Auckland FC v Sydney FC: Coach Steve Corica reveals key issue behind Black Knights’ form slump

Auckland FC coach Steve Corica has admitted he knows why his side have seen a huge slump in recent form.

The Black Knights have only won once in their last five games and are now unable to retain the Premiers Plate after a 1-0 loss to the Central Coast Mariners.

Corica, who was serving a one-match ban during their last game because of a red card he received in a 2-2 draw with the Melbourne Victory, said he has figured out why the team has been conceding so many goals.

“We know why we’ve been conceding goals, we’re conceding goals from transition,” Corica said.

“In the last four games, four goals are all from transition moments. So we worked on that today.

“Hopefully that will help us against Sydney, because they’re a good footballing team and it’s probably a similar situation to us at the moment, I think one win out of five or something like that, they’re very similar.”

However, he pointed out that other teams near the top of the ladder have suffered as of late too.

“Probably the in-form team right at the moment is Melbourne City, who’s come really good, I think they’re four in a row.

“Everyone else has probably slipped up in the last three or four weeks, so as you can see, it’s so tight at the top.”

Corica said the players have started to become frustrated at some of the decisions that have gone against them, including the decision not to send Central Coast defender James Donachie off after he stepped on Auckland striker Sam Cosgrove’s back.

“The referee’s got a job to do, but so have we. I think something that I have to speak to the players about, they’re starting to get frustrated from some of the decisions,” he said.

“I suppose everyone makes mistakes and we probably just need to concentrate on the game and not what the referees are doing and make sure we get the job done because that’s all it’s about from now on.

“You can’t afford to slip up in these final few games.”

Auckland FC travel to Australia to play fourth-placed Sydney FC, with a win guaranteeing second place for the New Zealand-based side and a spot in the semi-finals.

Sydney come into the game with strong defensive form, keeping a clean sheet in their last three outings.