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 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 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 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: 0-2
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek