Waitakere grind out first winWEST AUCKLAND - Saturday, 7 November 2009Second-half goals from Benjamin Totori and Brent Fisher have given Waitakere United their first win of the 2010 O-League against a well-organised AS Manu Ura at Fred Taylor Park in Waitakere on Saturday afternoon. The win means Waitakere are now one point clear at the top of Group A with cross-town rivals Auckland City FC still to play their second round match against New Caledonia’s AS Magenta at Kiwitea Street on Sunday. The Tahitians meanwhile are yet to pick up a point. Waitakere coach Neil Emblen was happy to get the result but said the overall performance was disappointing. "We missed a few gilt-edged chances but we also didn’t create a lot. It was quite a lethargic display and we have a situation where some players are performing better in practice than they are in games," said Emblen. 2010 OFC Champions League [Group A]:
Waitakere enjoyed the majority of possession in the early stages of the game and almost went ahead in the 18th minute when Dimas Da Silva’s strike from just inside the box hit the left side netting. Moments later, the home side had an even better chance when Allan Pearce crossed the ball into Fisher whose side-foot shot from close range was well saved by goalkeeper Jonathon Torohia going low to his left. AS Manu Ura had their best chance of the half in the 38th minute when Auguste Washetine was put in the clear from a deep free kick but his first touch was just too heavy and goalkeeper Ross Nicholson was able to smother the ball at the striker’s feet. Torohia, who was brought into the starting team after Daniel Tapeta let in five goals against Auckland City on match day one, did well to keep Waitakere goalless in the first half but could do nothing about the eventual break-through from Solomon Island import Benjamin Totori in the 55th minute. Pearce had got in behind his marker down the left and put a dangerous ball across the face of goal which Fisher flicked on for Totori to slam home. AS Manu Ura then had a strong spell as New Caledonian striker Washetine showed his class with a series of weaving runs through the Waitakere defense. But the 2007 and 2008 O-League champions held on and the pressure eased five minutes before full-time when referee Kevin Docherty awarded the home side a penalty after an initial call by his assistant. Fisher was judged to have been fouled by Fraddy Tauihara and the Waitakere striker then calmly put away the spot kick for his second O-League goal. Speaking after the game, AS Manu Ura coach Patrick Pito believed the penalty was a soft one. "I think the referee called too many fouls during the course of the match and we were unlucky with the penalty call. But it was also our own mistakes in the second half that cost us the game." Waitakere United: Danny ROBINSON [GK]; Jason ROWLEY, Aaron SCOTT, Tim MYERS, Brent FISHER, Benjamin TOTORI (86' Jason HICKS), Allan PEARCE (73' ---- Dakota LUCAS), Neil SYKES, Dimas DA SILVA (68' ---- Martin BULLOCK), Jeremy CHRISTIE Subs not used: Liam LITTLE [GK] Ash SOLLY, Graham PEARCE, Jake BUTLER, Keegan LINDERBOOM AS Manu Ura: 1. Jonathan TOROHIA [GK], 2. Henri TAPEA, 3. Rex FAURA,
7. Tetahio AURAA (19. Heitini TAPEA 82), 9. Jean-Francois KABEU, 10. Auguste
WASHETINE, 11. Hiashi KAKE, 12. Hiroana POROIEA, 14. Stephane TUAIRAU (5.
Philippe MORETA 70), 20. Billy MATAITAI (6. Aldo TAUIHARA 65), 22. Fraddy
TAUIHARA
O- LEAGUE TABLE 2009-10 [rd2]
AS Manu Ura can now look forward to their first home match of the 2010 O-League as they face New Celdonian neighbours AS Magenta in three weeks time. Waitakere will also play at home on match day three against Auckland City on 28 November. Related Links and Stories
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