Cam Howieson (L) of Auckland City avoids the attention of Gabiriele Matanisiga of Wellington Olympic during their OFC men's Champions League national playoff. Photo: Photosport
Auckland City FC will return to defend their OFC Champions League title this year after seeing off Wellington Olympic 4-3 on aggregate in an entertaining national playoff.
Going into the second leg in Wellington 1-0 down, national league champions Wellington Olympic surged into a 3-1 lead by halftime to turn the tie on it's head, but two second-half goals from the Navy Blues assured them of qualification for the Champions League in Tahiti in May.
The first half burst into life with a flurry of goals for the home side, with Hamish Watson netting the first in the 20th minute, followed quickly by a goal to winger Jesse Randall.
Auckland City responded however to level it up again through a Mario Ilich header from a corner.
Watson had his second soon afterwards to cap a madcap eight minutes and put his side two goals up at the interval.
Regont Murati found the net soon after the break and captain Cameron Howieson levelled the scores on the day in the 82nd minute after he controlled a long ball forward and powered home.