Former professional footballer Marama Vahirua didn’t need long to make his mark on the domestic league – opening the scoring in the first minute as AS Pirae raced to a 5-0 lead at half-time.
Excelsior reduced the deficit swiftly after the restart thanks to Vetea Aharau but it only egged their opponents on as AS Pirae knocked in six more goals.
Two in the first half and two in the second saw Roonui Tiniraurii contribute four to the scoreline, with Raimoana Bennett netting one of his own. The real star of the show was 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bronze Ball winner Raimana Li Fung Kuee who scored five in total to race his way to the front of the pack in Golden Boot race.
2014 Coupe de Tahiti champions AS Tefana were another side hoping to make their Ligue 1 intentions clear on the opening day, with a high scoring 8-0 victory over Tamarii Faaa doing just that.
The newly promoted 2013 Ligue 2 champions struggled to assert themselves in the game against their better prepared opponents in the west coast derby.
Jess Horoi opened the scoring and his effort was soon followed by Jonathan Tehau, Teheivarii Ludivon and Stanley Atani to give AS Tefana a comfortable 4-0 lead at the break.
After making a few changes for the second period AS Tefana continued their assault on the Tamarii Faaa goal but were made to wait 15 minutes before Alvin Tehau added a headed goal of his own.
Sylvain Graglia added one of his own but a second for Tunoa Tevaearai in the 90th minute sealed the 8-0 victory.
The encounter between AS Venus and Central Sport lived up to expectations with suspense and action both playing a part.
Both sides have seen a number of changes with young players and internationals both given their chance to shine at the top of the domestic scene.
Central Sport recruited two Vanuatu talents during the off-season, bringing in attackers Fenedy Masauvakalo and Francois Sakama from 2014 OFC Champions League runners up Amicale FC.
Three goals to Central Sport courtesy of Matatia Paamia, Masauvakalo and Ariitapu Asen saw them leap ahead, but AS Venus reduced the difference before the half through Teaonui Tehau and Ahiti Teriitaumihau.
In the second half AS Venus took charge, scoring five more goals to win the encounter 7-3. Tehau took his tally to three goals, with Jean-Claude Paraue and Moana Gueguin also getting on the board.
Similar to what we have seen in New Zealand’s ASB Premiership with the inclusion of the national U-20 team Wanderers SC, Tahiti have opted to include their national U-17 team in the Ligue 1 as they prepare for the 2015 OFC U-17 Championship.
Coached by former Dragon coach Ludovic Graugnard, the youngsters made a relatively good impression in a well-balanced first half against Roniu.
However the fairy-tale start wasn’t to be as Yohann Tihoni scored twice to give Roniu a 2-0 lead at half-time. After the break two more goals to the senior side saw them hand the newcomers a 4-0 opening defeat.
The final match-up of the weekend’s season opening action saw two former OFC Champions League participants, AS Dragon and Manu Ura, take to the field. With a little less excitement and certainly less goals than in the other encounters, no winner could be found with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.
Four teams share the top spot with four points, but AS Pirae sit ahead of the pack thanks to their a generous goal difference.

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