Auckland and Rewa have had a good start to the OFC Champions League with winning starts. The New Zealanders hold the record for the most wins in the OFC Champions League and they want to add another title to that list. Here are the match reports.
Auckland City v Hienghène Sport
Auckland City made a strong statement in their 2022 OFC Champions League opener by thrashing defending champions Hienghène Sport 5-0 at Ngahue Reserve in Auckland.
The hosts made a perfect start with a goal to New Zealand international Adam Mitchell in the fifth minute as he finished off a free-kick delivery by Cam Howieson.
Their second came in the 14th minute through Cam Howieson who capitalised on a well-timed raking pass from Mitchell.
The defending champions showed some glimpses of brilliance and threatened the Kiwi’s goal with a header made by 2019 Golden Ball winner Bertrand Kai, but it was deflected by Auckland’s attentive goal-keeper Conor Tracey.
However, the defending champions’ come-back was brought to a halt with a goal to Dylan Manickum who slipped through what seemed to be a confused Hienghène Sport’s defense.
The hosts led 3 – 0, at halftime. Auckland FC came out firing in the second half to score two more goals through Mario Ilich in the 48th minute and Liam Gillion in the 88th minute.
Fiji’s Rewa F.C. downs Nikao Sokattak F.C.
Rewa F.C. clinically dominated Nikao Sokattak F.C. to at their 2022 OFC Champions League opening match at Ngahue Reserve, Auckland to win 3-1.
The Fiji-based Rewa F.C. had a dream start, scoring their first goal in just two minutes through Abbu Zahid.
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Rewa dotted in two more goals, with Zahid scoring his second in the 56th minute, then Tevita Waranaivalu scoring right before the break. Rewa led 3-0 at halftime.
Nikao Sokattak F.C. could not find their rhythm throughout the game as Rewa’s defense held strong. However, they managed to slot in a consolation goal through Mark Leito in the 78th minute.
Rewa will take on Auckland City in their second Group B clash on Monday, with the New Zealanders on a high after winning 5-0 against reigning champions Hienghène Sport, who await Nikao Sokattak in their second fixture later the same day.
