite Round matchup after an early warning sign from 2024 Australia Cup champions Macarthur – Ariath Piol got in behind Auckland’s defence but his strike was kept out by Paulsen in the 17th minute.
Four minutes later at the other end, Jake Brimmer rounded Macarthur goalkeeper Filip Kurto as the goal opened up for him to score but the Auckland star tried to square the ball to a teammate but it was picked off by Luke Brattan in the nick of time.
A gilt-edged chance went begging for Valere Germain and Macarthur when a sublime cross found the Bulls captain but the former Monaco and Marseille star somehow managed to miss the target from close range in the 24th minute.
Then, Macarthur were punished for a sloppy give as May scored his first A-Leagues goal and the club’s first on Australian shores.
Auckland’s advantage was kept intact on the stroke of half-time when Paulsen’s one-handed save thwarted Piol from an acute angle.
Paulsen was scrambling 23 minutes from the end as Kealey Adamson’s long-range strike fizzed just wide of the post.
There was a stoppage-time chance for Brattan, who tried his luck from distance but it bounced wide of Paulsen’s post.
Auckland FC 1 (Guillermo May 34') Macarther Bulls 0. HT: 1-0