South Island United scored twice in second-half stoppage time to secure a valuable victory over Vanuatu United FC, as Round 5 got underway in Suva.
The two sides found themselves just outside the top four as the weekend began, both sitting two points off Solomon Kings FC in 4th and on the brink of a place in the Leaders Group.
A victory would be vital for either team’s top four aspirations, but especially South Island United, who began Round 5 with just one win their last five matches.
Rob Sherman’s side started the contest brightly, enjoying the majority of possession and territorial advantage, without however testing Vanuatu United goalkeeper Matt Acton.
Rather, it was at the other end where the breakthrough almost materialised. Steven Van Dijk and Oli Van Rijssel struggling to deal with a Owen Smith cross but Kathy Iamak couldn’t take advantage – flicking his opportunistic effort just wide.
Van Rijssel stayed down following the challenge and was eventually replaced by Riley Grover, in an early blow to the New Zealand side.
Raymond Diho was a constant threat down the right-hand side for Vanuatu United with his pace and direct approach. The winger finding Alex Saniel with a clipped cross after beating his man but the forward could only angle his header over from six yards.
David Yoo fired over for South Island United from the edge of the area before Saniel thought he had opened the scoring.
Diho’s initial effort was spilled by Van Dijk and Saniel bundled home from close range, only be to correctly flagged for offside.
Lars Hopp’s side wouldn’t have to wait long however to find the net again, this one all above board.
William Cardona found Owen Smith inside the area with a lovely reverse pass, who in turn pulled the ball back for Azariah Soromon to confidently side-foot past Van Dijk and break the deadlock.
South Island United took some time to spark into life in response but did come close through Christian Gray. The tall centre-half rising highest to meet a Haris Zeb corner but the captain could only direct his header wide of the far post.
Owen Smith went close to doubling Vanuatu United’s lead with a well-hit free-kick from distance but Van Dijk was up to the task and parried away well.
South Island United continued to push in the closing stages, with Vanuatu United happy to sit back and absorb the pressure. Clear-cut chances however were few and far between as the Kiwis worked desperately to find an equaliser late on.
That desperation finally paid off in stoppage time. A free-kick on the edge of the Vanuatu United area presented Ryan Feutz with a chance to level matters and he duly did with a wonderful free-kick – leaving Matt Acton rooted to the spot as the ball flew past the ‘keeper.
The drama wasn’t done yet though. David Yoo’s pass into the penalty area was poorly dealt with by the Vanuatu United defence and substitute Ry McLeod nipped in to win the ball and fire past Acton with the last kick of the game, securing all three points for South Island United.
Vanuatu United FC: 1 (Azariah SOROMON 50′)
South Island United: 2 (Ryan FEUTZ 90+4′, Ry MCLEOD 90+8′)
HT: 0-0
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek