Amicale 1
Auckland City have one hand on a spot in soccer's Club World Cup and the lucrative prizemoney that goes with it after securing a 2-1 victory over Amicale in the first leg of the O-League final in Port Vila, Vanuatu, today.
A fortuitous late goal to striker Luis Corrales sealed victory and a vital advantage ahead of the second leg, in Auckland on April 17.
Auckland took the lead in the 22nd minute when Manel Exposito scored from the penalty spot after being fouled inside the box, but the home team equalised through their leading goalscorer, Fenedy Masauvakalo, in the 67th minute.
Corrales struck the decisive blow with eight minutes remaining, not that he knew much about it.
The speedy Costa Rican failed to connect cleanly with a deep cross but Amicale defender Sese Ala smashed his clearance straight into the grounded attacker and the rebound bounced into the net.
The winner of the final on aggregate qualifies for the club World Cup in December, and is guaranteed at least US$500,000 ($656,100) in prizemoney.
Auckland City 2 (Manel Exposito (pen), Luis Corrales) Amicale 1 (Fenedy Masauvakalo). Halftime: 1-0.
- NZPA
