Auckland FC temporarily regained the lead in the A-League men’s table with a 2-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Friday night.
Sydney FC nudged ahead by a point, however, when they pipped the Perth Glory 1-0 on Saturday.
Four of Auckland’s next five games will also be in Australia, starting with Western Sydney Wanderers in Campbelltown on Friday.
"We are getting better," Auckland coach Steve Corica, who guided his side to their fifth win from eight games this season, said.
"I would like to keep a few more clean sheets than what we are doing and I think last year we did that, especially early on when we went six unbeaten.
"We’ve just got to keep building," he said.
"It’s just important we try to pick up three points away from home and keep building."
Jesse Randall scored for the Aucklanders after 20 minutes, but 13 minutes later, they were stunned by an own goal from Callan Elliot, who tried to clear the ball with a diving header, only to see in rocket into the back of his own net.
Sam Cosgrove sealed the result in the 59th minute with a diving header.
Corica said his side played well in the first half, looking dangerous and scoring a great goal from a decent build-up.
He was disappointed by the own goal, but forgiving of Elliot.
"Unfortunately, he scored the own goal, but I thought he had a really good performance," the coach said.
— A disastrous seven-minute spell in the second half proved costly as Wellington Phoenix slumped to a 3-1 loss to the Newcastle Jets in their A-League clash in Wellington yesterday.
After last season's struggles, the latest campaign is showing few signs of improvement, with the Phoenix second-last on the competition ladder.
Deflated Phoenix captain Alex Rufer conceded afterwards his side were both outplayed and unable to capitalise on the home advantage.
"I think we came out very sloppy and we didn't adapt," he told SkySport.
— The Wellington Phoenix women were beaten 1-0 by the Perth Glory in their A-League clash at the Sam Kerr Football Centre on Friday night.
Perth nicked the three points thanks to Susan Phonsongkham’s 75th minute corner, which got a light touch from Bronte Trew at the back post. It snapped a four-game losing streak for the Glory.
The Phoenix left frustrated, having been the much stronger side for most of the game.
— RNZ/Allied Media
