The gap between the sides is clearly shown when one considers that Auckland will soon compete in the Club World Cup, following warm-up games in Japan and Uzbekistan.
That schedule hardly compares with Southern United's future fortnight of training at Tahuna Park, with no game next week before an away game on November 8 against Canterbury United.
Yet that delay could be a blessing after key defender Matt Joy was carted from the field late in the match with what looked like a severe knee injury.
Joy was impressive in the heart of Southern's defence as Auckland exerted early sustained pressure, and more than a few spectators craned necks to recognise Southern's other centreback, Frenchman Victor da Costa, more normally seen in the heart of midfield.
Coach Mike Fridge had to fill a defensive gap left by the suspended Andrew Ridden and with neither Cam Attwood or Jude Fitzpatrick available, he picked the versatile Da Costa and made him captain.
The strategy worked reasonably well, but ''we stood off Auckland a bit in the first half, and paid the penalty, as they used the space to get their passing game going'', Fridge said.
Southern held out for 25 minutes and started to look settled but All Whites midfielder Tim Payne pounced to score and within three minutes, former All White Ivan Vicelich found space in the box and hit a volley into the ground that looped past defender Craig Ferguson and keeper Tom Batty.
Fridge reshuffled his team in the second half, adopting a higher line of defence, which stymied Auckland for a bit, and Southern engineered a few promising raids that earned free kicks and corners.
Tom Jackson hurled his huge throw-ins towards the Auckland goal mouth and Joy, Jackson, Da Costa and, later, Taylor McCormack went close to scoring.
But while Southern went close, Argentine striker Emiliano Tade clinically scored with a low drive.
Encouraging for Fridge was the fitness and character shown by his team as it burned energy to compete against the slick Aucklanders. But there was no reward, unlike last week, when unrelenting pressure earned a late goal to beat Canterbury in the pre-season game in Timaru.
''We sat too deep in the first half, allowed them to turn and get their passing game going,'' Fridge said.
''The goals we conceded were mostly through mistakes that you can get away with in winter football but, at this level, you get punished.''
Auckland coach Ramon Tribulietx was satisfied with his team's collective pattern of play, and the patience his players showed to create goal-scoring chances.
In the national women's league match at Tahuna Park yesterday, Football South struggled initially against a New Zealand Development side that looked sharp and fit, dominating the first half with some classy patterned play and taking an early lead through Tayla Christensen.
However, a second-half revival had the local side climb into the game with vastly improved and aggressive play.
From a corner by Shontelle Smith, a flick on at the near post gave Holly Johnstone a chance to launch a brave header at the far post that evened the score to 1-1.
It was Johnstone's first full game and she was named player of the match by coach Hayley Stirling, who was thrilled the Football South team had ended its goal drought.
There was also another top performance by keeper Tessa Nicol, who was critical in the all-round team effort.
However, the superior fitness of the Development side cranked up late pressure that forced two late goals, in the 85th and 88th minutes, as Christensen and Isabella Richards sealed a win.
Stirling was delighted with her team's fightback and the good ball possession and energy shown.
''Our midfield took over and we made several chances that might have won the match,'' she said.
ASB Premiership
The scores
Auckland City 3
Tim Payne, Ivan Vicelich, Emiliano Tade
Southern United 0
Halftime: Auckland 2-0.
