Tupapa Maraerenga FC have qualified for the OFC Men’s Champions League thanks to a comfortable victory over American Samoa’s Pago Youth FC in Apia on the final match day of qualifying.
Two Daniel Bunch goals were the key for the Cook Islands side, who had to work hard after going down to ten men late in the first-half.
Following the day’s earlier result, Tupapa knew a victory would assure them of a place in the tournament later this year in Fiji, but almost fell behind early on – Poasa Collins heading over from close range before brother Johnica fired wide when well placed.
Daniel Bunch had a rasping drive crash of the crossbar before he finally opened the scoring in some style just before the half hour mark. The forward’s initial effort was cleared but he acrobatically volleyed in the rebound to give his side a crucial lead.
Joshua Karika was sent off for dissent but Tupapa shortly after doubled their lead. Jordan Boon drove his way into the box, only to be upended by Tala Atinae Ofisa, with Bunch calmly converting from the spot.
Ngametua Tuakana should have made it three but fired straight at the goalkeeper when clean through. It proved to be only a brief reprieve for Pago Youth, as captain Grover Harmon headed home in the final minutes from an Adil Kamaldeen corner to seal the victory and qualification.
Pago Youth FC: 0
Tupapa Maraerenga FC: 3 (Daniel BUNCH 25′, 45′ (P), Grover HARMON 90+1)
HT: 0-2
Samoa’s Vaivase-Tai FC missed out on qualification despite securing victory in a highly entertaining match against Tonga’s Nukuhetulu FC.
Two Nathan Viliamu goals and one from brother Viliami helped propel the home side to a 5-3 victory, despite a spirited fightback by tournament debutants Nukuhetulu in the second-half.
Viliami opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before Roland Scanlon added a second to double the lead inside half an hour.
Nukuhetulu FC were awarded their own spot kick shortly after, but Tevita Falepapalangi saw this effort well-saved by ‘keeper Osa Savelio.
Scanlon assisted Nathan Viliamu to make it 3-0 before the former was sent off, after raising his hands to an opponents face.
There was a flurry of goals in the opening third of the second-half, with Garrett Burton Gee pulling one back for Nukuhetulu, followed by Nathan Viliamu grabbing his second. Morgan Lyman reduced arrears again, only for Ethan Stowers to make it 5-2.
A late Kulisitofa Kite strike pulled another back for Nukuhetulu but the ten-men of Vaivase-Tai FC were able to comfortably hold on.
Nukuhetulu FC: 3 (Garrett Burton GEE 47′, Morgan LYMAN 59′, Kulisitofa KITE 82′)
Vaivase-Tai FC: 5 (Viliami VILIAMU (P) 17′, Roland SCANLON 24′,
Nathan VILIAMU 42′, 50′, Ethan STOWERS 61′)
HT: 0-3
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Avii Faalupega