League action is back in Tahiti and leaders face off in New Zealand as well as action from the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia in this week’s competitions wrap.
Tahiti’s Ligue 1 began with a bang this weekend, with AS Dragon and star striker Roonui Tinirauarii both laying down an early marker.
Last season, Dragon finished second to AS Pirae after a dramatic final day while Tinirauarii also came runner-up in the Golden Boot standings to AS Venus’s Teaonui Tehau.
However, he scored an incredible 10 goals in an opening day 11-0 win for Dragon over AS Excelsior.
Reigning champions Pirae overcame a spirited AS Tamarii Temanava 6-3 while Venus also enjoyed a winning start, beating AS Tamarii Punaruu 3-0. AS Tefana and AS Central Sport also enjoyed wins on the opening weekend.
A big game at the top of the New Zealand Men’s National League this weekend saw top-two Auckland City FC and Birkenhead United FC play out an exciting 2-2 draw. Late goals from Sam Brotherton and Emiliano Tade earned a point for the OFC Champions League winners, who had captain Cam Howieson sent off.
That result allowed Wellington Olympic AFC to close the gap at the top to one point, after a 3-0 win over Cashmere Technical. Auckland United FC remain undefeated in fourth after a 1-1 draw with Christchurch United while Napier City Rovers AFC v Miramar Rangers AFC and Wellington Phoenix Reserves v Melville AFC also ended even.
In the Women’s National League, Eastern Suburbs AFC and Western Springs AFC continue to lead the way, maintaining their 100 per cent record after game week five. Eastern Suburbs remain top on goal difference following a 1-0 win over Southern United but Western Springs narrowed the margin with a 5-1 triumph over Central Football.
Elsewhere, Northern Rovers FC beat Canterbury United Pride 4-1 while Capital Football and Auckland United FC battled out an exciting 4-4 draw.
In the Solomon Islands’ Solrais Women’s Premier League a battle between second and third ended even as Henderson Eels and Frigates United FC fought out a 1-1 draw. It meant both sides lost ground on the league leaders Koloale FC, who thrashed West Honiara FC 10-1.
RSIPF Royals kept pace with the chasing pack by beating Naha FC 4-0 and there were also wins for Geniagu FC and Haura FC.
Solomon Warriors top the standings in the Telekom S-League as the league hits it’s midway break stage. A 3-1 victory over FC Isabel United proved enough to secure first place.
They are however only clear of second place Henderson Eels FC on goal difference, after they defeated Honiara City FC 2-0.
Meanwhile, Waneagu United closed in on Kossa FC in third with a 1-0 win over their rivals.
Central Coast FC had a busy week, as they continue to play catch up following their OFC Champions League 2022 campaign. A 1-0 loss to Solomon Warriors was followed by a 7-0 win over Southern United but the reigning champions then suffered another loss, this time falling 3-1 to Real Kakamora FC.
In New Caledonia, Hienghène Sport celebrated their Coupe de Calédonie triumph from last week with a narrow 1-0 win over AS Wetr. Tiga Sport, however, continue to lead the way after dispatching of AS Lössi 3-1.
AS Kunié, AS Magenta and AS Mont-Dore also enjoyed wins while SC Ne Drehu v Qanono Sports ended goalless.