TeamWellington draw
Substitute Angus Kilkolly has salvaged a late 1-1 draw for Team Wellington in a difficult OFC Champions League opener against Solomon Islands side Marist.
The defending ISPS Handa Premiership champions were given an almighty scare in their first match of the tournament after Marist’s 38-year-old midfielder Abraham
Iniga scored eight minutes before halftime to reward the home team for their dominant start.
Lucky to be just one goal down at the break, Team Wellington eventually settled in the second half and Kilkolly was able to silence the 8000-strong crowd at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara when he laced a superb left-footed strike past goalkeeper Anthony Talo with just four minutes left to play.
Marist had a chance to win the game in stoppage time but, much to Team
Wellington’s relief, left-back Robert Laua placed his close-range effort wide of the goal.
Although he was hoping for more in their first match of Group D, Team Wellington coach Jose Figueira praised Marist for their performance, particularly in the first half.
‘‘Full credit to Marist, in the first half they were fantastic,’’ he said. ‘‘They pressed us really well and we weren’t able to get into our rhythm whatsoever. Obviously with a big crowd behind them, I think a few of our players lost a bit of concentration.
‘‘But we made a few tactical changes at halftime and I think it gave us a bit more solidarity and a bit more of the ball, and we moved the ball with a bit more purpose.
Despite his players being visibly ‘‘upset’’ at fulltime, Figueira admitted a draw was a fair result.
‘‘They have really high standards and we want to win games but at the same time I think Marist have shown today they will be a tough egg to crack.’’
In the weekend’s other matches, AS Magenta saw off Lupe o le Soaga 2-0, while former Tasman United pair Cory Chettleburgh and Brian Kaltack both scored in Lautoka’s 3-1 win over Madang.