Rewa FC secured a much-needed victory over Tupapa Maraerenga FC to keep their OFC Men’s Champions League dreams alive on home soil in Ba.
Both sides were looking to bounce back from opening day defeats, with Rewa in particular keen to get their first points on the board, as they tried to take advantage of a passionate home crowd in warm and humid conditions.
They started by far the brighter side, but despite their efforts struggled to trouble Tupapa Maraerenga’s defence in the early stages. Setareki Hughes and Don Keana were leading the charge for Rewa, but goalkeeper Tahiri Elikana remained largely untested.
Ramzan Khan stood out as one of Rewa’s top performers as they grew into the game and he came closest to opening the scoring with a rasping effort from distance that Elikana did well to tip onto the crossbar.
Josaia Sela was next to create a good chance and should have done better with the opportunity. The forward worked his way in-field from the left-hand channel, cutting inside and firing wide of the near post when he should have hit the target.
Tupapa worked hard to try and catch their opponents on the break, but struggled to take advantage of Rewa’s high defensive line.
It was little surprise when the deadlock was finally broken and even less surprise that it came via the excellent Khan. The midfielder unleashed another long-range effort and this one proved too good for Elikana, flying past the ‘keeper and into the top corner to give Rewa a half-time lead.
Tupapa had struggled to get a foothold in the first-half but within seconds of the restart they were level. Catching the Rewa defence cold, Tremaine Rimene-Albrett was played clean through by Honoura Maraetefau and he made no mistake, sliding the ball past the on-rushing Epeli Loaniceva.
Parity wouldn’t last long however, as Rewa hit back almost immediately. Don Keana showing his pace and power down the right, beating his man and crossing for Joseph Athale. The New Caledonian initally lost control of the ball, but reacted quickest in the box to scramble home from a few yards out.
Rewa were determined to try and press home their advantage having regained the lead. Athale continued to look dangerous, whilst Setareki Hughes came close with a trademark left-footed effort that narrowly flew past the far post.
Hughes would have another, similar opportunity shortly after and it led to Rewa’s third goal. Substitute Merrill Nand’s corner was cleared only as far as Hughes and after creating space himself, he curled his effort into the far corner to double Rewa’s lead.
Brazilian Lucas Santos was brought on in the final twenty minutes for Rewa and the forward looked dangerous from the outset, including a testing drive that goalkeeper Elikana held at the second attempt.
A fourth would arrive for Rewa with just five minutes remaining, when Josaia Sela met an excellent cross from the left from Kavaia Rawaqa – his initial header was well saved by Elikana but Sela reacted to bury the rebound.
Tupapa worked hard to the end and were rewarded for doing so with a late consolation. Honoura Maraetefau taking advantage of a slack pass from goalkeeper Loaniceva, picking up the ball and firing home as it finished 4-2.
Rewa FC: 4 (Ramzan KHAN 40′, Joseph ATHALE 48′, Setareki HUGHES 67′, Josaia SELA 85′)
Tupapa Maraerenga FC: 2 (Tremaine RIMENE-ALBRETT 47′, Honoura MARAETEFAU 90+4′)
HT: 1-0
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek