Auckland keep pressure on Waitakere with O-League win

Auckland City have picked up a vital away win against AS Manu Ura at Stade Paea in Tahiti today to go five points clear of Waitakere United in Group A of the 2010 O-League.

2010-11 O-League - Group A [rd4]:

AS Manu Ura Crowd: 1,000. Ref: Mr Rakesh Varman (FIJ ). HT: 0-0

0-2

Auckland City Ian Hogg 63', D Koprivcic 89' Played at Stade Paea, Papeete

Goals to Ian Hogg and Daniel Koprivcic were enough for the defending champions to secure maximum points and keep the pressure on cross-town rivals Waitakere who face New Caledonia's AS Magenta in their fourth round match at Fred Taylor Park next weekend.

Paul Posa says it took time to break down a committed home side.

"The conditions are quite different over here and it took a while for the team to settle in. Plus they were disciplined and well organised this evening so we had to work hard for our goals."

After a goal-less first half, Hogg put the visitors ahead in the 63rd minute with the defender having a rare one on one opportunity against the goalkeeper and making no mistake.

Koprivcic made it two just before the final whistle combining well with Jason Hayne before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home from a tight angle.

With two rounds to go before the home and away final decides OFC's representative at the FIFA Club World Cup, Auckland City are well placed to finish top of Group A but still have Waitakere to contend with on 27 March at Kiwitea Street.

O- LEAGUE TABLE 2009-10 [rd4]

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Auckland City	4	3	1	0	10	2	10
Waitakere United	3	1	2	0	4	2	5
AS Magenta	3	0	2	1	3	4	2
AS Manu Ura	4	0	1	3	1	10	1

Meanwhile, Group B has been thrown wide open with Hekari United stunning Tafea FC 4-0 at PMRL stadium in Port Moresby today. Solomon Islands import Alick Maemae scored a brace for the home side while Tuimasi Manuca and Joachim Waroi also chipped in for the comprehensive victory.

Hekari now lead the Vanuatu club champions with a superior goal differential but Lautoka, just one point behind, could claim the advantage if they beat a winless Marist FC in Fiji tomorrow afternoon.

2010-11 O-League - Group B [rd4]:

Hekari United T MANUCA 14'; A MAEMAE 20, 28; J WAROI 84' Crowd: 1,000. Ref: Mr Rakesh Varman (FIJ ). HT: 3-0

4-0

Tafea FC Played at PMRL Stadium, Port Moresby

O- LEAGUE TABLE 2009-10 [rd4]

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Hekari United	4	3	1	0	11	4	10
Lautoka	3	2	0	1	6	4	6
Tafea FC	4	1	1	2	5	8	4
Marist	3	0	0	3	2	5	0