Tahiti United captain Teaonui Tehau (10) celebrates his goal against Vanuatu United. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.nz
William Cardona denied Tahiti United FC a three points win and gave his Vanuatu United team one point in the process as the two sides fought to a 2-all draw in their opening second round game of the OFC Pro League in Port Moresby on Saturday afternoon.
Played in humid conditions at the Santos National Football Stadium in the Papua New Guinea capital, both teams were looking for their first wins in the new league. Neither could win a game during the first round in Auckland two weeks ago.
While Tahiti United looked likely to claim their first win in the series, following captain Teaonui Tehau's goal in the 56th minute, Cardona was on hand two minutes later to score the equaliser.
Tahiti took the lead in the first spell, when Germain Haewegene sent the ball past Vanuatu United keeper Matt Acton in the 27th minute.
Ten minutes later, Alex Saniel was fouled in the area by Tahiti United's keeper Teave Teamotuaitau and Owen Smith scored from the spot to level terms for Vanuatu United. The two teams took the breather tied at 1-1.
Both showed frenetic pace at the resumption of the second half.
While Tahiti United skipper Tehau gave his side some hope with his goal, Cardona had the last laugh of the game with his own, which drew the game level for the second time in the clash.
The conditions appeared to affect the players during the game, as the on-field action slowed towards the end.
Vanuatu United coach Lars Topp said they had lost their opportunity to claim three points, but admitted it was also a tough clash.
"I think we should have taken three points out of this game," he said post-match.
"It was a very hard-fought match. Both sides took each other to the end.
"I felt we had our chances to win the game, obviously they had a couple of chances as well."
"He said the overall feeling within the team is they still have a lot more to do, and work on moving in the right direction.
Tahiti United head coach Sam Garcia agreed it was a tough clash as well, with the weather playing a big part, but thought the side could have done better.
"Our second goal was good for us, but very quickly, we allowed another one in and it was disappointing," he said.
"We arrived in PNG one day late and the late arrival was stressful, and the weather was different from New Zealand and here as well."
Saturday's other game had PNG Hekari United face Auckland City.
Match Day 2 will see South Island United take on South Melbourne FC, while Fiji's Bula FC will square off against Solomon Islands Kings.
Meanwhile, in the opening game of the OFC Men's Champions League - Qualifying in Apia earlier Saturday afternoon, Samoa's Viavase-Tai FC and American Samoa's Pago Youth FC fought to a 1-1 draw.
The result means both teams have a point each.
Across three match days, Vaivase-Tai FC (Samoa), Tupapa Maraerenga FC (Cook Islands), Nukuhetulu FC (Tonga) and Pago Youth FC (American Samoa) will all play each other in a round-robin format, with the club atop the standings qualifying for OFC Men's Champions League 2026 in Fiji.
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