Central Coast FC have secured their place in the semi-finals of the OFC Men’s Champions League 2026 with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over AS Tiga Sport, ending the New Caledonian side’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals for a second straightyear.

With Central Coast knowing a draw would be enough to progress to a match up with Group B winners Galaxy FC of Vanuatu, while Tiga needed all three points, it was the Solomon Islands side who started with greater urgency, creating several opportunities inside the opening 10 minutes,  but were unable to find the breakthrough.

That breakthrough instead came in the 15th minute. Central Coast captain Javin Wae stepped up to take a free kick, sending a low curling strike into the bottom right corner to give his side a 1-0 lead. The opening goal settled any nerves the Solomon Islanders might have had.

Bobby Leslie and Rafa Lea’i  were a constant threat up front for  Central Coast, combining well in attack and forcing AS Tiga’s defensive line to remain alert.

AS Tiga Sport continued to search for an equaliser, with Pierre Iekawe making a dangerous break forward before being met by a resolute Central Coast defence. Despite creating numerous half chances,  the New Caledonian side struggled in the final third to really trouble Central Coast FC goalkeeper Erick Wanega.

AS Tiga made four substitutions early in the second half as they looked to spark something in attack. Kn owing they had to score at least twice Leo Lopez’s side started taking risks and left themselves exposed defensively. However despite creating several goal scoring chances from open play, wasteful finishing prevented the Solomon Islanders from putting that game to bed.

Rafa Lea’i almost doubled the advantage when he latched onto a pass from Bobby Leslie, raced into space and struck towards goal, only for goalkeeper Thomas Schmidt to produce an outstanding save.

Central Coast finally put the result beyond doubt in the 72nd minute when from a corner Lea’i delivered a dangerous corner to the back post, where Marlon Tahioa rose highest and headed the ball down into the bottom-left corner to make it 2-0.

The result sees Central Coast return to the semi-finals for the first time since 2022, when they were beaten 2-0 by Auckland City, while AS Tiga’s campaign ends in the Group stage.

AS Tiga Sport: 0

Central Coast FC: 2 (Javin WAE 15′, Marlon TAHIOA 72′) 

HT: 0-1

Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek