Auckland FC made history Saturday, defeating Sydney 1-0 to become the first New Zealand team to win the A-League championship. The win came in front of a sold-out crowd at Mount Smart Stadium.
Midfielder Cameron Howieson scored his first goal for Auckland in his 58th match, a 60th-minute volley that took a deflection past goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares. The goal sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
Auckland joins a select group of cross-border champions in world soccer, including AS Monaco and Derry City.
Sydney, which had scrapped into the Grand Final via a penalty shootout, saw its bid for a record-extending sixth title fall short. Captain Rhyan Grant had a late chance but sent a header just over the bar.
Auckland coach Steve Corica earned his third A-League title as a coach, this time against his former team, having previously won back-to-back titles with Sydney in 2019-20.