Soccer: Stoppage-time goal robs Auckland City of draw

A "gut-wrenching" stoppage-time goal robbed Auckland City of a 2-2 draw with top-rated Sydney FC in the opening match of the Oceania club championships in Tahiti yesterday.

That goal, scored 4m 18s into added time - after the fourth official had signalled two minutes of extra time to Fijian referee Leonie Rakaroi - gave the Australians a 3-2 victory and the early advantage in pool A.

"It was absolutely gut-wrenching," City coach Allan Jones said. "Without question we deserved a draw. Their coach, Pierre Littbarski, acknowledged that.

"We scored two good goals from open play. Two of theirs came from set play.

"Our back four of James Pritchett, Jonathan Perry, Greg Uhlmann and Riki van Steeden were unbelievable. They and the rest of the team did our game and our national league proud.

"Jonathan Smith was outstanding. He won every ball in the air in midfield," Jones said.

"Despite having that late goal scored against us, the spirit in the dressing room is amazing. To come back twice from a goal down shows the character in a team who have not played seriously for 11 weeks."

Alex Ceccoli opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. City equalised five minutes later when a long ball from goalkeeper Ross Nicholson found Paul Urlovic, who knocked on to Grant Young for the goal.

Andrew Packer put the Australians back in front early in the second spell and Smith grabbed the equaliser in the 78th minute when he nipped in front of goalkeeper Clint Bolton to tap home. Steve Corica hit the late winner with a free-kick.

City play their second game tomorrow against Tahitian side AS Pirea.