Otago United kept Auckland City honest, but there was too much exotic class on display at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, as the visiting ASB Championship titleholder posted a 3-1 win yesterday.
Otago worked amazingly hard trying to track the clever Auckland interpassing and ball speed, and for long spells did just that, and in fact exerted more pressure in the visitor's goalmouth than many expected.
After 20 minutes of cut and thrust, it was Otago which hit the net first when Donnie McGregor darted through a congested goalmouth, but a linesman's offside flag stopped the possible score.
Meanwhile, Auckland applied its principles of patient passing that eventually found space for Luis Corrales to pick his spot and score after 34 minutes.
Auckland at times looked languid, stringing huge passing movements together, but at the sharp end, Corrales, Daniel Koprivcic and Manel Exposito made forward runs that exploded through gaps.
Three minutes later, Exposito finished off a push and run passing movement up the left wing that eventually exposed Otago keeper Peter Evans, and it was 2-0.
Keeper Evans actually had little to do for long spells, as Otago captain Tristan Prattley, and Harley Rodeka, Matt Joy and Craig Ferguson allowed few goal-scoring opportunities.
In fact, Otago had its share of attack, especially with set plays and long throw-ins that went close to creating a goal for the home side.
However, early in the second half, Angel Berlanga cracked in a superb volley after a short corner on the left and, at 3-0, many teams would have folded.
But Otago kept its high-mileage pressure game going and finished with an impressive last half hour that culminated in a well taken goal by substitute James Govan in the 68th minute.
At 3-1 it was Otago that went seeking another goal which might have created an upset, and strong headers by Jude Fitzpatrick and Joy, plus some raking shots by Aajay Cunningham and Rodeka got spectators animated in the game's closing minutes.
Auckland's Spanish coach Ramon Tribulietx praised Otago's unfailing defensive effort, but "our game is based on ball possession and patient passing, and we put away most of the chances we created," he said.
"I was pleased that the team kept up its tempo. We have many important games yet to play, and cannot afford to slacken."
Otago coach Richard Murray recognised Auckland's pedigree, and the ball speed and technique that allowed huge passages of possession.
"But Otago rose to the occasion, and if we could have produced that intensity of play in more matches this season, we would have won a lot more games," he said.
"They are already talking about next year's national league, which is great, but we must still stay focused for our last match, away to Waikato on the 25th March.'
"Winning that match will set us up for next year."
ASB Championship
The scores
Otago United - 1
James Govan 67
Auckland City - 3
Luis Corrales 34, Manel Exposito 37, Angel Berlanga 49
Halftime: 0-2.
