As expected, over 8,000 boisterous Amicale fans packed into Port Vila Stadium as their team attempted to repeat their heroics of 2011, when they made it all the way to the final before finishing as runners-up to Auckland City. But they had little to cheer about in a match of few clear-cut chances and were silenced when Krishna burst forward and tumbled over in the box under the challenge of Amicale skipper Nelson Sale.
Tahitian referee Averii Jacques, not phased by the protestations of the vocal home fans, pointed to the spot and Krishna himself stepped up to finish off his handiwork. But his powerful effort struck the underside of the cross bar and bounced in front of goal before the Amicale defence swarmed to clear the ball to safety, much to the delight of the Amicale faithful.
Marshall, who emphasised the importance of his men taking their chances in the build-up to the match, must have been concerned that Waitakere would be left to rue that missed opportunity but those fears were eased when Krishna made amends just under ten minutes later.
The Amicale defence proved to be their own worst enemy when veteran goalkeeper Chikau Mansale and Sale appeared to get their wires crossed on the edge of the box, both leaving the ball for each other to claim as Krishna took advantage of their indecision to nip in between them and prod an effort home.
It appeared as if the sides would go into the break with Waitakere holding that slim advantage but it had doubled by the time Jacques blew for half-time, Krishna meeting a Ryan De Vries cross from the right at the near post to beat Mansale from close range in the second minute of additional time.
