2009 O-LEAGUE – KOLOALE AND WAITAKERE SHOOT TO THE TOP

AUCKLAND – Waitakere United and Koloale FC both shot to the top of their respective O-League groups today after scoring encouraging wins in an action packed Match Day Two.

Koloale came back from a goal down to secure a 3-1 win over O-League debutants Hekari Souths United FC in Honiara, while Fijian star Roy Krishna capped off a memorable week by scoring two goals in Waitakere’s 3-0 win over Port Vila Sharks in Auckland.

Fourteen thousand screaming fans packed into Lawson Tama Stadium to see the Solomon Island champions move top of the group with an inspired performance.

It was the first O-League game at the ground since 20,000 fans squeezed in to see Kossa FC defeat Waitakere United 3-1 in the first leg of last year’s O-League final and the enthusiastic supporters turned up expecting nothing less than a win.

But Hekari were there to spoil the party and got their campaign off to the perfect start when Abraham Iniga gave the visitors the lead after only nine minutes, steering home a cross after a swift counter attack.

Papua New Guinea international David Muta took charge of the match soon after, winning the midfield battle and controlling the pace and flow of the game.

But with eight minutes left in the first half the complexion of the match changed as two goals in the space of four minutes swung the pendulum back in favour of the hosts.

Richard Anisua was fouled in the box and then converted the resulting penalty in the 36th minute, then two minutes later Nicholas Muri gave the home side the lead prodding home a Marlon Houkaraua cross.

The second half played out as a series of half chances and near misses with Joses Nawo striking the cross bar for Koloale before Benjamin Mela scared the home crowd with a long range freekick which drifted just wide in the 60th minute.

But speedy left winger Nawo had the final say and sealed the win for home side when his powerful run down the left hand side resulted in him smashing home a hard drive into the Hekari net.

In Auckland Roy Krishna secured his first goals in the O-League competition to cap off an impressive week, having scored two goals in Fiji’s 2-0 win over New Zealand in the midweek international.

United looked in total control in a first-half affected by the blustery conditions and took the lead after 21 minutes when Paul Seaman headed home from close range.

Krishna extended Waitakere’s advantage with a powerful right foot volley just seven minutes later.

Port Vila Sharks were in further trouble when Krishna glanced home a Daniel Koprivcic cross on 34 minutes that all but handed Chris Milicich’s men victory.

Waitakere United goalkeeper Richard Gillespie turned in a polished second half performance as the home side relaxed, denying Naprapol in time added on with a brilliant one-handed save.

Stand-out performer for Port Vila Sharks was goalkeeper John Garae who made an incredible one handed save from Allan Pearce late in the second half.

It was the first time a New Zealand club has defeated a Vanuatu club in an Oceanian club match.

In 2006 Youngheart Manawatu and Tafea FC played out a 3-3 draw at North Harbour Stadium while Tafea FC defeated Napier City Rovers 4-2 in Port Moresby in 2001. Central United and Tafea FC drew 2-2 in 1999.

United’s next 2009 O-League match is with Port Vila Sharks on Saturday March 7, 2009 at Port Vila Municipal Stadium.

The next round of the competition on December 13 see’s Hekari host Fijian Champions Ba in group B while Port Vila Sharks host Auckland City in Group A.

2009 O-LEAGUE

WAITAKERE UNITED (3) 3 (Paul SEAMAN 21′, Roy KRISHNA 28′, 34′)

PORT VILA SHARKS (0) 0

Group A

Attendance: 400.

WAI: 1. Richard GILLESPIE [gk]; 2. Jonathan PERRY; 3. Aaron SCOTT; 4. Tim MYERS; 8. Paul SEAMAN; 12. Roy KRISHNA (10. Allan PEARCE 56’); 13. Daniel KOPRIVCIC (9. Benjamin TOTORI 46’); 14. Jeff CAMPBELL; 15. Christopher BALE (29. Adriano PIMENTA 70’); 16. Neil EMBLEN (c), 21. Kayne VINCENT.

Substitutes Not Used: 7. Daniel ELLENSOHN; 17. Jake BUTLER; 18. Ian HOGG; 22. Daniel ROBINSON [rgk].

Yellow cards: 15. Christopher BALE 28′.

Red cards: None

Coach: Chris MILICICH (NZL)

POR: 2. Samson OBED; 4. Ken MASAUVAKALO; 7. Moise POIDA; 8. Pita David MAKI (9. Jean Nako NAPRAPOL 46’); 12. Hubert NAKE; 13. Francois SAKAMA; 17. Geoffrey Lego GETE; 20. John GARE [gk]; 21. Michell KALTAK (10. Richard IWAI 62’); 23. Fenedy MASAUVAKALO; 24. Andrew CHICHIRUA (16. Alphonse QORIG 40’).

Substitutes Not Used:11. Etienne MERMER; 14. Silas NAMATAK; 22. Alfred MALAS [rgk]; 28. Rexly TARIVUTI.

Yellow cards: 21. Michell KALTAK 4′, 2. Samson OBED 42′.

Red cards: None

Coach: Philemon JOHN (VAN)

Referee: Norbert HAUATA (TAH)

Assistant Referee 1: Phillipe REVEL (TAH)

Assistant Referee 2: Teariki GOODWIN (COK)

4th Official: Michael HESTER (NZL)

2009 O-League

Group A  Standings – 22.11.08 

2009 O-LEAGUE

KOLOALE FC (2) 3 (5. Richard ANISUA 37′; 14. Nicholas MURI 39′;16. Joses NAWO 77′)

HEKARI SOUTHS UNITED FC (1) 1 (9. Abraham INIGA 9′)

Group B

Attendance: 14,000

KOL: 2.Welshman HOUKARAUA;  3. Jeffery BULE; 5.Richard ANISUA (10.Ezra SALE 70′);  6.Timothy JOE;  14. Nicholas MURI; 15.Mostyn BEUI (13.Lency SAENI 81′); 16.Joses NAWO; 17.Marlon HOUKARAUA; 18.Henry KOTO; 20. Shadrack RAMANI; 26. Klivert DAGI (7.Augustine ANISI 82′);

Substitutes not used: 1. Zantas SOEASI; 8.Peter TALOGA; 9.Pressley FUTA;  25.Francis LAFAI

Yellow Cards: 5. Richard ANISUA 32′; 2. Welshman HOUKARAUA 65′; 26. Klivert DAGI 76’; 16. Joses NAWO 78’

Red Cards:

Coach: Luke Eroi (SOL)

HEK: (From) 1.Fred HALE [GK]; 2.Cyril MUTA; 6.Jacob PEKAU; 7.Benjamin MELA (10.Abraham ENOCH 67’); 9. Abraham INIGA; 12.David MUTA; 14.Jack SAMANI; 17.Kema JACK (11. Joachim WAROI 43′); 19.Koriak UPAIGA; 21.Brian FENI (18.Ericson KOMENG 85’); 22.Lorima DAU

Substitutes not used: 8. Michael FOSTER; 13. Andrew LEPANI; 15.Charles PARANDA; 16.Gure GABINA [GK]

Yellow Cards: 22. Lorima DAU 35’

Red Cards:

Coach: Patrick MNITI (SOL)

Referee: Michael HESTER (NZL)

Assistant Referee 1: Mahit CHILIA (VAN)

Assistant Referee 2: Nawen HOPKEN (VAN)

Fourth Official: Andrew MOLI (SOL)

2009 O-League

Group B  Standings – 22.11.08