Solomon Islands heavyweights Kooline FC made it three wins from as many matches while both New Caledonia’s AS PTT and hosts AFF Futsal have also proved they could be title contenders on an action-packed day at the inaugural OFC Futsal Champions League at Auckland’s Barfoot and Thompson Stadium.
AS PIRAE 5:6 AS PTT
Match Day two began with the Francophone derby, and AS PTT drew first blood when Les Cagous skipper Cedric Humuni opened the scoring.
AS Pirae started to find their feet and equalised with a back post finish by Joel Djamoe after some good work down the right hand flank.
The two teams continued to trade blows with goals from David Auti and an own goal by Jean-Emmanuel Wassin to advance the Tahitians while Chris Pie contributed with a brace for AS PTT to lock the teams up at 3-3 at the break.
AS PTT edged ahead when Joel Djamoet slid home after a corner and had further chances to increase their lead but some errant finishing kept AS Pirae in touch.
Some excellent combination play between Hary Hmaloko and Wassin saw Hmaloko rifle home for the New Caledonians but an immediate reply from Erton MARO made it 5-4 to AS PTT.
The same two AS PTT players combined to restore the two goal cushion but the Tahitians were not done, keeping in touch with a well-worked goal from Teahi Vahimarea following a free kick.
Chances flowed at both ends but AS PTT held their nerve to secure vital three points.
D’YORK STREET 1-6 AFF FUTSAL
The home side were out of the blocks quickly with two early strikes, an individual effort from Vincent Pineau and a pile driver from Josh Margetts.
Stephen Ashby nabbed a third with a fine finish from Sean McIntee’s layoff to put Marvin Eakins’ side well on top.
Impressive youngster Adam Paulsen pounced on a rebound to make it 4-0 and the boys from the city of sails went into the break in cruise-mode.
Soon after half-time, Jess Takaro finished a superb counter attack to keep the resilient D’York in the match, but lethal pivot Sean McIntee helped himself to a brace to ensure an emphatic 6-1 victory for AFF.
SUVA 1-10 KOOLINE FC
Tournament heavyweights Kooline were in control from the outset against a depleted Suva team and two early goals from Alvin Hou and Emanuel Magi set the tone for a one-sided affair.
Benjamin Mana added added two more before the break, but an opportunistic long-range chip from Krishneel Singh at least kept the Fijian side in the hunt.
In the second half Kooline, mindful of the need to conserve energy, did not really get out of second gear.
Even so, the goals came at regular intervals, with Elis Mana, Coleman Mackau, Atana Fa’arodo, Magi, Junior Paty and Charlton Kobi all finding the target to complete the demolition of a dishevelled Suva.
AS PTT 4-1 D’York Street
In a must win game for both teams, an entertaining and fast-paced first half saw chances go begging at both ends.
AS PTT found the go-ahead goal on the stroke of half-time, with Marcel Hnepeune tapping in at the back post at the end of a sweeping move to grab the lead
Following a red card for Graham Manses for deliberate handball, Hnepeune made it 2-0 to the New Caledonians from the spot.
A crisp free kick from Christ Pei was followed by Jone Ue’s finish before D’York were rewarded for their efforts with a well taken solo goal from the outstanding Moffat Kiriu.
A 4-1 victory for AS PTT took them top of table going into the evening session.
AS PIRAE 8-1 SUVA FUTSAL
Tournament strugglers Suva found themselves up against it in the opening exchanges against the also winless AS Pirae.
A goalkeeper fumble allowed David Auti to put the Tahitians ahead and he followed this up with a second a few minutes later.
Some excellent combination play saw Olivier Hirihiri add to the tally in the second half and AS Pirae went into the break well in command at 3-0.
A nicely worked free kick saw Deepal Singh open Suva’s account but Teahi Vahimarae’s quick reaction to a rebound restored Pirae’s three goal advantage.
David Auti completed his hat trick to make it 5-1 and late double by Erton Maro and another from Vahimarae a comprehensive win, giving Pirae their first points of the tournament.
AFF FUTSAL 1-3 KOOLINE FC
Kooline FC started with intent, pressing high putting the hosts under immense pressure during the early exchanges.
The spectators at Auckland’s Barfoot and Thompson Stadium were treated to a fascinating technical and tactical battle as AFF weathered the early storm and started to create some genuine chances of their own.
Despite the frantic pace both teams showed plenty of skill and control to provide a highly entertaining and absorbing spectacle.
The breakthrough for Kooline came courtesy of a brilliant finish by Alvin Hou before Robert Laua doubled the Solomon Islanders advantage just before the break.
Lively youngster Adam Paulsen pulled a goal back for Auckland but Elis Manu replied just minutes later to restore Kooline’s two-goal cushion.
Chances kept coming at both ends and a red card to Benjamin Mana with two minutes on the clock gave some hope for the hosts, however the Stanley Puairana’s men held on to top the standings at the end of Day 2 with maximum 9 points from three matches.
UPCOMING MATCHES
KOOLINE FC vs AS PTT NOUMEA
Saturday 07 December
Barfoot & Thompson Stadium, Auckland, NZ
KO: 10:00 (local)
LIVE STREAM: https://bit.ly/2PaF8Wr
#OFCFCL #KLNPTT
SUVA FUTSAL vs AFF FUTSAL
Saturday 07 December
Barfoot & Thompson Stadium, Auckland, NZ
KO: 12::00 (local)
LIVE STREAM: https://bit.ly/2DLsyHK
#OFCFCL #SUVAFF
D’YORK STREET vs AS PIRAE
Friday, 06 December
Barfoot & Thompson Stadium, Auckland, NZ
KO: 14:00 (local)
LIVE STREAM: https://bit.ly/2DRT5Dt
#OFCFCL #DSTPIR
AS PTT vs SUVA FUTSAL
Saturday 07 December
Barfoot & Thompson Stadium, Auckland, NZ
KO: 16:00 (local)
LIVE STREAM: https://bit.ly/2RsQkR0
#OFCFCL #PTTSUV
D’YORK STREET vs KOOLINE FC
Saturday 07 December
Barfoot & Thompson Stadium, Auckland, NZ
KO: 16:00 (local)
LIVE STREAM: https://bit.ly/369Y7r8
#OFCFCL #DSTKLN
AFF PIRAE vs AFF FUTSAL
Saturday 07 December
Barfoot & Thompson Stadium, Auckland, NZ
KO: 20:00 (local)
LIVE STREAM: https://bit.ly/2LsGjzy
#OFCFCL #PIRAFF
Ends