Words: ACFC Media
Saturday 27 May 2023
PORT VILA, Vanuatu - Auckland City FC have defended their continental title and secured their place at the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup with a 4-2, extra-time victory over Suva FC in Saturday’s 2023 OFC Champions League Final at Port Vila’s Freshwater Stadium.
Angus Kilkolly and Ryan De Vries gave City a two goal lead in the break before Suva came back to level the scores and sending the title decider into 30 minutes of extra-time.
With the pressure mounting the New Zealand champions kept their nerve and composure to seal their elevenths Champions League title courtesy of Golden Ball winner Cam Howieson and Golden Boot winner De Vries.
The Navy Blues were in control during the early exchanges with Dylan Manickum and Kilkolly both hitting the target to call Suva’s Golden Glove winner keeper Akuila Mateisuva into action.
With the Fijians offering little threat in an attacking sense the Navy Blues took a deserved lead when Nathan Lobo was fouled inside the box by Ravnesh Karen Singh allowing Kilkolly to convert from the penalty spot.
De Vries came off the bench to replace Manickum and he soon doubled City’s advantage with a superb volley giving no chance for the Suva gloveman.
Mateisuva kept this side in the contest with a brilliant save keeping out a powerful close range header from Mario Ilich early in the second half, before City found themselves a man down in the 60th minute as Gerard Garriga was controversially sent off for a second yellow card.
Suva made their numerical advantage count just minutes later with Alex Saniel heading home before more drama followed as Solomon Islands international Marlon Tahioa’s shot took a wicked deflection before passing Conor Tracey in the 84th minute, forcing the final into extra-time.
The playing numbers were levelled when Vanuatu international Azariah Soromon was red carded for a second bookable offence in the 98th minute and ten minutes later substitute Liam Gillion set up Howieson with a lovely through ball as the City captain took full advantage with a clinical finish.
De Vries put the icing on the cake with his fifth goal of the tournament to put the result beyond any doubt in the final minutes.
Auckland City FC will now represent the Oceania region at the prestigious 2023 FIFA Club World Cup later in the year in Saudi Arabia.
Ends
Match result
2023 OFC Champions League - FINAL
Saturday, 27 May 2023
VFF Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Auckland City FC: 4 (Angus KILKOLLY, 34’-pen, Ryan DE VRIES 45+2, 120', Cam HOWIESON 108')
Suva FC: 2 (Alex SANIEL, 66', Marlon TAHIOA, 84’ )
HT: 2-0
AC 1. Conor TRACEY (GK) 2. Mario ILICH, 3. Adam MITCHELL, 5. Michael Den HEIJER, 7. Cam HOWIESON (c), 8. Gerard GARRIGA, 9. Angus KILKOLLY, (19. Liam GILLION, 90+1), 10. Dylan MANICKUM, (11. Ryan DE VRIES, 39’), 14. Jordan VALE, (22. Tong ZHOU 86’), 13. Nathan LOBO, 16. Joe LEE (12. Regont MURATI, 69’)
SUBS NOT USED: 24. Joe WALLIS (GK), 4. Christian GRAY, 6. Dan MORGAN, 15. Aidan CAREY, 23. Matt ELLIS,
Coach: Albert RIERA
Assistant coach: Ivan VICELICH
Goalkeeper coach: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
Technical: Adria CASALS
Physiotherapist: Matt PAYNE
Logistics Manager: Keith COTON
General Manager: Gordon WATSON
Saturday 4 May 2024, Bay Park, 3pm
Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | AC | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 7 | 18 | |
2 | WS | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 6 | 18 | |
3 | BU | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 6 | 13 | |
4 | ES | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 | 12 | |
5 | BO | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 12 | 12 | |
6 | MN | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 10 | |
7 | AU | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 9 | |
8 | TC | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 19 | 6 | |
9 | MU | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 25 | 3 | |
10 | WR | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 2 | |
11 | EB | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 2 | |
12 | HW | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 18 | 2 |