NAKA, LUWI AND PEARCE CHASE TOP SCORER AWARD

AUCKLAND – The focus may be on the two teams for today’s Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) O-League decider at Trusts Stadium but there will be individual baubles up for grabs as Kossa FC team-mates Joe Luwi and James Naka chase the top goalscorer award – with Waitakere United’s Allan Pearce close behind.

Waitakere United’s freescoring midfielder Allan Pearce has two goals could leapfrog both Solomon Islanders today – providing he scores a hat-trick; a brace would leave Pearce level on four goals with Naka and Luwi.

The stage is set for Pearce who was the hero for Waitakere United last year when his 55th minute headed goal handed United the OFC O-League title on away goals over Fiji champions Ba.

Pearce was the scourge of Kiwi rivals Auckland City FC scoring in both matches against the Colin Tuaa-coached outfit.

Pearce is something of a big game player in the OFC O-League and could heap misery on the Kossa FC defence if given too much space. 

Keryn Jordan of Auckland City FC and Avinesh Suwamy of Ba are both on two goals.

Last season’s top scorer in the OFC O-League was Commins Menapi who scored five times on Waitakere United’s way to the championship. So far Menapi has been unable to score in this year’s edition.

A total of 35 goals have been scored in 13 OFC O-League matches so far this season.

Last season’s competition saw 43 goals scored in the 14 matches with Commins Menapi’s rivals for the Golden Shoe Award included then Marist FC striker Joe Luwi (3), Auckland City FC duo Grant Young (3) and Paul Urlovic (3), and Waitakere United’s Daniel Koprivcic (3).

UNITED WE STAND: Waitakere United’s Allan Pearce in the hunt for the OFC O-League golden shoe

GOLDEN SHOE AWARD – OFC O-LEAGUE 2008