Eastern Suburbs fought hard to draw against brave 10-men Galaxy FC

One of the best games so far of the current edition of the OFC Champions League saw the strong side of Galaxy FC surrender a two-goal lead for the ISPS Handa Premiership title holders Eastern Suburbs from New Zealand. The Ni-Vanuatu side was brave and displayed a very good match against the New Zealanders and a heartbreaking goal at injury time made both sides share the spoils.

The current PVFA Top Four champions, started strongly the first half being present at the defensive field of Eastern Suburbs. The attacking trio Terence Carter, Roberson and Gagame Feni were a real threat for the New Zealand side. Galaxy proved their attack is very strong when Roberson found the Englishman Terence Carter in the box after a fantastic combination – the striker made no mistake and put the ball in the nets of Danyon Drake to score the first and historical goal for Galaxy.

The New Zealand side was surprised with the good game displayed by the Ni-Vanuatu powerhouse; the lead was doubled after Eddison Stephen fights for the ball, recovers it in the area and finds the Brazilian star Roberson free in the box just tap home the second of Galaxy in the match.

Terence Carter had an injury still in the first half and needed to be replaced by the coach Batram Suri – the Ni-Vanuatu international Kensi Tangis was introduced in the match.

Galaxy kept strong upfront, not avoiding much spaces in the back. But, the story of the game changed when Barry Mansale made a silly foul inside the box – the third penalty Galaxy commits so far in the competition – and the powerful Martin Bueno scored through the spot kick to reduce the deficit for the New Zealanders. The 2-1 was the result at half time.

The turning point of the clas happened just early in the second half, when the midfielder Eddison Stephen was sent off after a reckless challenge in the middle of the park on an Eastern Suburbs player. Galaxy lost one player at the 52th minute of play: it would not be easy to hold the Auckland-based side with only 10-men.

Rapidly, Tony Readings introduced more offensive players in the match to pursue the needed goal to equalize the match. Batram Suri replaced Gagame Feni and introduced the central defender Joseph Iaruel to get stronger in the back.

The Brazilian Roberson had a chance to score his second in the process and the third for Galaxy when he recovered the ball inside the box after a mistake of Eastern Suburbs defense, but his shot went wide. The super-sub Frank Ruben almost score one of the contenders for the goal of the tournament from almost the middle of park with a fantastic long-range shot that hit the woodwork.

Galaxy could maintain their lead until the 92th minute of the game; again Martin Bueno shown his class to score the equalizer for Eastern Suburbs – denying what would have been a historical victory for the Ni-Vanuatu club. The ball was offered to Martin Bueno after it touched the defender Selwyn Vatu, in the only chance Eastern Suburbs and the striker had in the final 45 minutes of play, the ball went to nets of Seiloni Iaruel.

Galaxy suffered a heartbreaking goal, but they are still at the top of the group after this match in the goal difference as both Eastern Suburbs and Galaxy have now four points in the group A.

The New Zealanders even with numerical advantage were too slow to create goal scoring chances – they will need to improve. Galaxy shown a very good football and his country is surely proud of their big effort – Galaxy is real deal, they are in Oceania stage for the first time and the club works as a legit powerhouse. Unfortunately for the team coached by Batram Suri, the story of the game could be different if they did not lose one man early in the second half.

Both teams have one more match still to be played in the group and they will be looking to confirm their spots in the knock-out stage: Eastern Suburbs will take on Hienghène Sport, while Hekari United will be the opponents of Galaxy in the final group A matchday.

You can check all goals from this match in the video below: