Source : ABC NEWS
Auckland FC has claimed the A-League Men premiership in its first season after second-placed Melbourne City was held to a 0—0 draw by Adelaide United.
A City victory in Melbourne on Saturday night would have kept pressure on Auckland FC at the top.
Instead, Auckland FC is celebrating claiming the Premiers Plate ahead of hosting Perth Glory at home on Sunday.
The Black Knights, who are the first New Zealanders to win the premiership, picked up the silverware with two matches to play.
They sit atop the standings on 50 points, leading City (45), Western Sydney Wanderers (43), Melbourne Victory (42) and Western United (41).
Melbourne City could yet let second place slip and with it an Asian Champions League Elite berth and a week off in the first week of finals.
The club plays Sydney FC at home next Saturday.
Meanwhile, the scoreless draw on Saturday is a hammer blow to Adelaide United’s finals hopes.
The sixth-placed Reds (38 points) do not play again in the regular season and require Sydney FC (seventh, 37 points) to lose their next two matches.
AAP
