Soccer: League leaders battle to stalemate

NZFC

Waitakere United 1
Auckland City 1

Waitakere United held Auckland City to a draw at Fred Taylor Park yesterday but it may not be enough to derail their rivals' march to the NZFC league title.

Auckland and Waitakere are level at the top of the table with 20 points each, but Auckland have a far better goal difference and two games in hand in the race to earn an automatic place in next season's O-League.

Waitakere player-coach Neil Emblen was disappointed not to derail Auckland's unbeaten run but philosophical about the result.

"I thought we were really unlucky at the end," he said. "In the last 20 minutes we had four clear-cut chances to win the game.

"We've got to win every game now and they've got to stuff up. They've got to play Manawatu twice and that won't be easy.

"It looks like we'll both make the playoffs and we've got to take heart from the fact they lost five games last season and ended up winning everything."

The big crowd of 2238 were treated to some quality football but some indifferent finishing.

The first half was scoreless despite several decent chances. Auckland midfielder Adam McGeorge managed to bounce a long-range shot off the crossbar after 10 minutes and Brent Fisher laid on a perfect pass for Allan Pearce seven minutes later but the unmarked Waitakere striker headed wide.

Chad Coombes had a good chance to put the visitors ahead when Grant Young headed the ball into his path with the goal at his mercy but his shot hit the upright and stayed out.

The deadlock was broken in the 53rd minute. Ian Hogg made good ground out wide and Coombes headed home for his first NZFC goal this season.

Waitakere's equaliser came in the 70th minute after a period of intense pressure. Auckland failed to clear a left-wing corner and, after several players had flailed at the loose ball, Tim Myers got the decisive touch.

Waitakere ramped up the pressure and they were on top over the closing stages but despite plenty of magic from Benjamin Totori, who left a string of defenders in his wake, the finish wasn't there.

Perhaps the best chance came in the 82nd minute when Totori crossed from the left but substitute Ryan de Vries couldn't finish the job from close range.

"It was a really good, tight game," said Auckland coach Paul Posa. "They're a very good team and they raised their game from last week.

"Both teams played well and had periods of dominance but neither could afford to lose and I think that was reflected in the way they played. I think we can still play better but I can have no complaints about the result."

Emblen, who pondered not playing, had his hand forced when All White Aaron Scott failed a fitness test. In the event Emblen and youngsters Myers and Jack Pelter sealed a solid Waitakere defence.

Next weekend Waitakere are at home to Otago and Auckland are away to Waikato.