A-League Team of the Week recognises Auckland's clean sheet

Auckland FC's Nando Pijnaker records one of his ten clearances in the second leg.
Auckland FC's Nando Pijnaker records one of his ten clearances in the second leg. MARK BRAKE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

Auckland were the dominant side of the weekend and so it's no surprise that they make up nearly half of our Team of the Week.

A-League Team of the Week
A-League Team of the WeekFlashscore / Enetpulse

GK: James Delianov - Newcastle Jets (9.1)

Delianov didn't walk away with a clean sheet like Auckland's Michael Woud, but he had by far the busiest night between the sticks of all four keepers. 

Sydney FC racked up 3.17 expected goals (xG) with their 19 shots and yet Delianov saved six of the seven shots that came his way, a couple of them at crucial times. 

LB: Ben Garuccio - Sydney FC (7.9)

Garuccio continued his fine finish to the season with yet another excellent performance that included five clearances, five key passes and two 'big chances' created.

CB: Nando Pijnaker - Auckland FC (8.5)

Pijnaker came under fire for some heavy tackles that went unpunished in the opening 20 minutes but he was nonetheless effective in defence, winning all six of his aerial duels and making ten clearances. 

CB: Jake Girdwood-Reich - Auckland FC (8.0)

One of Pijnaker's partners-in-crime, Girdwood-Reich chipped in with seven clearances of his own and made four accurate long passes as Auckland countered in response to Adelaide's more direct and aggressive approach after half-time 

RB: Rhyan Grant - Sydney FC (8.0)

Sydney's beloved veteran completed 12 passes in the final third at a 75% accuracy, made five clearances and won eight of his 11 individual duels as part of their penalties win over Newcastle. 

LM: Jesse Randall - Auckland FC (7.1)

Randall had a tough night in defence, winning only two of his 11 individual duels, but created two big chances - one of them assisting Logan Rogerson's icer - and a total of 0.64 expected assists.

CM: Tiago Quintal - Sydney FC (7.2)

Sydney's central attacking midfielder won four out of six attempted tackles, seven of 13 individual duels and passed with 88% accuracy in addition to having one shot of his own. 

RM: Lachlan Brook - Auckland FC (7.3)

Brook made only nine passes all night but two of them were recorded as 'key passes' on the Opta metrics. He also had three shots, two of them blocked and one off target, in what wasn't his finest performance. 

LW: Piero Quispe - Sydney FC (7.4)

Quispe scored Sydney's only goal with his only shot at goal to boost his rating on what was otherwise a quiet that saw him pass with 83% accuracy. 

ST: Sam Cosgrove - Auckland FC (7.1)

Cosgrove put the Black Knights 2-0 up with what was his 12th goal of the season, sealing his highest scoring league campaign since 17 at Scottish club Aberdeen in 2018/19. 

RW: Eli Adams - Newcastle Jets (7.2)

Adams scored for a fourth consecutive game in what could be his final appearance for the Jets, with multiple clubs across Europe and the United Kingdom seeking his signature.