Soccer: Auckland and Waitakere on course for showdown

Three goals in 22 minutes from debutant Daniel Koprivcic sparked Auckland City's winning start to the defence of their O-League title at Kiwitea St.

The 5-0 win over Tahiti champions AS Manu Ura on Saturday gave City the perfect start to their campaign and again showed they and long-time rivals Waitakere United are on course for another showdown and a chance to head to the 2010 Fifa Club World Cup.

It was a touch ironic that Koprivcic was the star turn for City after playing his last three seasons at Waitakere. But he cut his teeth at Kiwitea St in his Central United playing days.

"It's an awesome feeling," he said. "The main thing was to win today, but to come back here and score a hat-trick is a great way to start."

Koprivcic admitted it was a tough call to leave Waitakere for their arch rivals, but the lure of December's Fifa World Cup campaign in Abu Dhabi - Auckland earned the right by the 2009 O-League - proved too strong.

"It was a big decision and it wasn't an easy one, because I had three successful seasons at Waitakere.

"We're in three hard competitions this year. We have a good squad with a mix of young players and older guys, and we're going to need every player at their best because each week there'll be changes, and you'll need to work hard to keep your place in the team.

"I think we've got a great coaching staff and I think we're heading in the right direction."

Captain Ivan Vicelich headed home to give City their 18th minute lead and Chad Coombes added a second 17 minutes later for a 2-0 halftime lead.

It was not all the home side, however, with the Tahitians having their chances but failing to take two clear-cut scoring opportunities which could have seen them turn on level terms.

The second half belonged to the hosts, with Koprivcic scoring his first after 69 minutes with a subtle shot which wrong-footed Manu Ura goalkeeper Daniel Tapeta. His second, 11 minutes later, was a classic finish set up by Jason Hayne. His third was from the spot after an off-the-ball incident which left the Papeete-based club with only 10 players.

Waitakere open their campaign with their postponed match in New Caledonia on Saturday.

Auckland City kick off their New Zealand Football Championship season the following day with a home game against Waikato FC.

In the opening O-League group B matches, debutants Lautoka yesterday upset Solomon Islands champions Marist FC 3-1 at the Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara.

Kamal Hassan and Samuela Kautoga had the visitors 2-0 ahead inside 20 minutes. Abraham Iniga got one back early in the second half, but the issue was settled in injury time when Nahuel Arrarte scored.

Earlier, in Port Vila, Hekari United (Papua New Guinea), who went close to qualifying for last season's final, came from behind to snatch a 3-3 draw with Vanuatu's Tafea FC.

Tafea went ahead in the opening minute and stretched it to 2-0 after 34 minutes. In a late spree at the end of the first half, Hekari got back to 2-1 and then 2-2 with goals in the 42nd and 44th minutes before Tafea snatched a third in the shadow of halftime to go to the break 3-2 ahead.

The visitors scored the only goal of the second half to salvage a point.

Second round matches will be played on November 7-8.