The Group B result means a win for Fiji’s Lautoka against Hekari United tomorrow will see them qualify for the final with a game to spare.
Waitakere meanwhile could draw level with Auckland in Group A if they win against Tahiti’s AS Manu Ura but that match had to be postponed today following a week of heavy rain in Papeete. Match officials deemed the waterlogged pitch at Stade Paea to be unplayable and OFC will now investigate rescheduling the match at a later date.
Paul Posa’s side, featuring newly capped All White Chad Coombes, got off to the perfect start at Stade Numa Daly with James Pritchett and Adam Dickinson combining well to set up Daniel Koprivcic in the 13th minute for his sixth goal in five O-League matches.
But Magenta continued to apply pressure and were rewarded with a goal to Andre Sinedo in the 53rd minute. Four yellow cards – two to each team – were dished out in the second half as intensity levels rose but both sides had to settle for just the one point.
The draw leaves Auckland on 11 points, three more than Waitakere who have a game in hand while Magenta remain in third spot ahead of Manu Ura.
Auckland will now eagerly await the Waitakere vs Manu Ura result before facing their rivals in the final group match on 28 March – a game that will ultimately decide who goes through to the O-League home-and-away final to play off for a spot at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Meanwhile in Group B, Lautoka sit top with nine points ahead of Tafea on eight and Hekari United on seven. Today’s draw gave Solomon Islands club champions Marist FC their first point of the season.
For O-League schedule and results click here