The News Of Oceania Football

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Men's Champions League

Auckland City are kings of Oceania again! 🙌

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Men's Champions League

13 times champions Auckland City FC have staged a dramatic late comeback to defeat AS Venus 4-3 in a
thrilling Group A finale, securing top spot and a semifinal match up against Fijis Rewa FC on Wednesday in Ba.

Auckland City FC needed just a draw to finish top of Group A, while the tahitian side were playing for pride after losing their first two Group games.

AS Venus made the perfect start, opening the scoring in the sixth minute. Captain Roonui Tehau picked out Moeava Kaiha with a superb through ball from halfway, with the forward making a run beyond the Auckland City defence before calmly finding the back of the net.

20 minutes later and AS Venus doubled their advantage when Germain Haewegene raced down the wing before cutting the ball back into the penalty area, where Mathis Lacan slotted a composed finish into the bottom-right corner.

Auckland City FC hadn't lost in the OFC Men's
Champions League since the 2019 semi-finals and they had to use all their expereince to claw their way back.

AS Venus continued to frustrate the reigning champions, applying pressure across the pitch and making it difficult for Auckland City to play their usual possession game.

But just before the break Auckland City found a way back into the contest. Substitute Michal Doudera cut inside before unleashing a powerful left footed strike from outside the box into the bottom corner. It was a
crucial strike on the cusp of half-time and the New Zealanders went into the break with renewed confidence.

Nine minutes after the re-start Auckland City were back on level terms. Tom Golding's corner presented an aerial opportunity for defender Christian Gray, who rose above his marker and headed the ball over the advancing AS Venus keeper.

Auckland City pressed forward but a lapse in the defence saw Venus restore their lead in the 77th minute when Haewegene broke clear and calmly slotted the ball past the advancing Matt Foord in the Auckland goal. The third goal conceded marked the first time since 2013, against another Tahitian side AS Dragon, that Auckland City had conceded three goals in an OFC Men's Champion s League match.

But the champions showed their mettle and responded once again, with Ryan Watson finding the equaliser in the 84th minute after taking advantage of a cross from the right.

Then, in the first minute of added time, Matt Ellis completed the comeback. A long ball found its way through the AS Venus defence, with Ellis getting beyond the final defenders before firing a stinging shot just under replacement goalkeeper Herehau Reichart.

AS Venus: 3 (Moeava KAIHA 6', Mathis LACAN 26', Germain HAEWEGENE 77’)

Auckland City FC: 4 (Michal DOUDERA 45+4’, Christian GRAY 54’, Ryan WATSON 84’, Matt ELLIS 90+1’)

HT(Halftime): 2-1

Photo Credit & Source: OFC Media via Phototek & OFC Media (Oceania Football Confederation)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Men's Champions League

Galaxy FC will head into the semi-finals of the OFC
Men's Champions League with a perfect record, having signed off their group stage campaign with a dominant victory over Tupapa Maraerenga FC in Ba.

Willian Dos Santos Medina was the star, scoring an unprecedented third hat-trick in three matches, proving too much for the Tupapa backline.

The Cook Islands' side were playing for pride having lost their opening two matches but acquitted themselves well in the early stages, with their well-organised backline frustrating Galaxy FC.

Brazilian Roberson Dos Santos Ribiero almost opened the scoring inside the opening quarter of an hour. The captain with space just inside the area but his curled effort crashed off the woodwork.

His compatriot Medina had an effort shortly after but his shot was well parried by goalkeeper Tahiri Elikana.

Tupapa Maraerenga FC tried in vein to work the ball further up the field, with the pace of Tremaine Rimene-Albrett their likeliest outlet. The forward however was becoming increasingly isolated as his team dropped deeper and deeper to try and stem the tide of Galaxy attacks.

Minutes before the end of the half, the Vanuatu side had a deserved second. Joe Moses - who was a constant threat down the left-hand side - picked up a loose ball from a cross, driving a low effort on the angle that squirmed under the body of Elikana and into the net.

Tupapa Maraerenga FC would have had aspirations of turning the tide in the second-half but any hopes of a comeback were well and truly extinguished inside the opening minutes after the break.

Medina - who had six goals from his first two outings - made it seven for the campaign, meeting a near post cross from Selwyn Vatu and glancing his header into the far corner.

A minute later and Ribiero got a fourth. Linking with Medina before expertly guiding his low effort into the far corner beyond the grasp of Elikana to make it 4-0 and put the game to bed.

Medina was in the mood for more and grabbed his second in the 55th minutes. The pacey forward racing onto a long ball over the top from substitute Armando Ravo, before lifting a clever effort over Elikana and into the back of the net.

Tupapa Maraerenga FC continued to work hard however and came within inches of pulling back a consolation. Honoura Maraetefau with great work to hold off his marker when isolated, turning him inside and out before firing an effort that thudded off the crossbar.

Medina however was more clinical and completed his hat-trick shortly after - an incredible third in three games. The Brazilian forward with a neat turn, and after his initial effort was saved superbly by Elikana, the ball fell back to the striker and he wouldn't be denied at the second chance.

There was still time for a late consolation from Tupapa and it deservedly came from Rimene-Albrett. The forward curling an excellent free-kick into the corner, past substitute goalkeeper Joshua Willie to give the Cook Islanders some late cheer.

The final say however came from Galaxy, with Moses again to the fore, setting up Michel Soksok to fire into the back of the net from just inside the box.

Tupapa Maraerenga FC: 1 (Tremaine RIMENE-ALBRETT 88')

Galaxy FC: 7 (Own Goal 25', Jose MOSES 41', Willian DOS SANTOS MEDINA 47', 55' 70', Roberson DOS SANTOS RIBIERO 49’, Michel SOKSOK 90+1’)

HT(Halftime): 0-2

Photo Credit & Source: OFC Media via Phototek & OFC Media (Oceania Football Confederation)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

The Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Rhys Ruka as the new Cook Islands National Men's Head Coach, agreeing to a long-term contract through to 2028.

Ruka takes on the role with a clear long-term vision for the Men's National Team, with the goal of competing strongly in the OFC Nations Cup Qualifiers and FIFA World Cup Qualifiers through 2027 and 2028.

He brings a wealth of experience both internationally and at club level. Ruka has previously led Manurewa AFC and Fencibles United from the lower end of New Zealand's Northern Region Second Division through to promotion to the National League, demonstrating his ability to build competitive teams and achieve long-term results.

Ruka also brings experience on the international stage as the Aotearoa Mãori Men's Head Coach, adding another valuable dimension to his coaching background.

His connection with the Cook Islands is already well established. Ruka previously represented Tupapa-Maraerenga FC as a player and later served as the Cook Islands National Women's Head Coach, leading the team during the 2025 Oceania FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifiers.

He returned to lead the Women's National Team in 2026 at the FIFA Series in Auckland, where the Cook Islands recorded two victories against the Afghan Women's United Team.

Speaking on his appointment, Ruka said the opportunity to lead the Men's National Team was a deeply personal one.

"First and foremost I love the Cook Islands people, culture and land. My experience of Rarotonga through playing for Tupapa and coaching the Women's National team has shaped me as a person massively, so to lead the Men's team is a very special privilege that I will put all of my energy towards growing. I am confident we will compete with the best teams in the region before I depart."

With a long-term contract now in place, Ruka and CIFA will work towards developing a strong and competitive Men's National Team, creating a clear pathway for players and building towards the major international challenges ahead.

CIFA congratulates Rhys Ruka on his appointment and looks forward to supporting him as he begins this new chapter with the Cook Islands Men's National Team.

Photo Credit & Source: CIFA Media (Cook Islands Football Association)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Men's Champions League

Central Coast FC got their OFC Men's Champions League campaign up and running with an impressive victory over AS Venus in Lautoka.

Having narrowly lost to defending champions Auckland City FC on Monday, the Solomon Islands side were keen to bounce back and did so in style, dominating from the off.

It was AS Venus however who had the first clear sight of goal. Mana Teniau with time and space on the edge of the penalty area but side footing his first-time effort narrowly over the bar.

They were made to pay soon after as Central Coast took the lead. Raphael Leai's corner was nodded down by captain Javin Wae and Barrie Limoki was first to react in a crowded box to finish from range.

Raphael Le'ai should have doubled the lead when through on goal but was denied by goalkeeper Tetahio Teriinohopuaiterai when he perhaps should have squared to a team mate.

He would make amends shortly after though, latching onto a well-weighted through ball from Prince Tahunipue before slipping the ball past the 'keeper to make it 2-0 inside 20 minutes.

Five minutes later and when their third goal arrived, it was an almost carbon copy of the opener. Le'ai's corner again headed downwards by Wae and this time Bobby Leslie turning his effort in from a few yards out as AS Venus struggled to deal with the aerial threat.

Central Coast took their foot off the gas to an extent in the second period but still posed considerable threat on the counter-attack.

Raphael Le'ai was a constant nuisance to the AS Venus backline, as more and more space opened up as the Tahitian side looked for a way back into the contest.

Vateanui Tehau's men rarely looked like threatening, with the occasional set piece their best chance of creating something. Central Coast's aerial dominance and height however made it difficult to truly trouble goalkeeper Erick Wanega.

Raphael Le'ai should have grabbed his second and Central Coast's fourth when he worked space for himself just inside the area, but his left-footed effort flew wide of Terlinohopuaiterai's right-hand post. The Solomon Islands international had a similar chance moments later but this time dragged it wide of the opposite stick.

The result leaves Central Coast with a winner-takes-all final group match against AS Tiga Sport. With Auckland City FC on six points, both sides will know a win will see them join the defending champions in the semi-finals.

Goal difference will be on Central Coast's side however, in no small part thanks to their impressive first-half showing today.

Central Coast FC: 3 (Barrie LIMOKI 8', Rafa LE'AI 19', Bobby LESLIE 24’)

AS Venus: 0

HT(Halftime): 3-0

Photo Credit & Source: OFC Media via Phototek & OFC Media (Oceania Football Confederation)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Men's Champions League

Auckland City FC scored another late goal to seal a vital 1-0 win over AS Tiga Sport and all-but-confirm their place in the semi-finals of the OFC Men's
Champions League.

The defending champions scored two late goals to overcome Central Coast FC in their opening match on Monday, whilst AS Tiga Sport secured a narrow 1-0 in over AS Venus.

It was a first-half low on chances, as both sides struggled to test either goalkeeper. The early kick-off and hot conditions making it tough to play at a high tempo.

Spanish midfielder Gerard Garriga had the first attempt with a clever looping effort that just had too much on it, fading over Thomas Schmidt's far post.

Auckland City boasted four OFC Pro League players in their starting eleven, with Bula FC duo Matthew Foord and Fergus Gillion joined by South Island United centre-back Christian Gray and Auckland FC striker Matt Ellis, but Rudolf Mor's side continued to toil despite dominating possession.

Tiga Sport finally mustered an effort after the half hour mark, but W***y Read could only sn**ch at his shot from the edge of the penalty area, sending it flying high over the crossbar.

Their was a distinct uptick in tempo and intent from the champions after the break and they almost had the crucial breakthrough within minutes of the restart.

Matt Ellis picked the ball up on the left flank and drove infield, before whipping a low effort that beat Schmidt, only to see the ball hit the inside of the post and fly agonisingly across the face of goal.

Shene Welepane went almost as close soon after for Tiga Sport, playing a cute one-two before firing an effort from the edge of the box that beat the outstretched hand of Matthew Foord but skidded just wide of the target.

Auckland City continued to press as the match wore on, with Tiga Sport getting deeper in their own half. Ellis was a constant threat from the left and Coach Mozr was able to turn to his bench and introduce the
experienced Ryan De Vries, who scored the winner in their opening match earlier in the week.

The New Caledonians task was made significantly harder however when Florian Gope was shown a
second yellow card for a rash tackle on the edge of the area, giving referee Ben Aukwai little choice other than to brandish the red.

The man advantage eventually took its toll on Tiga
Sport with just five minutes left on the clock, as Auckland City scored yet another late goal. Nathan Lobo's corner was flicked on by Nathan Rostron and captain Mario llich was on hand at the back post to nod in from close range.

The win puts the defending champions on the brink of the final four, whilst AS Tiga Sport will look to rebound in their final group stage match against Central Coast FC at the weekend.

AS Tiga Sport: 0

Auckland City FC: 1 (Mario ILICH 85’)

HT(Halftime): 0-0

Photo Credit & Source: OFC Media via Phototek & OFC Media (Oceania Football Confederation)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Men's Champions League

A stunning hat-trick from Brazilian forward Willian Dos Santos Medina has secured Galaxy FC's place in the semi-finals of the OFC Men's Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Lae City FC.

Both sides had registered impressive 4-1 wins on the competition's opening day and were keen to build momentum as they looked towards the final four.

It was Galaxy FC who started the better of the two teams, but chances were at a premium, with the Vanuatu side restricted to speculative crosses from out wide - unable to trouble goalkeeper Ronald Warisan.

Lae City in contrast struggled to get a foot on the ball in the early stages, but when they did, they made it count - opening the scoring against the run of play. An excellent free-kick curled into the area from Langarap Samol was met by a dominant header from Charles Hayes, beating goalkeeper Michael Laulae to the ball and opening the scoring.

As to be expected, Galaxy responded well, with the contest carrying a bit of edge throughout the opening 45 minutes. The Brazilian duo of Willian Dos Santos Medina and Roberson Dos Santos Ribiero were the main threats and it was the latter who almost restored parity - Ribiero's effort from range beating Warisan but cannoning back off the crossbar.

His compatriot Medina had better luck shortly after. The forward latching on to a long ball over the top from Tasso Jeffrey - beating the offside trap before expertly lifting his effort over Warisan and finding the net to make it 1-1 going into the half-time break.

Galaxy picked up where they left off after the interval, with Medina the main man. The Brazilian had an early half-chance, hooking an effort wide from an awkward angle following a corner kick.

Lae City should have retaken the lead not long after when Solomon Kamake was played through on goal,
only for the forward to hit the side netting having done the hard work in rounding the goalkeeper.

They were made to pay for such profligacy and to no surprise it was Medina who did the damage.

The Brazilian gave Galaxy the lead in the 69th minute, racing onto a through ball from Ribiero, before prodding an effort past the poorly positioned Warisan.

A minute later and the two combined again - Ribiero flicking a header on to Medina, who controlled the ball before cutting inside his marker and calmly rolling his effort into the far corner - completing his hat-trick and making it six goals in two games in the Champions League.

Medina was almost unstoppable and Galaxy looked like adding to their lead any time they attacked the Lae City goal, but the Papua New Guineans were able to hold on.

They even threatened to get back into the match, with Gorden Mark coming close with a low effort that thudded off the base of the post following a sweeping counter-attack.

Galaxy FC were fairly unthreatened otherwise and held on comfortably for the win and a place in the semi-finals. With Medina leading the line, they will take some stopping.

Lae City FC: 1 (Charles HAYES 13)

Galaxy FC: 3 (William DOS SANTOS MEDINA 40', 69', 70')

HT: 1-1

Photo Credit & Source: OFC Media via Phototek & OFC Media (Oceania Football Confederation)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Men's Champions League

Rewa FC secured a much needed victory over Tupapa Maraerenga FC to keep their OFC Men's Champions League dreams alive on home soil in Ba.

Both sides were looking to bounce back from opening day defeats, with Rewa in particular keen to get their first points on the board, as they tried to take advantage of a passionate home crowd in warm and humid conditions.

They started by far the brighter side, but despite their efforts struggled to trouble Tupapa Maraerenga's defence in the early stages. Setareki Hughes and Don Keana were leading the charge for Rewa, but goalkeeper Tahiri Elikana remained largely untested.

Ramzan Khan stood out as one of Rewa's top performers as they grew into the game and he came closest to opening the scoring with a rasping effort from distance that Elikana did well to tip onto the crossbar.

Josaia Sela was next to create a good chance and should have done better with the opportunity. The forward worked his way in-field from the left-hand channel, cutting inside and firing wide of the near post when he should have hit the target.

Tupapa worked hard to try and catch their opponents on the break, but struggled to take advantage of Rewas high defensive line.

It was little surprise when the deadlock was finally broken and even less surprise that it came via the excellent Khan. The midfielder unleashed another long-range effort and this one proved too good for Elikana, flying past the 'keeper and into the top corner to give Rewa a half-time lead.

Tupapa had struggled to get a foothold in the first-half but within seconds of the restart they were level.
Catching the Rewa defence cold, Tremaine Rimene-Albrett was played clean through by Honoura Maraetefau and he made no mistake, sliding the ball past the on-rushing Epeli Loaniceva.

Parity wouldn't last long however, as Rewa hit back almost immediately. Don Keana showing his pace and power down the right, beating his man and crossing for Joseph Athale. The New Caledonian initally lost control of the ball, but reacted quickest in the box to scramble home from a few yards out.

Rewa were determined to try and press home their advantage having regained the lead. Athale continued to look dangerous, whilst Setareki Hughes came close with a trademark left-footed effort that narrowly flew past the far post.

Hughes would have another, similar opportunity shortly after and it led to Rewa's third goal. Substitute Merrill Nand's corner was cleared only as far as Hughes and after creating space himself, he curled his effort into the far corner to double Rewa's lead.

Brazilian Lucas Santos was brought on in the final twenty minutes for Rewa and the forward looked dangerous from the outset, including a testing drive that goalkeeper Elikana held at the second attempt.

A fourth would arrive for Rewa with just five minutes remaining, when Josaia Sela met an excellent cross from the left from Kavaia Rawaqa - his initial header was well saved by Elikana but Sela reacted to bury the rebound.

Tupapa worked hard to the end and were rewarded for doing so with a late consolation. Honoura Maraetefau taking advantage of a slack pass from goalkeeper Loaniceva, picking up the ball and firing home as it finished 4-2.

Rewa FC: 4 (Ramzan KHAN 40', Joseph ATHALE 48', Setareki HUGHES 67', Josaia SELA 85')

Tupapa Maraerenga FC: 2 (Tremaine RIMENE-ALBRETT 47’, Honoura MARAETEFAU 90+4’)

HT(Halftime): 1-0

Photo Credit & Source: OFC Media via Phototek & OFC Media (Oceania Football Confederation)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Men's Champions League

A brace of goals within two minutes of each other saw Auckland City come from behind to defeat a gallant Central Coast FC 2-1, taking their OFC Men's Champions League unbeaten streak to 28-games in a pulsating Group A contest at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

Spanish midfielder Gerard Garriga and late substitute Ryan De Vries netted within 120 seconds of each other as the match headed towards its final dozen minutes, overturning a Central Coast FC lead that was thoroughly deserved after a scintillating attacking performance from the Solomon Islands outfit.

Auckland City FC fired the first shot in anger after just ten minutes as Czech midfielder Pavel Osmancik thrashed a shot over the bar from the edge of the area, but it was the team from the Solomons who had the best opportunity of the opening quarter of the fixture.

Twenty minutes in the pre-tournament favourites were guilty of dawdling in defence a Nathan Rostron was robbed inside his own area. The ball fell kindly for Solomon Islands international Rafa Lea'i who might have done better than crack a shot over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

Hudyn Irodao then drew a fine save from City 'keeper Matthew Foord as Central Coast FC flexed their attacking muscles. At the other end, Erick Wanega was largely unemployed while just before half-time Lea'i went close again, smashing a shot over when well picked out by a sublime pass from Irodao.

With no goals at the break the initiative was there to be seized in the second half, and Lea'i had the ball in the net seven minutes after the resumption for Central Coast, the offside flag denying the lively attacker the breakthrough.

It was no surprise that when the deadlock was finally broken just before the hour mark that Lea'i played a major role. Bursting behind the flat-footed Auckland City FC defence, Lea'i kept his cool and laid off a perfect pass to the onrushing Bobby Leslie who took aim and rammed a low first-time shot past Foord into the bottom corner from the top of the penalty area.

Having only lost nine of their previous 116 OFC Men's Champions League matches, Auckland City FC found themselves in an unusual position and suddenly upped the tempo as they sought an equalising goal. And it came twelve minutes from time as Wanega pushed away an Osmancik shot into the path of Gerard Garriga who tapped home.

Two minutes later Auckland City FC were ahead. Michal Doudera made inroads down the left side of the pitch and swung in a delicious cross that was met by a second substitute, Ryan De Vries, who volleyed home from close range to turn the match on its head and lead the New Zealanders to the win.

STATISTICS:

Monday 10 August 2026

Group A

Central Coast FC: 1 (Bobby LESLIE 58')

Auckland City: 2 (Gerard GARRIGA 78', Ryan DE VRIES 80')

HT(Halftime): 0-0

Photos: OFC Media via Phototek & OFC Media (Oceania Football Confederation)

The News Of Oceania Football Update

2026 OFC Men's Champions League

A last-minute strike from substitute Jean-Yves Saiko guided AS Tiga Sport to a narrow Men's Champions League opening match victory over AS Vénus at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Fiji, the team from New Caledonia claiming the points with a 1-0 success.

A tentative start from both teams saw a lack of real opportunities inside the opening twenty minutes of the contest. AS Tiga Sport did have the ball in the net in the 17th minute, Yannick Ipunesso blasting home from the top of the box, only for his effort to be disallowed for a foul in the build-up, to little complaint.

Shortly afterwards AS Vénus' Keahinui Brown stung the palms of the New Caledonian club's goalkeeper, Thomas Schmidt, with a fierce drive from an acute angle, Tiga Sport scrambling away the resultant loose ball.

With both midfield units closing any space, and both defensive line-ups conducting an understandable safety-first approach, there was little to set the pulses racing in the opening forty-five minutes. AS Vénus' Manuarii Shan seeing his direct free kick punched away to safety by Schmidt in one of the few presentable chances for either side.

By contrast the first quarter-of-an-hour of the second half saw AS Venus on the front foot, creating an opportunity for Germain Haewegene just three minutes post the restart. Unfortunately, the forward could only get a tame toe on a through ball to divert it at Schmidt.

On the hour a superbly flighted corner from Mana
Teniau was met by the forehead of Kevin Barbe, but the defender was unable to get above the ball sufficiently to direct his header on target. Shortly after, Mathis Lacan tip-toed his way through three AS Tiga Sport challengers only for his shot at goal to be deflected wide for a corner.

AS Tiga Sport responded with a vicious free kick from Shane Welepane that was punched up onto the crossbar by AS Vénus' stopper Tetahio
Teriinohopuaiterai who also reacted fastest to smother the rebound as striker W***y Read sought to force the loose ball over the line.

Both teams made changes seeking to make the all-important breakthrough and it was an AS Tiga Sport substitute who did just that in the 89th minute. Jythrim Upa was given too much space on the right flank to pick out a cross which was met by a perfect diving header from Saiko that flew past Teriinohopuaiterai to seal the win.

STATISTICS:

Monday 10 August 2026

Group A

AS Vénus: 0

AS Tiga Sport: 1 (Jean-Yves SAIKO 89)

Photos Credit & Source: OFC Media via Phototek & OFC Media (Oceania Football Confederation)