The inaugural OFC Futsal Champions League has ended in bronze for Auckland after the New Zealand representatives earned a comprehensive victory in the play-off for third.

The historic event was held on New Zealand shores at the Barfoot and Thompson Stadium in Auckland but the home side missed out on a place in the final as Kooline FC took the title back to the Solomon Islands.

Auckland tool on AS Pirae for third place and had far too much class for the Tahitians, romping to a 7-0 victory.

Josh Margetts gave Auckland the lead and they were two goals up by the break when Hamish Grey scored directly from a corner.

Pirae pushed hard to get back into the game but the quality of the hosts’ finishing made the difference.

When Thomas Picken finished from a second-half corner, Auckland were well in command.

Adam Larce-Paulsen’s superb first touch took him clear of the defence and he rounded the goalkeeper to make it 4-0, capping a memorable week for one of the youngest players of the tournament.

A sensational pass from Marvin Eakins found the superb Grey, who completed his double with a wonderful turn and finish.

Pirae had no alternative but to fly their goalkeeper and, when the French Polynesians lost possession, Stephen Ashby-Peckham rolled the ball into an empty net.

Sean McIntee was another who completed a fine week’s work, rolling home from a wide angle to make it 7-0.

Player-coach Eakins was pleased with his side’s final outing of the competition.

“We had been hoping to get this kind of performance a few games earlier but we’re really happy that it came together and we could get some goals in that last game,” he said.

“It’s been such a great tournament to be part of, the standards were really high. It’s certainly a step above our national league, so it’s going to be exciting for future New Zealand teams to play in this.”

There was further recognition in the post-tournament awards for Auckland, who received the fair play award while Larce-Paulsen picked up the Atta Elayyan Award – named in memory of the former Futsal Whites goalkeeper – as young player of the tournament.

Match Details

Auckland 7 (Josh Margetts 4’, Hamish Grey 17’, 31’, Thomas Picken 23’, Adam Larce-Paulsen 29’, Stephen Ashby-Peckham 32’, Sean McIntee 34’)
AS Pirae 0
HT: 2-0

Story courtesy of OFC Media 

Article added: Monday 09 December 2019