Waitakere win group a with hard earned draw

It was always going to be a titanic battle as the two best sides in the country fought for Group A O-League honours and the chance at a trip to Japan and the FIFA Club World Cup, albeit the winner must first get past Kossa from the Solomon Islands.

And that is the way it proved, a bruising more than fluent affair with chances missed from both sides but in the end it was the home side that continued their hoodoo over the Auckland City team this season.

Auckland City took the lead in the third minute and in doing so scored their first goal against Waitakere in any match this season when Ki-Hyung Lee struck a superb free kick from the edge of the penalty area beyond the five man defensive wall and goalkeeper Richard Gillespie.

Waitakere then mounted immediate pressure of their own and should have equalized in the seventh minute when Benji Totori headed over from close range at the far post. Moments later it was Jake Butler who side footed over the bar after Auckland failed to clear a defensive corner, the early signs suggested an open game was on the cards.

Auckland continued to attack also and in the 18th minute it was Keryn Jordan who broke clear on the right wing and fired against the cross bar from close range. Waitakere scrambled clear for a corner and did so again when Lee delivered to the far post.

The goal when it came for the home side was as a result of a mix-up between Ben Sigmund and goalkeeper Tamati Williams. Neil Sykes through ball looked destined for either one of them only for Alan Pearce to be quickest to react and get a foot to the ball.

Pearce was then taken out by Williams and referee Hauata pointed to the spot. The former NZ youth international stepped up to take the spot kick himself, drilling the ball home off the crossbar on the half hour mark.

Within sixty seconds Danny Hay powered a header goal wards from close range when Williams failed to come for a corner, only to see the ball cannon off Chad Coombes on the Auckland line.

Lee was then presented with a repeat set piece opportunity after a Keryn Jordan dive resulted in another free kick on the edge of the Waitakere area but this time drilled the ball into the defensive wall.

On the stroke of halftime it was Waitakere’s turn to hit the woodwork with Chris Bale driving a right foot shot on to the junction of post and cross bar from a full 25 metres.

That proved the last decisive action of an entertaining if at times stop start first half with the officials looking to stamp their authority on proceedings, perhaps aware of the tension and the prize up for grabs.

The second half began with Auckland dominating possession and Waitakere gifting it back to them whenever they got a foot on the ball. Auckland were always going to press knowing they needed a win but Waitakere were guilty of not playing themselves, too often resorting to a long ball game.

Substitute Commins Menapi had a great chance to score Waitakere United’s second jus tafter the hour mark when put clear in front of goal after Totori’s run down the left but the Solomon Islands striker pushed his shot wide after rounding the keeper.

Richard Gillespie was called on to make a good save low to his left in the 72nd minute when Grant Young found himself clear with just the keeper to beat, Neil Sykes hooked the ball clear ahead of the advancing support players for Auckland.

Great work by Allan Pearce and then Jason Hayne in the 78th minute set up a gilt edged chance for Jake Butler but the big midfielder side footed over the bar when power was the right answer.

Auckland’s chances of a late winner took a hit when skipper Ben Sigmund was shown a straight red card for abusing a linesman after a free kick was given against him in the 87th minute.

That was in fact the final moment of any significance in the game as the final whistle blew to the delight of the home fans. The draw maintains Waitakere United’s unbeaten run against Auckland City for the season in all competitions and sees the West Aucklanders through to their second consecutive O-League final where they will come up against Solomon Island side Kossa.

Waitakere United

Allan Pearce (pen) 30th

Auckland City

Ki-Hyung Lee 3rd

Waitakere United: 1. Richard GILLISPIE GK; 2. Jonathan PERRY; 5. Danny HAY; 6. Darren BAZELY (92nd 21. Graham PEARCE);; 9. Benjamin TOTORI (76th 7. Jason HAYNE); 10. Allen PEARCE; 11. Neil SYKES; 13. Daniel KOPRIVCIC (56th 8. Commins MENAPI); 15. Christopher BALE; 16. Neil EMBLEM; 17. Jake BUTLER;
Coach: Chris MILICICH (NZL)

Auckland City: 2. Joel MATTHEWS; 5. Ben SIGMUND; 6. Ki-Hyung LEE (66th 9. Paul URLOVIC); 8. Chad COOMBES; 10. Grant YOUNG; 12. Tamati WILLIAMS (GK); 14. Keryn JORDAN; 16. George SURI; 20. Greg UHLMANN; 24. Sam Campbell (45th 19. Salesh KUMAR;; 27. John NIYONSABA (80th 13. Alex FENERIDIS);
Coach: Colin TUAA (NZL)

Referee: Norbert HAUATA (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Raimana TAUOTAHA (TAH)
Assistant Referee 2: Philippe Revel (TAH)
Fourth Official: Michael HESTER (NZL)