Roy sees red as newcomers hold Waitakere October 25, 2009
Fijian striker Roy Krishna copped a red card and could not help his Waitakere United side overcome O League newcomers AS Magenta of New Caledonia as the hosts held the former champions to a 1-1 draw in Noumea.
Krishna featuring upfront with Benjamin Totori was unable to find the back of the net as the tough and rugged New Caledonian’s guarded their goal well.
AS Magenta had fortune on their side when United defender Aaron Scott inadvertently headed the ball into his own goal in the 78th minute to cancel out Brent Fisher’s first-half strike.
Moments earlier Krishna had been shown a red card by Tahitian referee Norbert Hauata for dangerous play, leaving the visitors with 10 men to defend the slender lead.
United, who won the O-League title in 2007 and 2008, will now have to play catch up after cross-town rivals and defending champions Auckland City beat Tahiti’s AS Manu Ura 5-0 at Kiwitea Street last Saturday.
City currently enjoys a two point advantage on the points table in Group A.
Coach Neil Emblen says he was disappointed not to get a result but was pleased with how his side played in what was their first competitive match of the season.
“We dominated for three quarters of the match but obviously the sending off and own goal changed things,” said Emblen, who has taken over the coaching role after the departure of Chris Milicich last season.
“They were bigger and more physical than I had expected and fair play to them because they came back into it at the end” he told the OFC site.
United dominated the first half playing into a strong breeze and found the breakthrough in the 37th minute when Neil Sykes drove a corner clearance back into the box for Fisher to head over goalkeeper Jean Yan Dounezeck. It was his first goal for the club after playing three seasons for Bodens BK in Sweden.
In a contrasting second half, AS Magenta started to exploit United down the flanks and enjoyed plenty of possession through midfield standouts Noel Kaudre and Pierre Wajoka.
With much at stake for both teams, tempers flared in the 75th minute when Krishna was shown a red card for retaliation. The send off proved costly as AS Magenta went on a fast break minutes later and a deep cross found United defender Aaron Scott whose unchallenged header went into the back of his own net.
United and Magenta now sit second equal in Group A behind Auckland City while Fiji’s Lautoka are top of Group B ahead of Hekari United FC, Tafea FC and Marist FC.
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