13 times champions Auckland City FC have staged a dramatic late comeback to defeat AS Venus 4-3 in a thrilling Group A finale, securing top spot and a semi-final match up against Fiji’s Rewa FC on Wednesday in Ba.

Auckland City FC needed just a draw to finish top of Group A, while the tahitian side were playing for pride after losing their first two Group games.

AS Venus made the perfect start, opening the scoring in the sixth minute. Captain Roonui Tehau picked out Moeava Kaiha with a superb through ball from halfway, with the forward making a run beyond the Auckland City defence before calmly finding the back of the net.

20 minutes later and AS Venus doubled their advantage when Germain Haewegene raced down the wing before cutting the ball back into the penalty area, where Mathis Lacan slotted a composed finish into the bottom-right corner.

Auckland City FC hadn’t lost in the OFC Men’s Champions League since the 2019 semi-finals and they had to use all their expereince to claw their way back.

AS Venus continued to frustrate the reigning champions, applying pressure across the pitch and making it difficult for Auckland City to play their usual possession game.

But just before the break Auckland City found a way back into the contest. Substitute Michal Doudera cut inside before unleashing a powerful left footed strike from outside the box into the bottom corner. It was a crucial strike on the cusp of half-time and the New Zealanders went into the break with renewed confidence.

Nine minutes after the re-start Auckland City were back on level terms.  Tom Golding’s corner presented an aerial opportunity for defender Christian Gray, who rose above his marker and headed the ball over the advancing AS Venus keeper.

Auckland City pressed forward but a lapse in the defence saw Venus restore their lead in the 77th minute when Haewegene broke clear  and calmly slotted the ball past the advancing Matt Foord in the Auckland goal. The third goal conceded marked the first time since 2013, against another Tahitian side AS Dragon, that Auckland City had conceded three goals in an OFC Men’s Champion s League match.

But the champions showed their mettle and  responded once again, with Ryan Watson finding the equaliser in the 84th minute after taking advantage of a cross from the right.

Then, in the first minute of added time, Matt Ellis completed the comeback. A long ball found its way through the AS Venus defence, with Ellis getting beyond the final defenders before firing a stinging shot just under replacement goalkeeper Herehau Reichart.

AS Venus: 3 (Moeava KAIHA 6′, Mathis LACAN 26′, Germain HAEWEGENE 77′)

Auckland City FC: 4 (Michal DOUDERA 45+4′, Christian GRAY 54′, Ryan WATSON 84′, Matt ELLIS 90+1′)

HT: 2-1

Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek