Despite an early goal from Ludovic Boit, Waitakere turned things around after a rocket free kick by Martin Bullock in the 39th minute with Benjamin Totori then scoring moments later before Ryan de Vries and Brent Fisher made sure of the victory in the second half, again scoring in quick succession.
The win takes Waitakere to eight points, just two behind Group A leaders Auckland City, while Magenta are effectively out of the competition and will have to fight it out with Tahiti’s AS Manu Ura for third spot.
Speaking after the match, Waitakere player-coach Neil Emblen said Bullock’s rocket free kick in the 39th minute proved the turning point.
“After playing poorly for the first thirty minutes, Martin Bullock’s free kick changed the game for us,” said Emblen.
“From there we took control. I’m delighted to pick up the three points because this was a result we needed.”
It was the New Caledonians who came out firing with Boit putting the visitors ahead after just six minutes. Then as half time approached, Bullock’s free kick from just outside the box thundered into the top right hand corner giving Waitakere the momentum they needed.
Solomon Islands international Benjamin Totori scored one minute later to give the home side the advantage going into the break.
Magenta stayed in the game and showed a high level of technical ability but were overall less organised than their opponents.
Ryan de Vries gave Waitakere a two-goal buffer in the 78th minute before he was brought down inside the box moments later by Andre Sinedo who was lucky not to be sent from the field having already received a yellow card in the first half.
Striker Brent Fisher stepped up and put the penalty away, taking his O-League goal tally to four, just one behind Golden Boot leader Daniel Koprivcic from Auckland City.
Magenta coach Alain Moizan says he was disappointed with a general lack of concentration from his side.
“We played well for long periods of the match but we have a lot of young players who don’t have the experience to stay concentrated for the 90 minutes,” said Moizan.
“Overall, I don’t think the score reflected the game.”
Magenta will finish the O-League season with two home matches against Auckland City and AS Manu Ura while Waitakere will go on the road to Tahiti on 5 March before squaring off against cross-town rivals Auckland City at Kiwitea Street in a match that is likely to decide the winner of Group A.
Waitakere United: 4 (Martin BULLOCK 39, Benjamin TOTORI 40, Ryan DE VRIES 78, Brent FISHER 80)
AS Magenta: 1 (Ludovic BOIT 6)
Saturday 20 February 2010
Fred Taylor Park
Auckland, New Zealand
Waitakere United: 1. Danny ROBINSON [GK], 3. Aaron SCOTT, 4. Tim MYERS, 7. Martin BULLOCK, 8. Brent FISHER (13. Dimas DA SILVA 84), 9. Benjamin TOTORI (21. Jack PELTER 69) 10. Allan PEARCE (20. Ryan DE VRIES 77) 11. Neil SYKES, 12. Roy KRISHNA, 16. Neil EMBLEN, 17. Jake BUTLER.
Coach: Neil Emblen [ENG]
Cautions: Aaron SCOTT, Neil EMBLEN
AS Magenta: 1. Jean Yan DOUNEZECK [GK], 2. Benjamin LONGUE, 8. Marius BAKO, 10. Pierre WAJOKA, 13. Roy KAYARA, 14. Joachim WEA, 17. Andre SINEDO, 24. Lamo XEWE (15. Steeven LONGUE 86), 25. Joris GORENDIAWE, 29. Andre NAXUE, 32. Ludovic BOIT (27. Jean-Phillipe SAIKO 58)
Coach: Alain MOIZAN [NCL]
Cautions: Andre SINEDO, Benjamin LONGUE
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