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Auckland City FC versus AS Magenta (New Caledonia)
Played on 08/11/2009 at Kiwitea Street |
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City Come Fron Behind to Win
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Goals |
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Daniel Koprivcic |
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Matthew Williams |
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Auckland City FC’s O-League defence is still on track after a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against New Caledonian club AS Magenta at Kiwitea Street on Sunday afternoon.
Two quick goals from Matt Williams and Daniel Koprivcic in the second half sealed the victory for City after an initial strike by 18-year-old Lamo Xewe had put the visitors ahead.
The defending champions are now two points clear of Waitakere United at the top of Group A while AS Magenta remain third ahead of Tahiti’s AS Manu Ura.
O-League newcomers Magenta will feel unlucky not to have picked up at least a point after going ahead in the 6th minute. New Caledonian international and dead-ball specialist Pierre Wajoka curled in a free-kick from the left for Noel Kaudre to flick onto Xewe who headed the ball past Paul Gothard from close range.
Auckland City almost had an equalizer two minutes later when Matt Williams headed a Ki Hyung Lee free-kick onto the cross bar for what proved to be their best chance of the half. The home side were then forced to make an early substitution as Alex Feneridis was carried off for a suspected ankle injury.
Magenta felt they had scored a second in the 36th minute when Xewe again headed home, this time from a Paul Poatinda cross, but the goal was called back for offside and the score remained 1-0 going into the break.
Adam Dickinson came on for Keryn Jordan at half-time and made an immediate impact teeing up Matt Williams inside the box for an easy side-footed equaliser in the 47th minute. Five minutes later Daniel Koprivcic broke free of his marker from a throw-in and placed the ball low past Jean Dounezeck for his fourth O-League goal.
Speaking after the match, coach Paul Posa paid credit to the New Caledonians and said his side were fortunate to get the result.
“They were technically very good and well organised so we’re pleased to get the 2-1win.”
Posa said it has been a juggling act getting his side ready for the current O-League and NZFC competitions as well as the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2009 which kicks off on 9 December in Abu Dhabi.
“We’ve been through a couple of intense weeks of training and that has affected how we’ve played but the aim is to come out fresh for the FIFA event next month.”
Meanwhile AS Magenta coach Alain Moizan is fully focused on the O-League and said his side have a renewed sense of belief after today’s match.
“We approached this game with some apprehension after seeing Auckland City beat AS Manu Ura 5-0 in their first match but now we have more hope and confidence that we can match them.”
While admitting that only a win is good enough at this level, Moizan said there were positives to take out of the performance.
“Noel Kaudre usually plays as a forward but he did very well for us in midfield and our youngster Lamo Xewe was particularly impressive.”
For match day three, AS Magenta will play AS Manu Ura while Auckland City and Waitakere United will feature in the top-of-the-table clash.
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Club World Cup December 2009 - UAE |
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