Source: Radio New Zealand
Francis de Vries of Auckland FC takes a selfie with fans, supporters and crowd. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Auckland FC defender Francis de Vries has played every A-League game – and nearly every minute – in the club’s history, making him the first player to bring up a milestone for the team.
Plucked out of amateur club football to join the new club in their first season in 2024, de Vries has come to epitomise what the reigning Premiers are about.
De Vries has been steadfast at the back and reliably accurate with his crosses into the box, for the side which will bring up 50 games in the A-League against Macarthur FC in front of their home fans on Saturday.
For two seasons de Vries has started every game.
Last season he played 2206 minutes during the regular season, getting subbed off for a total of 134 minutes.
In the finals, he was only on the bench for the last 10 minutes of the away semi-final when Auckland had the lead. The following week he played the full 90 minutes in the loss at home that ended the season earlier than expected.
This season he is on 1890 minutes from the 21 games played so far with coach Steve Corica not once subbing him.
He has played with a bandaged head after a tangle of bodies against Melbourne City in January and has captained the side from kick-off four times this season. Including taking the armband in November when he had only arrived back in the country in the early hours of Friday morning from All Whites duty in the United States and playing for Auckland at 3pm on the Sunday.
Corica has called the 31-year-old “very durable” and has enjoyed witnessing de Vries’ progression over his first 49 A-League games.
“You can see the qualities that he has, but he’s come a long way, I think, in two years,” Corica said.
“Obviously, 50 games is a small milestone for us as a club, which is great, and he’s the first player to hit it, full credit to him. He’s got a World Cup to look forward to as well, but for us we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”
Auckland FC manager Steve Corica speaks to Francis de Vries (L) and Nando Pijnaker. photosport
De Vries credited “consistency and habits” for keeping him ready to go every time he is called on.
“Early bedtime, that’s non-negotiable, and then good social life outside of football, lots of support from family,” de Vries said.
“Just enjoy the routines of keeping yourself fit, it’s nice to go outside and stretch for 10 minutes, well, it’s not nice going on the ice bath, but it feels good afterwards.
“Just these things compound over time and if you can stick with a good, solid routine, you’re in a good spot.”
Before Auckland FC came calling de Vries was playing for local side Eastern Suburbs. Prior to that he was playing semi-professionally in Sweden until an ACL injury put a pause on his playing career.
Spending months out of football rehabbing the injury and wondering if he would ever get another professional contract meant de Vries does not take his latest playing streak for granted.
“Some games obviously cramp up a bit towards the end. But [being a hard worker] it’s part of how I want to be as a player, and I’m glad I’m able to do it for the team here.
“There’s lots of other boys that work just as hard, so I think it’s a whole team identity thing, and it’s nice to just be a part of.”
Francis de Vries playing for the All Whites. Adam Nurkiewicz / www.photosport.nz
De Vries’ parents are also key to this journey for him. He said they were all encouragement and no sideline coaching when it came to the regular game day messaging when the centre-back is playing for Auckland or New Zealand.
“Dad’s got his routine in the morning, he’ll send me a message and it’s always lovely to see, and then I call them straight after the game.
“So it’s just lovely to share those moments. I think that’s what football can bring, that connection.
“They’re stoked to watch me play because I spent seven, eight years overseas, so they watched maybe two games live in that time and it was bad hours for New Zealand with the time difference, so it feels great to be able to share that with them.”
Auckland FC are one point behind league-leaders Newcastle Jets with five games left in the regular season and the race for the Premiers Plate.
Francis de Vries of Auckland FC takes a corner kick. Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Auckland are on a six-game unbeaten run and in a quirk of the draw play the same five opposition sides as the Jets in their remaining games.
“I like that we’re playing the same teams, whoever wins the Premiership will deserve it, I think, because they’re playing five top teams as well, just below us, all fighting for the top six,” Corica said.
“We’re one point behind, can’t really afford to drop too many points in these last five games.
“I do keep an eye on [the Jets], obviously, they’ve got a big game against Sydney as well, who came off a loss on the weekend. They’re trying to get as high as possible as well, so it’s going to be exciting.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
