PORT VILA – Vanuatu football veteran Auretau Frank King made a sensational comeback from football retirement for Tupuji Imere after his injury time equaliser helped save his club from an embarrassing defeat to Seveners United at Port Vila Municipal Stadium at the weekend.
With only a few seconds left on the clock, Auretau Frank King broke the hearts of Seveners United fans when he netted a late penalty, awarded by referee Harry Berry for a handball in the box.
A lively first half saw both sides creating many scoring opportunities but it was John Laan who gave Seveners the lead after 21 minutes. Laan headed in a superb goal into the right corner from a perfect cross by John Ronnie with former Vanuatu national team keeper David Chilia caught short at the far post.
However, Fenethy Mausavakalo replied withiin moments to silence the small but vocal crowd of Seveners supporters who were still celebrating John Laan’s goal.
In an enthralling match, it was John Laan again who put his team in the driving seat with a goal of the very highest quality in the 38th minute.
Receiving an awkward high ball from a midfield clearance, the young united striker headed the ball across the line of vision of his marker, then turned and hit a stunning volley from the edge of the box that left David Chilia rooted to the ground and the ball in the back of the Tupuji net.
After the break, Seveners continue their dominance while maintaining the game at a very fast pace. John Ronnie made some great runs down the right side and always looked dangerous. Seveners united was rewarded for their continuous efforts with a penalty after a Tupuji Imere defender touched the ball with his hand which clearly denied Seveners a scoring opportunity.
John Laan stepped forward to take the spot-kick but his shot struck the outside of the right hand post and went out for a goal-kick.
Despite the missed penalty, Seveners Utd refused to give up and continued to attack. In the 80th minute, John Laan had the perfect opportunity to make amends for his mistake. He picked up the ball at the edge of the box, outpaced two defenders, then cut inside and fired a thunderbolt that hit the crossbar.
The desire to look for more goals, on the part of the Seveners, probably cost them the victory. Well into injury time, following a failed attack, Tupuji Imere defenders pounced on a lost ball on the left side of the field and their quick counter attack was rewarded when a United player clearly handled the ball in the box. Referee Harry Berry did not hesitate in pointing to the penalty spot.
Step forward, Auretau King, who took full advantage of the opportunity to equalize with a carefully converted the penalty that dealt a final stunning blow to the Seveners players who for all their toil and skill, were forced into sharing the spoils with a relieved Tupuji.
Auretau King – Late penalty saved the day for Tupuji Imere
John Laan – stunning strike and a penalty miss
