Auckland City FC has recovered from a first half deficit to beat the Solomon Warriors 3-1 in the opening match of the 2023 OFC Champions League.
A red card five minutes into the second half for Solomon Warriors goalkeeper Timothy Maearasia for a foul in the box on Auckland City striker Angus Kilkolly changed the game.
Kilkolly duly converted from the penalty spot shooting to the left of replacement goalkeeper Joseph Komu in the 55th minute.
From there a second appeared inevitable with the Solomon Warriors down to ten men for more than 30 minutes,
The Solomon Warriors defence held firm until the 77th minute when a half chance inside the box was pounced on by Spanish import Gerrard Garriga who rifled the ball into the left-hand corner. Garriga was named player of the match.
Substitute Ryan De Vries sealed the three points for the defending champions five minutes later with a header, unmarked from the six-yard line.
Earlier the Solomon Warriors had started the match full of purpose and took the lead in the 9th minute with a powerful strike from Molea Tigi that took a deflection and left Conor Tracey in the Auckland City goal with no chance.
The 5,000 strong crowd were passionate in their support for both teams but were especially vocal whenever the Solomon Warriors had the ball.
Auckland City dominated possession with the Solomon Warriors content to sit back and try to catch them on the counter.
Auckland City captain Cam Howieson squandered a golden opportunity to level the scores in the 19th minute when he opted not to shoot when free inside the box instead, squaring the ball to Kilkolly who slipped, and the chance went begging. Minutes later Kilkolly volleyed over the crossbar from a corner.
The Solomon Warriors then created a terrific opportunity to extend their lead with a sweeping attack resulting in Harrison Mala sprinting clear down the left-hand touchline, but his cross was dealt with by Tracey in the Auckland City goal.
The 10 times champions should have been on level terms five minutes before the break as the rain pelted down, but Maearasia in the Solomon Warriors goal pulled off a tremendous save to deny Kilkolly whose thunderous left foot effort was tipped over the crossbar.
Auckland City FC 3 ( Angus KILKOLLY 55, Gerrard GARRIGA ,77 Ryan DE VRIES, 82)
Solomon Warriors FC: 1 (Molea TIGI 9, )
CHECK OUT THE KICK-OFF TIMES AND FULL MATCH SCHEDULE HERE
Catch ALL 15 matches in the OFC Champions League 2023 in Vanuatu streaming LIVE and free here on OFC TV on the OFC website. Information will be updated below accordingly. All times local:
MATCH DAY ONE
14 May
1200 Auckland City FC v Solomon Warriors – WATCH HERE
1500 Suva FC v Lupe Ole Soaga – WATCH HERE
15 May
1200 AS Pirae v Tiga Sport – WATCH HERE
1500 Ifira Black Bird v Hekari United – WATCH HERE
MATCH DAY TWO
17 May
1200 Solomon Warriors v Lupe Ole Soaga – WATCH HERE
1500 Suva FC v Auckland City FC – WATCH HERE
18 May
1200 Tiga Sport v Hekari United – WATCH HERE
1500 Ifira Black Bird v AS Pirae – WATCH HERE
MATCH DAY THREE
20 May
1200 Lupe Ole Soaga v Auckland City FC – WATCH HERE
1500 Solomon Warriors v Suva FC – WATCH HERE
21 May
1200 Hekari United v AS Pirae – WATCH HERE
1500 Tiga Sport v Ifira Black Bird – WATCH HERE
SEMI-FINALS
24 May
1130 Winner Group A v Runner Up Group B – WATCH HERE
1500 Winner Group B v Runner Up Group A – WATCH HERE
FINAL
27 May
1400 WATCH HERE
