Soccer: Waitakere win with 10 men

Waitakere City beat Otago United 1-0 in Dunedin yesterday, despite having South African striker Kerryn Jordan sent off.

Jordan, the New Zealand Football Championship's top scorer, signalled his aggressive approach with a kick to the hand of Otago goalkeeper Wil Morunga after just two minutes into the game at Tahuna Park. Morunga required treatment but played on.

Referee Ian Walker took no action at that stage, but later cautioned Jordan after a debatable first-half tackle, then issued another yellow card when the striker ploughed into Morunga late in the match.

It was Morunga's first match at top level, and he played well throughout.

Blustery winds provoked enough loose ball for both sides to launch a host of physical tackles, keeping Walker busy. He issued seven yellow cards - four to Otago and three to Waitakere - including the two that eventually earned Jordan an early shower.

Despite the fractious nature of the game, some high-quality and competitive soccer was played, none more so than when Chris Jackson accounted for Waitakere's winning goal.

A former international, Jackson placed a right-footed shot from 25m into the top right corner of goal after 48 minutes, giving Morunga no chance.

The win kept Waitakere in second place behind Auckland on goal difference.

In Hamilton, Waikato FC boosted their playoff hopes with a 3-1 win over Napier.

Waikato moved into third place, trading places with fourth-placed Otago, who lost 0-1 at home to Waitakere United.

Clinical finishing was crucial as Waikato recorded just their second home win in the inaugural competition.

Napier started stronger, with Chris McCivor missing a chance in front of goal in the second minute.

Both sides created chances during the first half but it wasn't until the 25th minute that Waikato struck the first goal, with a Brett Derry penalty.

Colin Gardyne had looked dangerous in the opening attacks on the Napier goal but was denied when his weaving run into the box saw goalkeeper Mitchel O'Brien collect both ball and player. O'Brien was cautioned for the offence.

Ten minutes later Waikato doubled their advantage when Brent Mayhew's ball found an unmarked David Samson 22m from goal and his shot was too good for O'Brien.

Napier gave themselves every chance of turning the game around in the second half with a goal to Leon Birnie two minutes after the resumption.

Waikato restored the two-goal cushion in the 68th minute, when Gardyne found himself one on one with the goalkeeper.

The deficit was too much for Napier to overcome, especially after Jonathan Taylor was sent off in the 78th minute.

NZ Football Championship


* Auckland City 27pts
* Waitakere United 27
* Waikato FC 20
* Otago United 19
* Canterbury United 18
* Team Wellington 15
* Manawatu 13
* Napier City 13

- NZPA