The Black Knights trailed 2-1 at halftime during their match at Mt Smart. The second half was disrupted by heavy rain, which soaked the pitch and caused the ball to frequently get stuck in the waterlogged conditions.
Team captain Jake Brimmer addressed the situation, emphasizing resilience despite the challenging conditions and the loss.
"We can’t use the weather as an excuse. It was tough, but it was the same for both sides."
The flooding made ball control difficult, influencing the pace and tactics of the game. Despite this, Auckland FC does not attribute the defeat to the wet surface, showing accountability and focus on their own performance.
Auckland FC acknowledges the difficult weather but holds themselves responsible for their 2-1 defeat rather than blaming external factors.