Amicale FC were left to rue the match officials after Auckland City snatched a 2-1 victory in the first-leg of the Oceania Champions League football final in Port Vila on Saturday.
The visitors went ahead from the penalty spot after 22 minutes when Amicale's goalkeeper Ernest Bong was adjudged to have come off his line and clattered into Auckland's Spanish striker Manel Exposito.
Amicale's technical advisor, William Malas, however, was adament the tussle was a fair challenge.
"It was fifty-fifty with our goalkeeper and with the New Zealand striker, with our defender. Three of them - they clash and then the referee awards the penalty. It's not fair for us. The other thing is every mistake he didn't give any chance. He give nearly ten yellow cards yesterday - I mean it's unbelievable."
Home captain Fenedy Masauvakalo levelled the match at one-all mid-way through the second spell before Auckland City were gifted a fortuitous late winner, when the ball rebounded off substitute Luis Corrales and into the net.
The return leg, which will determine who represents Oceania at the Club World Cup in Japan, will be played in Auckland in a fortnight.
