Defending champions Auckland United FC have opened their OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 campaign in dominant fashion, defeating tournament debutants Drehu Athletico Club 11-1 at National Stadium in Honiara.

Returning to Solomon Islands for the first time since 2024, Auckland United’s produced a clinical attacking display scoring five first half goals and six in the second, highlighting a dominant start to their title defence.

After a patient opening period, Auckland United FC found the breakthrough in the 12th minute after pressure from a corner forced an own goal from Drehu defender Dounuhe Sakilia. Just a minute later, Kara McGillivray doubled the advantage cutting inside from the left before producing a composed finish. The defending champions continued to dictate the contest, stretching the Drehu defence as fatigue set in.

Aniela Jensen added a third in the 22nd minute before Sasha Adamson extended the lead five minutes later as Auckland’s attacking pressure intensified. Drehu managed to pull one back against the run of play when Kane Dralu capitalised on a long pass and beat the advancing goalkeeper to score the club’s first goal in the competition.

The response from Auckland was immediate, as Piper O’Neill restored the four-goal advantage with a long-range strike before halftime to give the New Zealand side a commanding 5-1 lead.

Any chance of a Drehu comeback disappeared moments after the restart, with Auckland scoring 23 seconds into the second half. Siobhan Edwards beat her defender down the left wing and delivered a low cross for Grace Bartlett who finished from close range.

Two minutes after being introduced, substitute Rena Okutsu struck a screamer from outside the box as the Aucklanders raced away with the lead. Auckland scored two more before full-time, with Admason completing her brace, and substitute Olivia Ingham finishing from the spot to bring up double digits.

The victory sends an early statement to the rest of the competition as Auckland United FC begin their pursuit of a third straight OFC Women’s Champions League title. The defending champions return to action in three days against tournament debutants Puaikura FC, while Drehu Athletico Club have five days to regroup before facing the Cook Islands side in their final Group B fixture.

Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek 

HT: 5 – 1

Auckland United FC: 11 (Drounuhe SAKILIA OG 12′, Kara MCGILLIVRAY 13′, Aniela JENSEN 22′, Sasha ADAMSON 27′, 77′, Piper ONEILL 39′, Grace BARTLETT 46′, Siobhan EDWARDS 54′, Rena OKUTSU 62′, 88′, Olivia INGHAM 80′ (P) )

Drehu Athletico Club: 1 ( Kané DRALU 29′)