Soccer: Auckland City beat Amicale FC to claim OFC title

Celebrations as Auckland City FC claim the Oceania Football Club Champions League title for the fourth time in a row.

Auckland City FC are Oceania Champions for an unprecedented fourth consecutive time after a dramatic 2-1 win (3-2 on aggregate) over Amicale FC in their OFC Champions League Final Second Leg encounter at Kiwitea Street on Sunday afternoon.

The first half was a pulsating affair with both teams having their opportunities to open the scoring the first big chance coming in the 27th minute when Navy Blues skipper Ivan Vicelich bought down Sanni Issa in the penalty area and referee Norbert Hauata had no hesitation pointing to the spot.

Scottish defender Colin Marshall stepped up but sent the ball left where Tamati Williams was able to get his fingertips to the ball to stop Amicale going one goal up.

However disappointment soon turned into joy for Amicale fans when Issa sent the ball to an unmarked Kensi Tangis to put the visitors 1-0 ahead and crucially 2-1 up on aggregate.

The Navy Blues pulled one back in the 67th minute when Ryan De Vries tapped in behind Amicale custodian Chikau Mansale to bring the aggregate scores level once again.

The tie took another twist in the 87th minute when the shadow of extra time and penalties were looming golden boot winner Emiliano Tade found the back of the net to score the winner the Navy Blues were looking for booking their 6th FIFA Club World Cup appearance.

Coach Ramon Tribulietx was clearly happy with the result despite the few nervous moments during the game he said: "I nearly had a heart attack, I think it went our way we played a fantastic game, they also had a fantastic game they had a lot of chances themselves and could have won it, they would have deserved it as well."

With this result The Navy Blues complete a clean sweep of the domestic titles something that has not been achieved since the Auckland City FC side of 2006 managed the same feat under former coach Allan Jones.

Emiliano Tade finished level as OFC Champions League golden boot winner, tied on six strikes with Naea Bennett of AS Pirae.

Tade becomes the first player with a New Zealand club to win both the ASB Premiership golden boot and OFC Champions League golden boot in the same season.

Auckland City FC have now won six continental titles and advance to the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco in December.

The victory has earned the club, New Zealand Football and the member clubs of the ASB Premiership a windfall of $580,000 NZD minimum in prize money, a sum that could increase depending upon performances at the Club World Cup later this year.

Auckland City FC also completed a clean sweep of ASB Premiership, ASB minor premiership, ASB Charity Cup, ASB Youth League and OFC Champions League trophies for the first time in it's ten year history.