KEY POINTS:
Auckland City 6
AS Manu Ura 0
Auckland City have quickly put their stake in the ground with a crushing win over Tahitian side AS Manu Ura, giving new coach Colin Tuaa a dream start to City's O-League campaign.
As the first step towards a hoped-for return to
Fifa's World Club Cup as the Oceania Football Confederation representative, their effort at the Croatian Cultural Society's McLeod Rd ground on Saturday could not have been more emphatic.
Their cause was helped on the half hour when Fijian referee Rakesh Varman sent off Manu Ura goalkeeper Daniel Tapeta after he clattered City midfielder Jeff Campbell in a vain attempt to gather the ball on the edge of his penalty area.
With Keryn Jordan smartly beating replacement custodian Jonathan Torohia from the spot for 2-0 - Jordan had opened the scoring in the sixth minute when he gathered and scored after Tapeta had spilled the ball - the home side were never challenged.
Any hope the French Polynesian champions might rally was dashed when coach Teivitau Pito was forced to drag striker Hiashi Kake to make way for his replacement goalkeeper.
At times there were hints Billy Mataitai and Auguste Washetine might ask questions of the City defence but they rarely posed any serious threat.
With new captain Ben Sigmund leading the way, the City defence was accomplished and never under serious pressure. The pace Rupesh Puna and James Pritchett provided from fullback only added to Manu Ura woes.
Back to full fitness and without suffering the effects of a dreary winter season in heavy conditions, Bryan Little was lively and added midfield spark and go-forward allowing former Korean international Ki-Hyung Lee to play his favoured deep midfield role.
While not the standout player in the fast-paced, entertaining game, Lee still showed enough to suggest he will quickly become a vital cog in City's drive for the O-League and New Zealand Football Championship crowns.
Chad Coombes, handed an attacking spot ahead of pre-season workhorse Paul Urlovic, had to perform to justify Tuaa's call.
In 90 minutes devoid of the silly stuff that has often marred his play, Coombes was everywhere. He capped his effort with a well-volleyed 52nd-minute goal to make it 4-0 and then set up substitute Urlovic for the 79th minute goal that completed the rout.
Goal-grabbing regulars Jordan (2) and Grant Young earned City their 3-0 halftime lead. Coombes, Campbell and Urlovic grabbed one each.
For City, who lost nothing in having to head west to play on another well-presented pitch as renovations continue at their Kiwitea St headquarters, it was a similar first-up effort to last season's start.
Manu Ura must quickly regroup or they could find themselves returning home empty-handed after Wednesday's encounter with defending O-League champions Waitakere United at Fred Taylor Park.
In the group B opener in Honiara, visiting Tafea FC (Vanuatu) came back from 0-1 to draw 1-1 with Solomon Islands champions Kossa FC.
Joe Luwi, set up by former Auckland City striker Reg Davani, buried a ripper to give the hosts the lead. Substitute Alphonse Welin Qorig grabbed the equaliser 10 minutes later.
Tafea now travel to Fiji for their second match against Ba tomorrow.