Ten-men South Island United scored deep into stoppage time to secure a vital 2-1 victory over PNG Hekari FC at the Santos National Football Stadium.
Having missed out on all three points against Vanuatu United FC during the week thanks to a last minute penalty, this represented PNG Hekari FC’s final chance at winning in front of their home fans.
They almost secured an early lead when South Island United goalkeeper Steven van Dijk miscontrolled the ball in his own six-yard box. It eventually fell to John Alick, but he could only fire over the bar from the edge of the area.
At the other end, the Kiwi side went close thanks to a low drive from Ry McLeod as Rob Sherman’s side looked for their second win of the campaign.
For the second time in the day, a penalty was required to break the deadlock. Oskar Van Hattum was tripped by Godfrey Haro, with Ryan Feutz the man to take the spot kick, firing powerfully past goalkeeper Nabo Pongi.
Feutz almost grabbed a second, with a low drive from the edge of the area which cannoned off the post, before Oskar van Hattum flashed the rebound wide of the target.
Whatever was said at half-time certainly had the necessary impact for the home side and they hauled themselves level within minutes of the restart.
Ati Kepo broke the defensive line, rounding van Dijk and laying the ball back for John Orobulu to tap into an unguarded net and send the locals wild.
If anything, the equaliser seemed to energise South Island United however, as they looked to re-establish their lead.
Feutz continued to be a menace for the PNG Hekari FC backline, going close to his second with a well-hit free-kick that thudded off Pongi’s left-hand post and away to safety.
The pendulum swung back in the favour of the home side as the match entered its final moments. South Island United captain Christian Gray hauled down John Orobulu and after a brief VAR check, referee Veer Singh flashed the red card to reduce the New Zealanders to ten men.
PNG Hekari however were unable to press home their advantage and with only minutes of stoppage time remaining, substitute Rovu Boyers reacted first to a nod-down by Haris Zeb from a corner, finishing from a few yards out to snatch all three points.
A first win in three matches for South Island United lifts them into the top four, whilst PNG Hekari FC remain bottom of the table heading into Round 3.
PNG Hekari FC: 1 (John OROBULU 47′)
South Island United: 2 (Ryan FEUTZ (P) 36′, Rovu BOYERS 90+7′)
HT: 0-1
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek