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Tade goal saves the day

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 11 March 2017

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Emiliano Tade made sure Auckland City FC started their OFC Champions League with a 2-1 victory but only after a valiant effort by Western United in Mangere today.

This is a game Western United will look back on with a sense of what might have been after they took the lead late in the first half after James Naka tapped home a rebound off the post from a Henry Fa'arodo free-kick.

United set themselves out in a disciplined shape engineered towards blocking the passing lanes and they made Auckland City FC labour for long periods to break them down then failing to score from gilt-edged opportunities.

Two chances early in the match - one for Clayton Lewis and the other for Ryan De Vries - were both blocked by either the goalkeeper Anthony Talo or cleared by a covering defender which only led to a growing anxiety among the Navy Blues.

Mitigating this was Western United's inability to open Auckland City FC up to create chances of their own although whenever Benjamin Totori got on the ball there was cause for concern.

Totori's threat was mostly nullified as he sought to exploit narrow gaps between the fullbacks and Marko Dordevic and Angel Berlanga but it was a danger that often led to the former Wellington Phoenix and Waitakere United dangerman being swamped by opponents.

When Totori did get clear in the second half to cut the ball back for Moffat Kilifa the latter's downward header caused concern when the ball only just missed the target. Had Western United picked off a second goal the outcome of the match would've been far less certain for the Navy Blues.

Patience and craft were two key qualities Auckland City FC retain in abundance and when Emiliano Tade arrived as a substitute midway through the second half the match began to turn.

Tade was at the centre of Auckland City FC's best moves. The first came from a free-kick when Lewis neatly laid off a ball for Tade to loft then volley gently over the wall for De Vries to get clear of the defence.

The wind - which played a big part in Western United's goal - complicated the finish for De Vries who had found plenty of space but had to wait for the ball to catch up before shanking his shot under pressure.

Tade turned provider for the equaliser, again from a free-kick, this time finding Darren White who jumped unmark to head beyond Talo and Nelson Sale who stood firmly rooted to the ground into an empty net.

When Sale saw his second yellow card then red Western United's hopes disappeared with him and allowed Tade to find space after his shot was blocked before Freddie Kini bundled him over for a stick-on penalty.

Tade went left, Talo right, and Auckland City FC discovered just enough to eke out a 2-1 win that sets them up strongly for Wednesday's big clash with Lae City Dwellers who overcame Malampa Revivors 5-2 in the opening match.

Lae City Dwellers top the group on goal difference but will have much to do if they are to topple Auckland City FC. Last season's narrow 2-1 defeat will give the Papua New Guinea side plenty to ponder ahead of the next match.

For Western United their hopes of progressing took heavy damage but they will rightfully target the Revivors for retribution then hope Lae City Dwellers can pick up something off the defending champions.

Ends

Match Result

OFC Champions League
Saturday 11 March, 2017
Auckland City FC 2 (Darren White, Emiliano Tade)
Western United 1 (James Naka)
Halftime: 0-1
Nelson Sale red card 80th minute

Next Match

OFC Champions League
Wednesday 15 March, 2017
Auckland City FC v Lae City Dwellers
Centre Park, Mangere
Kick-off: 4pm NZST
#AUCvLAE