Soccer: Waitakere suffer heavy first leg defeat

Benjamin Totori failed to covert chances for Waitakere. Photo / Richard Robinson

Waitakere United left themselves a mountain to climb to retain their O-League soccer title after they were beaten 1-3 by Kossa FC in first leg of the final in Honiara today.

Kossa striker Joe Luwi struck twice in the final five minutes of the first half to give the home side a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Waitakere closed the gap in the 49th minute with a vital away goal by Jonathan Perry only to see Kossa extend their lead with late goal through James Naka.

With an away goal in hand, Waitakere will need to win by at least a 2-0 margin in the return leg in Auckland on May 11 to retain the title.

In 31degC heat and in front of a crowd estimated at 20,000, Kossa settled quickest.

Much of the inspiration for the home side was coming from the impressive Naka.

Waitakere were without injured skipper Danny Hay and looked out of sorts although Benjamin Totori and Commins Menapi did get a share of chances.

Down 0-2, Waitakere launched waves of attacks and were finally rewarded when central defender Perry scored from close range after a Neil Sykes corner.

After surviving a number of Waitakere raids, Kossa came back through Naka who capped a man of the match performance with goal in the 85th minute.

- NZPA