When? 15 November, 4 pm kick off

Where? Kiwitea Street, Auckland

What happened last time the two sides met?

In a case of nominative determinism, the #GridlockDerbies in the 2019/20 ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership season were close affairs. The first encounter at Kiwitea St was a bumper to bumper 0-0 draw, while the return leg saw the Navy Blues run out 2-0 winners thanks to second half goals from Vanuatu international Brian Kaltak and All White and 2019/20 season golden boot winner Myer Bevan.

What they say

Kane Wintersgill, Eastern Suburbs assistant coach

“The boys and the staff are definitely looking forward to getting out there on Sunday and what better way to start with than Auckland City? These games were always really exciting and ones you want to be involved in - what better way to have an acid test in the first game? [In terms of preparation] it's business as usual for us, how we prepare for every team and how the boys are trained. So we’ll try and bring our best performance on Sunday and hopefully that's enough.”

Ivan Vicelich, Auckland City assistant coach

“Straight into the big one. As everyone has been saying, it’s been in an unusual year coming into the season. Pre-season hasn't been ideal, but you know, we've done the best we can; players are motivated again, and during that time of lockdown no football has given them a bit more fire to get back onto the field.

“Preparations have been pretty good up until now. A couple of friendlies, not many as we probably usually have, but, you know, we've made the most of every, every day and done as much as we can to be ready for the game."
 

Squads as at Friday 13 November

Auckland City FC

24 Cameron Robert (Cam) BROWN (GK); 2 Mario ILICH; 3 Adam MITCHELL; 4 Mario BILEN (C); 6 Brian KALTAK; 7 Cameron (Drew Neru) HOWIESON; 8 Albert RIERA VIDAL; 14 Jordan (Henry) VALE; 19 Logan Tipene (Logan) ROGERSON; 20 Emiliano TADE; 22 Alfred (John) BOLSOVER ROGERS; 18 Conor TRACEY (GK); 10 Dylan (Ross) MANICKUM; 16 Yousif Tahseen Ali AL-KALISY; 17 Andrew BLAKE; 21 Maro BONSU-MARO

Eastern Suburbs

1 Danyon DRAKE (GK); 2 Adam THOMAS (C); 3 Tyler DOYLE-LISSETTE; 4 Kelvin KALUA; 7 Adam THURSTON; 9 Kingsley (Poi Poi) SINCLAIR; 10 Reid (Alexander) DRAKE; 16 Christian GRAY; 17 Stephen HOYLE; 20 Jacob (Jake) MECHELL; 23 Campbell (Stewart) STRONG

Officials

Referee: Matthew CONGER; Assistant referee 1: Reza AL RABEA; Assistant referee 2: Hayden TUTBURY; 4th official: Chris TRENT

This game will be screened on Sky Sport 7

Article added: Sunday 15 November 2020