The group’s second encounter between Solomon Warriors and AS Pirae of Tahiti was an action-packed affair which saw the Tahitians wrap their opening game with a narrow 2-1 victory.
Waitakere United got straight into the action with Solomon Islands international Benjamin Totori leading their advances. Kiwi had a couple of half-chances of their own, but nothing that really gave keeper Danny Robinson cause for concern.
The New Zealanders had a number of opportunities to take the lead but had to wait until the 19th minute when Sam French, who’s earlier effort was cleared off the line, smashed home on the volley.
Kiwi goalkeeper Masi Toetu was kept busy as Waitakere continued to take their chances but the Samoan goalkeeper denied time and again right up until the 32nd minute. In possession Totori cut inside his defender before unleashing a low drive past Toetu for Waitakere’s second – and a 16th OFC Champions League goal for himself.
After the break Kiwi came out with greater intent, working the ball around the pitch as they tried pull themselves back into the game. A couple of substitutions for both sides were made inside the first ten minutes of that period which seemed to work for the Samoan side especially as they tightened their defences.
While they never really came close to troubling Robinson, the backline duo of Andrew Setefano and Barry Lewis combined well to shut down any attack. Even the two-pronged attack force of double substitutes Dylan Stansfield and Maksim Manko couldn’t break down the defences as Kiwi denied Waitakere United from extending their lead leaving them with a 2-0 victory at the final whistle.
Waitakere United co-coach Paul Temple was fairly pleased with the three points but did rue some of the missed opportunities by his side.
“It’s a good opening performance from us,” Temple says.
“We could have probably scored a few more goals, we created a few chances, but overall happy with the performance and it’s a good start.”
Defeated Kiwi FC coach Martin Tamasese was pleased to hold the two time champions to just a two-goal deficit.
“Yeah, we lost but for me as a coach I’m really happy about the performance of my boys because the preparations of my team, it’s not an excuse, but we didn’t have a lot of time to get together with my overseas players,” he says.
Meanwhile in the second Group A match of the competition, AS Pirae were made to work hard for their hugely entertaining victory over the Solomon Warriors.
The Solomon Islanders started strong, holding down the majority of early possession but it was restricted largely to their own half. Five minutes in and a free kick was smashed in at goalkeeper Jonathan Torohia who did well to bring it under control.
Pirae upped the tempo and finally broke the defence in the 12th minute with a cracking striker from former professional Marama Vahirua who, true to form, dropped to one knee for his world renowned paddler celebration – le pagaie.
Micah Lea’alafah continually tried to create chances for the Warriors bringing his well-developed futsal skills onto the football field. The youngster made it look easy as he set up his teammates, but the finishing was lacking and the Solomon side had to continue their chase.
Less than 15 minutes after their first goal Jimmy Tepa leapt high to head home at the far post and edge Pirae further ahead of their opponents. The two goal lead remained as they headed into the break.
Straight after the second period start, the Warriors came out with increased determination. Upping the pressure, they had several close calls before the experienced James Naka finally brought his side into the mix with an excellent effort.
With the tempo at an all-time high and both sides searching for a fate-sealing goal tempers started to flare, but soon football came back into focus. The ball bounced from end to end with the keepers from either side called into constant action, however neither team could manage to add to their tally despite best efforts.
Warriors coach Moses Toata says his side will be disappointed not to have pulled themselves back in line with that performance.
“It was a very, very exciting game – I think the boys did well out there. We conceded two goals in the first half – something we didn’t expect,” he says.
“We tried to improve our game in the second half but we ran short on time. We tried to move the ball and develop the game properly, and credit to the Tahitian side AS Pirae, they did really well in shutting down my players and something we’ll look to work on is speed – we have to move the ball much quicker at this level.”
Triumphant Pirae assistant coach Samuel Garcia says winning the first match was an important step for the side, and Solomon Warriors didn’t make it easy.
“I think in the first half we did well, we kept hold of the ball, but the second period we went backwards,” he says.
“We have a few things we will need to work on, but the essential is that we got the win and the three points and we’re happy tonight.”
The OFC Champions League returns to Govind Park in Ba tomorrow for the second round of game in Group C. Hosts Ba will play Vanuatu side Tafea, both sides currently sit on a win apiece, while Hekari United of Papua New Guinea and AS Magenta from New Caledonia will be looking to redeem themselves after their opening round losses.

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