A double from All Whites midfielder Andre de Jong has helped Eastern Suburbs overcome crosstown rivals Waitakere United, while Team Wellington were held by the Canterbury United Dragons at home in match week eight of the ISPS Handa Premiership.

Danny Hay’s Eastern Suburbs, who were edged in a close battle last weekend with the FIFA Club World Cup-bound Team Wellington, bounced back today with a 2-0 win over five-time champions Waitakere United.

Suburbs’ de Jong, who earlier this year scored his first goal for New Zealand in their win over India, caught the Waitakere final line of defence off guard and then hammered in a good finish in the 59^th minute. He put the game to bed when he converted a penalty in the 86^th minute. The Lily Whites are now third on the table, three points back from frontrunners Auckland City who have a perfect winning record and a game in hand.

Former All Whites defender Hay was pleased with the professionalism of the performance.

“We were patient in the first half,” said Hay. “They had numbers behind the ball and made life difficult for us. We created a few half chances in the first half but I think the performance in the second half was that much more polished and clinical.”

Meanwhile in the capital, Team Wellington were looking to continue their winning form against last season’s semi-finalists Canterbury United Dragons at David Farrington Park. 

The Jose Figueira coached side were impressive last week in the win over Suburbs, but they succumbed to their second home draw when the Dragons came from behind to claim a point.

The two-time champions took lead heading into the break when pressure from the home team saw Sean Liddicoat turn the ball into the back of his own net.

The Dragons, who are fifth on the ISPS Handa Premiership table, hung in there and scored in the 75^th minute through Maksym Kowal. The Canadian, who would go on to be red carded in the final minutes of the game, hit a powerful strike that beat Team Wellington’s keeper Scott Basalaj at the near post.

Figueira said it was a disappointing result as they felt they deserved more from the game.

“We should have been really out of sight in the first half,” said Figueira. “We have to commend their goalkeeper Conor [Tracey] who was absolutely outstanding today and produced three world-class saves.”

There are three more fixtures in Round Eight of the ISPS Handa Premiership on tomorrow. 

ISPS Handa Premiership Match Week Eight Results:
Waitakere United 0
Eastern Suburbs 2 (Andre de Jong 59’, 86’)
HT: 0-0

Team Wellington 1 (Own goal – Sean Liddicoat 44’)
Canterbury United 1 (Maksym Kowal 75’)
HT: 1-0

For the ISPS Handa Premiership table click here

Article added: Saturday 01 December 2018