(Photo Credit OFC Media via Phototek)
AS PTT and Mataks FC have played out a thrilling 1-1 draw to conclude match-day three at the OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League in New Caledonia.
The Noumea based side has moved to the cusp of qualifying for the final, sitting on seven points from three games. Both sides remain unbeaten and deservedly so after what was an epic contest.
Based on this performance it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the two sides go at it again in Sunday’s final such was the quality.
Mataks FC made much of the running in the early part of the first half and created the best opportunity to open the scoring in the 9th minute when in a three on one situation Clifford Misitana ended up blasting over the crossbar.
But it was AS PTT who struck first through their captain James Namuli after a lovely one two, he drove the ball into the left-hand corner of the net in the 11th minute. The goal lifted the home side into life, and they dominated the remainder of the first stanza without managing to add to their tally.
Then with less than two minutes remaining AS PTT goalkeeper Matthieu Wassin made two brilliant saves to deny Benjamin Mana the equaliser.
The second half started brightly for Mataks FC who controlled possession and forced a couple of early saves from Wassin. Owen Bunabo was put through one on one with Wassin in the 28th minute but the AS PTT keeper made a stunning save to deny him. Moments later Richard Wainebengo hit the post for AS PTT.
Mataks continued to apply most of the pressure and were finally rewarded for their dominance 10 minutes from full time when a well taken shot from Benjamin Mana finally beat Wassin in the AS PTT goal.
Both sides had a number of half chances to secure the winner, but neither could find the back of the net in a frenzied finish to an absorbing encounter.
AS PTT 1 (James NAMULI 11’)
Mataks FC 0 (Benjamin MANA 30’)
HT 1-0