New signings Marco Lorenz and Jerson Lagos are expected to line up for defending champions Auckland City in their midweek Northern League showdown with nearest rivals Birkenhead United.
The top two teams will meet under lights at the Croatian Cultural Society grounds in Te Atatu, and the winner will lead the competition.
Defender Lorenz (20), who signed from Western Springs, and Colombian-born Jerson Lagos (21), who signed from Manurewa, made their debuts for Auckland City in last weekend’s 1-0 win against East Coast Bays.
Both moved before the June 30 transfer deadline, bolstering the City squad.
Head coach Albert Riera told Auckland City’s website: “It was very good to see Jerson Lagos making his debut, and Marco Lorenz, because I know it’s very hard to, you know, to come in, and the first game, straight into Kiwitea, you’re starting, and I know how it feels.
“You’re very nervous into the game, and I thought they did fantastic.”
Before joining Springs, Lorenz was previously at the Wellington Phoenix and had a brief stint at German club BSV SchW Rehden in early 2024. He played youth football for Wellington Olympic, North Wellington, Tasman United and Wellington United.
Lagos joined Manurewa from Melville United for the 2024 season, and has six Northern League goals to his credit this year. He spent five seasons at Melville, after playing for Hamilton Wanderers and Hamilton North.
Wednesday’s catch-up game will be the first time Auckland City and Birkenhead will play each other this season but history is on the side of City as they have won four of their last five against Birkenhead.
Preview: Auckland City head coach Albert Riera
Birkenhead United have been in excellent form this season, and, like Auckland City, have reached the quarter finals of the Chatham Cup.
READ MORE: Chatham Cup quarter-finals draw creates north and south divide >>>>
The club are trying to win their third Chatham Cup in eight years.
Head coach Paul Hobson pointed out in United’s match programme last weekend that their cup win against Western Springs on July 6 was the first time since the side’s first game of the season that they had gone behind during a match.
Losing 2-1 to Eastern Suburbs last weekend was the second time this year United have trailed.
Fixture
Game to be played on Wednesday July 17, 2024
Auckland City v Birkenhead United
Croatian Cultural Society, Te Atatu South, 7.30pm
This story was first published on July 17, 2024.
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