OFC News

EAGLES SOAR AT OFC CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

AS Pirae seal semi final spot

Nokia Eagles United of Fiji joined Youngheart Manawatu on top of Group B at the 2006 OFC Club Championships with an emphatic 4-0 win over Vanuatu's Tafea FC at the North Harbour Stadium outer oval in Auckland.

Tahiti's AS Pirae also recorded a victory on match day 4 and secured a berth in the semi finals, accounting for Sobou FC of Papua New Guinea 7-0 as dismal weather played a further part in the championships.

With the matches moved off the main stadium it was Eagles skipper Marika Namaqa who opened the scoring for the Fijians with a carbon copy of his 40-yard wonder strike from match day 2 leaving David Chillia in the Tafea goal with no chance.

Osea Vakatalasau doubled the lead after 79 minutes rounding Chillia and rolling into the empty net before substitute Kamal Hassan completed the scoring with a late brace of goals to send the Eagles top of their group, ahead of Manawatu on goal difference.

In Group A the orange juggernaut of AS Pirae continued their impressive opening to the tournament with a 7-0 demolition of Sobou FC. Axel Williams led the charge with a hat-trick, supplemented by two goals a piece to Joseph Luenu and Desmond Faauiaso.

The win sealed AS Pirae a semi final spot, with their clash with Auckland City FC set to decide top spot in Group A on Tuesday. Melanesian neighbours Sobou FC (PNG) and Marist FC (Solomon Islands) will fight out for third place and possible automatic qualification for next years OFC Champions League.

There is still all to play for in Group B with crucial matches on Tuesday between Tafea FC and Youngheart Manawatu, and AS Magenta and Nokia Eagles United.