Familiar leaders in New Zealand, goals galore in Tahiti and a title win in New Caledonia. All this and more in this week’s round-up of the action across Oceania.
New Caledonia’s Championat Federal women’s champions were crowned this weekend with ASAF claiming top spot after a 2-2 draw with FCF Academie. ASAF knew a draw would be enough to secure a league and cup double, having already claimed the domestic knockout prize against FCF in October.
FCF scored twice in the first-half to get one hand on the title however ASAF pulled one back from a free-kick before an acrobatic equaliser earned ASAF the title.
In the men’s Super Ligue leaders Tiga Sport overcame a scare to stay in control of their own title race over the weekend. Two goals apiece from Lues Waya and David Bearune earned a 4-3 victory over AS Wetr.
AS Magenta remain in second place, three points behind, but have now played two games more then the table-toppers after their weekend 3-0 win over SC Ne Drehu. Hienghene Sport remain the most likely rivals in third but had to scrape past the already relegated JS Baco, 3-2, to stay in touch, five points behind. But with just four games left Tiga Sport are firmly in the driving seat.
Auckland City FC are back at the top of the New Zealand Men’s National League after the weekend’s results. The Navy Blues edged past Christchurch United 3-2 while nearest rivals, Wellington Olympic AFC drew 1-1 with Wellington Phoenix Reserves. Both teams are now level on 16 points, but City lead on head-to-head record, having beat Olympic 2-1 in October.
Elsewhere, Melville United AFC extended their resurgent form, making it three wins on the spin by beating Miramar Rangers AFC 3-2 and third-place Auckland United FC stayed in touch with the top two by beating Cashmere Technical FC 2-1.
In the Women’s National League, Eastern Suburbs AFC’s procession to the title continued as they extended their 100 per cent record with a thumping 9-1 win over Central Football. Western Springs AFC remain seven points behind in second after getting the better of a five-goal thriller v Canterbury United Pride.
Ligue 1 action returned in Tahiti following last week’s weather enforced postponements and AS Dragon maintained their blistering start to the new season, beating AS Tamarii Temanava 7-2. Fellow perfect starters AS Venus and AS Tefana also remain on maximum points, after 3-2 and 3-0 wins over AS Central Sport and AS Tamarii Punaruu respectively.
Meanwhile, AS Pirae’s return to form continued with a 7-0 thrashing of AS Jeunes Tahitiens.
Solomon Warriors remain top of the Telekom S-League in the Solomon Islands after cruising to a 4-0 win over FC Isabel United. Henderson Eels remain in hot pursuit, Raphael Lea’i scoring another hat-trick in a 5-2 win over Honiara City.
In the Cook Islands, table-topping Nikao Sokattak gave up a two-goal lead to be held to a 2-2 draw by Avatiu in the Premier Men’s competition. The result allowed Tupapa Maraerenga to gain ground with a 6-2 win over Puaikura.
In the Premier Women’s league, Avatiu beat Nikao Sokattak 2-0.
Ifira Black Bird continue to dominate in Vanuatu. The reigning champions won 4-0 against Mauriki to remain top of the Port Vila Premier division.
Meanwhile, in Tonga, Veitongo are top of both the TFA Major League Premier Men’s and Premier Women’s divisions with perfect records after four games of the season.
The men’s team secured a 5-0 win over Fasi Moe Afi while the women beat both Fahefa and Havelu this week.