A brace of goals for Jason Rowley and Alan Pearce helped Waitakere United to victory while Roy Krishna scored the pick of the goals with a stunning individual effort in the 42nd minute .
The win leaves Neil Emben’s side level on points with Auckland City and sets up a crucial Group A decider with their cross-town rivals on Sunday 28 March at Kiwitea Street – with Waitakere now only needing a draw to advance to the O-League final because of their superior goal differential.
Emblen says he is pleased with the way his team performed.
“Not many teams go up to the Islands and win by such a good margin,” said Emblen.
“So we’ll take a lot of confidence from this match, especially the fact that we put five in the back of the net. But Auckland are a good side and we know it will be a tough test next weekend.”
Pearce put Waitakere ahead after 28 minutes tapping the ball in at the far post. But the hosts hit back minutes later through Hiroana Poroiea’s direct freekick. Roy Krishna then showed his skill in the 42nd minute beating two players on the edge of the area before letting loose with a powerful right foot strike.
Defensive errors cost Manu Ura the next two goals before Pearce rounded out the scoring with another tap in.
The match between AS Manu Ura and Waitakere United was originally scheduled for Friday 5 March but had to be postponed due to heavy rain in Papeete, Tahiti.
AS Manu Ura:1 (Hiroana POROIEA 30’)
Waitakere United: 5 (Jason ROWLEY 28’, 58’, Roy KRISHNA 42’, Alan PEARCE 45’, 60’)
Friday 19 March
Stade Paea
Papeete, Tahiti
For full schedule and results click here