Warriors 5-4 Lae City
OFC: THE country’s Oceania Club Championship rep Solomon Warriors came from behind twice to beat brave Lae City Dwellers (LCD) 5-4 in their final group match yesterday in the wet QBE stadium.
Warriors have finished their campaign on a high following a nine-goal thriller to defeat Papua New Guinean debutants Lae City Dwellers 5-4.
The start of the match was delayed due to wet conditions at Auckland’s QBE Stadium and when it finally got underway it was clear that both sides were gunning for victory.
Lae skipper Raymond Gunemba gave his side the lead after just three minutes when his intended cross bounced off Warriors’ keeper Anthony Talo to trickle over the goal line.
The sides were back on level terms four minutes later courtesy of Brian Kaltack’s spectacular drive from just outside the area.
The Dwellers restored their lead in the 34th minute after the unlucky Fred Fakari turned the ball into his own net following a miscued cross by Nigel Dabinyaba.
But it was back to equal football when Lae City defender Valentine Nelson put an attempted clearance into his own net for the second own goal of the half.
The non-stop action continued after the break with the Warriors taking the lead through Jerry Donga who did well to force his way around the advancing goalkeeper Ronald Warisan before rolling into the empty net.
Solomon’s lead lasted just seven minutes as the dangerous Dabinyaba powered down the right flank to find the far corner with a low drive.
Michael Foster converted from the penalty spot after a handball inside the box by Warriors captain Haddis Aengari but the Warriors equalised straight away courtesy of a Molea Tigi strike that bounced in off the upright.
Lae City pushed forward desperately searching for their maiden Champions League victory but the Warriors held their nerve to grab the points with an 87th minute winner.
Jerry Donga was on target again for his second of the match after pouncing on a blocked shot from Kensi Tangis at the edge of the box.
Warriors coach Moses Toata heaped praise on his players following the entertaining encounter.
“Certainly, I am very happy for the boys and firstly I want to thank the boys for their effort today, for me they played very exciting football,” he said.
“The conditions were not easy today, especially in the beginning it was very wet, but the boys did well to settle down for a 5-4 win. It’s a good result for me.”
Meanwhile, his Lae City counterpart Peter Gunemba couldn’t hide his disappointment.
“We lost all three games and I accept the first two defeats but in this one I’m not happy with my players especially with my defenders at the back. They were poor and slow in their decision-making and in their counter-attack and that’s what cost us the game.
“Overall our first Champions League has been a great experience. We learned a lot and I love this tournament. If we get a chance to play in it next year we will give our very, very best.”
– OFC
