WAITAKERE TO MEET KOSSA IN OFC O-LEAGUE FINAL

AUCKLAND - Waitakere United will face Kossa FC in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) O-League final after holding Auckland City to a 1-1 draw at Trusts Stadium in Henderson tonight.

The draw means that Waitakere finish OFC O-League Group A with eight points – one more than Auckland – and will progress to their second successive OFC O-League final.

Auckland knew that nothing less than a win would be good enough tonight and got off to a perfect start when Korean import Ki-Hyung Lee blasted a free-kick into the Waitakere net just three minutes into the match.

It was Auckland’s first goal in over 270 minutes of football against Waitakere and created an exciting opening stanza.

Waitakere didn’t take long to reply when Allen Pearce was brought down by Auckland goalkeeper Tamati Williams inside the box.

Referee Norbert Hauata awarded a penalty and Pearce proceeded to step up and hammer the ball into the crossbar before it bounced back out. Hauata judged that the ball had crossed the goal line and Waitakere wheeled off in celebration.

Auckland pushed more numbers forward in the second half in search of the winner but couldn’t break down Waitakere’s solid defensive unit.

Auckland resorted to shooting from distance and did little to trouble Waitakere goalkeeper Richard Gillispie.

Commins Menapi should have put the game out of reach for Auckland in the 66th minute when he rounded Williams only to hit his right footed shot wide. Jake Butler also missed a great chance for Waitakere blasting over from close range following some enterprising build up play by Allen Pearce and Jason Hayne.

The final whistle produced a huge grin from Waitakere coach Chris Milicich who can now start planning for a date with Solomon Island champions Kossa FC.

“We did what we had to do tonight to get the result. It wasn’t pretty but sometimes it has to be that way,” Milicich said.

“We’re a side that doesn’t panic and a side that does our job. Even when we went 1-0 down no one panicked. The boy’s have done what I asked of them.”

Waitakere United will face Kossa FC in a two legged home and away final to determine who will travel to the FIFA Club World Cup – Japan 2008.

The final will be played on April 26 and May 3 with more details to be released soon.

OFC O-LEAGUE

Group A: Final Standings

WAI: 1. Richard GILLISPIE GK; 2. Jonathan PERRY; 5. Danny HAY; 6. Darren BAZELY (21. Graham PEARCE 90+2’); 9. Benjamin TOTORI (7. Jason HAYNE 75’) ; 10. Allen PEARCE; 11. Neil SYKES; 13. Daniel KOPRIVIC (8. Commins MENAPI 56’); 15. Christopher BALE; 16. Neil EMBLEM; 17. Jake BUTLER;

Subs:; 14. Hoani EDWARDS;22. Simon EADDY (RGK), 24. Tim MYERS; 27. Tom WEBB;

Coach: Chris MILICICH (NZL)

Cautions: 17. Jake BUTLER 58’;

Red Cards: None

Goals: 10. Allan PEARCE 30’;

AKL: 2. Joel MATTHEWS; 5. Ben SIGMUND; 6. Ki-Hyung LEE (9. Paul URLOVIC 65’); 8. Chad COOMBES;; 10. Grant YOUNG; 12. Tamati WILLIAMS (GK); 14. Keryn JORDAN; 16. George SURI; 20. Greg UHLMANN; 24. Sam Campbell; 27. John NIYONSABA(13. Alex FENERIDIS 79’);

Subs: 3. Craig WYLIE; 15. Jeff CAMPBELL;19. Salesh KUMAR; 30. Mark FULCHER (GK);

Coach: Colin TUAA (NZL)

Injured: 7. James PRITCHETT

Cautions: 12. Tamati WILLIAMS 30’; 6. Ki-Hyung LEE 31’; 20. Greg UHLMANN 66’; 2. Joel MATTHEWS 87’;

Red Cards: 5. Ben SIGMUND 85’;

Goals: 6. Ki-Hyung LEE 3’;

Referee: Norbert HAUATA (TAH)

Assistant Referee 1: Raimana TAUOTAHA (TAH)

Assistant Referee 2: Philippe Revel (TAH)