A Saturday afternoon in Auckland saw the Bulls topple league leaders Auckland FC in a nail-biting clash.
With a top-six spot on the line, the Bulls came out firing, targeting Auckland’s weaknesses early and pushing hard for the opener. Their intent paid off in the 11th minute, when Rafael Duran unleashed a stunning strike from the edge of the box to give the visitors the lead.
The Bulls kept the pressure on, edging closer to a second as Chris Ikonomidis narrowly missed with a header. The breakthrough came again in the 32nd minute, with Tomislav Uskok rising above the pack to power home a perfectly placed header.
Taking a two-goal lead into the break, the Bulls headed into the sheds in control.
The second half saw a more measured approach, with the Bulls absorbing Auckland’s pressure and looking to strike on the counter. Goalkeeper Alexander Robinson stood tall, producing a string of crucial saves to keep the hosts at bay.
The Bulls continued to chase a third, with Sime Grzan going close in the 56th minute. Auckland eventually found a late goal in injury time, but the Bulls held firm in the closing stages to secure a vital win.
The result lifts the Bulls into sixth on the ladder, keeping their finals push well and truly alive.
