Marist FC holds Lautoka 1-1
Marist Football Club held Vodafone Lautoka FC to a 1-1 draw to give the side an advantage heading into the return leg of their Oceania Football Confederation Champions League semifinal in Honiara. Marist FC head coach Jerry Allen said yesterday the plan was to win the semifinal at home. Lautoka FC head coach Kamal Swamy said indiscipline and silly mistakes cost them the match. Marist FC led 1-0 at halftime with a goal from Davidson Tome while Osea Vakatalesau scored Lautoka’s equaliser in the second half.
Marist FC go into the return leg of the OFC Champions League semifinal in Honiara with an away goal advantage after they held Vodafone Lautoka FC 1-1 at Churchill Park yesterday.
The hosts will be kicking themselves after missing at least four sitters and a number of scocring opportunities in a fast flowing game. Lautoka will be without the services of striker Samuela Drudru, after a second bookable offence earned him a red card in the second spell.
Marist FC also lost the services of their number one goalkeeper Anthony Talo after a mid-air clash with Lautoka striker Osea Vakatalesau and he was replaced by Harold Nauania. The visitors controlled most part of the game as their play was centred on captain Henry Fa’arodo.
What happened: Talo was stretchered off in the 16th minute and Lautoka missed their first clear sitter when a cross from Benjamin Totori in the 20th minute down the right flank saw Dave Radrigai hammer the ball against the uprights with the Talo beaten.
Two minutes later, Marist FC’s continuous forays down the flanks saw a cross from Mathias Iani misjudged by the Lautoka defence and Davidson Tome blasting the ball past Lautoka goalkeeper and captain Beniamino Mateinaqara for an early lead. Lautoka came out with more vigour in the second spell knowing they had to get two goals. In the 53rd minute, Cory Chettleburgh sent in the perfect corner kick with Vakatalesau using his massive frame to rise above the rest of the players to head the ball home.
With scores levelled at 1-1, Lautoka felt they could wrap up the game but it all died out after Drudru got the red card. This gave Marist FC confidence to hold on to the ball for much of the latter part of the match.
Star turn: This has to go to Brian Kaltak who was perhaps the player of the match with his superb defensive skills and control of Lautoka’s game.
Big play: The sending off of Drudru has to be the turning point as this dashed the spirit that was building up within the Lautoka side to score another goal. Comments: Lautoka coach Kamal Swamy said, “We lacked on the discipline that is why we were left with 10 men if we had 11 I think we could have scored. We wanted to contain them as they built from the middle and silly mistakes allowed them to score that goal. ”
Marist FC head coach Jerry Allen said, “We played well in the first half then we conceded a goal in the second half. I know Osea, and Brian when they played for Hekari. Osea has a good height and Solomon boys like those kind of play. The plan is to win at home to qualify which is important.” -