Madang score maiden OFC win

MADANG FC claimed their maiden Oceania Football Confederation Champions League win by outclassing Samoa’s Lupe Ole Soaga 4-3 in a see-sawing seven-goal Group A thriller at Stade Numa Daly in Noumea, New Caledonia, yesterday.
Madang’s Samuel Kini scored the match-winner in the 85th minute and defended stoutly, seeing off the Samoan champions with five minutes of extra time.
Both teams were chasing their first points in the group but Madang put in a composed effort despite the free-flowing nature of the contest. The victory for Madang is a record in itself as current NSL champion, Lae City Dwellers, failed to bag a win on debut last year.
They lost to Amicale (3-0), Auckland City (2-1) and Solomon Warriors (5-4).
Veteran campaigner Kini and super-sub Michael Tole were the toasts of the Madang camp, scoring the last two goals after trailing 3-2 in the second half.
Tole substituted Solomon Mapai in the 66st minute and gave everything he had.
He missed a golden opportunity just a few metres from Samoa goalkeeper Jack Kemp with a flat shot that had little power on it.
He found the equaliser on the 82nd minute to force a draw 3-3.
The evergreen Kini then added his own stamp on the game in the 85th minute.
Madang led 2-1 at half-time.
The two goals from Madang came from Patrick Aisa (5th), who levelled the scores after the opening goal from Samoa’s Cherbel Khouchaba in the 3rd minute. Madang play AS Magenta tomorrow.