AUCKLAND – The Oceania All Stars suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of O-League champions Waitakere United today after playing their second game in two days.
Neil Sykes and Jason Rowley provided the two second half goals for Waitakere – taking advantage of some tired legs from the All Star side.
The game started at a quick pace with both sides testing their opponents out wide – but as the game wore on the effects of the 2-1 win over Auckland City XI the night before begun to take effect on the Oceania XI.
The match at North Harbour Stadium attracted some high profile spectators with Oceania captain Christian Karembeu and ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich gracing the touchline, while meeting their team mates for the first time.
The game itself was one of few chances. Henry Fa’arodo and Jarrod Smith always looked dangerous for the Oceania XI with some neat interchanges out wide while Seule Soromon provided a constant threat up front with his pace.
Waitakere took the lead early in the second half when Neil Sykes smashed home the rebound from a Chris Bale free kick into the top corner of Jacob Spoonley’s goal.
Their second goal came from a Jake Butler corner with Jason Rowley rising highest at the far post to crash home a header.
There was some slick interplay through the Oceania midfield with David Muta and Alick Maemae providing some deft touches and Fedy Vava looked composed at centre back.
The All Stars will now take a rest day to recover from their gruelling schedule and take a chance to get acquainted with Bosnich and Karembeu.
Dutch international Edgar Davids will join the squad on Thursday morning.
FRIENDLY MATCH
WAITAKERE UNITED XI (0) 2 (Neil SYKES, Jason ROWLEY)
OCEANIA ALL STARS (0) 0
North Harbour Stadium
Auckland
Tuesday 2 December 2008
OFC: Jacob SPOONLEY [gk] (NZL); Benjamin LONGUE (NCL), Steven OLD (NZL) [c], Freddy VAVA (VAN), Raimana LI FUNG KUEE (TAH); Henry FA’ARODO (SOL) (Judd MOLEA (SOL) 46′), Pierre WAJOKA (NCL), David MUTA (PNG), Jarrod SMITH (NZL), Alick MAEMAE (SOL); Seule SOROMON (VAN) (Francois SAKAMA (VAN) 46′).
Not Available: Mark BOSNICH (AUS)[gk], Edgar DAVIDS (NED), Christian KAREMBEU (FRA), Cole PEVERLEY (NZL), Ivan VICELICH (NZL).
Coach: Jim SELBY (AUS)