OFC News

AUCKLAND CITY3 3 AS PIRAE 1

A Keryn Jordan hat-trick sent Auckland City supporters into ecstasy tonight as the Kiwitea Street side swept past a gallant AS Pirae 3-1 amidst emotional scenes at North Harbour Stadium. City now qualify for the FIFA World Club Championships in Tokyo.

Auckland didn't have it all their way as both sides felt each other out in the opening stages. With AS Pirae's influential Naea Bennett not included it was up to gifted midfielder Jose Hmae to provide the necessary spark and invention to unlock a formidable and organized Auckland City. Hmae - the focal point of everything meaningful for the Tahitians - provided two moments of sublime skill that gave the visitors sight of goal.

The first was an inventive pass that sent Faauiaso away on a run down the left. His cross found AS Pirae players queuing up in a busy Auckland City goal box and a header flashed wide of Nicholson's far post. This suggested that Auckland's supposed aerial superiority may not be all it seemed.

However, any fears that this aspect of their game had mysteriously weakened were quickly dispelled when Auckland took the lead in the 21st minute. A swerving left footed free kick on the left hand side of the AS Pirae penalty area from Auckland City skipper Neil Sykes found Keryn Jordan unmarked in front of Jonathon Torohia. The South African striker's bulleted header from just 2 yards sent supporters and team-mates into a frenzy.

The goal gave Auckland City the impetus and shortly after Riki Van Steeden intercepted a loose pass on the left and released Grant Young into the AS Pirae penalty area. Young stalled shooting, nutmegged the defender, and before unleashing a drive that Torohia blocked. AS Pirae hacked the ball clear and survived.

Without Naea Bennett, Jose Hmae struggled to link play together, particularly with Matt Cunneen turning in a brilliant man-marking job of the talented New Caledonian. Cunneen's job was not an easy one with Hmae diligent in his work rate despite having very little area to work in. Despite this Teva Zaveroni forced another save from Nicholson in the 33rd minute and it was to be the last meaningful attempt on goal by AS Pirae until the final ten minutes as Auckland City gained a strangle-hold on the match.

AS Pirae sensed the sea-change in the match with tempers becoming frayed and unnecessary free-kicks being conceded by the Tahitians as they tried to hang on. Their situation was made more desperate when Graham Little's chipped right foot cross into the penalty area found Grant Young. Young's effort on goal was brilliantly saved by Torohia but Keryn Jordan was on hand to fire Auckland City two ahead with the AS Pirae defence torn asunder.

With Auckland City 2-0 up, AS Pirae's hopes looked over but they began the second half more promisingly with a series of fast and fluid passing moves born out of necessity. They were moves that ultimately knocked on a locked door with the Auckland City back four of Che Bunce, Jonathon Perry, James Pritchett and Riki Van Steeden providing the steel to a disciplined defensive performance.

Auckland City's ability to absorb everything thrown at them meant that on the counter-attack Grant Young and Keryn Jordan threatened to add to the tally whenever they broke forward. With a two goal cushion Auckland City were able to exert pressure from set-pieces with Graham Little's dangerous right foot inswinging corners on the left and Sykes from the left foot inswinging corners from the other side testing the Tahitians defensive integrity throughout.

That period of tactical domination by Auckland City saw Keryn Jordan complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 64th minute when the striker was clipped as he ran past a ragged AS Pirae rearguard with Torohia applying the fatal touch on Jordan as he sped past. The keeper received a yellow card for his troubles and Jordan finished the spot kick with aplomb as qualification appeared to be all but sealed.

As the match reached the final 10 minutes Auckland City appeared to switch off and allow Pirae back into the match with a spate of free kicks given away on the edge of the box. Zaveroni forced Nicholson into a dramatic save at his far post after the AS Pirae skipper curled a free kick around the Auckland City wall. It was an acrobatic dive by the New Zealand international to match the quality of the kick.

When AS Pirae did score, it was Zaveroni again, who laid on a through ball for Desmond Faauiaso who then slotted past Nicholson after 84 minutes to throw his side a lifeline that seemed unlikely for most of the second half. Hiroana Poroiae forced Nicholson into another fine save as AS Pirae's hopes fizzled and as the final whistle sounded there were scenes of delirium from City players and supporters alike.

Auckland City coach, Allan Jones, paid tribute to his side saying that his side's tactical awareness and discipline had won the day.

"We don't rely on individual performances. It was a terrific team performance. We're obviously delighted to have won and we'll enjoy it. But to play a J-League side Auckland City will need to prepare and plan accordingly for what will be a mighty task."

Scottish midfielder, Graham Little, was equally happy, "I am very proud, this is a dream come true. Once we were 2-0 up it was comfortable for us really"

YOUNGHEART MANAWATU 4 NOKIA EAGLES UNITED 0

Earlier in the day, Youngheart Manawatu secured 3rd place at the Oceania Club Championships at North Harbour Stadium with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Nokia Eagles.

It was a match that never rose to any great heights with the Solomon Island contingent again starring for the kiwi club.

Benji Totori led the charge with a hattrick and fellow Solomon Islander Aleck Maemae rounded out the scoring moments from the end.

The Nadi-based Eagles were content to sit back and absorb Youngheart pressure throughout much of the game without offering much going forward with the exception of the bustling Osea Vakatalesau.

Vakatalesau had a chance to level the scoreline in the first half in a moment that summarized the prevailing mood in the match. A back-pass to Youngheart custodian Jordan Buchanan's casued the keeper some distress. Under pressure from Hassan and Vakatalesau - first faked to clear, and then feinted, before unsuccessfully trying to lob the tallest player on the pitch. The ball ricocheted off Vakatalesau's forehead - who barely had a second to react - and straight into the crossbar before landing in Buchanan's grateful arms with Hassan lingering.

Eagles' best chance came late in the game, when a through ball by skipper Viliame Toma found Thomas Qoro one-on-one with goalkeeper Jordan Buchanan, but he couldn't finish.