Auckland FC has achieved a perfect start to their OFC Pro League campaign, securing two victories out of two matches. Their latest triumph came against Vanuatu United FC at North Harbour Stadium, where they faced a challenging opponent who made the match competitive.
The day began with high hopes for football fans as the earlier game between Bula FC and South Island United was unfortunately called off due to heavy rain. Fortunately, the weather improved, allowing Auckland FC and Vanuatu United to play in the evening match.
Auckland FC’s head coach, Luke Casserly, made significant changes to the lineup that had earned a win just days earlier, bringing in nine new players. One of these changes, Luke Vicelich, made an immediate impact, scoring just eight minutes into the game. He rose to meet a long throw from Ronan Wynne, directing a header over the Vanuatu goalkeeper, Matt Acton, as their defender Raymond Diho struggled to clear.
Despite the early setback, Vanuatu United started the match strongly. However, they faced further adversity when Emiliano Tade was fouled in the penalty area. After a VAR review, a penalty was awarded, which Tade confidently converted to increase Auckland’s advantage to 2-0.
Vanuatu United, undeterred, continued to push back. Young goalkeeper Blake Callinan made several key saves, denying Owen Smith and Hassan Ramazani from finding the net and keeping Auckland FC in the lead.
The persistence of Vanuatu United finally paid off shortly after halftime when Alex Saniel struck a powerful shot from outside the box. A deflection off his teammate Jordy Tasip caused confusion for Callinan, finding the corner of the net and narrowing Auckland’s lead to 2-1.
The goal unsettled Auckland FC momentarily, prompting coach Casserly to make strategic substitutions. It was Matt Ellis, who had come on as a substitute, that made a decisive difference. He connected well with Isa Prins, unleashing a powerful shot that found the far corner of the net and restored Auckland’s two-goal cushion at 3-1.
Vanuatu United’s Luka Tioni nearly added to the drama with a low strike in stoppage time, but Callinan was there to make a crucial save. Despite the defeat, Vanuatu United can take pride in their performance and the resilience they displayed throughout the match.
Auckland FC looks forward to their next game of Round 1 with a perfect record and confidence from their recent performances. The outcome highlights the competitive spirit of the league and sets an exciting tone for future matches.
Final Score: Auckland FC 3, Vanuatu United 1.
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