Wellington Olympic head coach Rupert Kemeys and Auckland City’s head coach Albert Riera have provided their post-match comments after the eight-goal thriller at Kiwitea Street.
City came from 1-3 behind to win 5-3 with substitute Emiliano Tade scoring a rapid-fire hat-trick to turn the game.
The result gave Auckland City a 6-4 win on aggregate from the two-legged play-off, earning them a record 11th entry to the OFC Champions League, to be held in May.
READ MORE: Tade rescues Auckland City with hat-trick to seal OFC Champions League spot >>>>
Here’s what the coaches had to say after the final whistle:
Kemeys: ‘You know its only going to end one way’
When Olympic led 3-1, “we thought it was going to be our day,” Kemeys said.
He said the game turned when Emiliano Tade scored his direct free kick (“I didn’t think it was a free kick”), and he acknowledged Tade was “class”.
That made it 3-2.
When Olympic captain Ben Mata handled the ball in the area, it left them with 10 men and at 3-3 after the resulting penalty.
“You know it’s only going to end up one way,” Kemeys said.
“Ben Mata will be hurting a lot. He led the boys so well.”
Main photo: Rupert Kemeys … ‘we thought it was going to be our day.’
Riera: ‘I feel relieved’
Auckland City head coach Albert Riera said the win was “a massive victory”.
“I feel relieved, to be honest,” he said.
When trailing 3-1, Riera said he felt “very nervous” but looked at the players he could bring off the subs’ bench and knew they could change the game.
“They always give you hope,” he said.
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