Auckland United Close In On Semi-final Berth After Hard-fought Victory

In a game that lived up to the pre-match hype, defending champions Auckland United FC have beaten Hekari Womens FC 2-1 to all but book their place in the semi-finals of the OFC Women's Champions League.

It was a high-quality encounter between two teams who had met in last year’s final in Honiara, but this match was a step up in quality from that battle won 1-0 by Auckland United.

The Papua New Guinea side brought a physical approach to proceedings and appeared to rattle the New Zealand champions at times, particularly in the first spell.

The opening goal came three minutes from half-time when the ball was lofted into the box. Hekari could only half cleared the ball, with it falling to Alaina Granger who prodded the home from close range.

Whatever Auckland United FC coach Ben Bate said to his players at half-time had the desired impact as his players came out with a real fire in their belly and largely dominated proceedings.

The first goal after the break proved decisive as Auckland United came out of the sheds with a real assertiveness about their play. They doubled their lead in the 55th minute when substitute Ava Pritchard rifled a stunning right footed effort past Betty Sam in the Hekari Women’s FC goal.

Much of Auckland’s attack came down the right where Pia Vlok made a series of dangerous runs and created Auckland’s opening chance of the match but Zoe Benson who scored five goals in the first up win over AS Pirae, fired over the cross bar.

At the other end of the field Ramona Padio, who missed last year’s tournament, was a constant threat for Hekari Women’s FC, and fired a rasping shot just wide of the left-hand post in the 35th minute, in what was the closest her side got to finding the back of the net in the first spell.

For Hekari, Maria Veronika was a rock at the back and twice denied Auckland genuine goal scoring chances, first blocking Auckland captain Talisha Green’s shot in the 40th minute before denying Benson with a block two minutes later.

Hekari's best effort in the second spell came through a Nenny Elipas header which looped just over the bar with 20 minutes remaining, but the reality was Hannah Mitchell in the Auckland United goal was seldom pressed into action.

Late drama saw Hekari Womens pull one back as the match ticked into stoppage time. Shalom Waida nodding in from close range after an excellent corner delivery, but a dramatic late comeback was not forthcoming.

The victory leaves Auckland United on the brink of the semi-finals. Before then however, they face American Samoa's PanSa FC. Hekari Womens FC will look to rebound from today's defeat when they face AS Pirae on Sunday (local Tahiti time).

Hekari Womens FC: 1 (Shalom WAIDA 90')
Auckland United FC: 2 (Alaina GRANGER 42’, Ava PRITCHARD 55’)

HT: 0-1

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