Striker Garbhan Coughlan shone brightly for the NZFFI Manukau Stars, scoring a remarkable hat-trick in their thrilling 3-2 victory against the AuFFI All Stars during the 2024 Pacific Community Cup in Lautoka. This win marked a significant comeback for the Manukau Stars, who demonstrated resilience and skill on the field.
The AuFFI All Stars, buoyed by their recent 2-1 triumph over Navua the previous night, came into the match with confidence and struck first, with striker Praneet Singh finding the back of the net in the 23rd minute. However, Coughlan leveled the score late in the first half with a penalty, showcasing his coolness under pressure.
In the second half, Coughlan continued his impressive performance, netting two more goals that put the Kiwis in a strong position. Despite facing a daunting challenge from the AuFFI All Stars, who pressed fiercely in the latter stages of the game, a mistake from goalkeeper Joshua Precious allowed the All Stars to score an own goal, closing the gap but ultimately not enough to clinch a win.
With this result, both teams find themselves with three points as they head into the final day of the competition. The Manukau Stars will take on Navua at 4:15 PM, while the AuFFI All Stars will face Lautoka at 6:45 PM, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the tournament.
This match exemplifies the spirit of competition in the Pacific Community Cup, with teams showing determination and skill. As the tournament progresses, fans can look forward to more exhilarating performances from the teams involved, highlighting the growing talent in the region.
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