A-S Central Sport got their debut OFC Champions League campaign off to a dream start after they came from a goal down to defeat fellow first-timers Madang FC 7-3 in the opening Group A match over the weekend.
Madang FC were making their debut in the tournament, with both Malagian brothers, Nigel and Vanya, both getting on the scoresheet.
It didn’t commence as easily for the Tahitian side as the score line might suggest, however. Within a couple of minutes of the opening whistle, referee Campbell-Kirk Waugh was sounding it again, and pointing to the penalty spot after a foul in the area.
In the 38th minute, things took a positive turn for Central as Chilean import Cesar Castillo sent a solid strike past a diving Glen Agat.
Then a minute of play triggered a turning point in the match as Jacob Sabua was cautioned for a foolish tackle on Castillo on the edge of the Madang area.
Matatia Paama delivered a perfect cross to an unmarked Diego Cifuentes at the far post who gave his side a single goal cushion.
Four minutes after the restart, a second yellow card was picked up by Sabua leaving Madang with over 35 minutes of football to play with a man down.
The floodgates opened in the 56th minute as two goals in the space of two minutes, courtesy of Castaillo and Sergio Sandoval doubled their lead. Substitute Fred Tissot got on the board only minutes after coming on. Against the run of play, Madang managed to pull one back through Eliuda Pohei but Central soon extended their lead even further as Vanuatu international Kensi Tangis added a sixth.
A second penalty for Madang was awarded in the 84th minute, giving them a third after Nigel Malagian sent the keeper diving the wrong way. There was still time for one final effort from Central with Miguel Estay firing in a late one.
Francis Moyap, Madang FC coach, said given the lead-in time for his team, they managed to score some goals against a much favoured side, which was a positive.
The four Group-A sides will return to action on Tuesday when Lupe Ole Soaga play Madang at 5pm followed by the Francophone showdown between Magenta and Central Sport at 8pm.
Source: OFC Media
