The goal-scoring feast on the first day of the Oceania Club Championships became almost a famine in second day action at North Harbour Stadium.
Only five goals were scored, with Fijian representatives Nokia Eagles United snatching a dramatic 2-2 draw with YoungHeart Manawatu with a stunning late equaliser.
The earlier
game was a dour struggle, eventually decided with a stoppage time goal earning Vanuatu's Tafea FC their 1-0 win over AS Magenta (New Caledonia).
Later, in a more-action affair, the Fijians dominated early against a Manawatu side who struggled to master the no-nonsense approach of their physically imposing opponents.
Attacking almost at will, the Fijians had the Manawatu defence under pressure. As early as the third minute, Osea Vakatalesau was left free at the far post from where he blasted over Hayden Englefield's goal.
Five minutes later, Pita Bolatoga burst through the offside trap, got deep but then fired his attempt across the face of the goal.
Malakai Tiwa just cleared the crossbar with a freekick as the pressure continued to mount.
That endeavour was rewarded in the 18th minute when Andy Boyens upended Vakatalesau and captain Apisalome Turuva blasted the resultant penalty home.
After a fluffed earlier attempt when he miscued a good ball played in by his captain Ian Robinson, Manawatu's Commins Menapi, with the suggestion of an errant hand, buried his close range 39th minute attempt after an initial shot from Campbell Banks.
The home side lifted their game after the break going ahead for the first time in the 54th minute when Banks beat his marker before calmly pulling the ball back to Benjamin Totori who blasted home.
That lead survived until the 75th minute when, from 35m, Marika Namaqa unleashed an amazing strike which clipped the underside of the crossbar before threatening to rip the net to shreds.
The all-island curtain-raiser, the third game of the tournament, was by comparison a tame affair.
The game-breaking goal came in the 93rd minute when substitute Manley Tabe pumped a long-range freekick from near the sideline towards the penalty spot from where Fedy Vava swooped to provide the finishing touch.
