Waitakere patience pays off

Otago took time to break down but Waitakere United eventually did just that in their return to the NZFC at Fred Taylor today earning a hard fought 4-0 victory over the visitors.

Terry Phelan’s side made their intentions clear from the start with ten and at times eleven players behind the ball. That tactic appeared to be working well into the second half with Waitakere unable to capitalise on their total dominance of possession and territory.

Chances were created but none taken, the worst culprit being Commins Menapi with his miss from 6 metres after working a one two with Benji Totori midway through the second half.

But the Solomon Islands international soon made up for his miss with two goals in 7 minutes, the first a side foot volley from 4 metres in the 67th minute and the second a contender for goal of the season. Collecting the ball 40 metres out from goal, he turned and ran ten metres before unleashing a right foot drive with the outside of the foot into the top left corner of Otago’s goal.

From the moment the first goal went in Otago were going to suffer as they were forced to come out of their defensive mindset when clearly they did not have the personnel to do that.

It was no surprise then when substitute Jake Butler chested home a near post cross from Alan Pearce to make it three and a comfortable return home for the O-League champions.

Another of the second half subs Danko Koprivcic made it four in stoppage time when he expertly chested down a Jonathan Perry through ball before volleying home off the inside of the far post.



Waitakere United 4

C Menapi 67th 74th, J Butler 82nd, D Koprivcic 92nd

Otago United 0



Waitakere United

22 Simon Eaddy (GK), 2-Jonathan Perry, 7-Jason Hayne (55th 13-Daniel Koprivcic), 8-Commins Menapi, 9-Benjamin Totori, 10-Allan Pearce, 11-Neil Sykes, 15-Chris Bale (79th 14-Hoani Edwards), 16-Neil Emblen, 33-Paul Seaman (60th 17-Jake Butler), 21 Graham Pearce.