Photo Credit OFC Media via Phototek

AS PTT have thrilled a near capacity home crowd with a 4-3 win over Mataks FC to win the second edition of the OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League in New Caledonia.

Christ Pei scored the goal of the tournament with just over four minutes remaining, a stunning bicycle kick to fired AS PTT 3-2 in front and seconds later with Mataks FC removing their keeper to play an extra man, Jymaẽl Upa tapped in to secure the win.

The Noumea side was roared on by a vociferous crowd of nearly two thousand at the ‘Arene du Sud’ in Paita near Noumea.

The two teams had fought out an entertaining 1-1 draw when they met in round robin play on Wednesday.

The action was intense from the outset. Christ Pei had the first real opportunity of the game for AS PTT in the 4th minute, but his thunderous left foot attempt went just wide of the upright. A minute later the big home crowd went into raptures as Jymaẽl Upa tapped in after a lovely cross from Emmanuel Hmaen to put AS PTT in front.

Mataks FC had plenty of possession early on but didn’t really test Matthieu Wassin in the AS PTT goal. Hmaen could have doubled the lead in the 11th minute, but his shot was well saved by the feet of Lordrick Afia in the Mataks FC goal. Mataks FC captain Ellis Mana produced a moment of brilliance in the 15th minute to level the scores for the Solomon Islands side. Robert Freddy Forrest should have restored the home side’s lead four minutes before the break, but he fired over the bar from an ideal scoring position. The two sides went to the break level.

AS PTT started the second half as they did the first, with a quickfire goal through Emmanuel Hmaen three minutes after the restart.

The game looked headed for extra time before the moment of sheer brilliance from Pei turned it in AS PTT’s favour.

Mataks FC were determined to leave it all on the court, in the final 13 seconds of the game Mataks Billy Afi scored the final goal of the match leaving the score 4-3 to AS PTT.

AS PTT: 4 (Jymaẽl UPA 5’, 37′, Emmanuel HMAEN 23’, Christ PEI 36′)
Mataks FC: 3 (Billy AFI 40′, Ellis MANA 15’, Clifford MISITANA 26’)

HT: 1-1