Oceania pair inseparable

Words: OFC Media

Monday 23 April 2018

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - As many fans expected, New Zealand domestic rivals Team Wellington and Auckland City FC were inseparable in the first leg of their OFC Champions League semi-final which ended in a 0-0 draw at Dave Farrington Park in Wellington on Sunday.

Having most recently met in a tightly contested national Premiership Grand Final, which Auckland City FC won 1-0, today’s first meeting between the two sides at regional level since the 2017 OFC Champions League final was expected to be another close race.

The Navy Blues staggering cleansheet record continued as the Ramon Tribulietx-coached side made it 15 shut-outs in a row in all competitions - three of those featuring Team Wellington who have now gone 282 minutes without scoring against the New Zealand and Oceania champions.

While the home side were quickest to find their rhythm, it was Auckland City FC who had the first decent chance when an Emiliano Tade free kick was curled just over the cross bar just on 10 minutes.

Neither the @TeamWelly nor @AucklandCity_FC defences were unlocked, but it took a couple of big saves, including this one by Eñaut Zubikarai, to keep the @OFCfootball Champions League first leg score at https://t.co/QVJNwpteK0
— mycujoo (@mycujoo) April 22, 2018

The Navy Blues’ confidence grew as Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi forced a fantastic save from Team Wellington’s goalkeeper Scott Basalaj.

Wellington weren’t without chances of their own, Angus Kilkolly’s one vs. one effort with City’s Enaut Zubikarai was a close call and a short time later he had another brilliant opportunity which he put just over the cross bar on the volley.

As the clock started counting down in the second half not even the introduction of fleet-footed playmaker Micah Lea’alafa could break down Team Wellington’s defences, while the home side were finding it equally difficult to challenge their rivals.

Auckland City FC coach Ramon Tribulietx also pointed to the two legs being a factor requiring consideration, but was certainly disappointed an away goal wasn’t forthcoming.

“I’m happy with the effort and the way we competed,” he said.

“We know the difficulties of travelling down here. We didn’t get an away goal which is not good for us, but the way we competed in the game, especially in the moments were it became very even, very transitional, we were good.

“We also didn’t concede and that’s important too.”

Tribulietx pointed to a couple of clear cut chances for his side having the potential to of changed the outcome, but said his side were also let off in a couple of cases as well, with Team Wellington getting opportunities too.

“We had to concentrate on not letting them get chances where they can hurt you and score, it’s difficult and at times our approach worked but at others it didn’t. That’s what we need to look at ahead of next week.”

Team Wellington coach Jose Figueira said with any match the objective is to win, but given the semi-final extends over two legs he’s happy with how today’s match turned out.

“We said earlier in the week, it’s not just one match. It’s 180 minutes of a semi-final and we’re only half way through it now,” he explained.

“I think today we gave absolutely everything and it was a shame we didn’t take one of the clear cut chances we had to give us an advantage going into next week’s match.”

The two sides will meet again in the second leg of the fixture in one week’s time, this time at Kiwitea Street in Auckland where there will be everything to play for.

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