Auckland thrash Madang

MADANG FC coach Maurie Wasi says his side went into the OFC ChampionsLeague to “play some football” and put quality side Auckland City FC under pressure and they did, despite losing 5-0 yesterday at Auckland’s Trusts Arena.
In the other game, Lautoka FC of Fiji beat AS Venus 2-1.
Auckland City and Lautoka are through to the OFC Champions League quarterfinals after confirming themselves as the top two in Group C with a match to spare although Lautoka needed a winner to book their ticket.
Auckland were too good for Madang while Samuela Drudru was the hero for Lautoka, scoring two second half goals including a 92nd minute winner to beat AS Venus 2-1 and send his side to the playoff stage.
With two wins from two matches apiece, the pair’s clash on Saturday will now determine who finishes top of the group and earns home advantage in the quarterfinals in early April.
Auckland coach Ramon Tribulietx was satisfied with another large victory that sees his side just needing a draw against Lautoka to secure top spot in the group. “We take it game-by-game and we understood some of the matches against the Island teams become difficult because they are very aggressive. Madang are very quick and they really pressed us for long periods,” Tribulietx said.
“The game saw a little bit more of transition in the later stages because the players got tired but we’re really happy with the result.”
Madang coach Maurie Wasi was pleased with the application of his side though disappointed to be out of the quarterfinals, reckoning he was happy his side went down swinging.
“When we came out to play this game we said we will go and have a go. I said to the boys if we have to lose to them we might as well try to play some football and put them under pressure and we used our front players to create some chances,” he said.
“Many teams that play Auckland perhaps show them too much respect. We wanted to be positive but at the end their quality showed.”
Madang and AS Venus will get the opportunity to finish their OFC campaign on a positive note when the two sides meet on Saturday at 1pm while the Group C decider between Auckland City and Lautoka kicks off at 4pm. – OFC