Waitakere face two goal deficit after first leg

Waitakere United suffered defeat at the hands of Solomon Islands champions Kossa FC, going down 3-1 in the away leg of the Oceania Champions League final.

Conditions were oppressive with 31 degree heat and 90% humidity greeting the players and a crowd estimated at 20,000.

Kossa settled quickest and led two nil at the break thanks to two strikes from Joe Luwi. Much of the inspiration for the home side was coming from the impressive James Naka while for the visitors there were chances for Benjamin Totori and Commins Menapi but it was not vintage Waitakere. Even without injured skipper Danny Hay, Waitakere was always a threat at set piece time and went close on numerous occasions.

The second half saw the red and white of Waitakere find their feet and adjust to conditions. Wave after wave of attack threatened with Totori and Menapi a handful for their countrymen in the Kossa side.

The goal when it did come however was from central defender Jonathan Perry, the former All White scoring from close range at the far post from a Neil Sykes corner.

From that point Waitakere looked the more likely of the two sides with Kossa being overrun in midfield and struggling to contain the pace of Totori in particular. But as so often happens in matches of this magnitude and in foreign conditions, the visiting side fell for the sucker punch and conceded what could prove to be a vital 3rd goal with just 5 minutes remaining. James Naka was the scorer, capping a man of the match performance and driving a knife into the gallant Waitakere United side.

The only consolation they will bring home is the knowledge of a vital away goal and the fact a 2-0 win at Douglas Field on Sunday May 11th would clinch back to back O-League titles. But they must guard against conceding further goals against an impressive Kossa side that sent the huge crowd home buzzing today.

O-League Final, Leg 1
Kossa FC 3
J Luwi 21st, 41st, J Naka 85th
Waitakere United 1
J Perry 49th

Return Leg
Sunday May 11th
2pm KO
Douglas Field
Trusts Stadium, Henderson

Squads:
Kossa:; 4. Tome FAISI; 5. Samson TAKAYAMA; 6. Mahlon MAEMANIA;; 10. Francis NEE; 11. Joe LUWI; 13. James NAKA; 15.Seni NGAVA; 16. Paul WALE; 17. Gideon OMOKIRIO; 19. Reginald DAVANI; 21. Severino AEFI;
Subs: 1. John MORGAN; 3. Sam MAENA; 8. Philip ASHLEY; 9. Samson WAAHERO; 12. Roy ENORI; 14. Terry Oiaka; 20. Willie SADE;
Coach: Jacob MOLI (SOL)

Waitakere: 1. Richard Gillispie; 2. Jonathan PERRY; 6. Darren BAZELY;; 8. Commins MENAPI; 9. Benjamin TOTORI; 10. Allen PEARCE; 11. Neil SYKES; 13. Danijel KOPRIVCIC;; 15. Christopher BALE; 16. Neil EMBLEN; 17. Jake BUTLER;
Subs: 5. Danny HAY; 7. Jason HAYNE; 14. Hoani EDWARDS; 20. Jason ROWLEY; 21. Graham PEARCE; 22. Simon EADDY;
Coach: Chris Milicich (NZL)

Referee: Rakesh VARMAN (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 1: Andrew ACHARI
Assistant Referee 2: Mahit CHILIA (VAN)
Fourth Official: Lencie FRED (VAN)


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