Galaxy demolishes title holders Hienghène Sport in Port Moresby

The first surprising result of the OFC Champions League happened in Port Moresby, where Galaxy displayed a very entertaining football to beat the current OFC Champions League champions Hienghène Sport from New Caledonia.

In the Sir John Guise Stadium, the Ni-Vanuatu side wearing red seemed dangerous since the starting of the match, with the likes of Henry Namatak and the Brazilian midfielder Roberson being very effective in their offensive plays. In the 13th minute of the clash, the Solomon Islands international Gagame Feni made a very good play in the left side, crossed the ball to the area and found Roberson unmarked, he touched the ball and it was rebounded in Rocky Nyikeine, getting back to his feet to score to an empty-net goal.

Hienghène Sport managed to have some good chances, with Antoine Roine hitting the post of Seiloni Iaruel in one opportunity and Bertrand Kaï missing an one-on-one situation with the Ni-Vanuatu goalkeeper. Galaxy defensive system had problems to deal with the pace of the Hienghène Sport strikers in some periods of the first half.

But the surprising Galaxy would score again before the break: Roberson made a fantastic solo effort in the right flank, crossed the ball and found Gagame Feni unmarked to score his first goal in the match and the second of the Ni-Vanuatu side.

The result at the end of the first half was really not expected: the current title holders being beaten by the newcomers in the competition. Galaxy proved they are strong and well organized by the Solomon Islander coach Batram Suri.

Hienghène started the second half decided to cut the deficit; the upfront men Bertrand Kaï, Nelson Kaï and Antoine Roine were despair to put their names in the scoresheet. Joseph Athalé even scored an amazing bicycle kick, but the goal did not count as he was in an offsided position. The captain Bertrand Kaï had a golden chance to score the first for Hienghène, after the Brazilian defender Diego Máximo commited a foul inside the box, making the referee award a penalty for the current title holders. The former Oceania Player of the Year took the ball, but unfortunately for his side he sent the ball over the crossbar.

The day was really not good for Hienghène; but it was stupendous for Galaxy. In the 80th minute of play, Henry Namatak received the ball in the area and crossed to the English striker Terence Carter just to tap home, putting the Ni-Vanuatu side three goals ahead in the scoreline.

The match was not over yet; just after the third goal of Galaxy, Joseph Iaruel commited another penalty in favour of Hyehen. This time Bertrand Kaï decided not to take the shot and the New Caledonian international Joseph Athalé took the responsibility and made no mistake, to cut the deficit for the current champions to 3-1.

Hienghène got a little hope after scoring in the 84th minute of the game, they went forward hoping to score another, but the Ni-Vanuatu defense was – the goalkeeper Seiloni Iaruel was very safe during the entire match.

The top-striker Kensi Tangis was introduced in the second half in place of Gagame Feni. In the only chance Tangis had to score, he made so: the striker received a long ball, ran towards Rocky Nyikeine and placed a powerful shot in the left side of the goal to give final numbers to the scoreboard: 4-1, a historical victory of the team coached by Batram Suri.

Galaxy imposed a harsh defeat to the current champions of the competition to show the strength the team really has. The newcomers collect their first three points in the process and give a very important step to qualify to the next stage.

Hieghène Sport will need a win in their upcoming match in the Group A if they want to keep their hopes alive to defend the title they had won in 2019 after beating AS Magenta in the grand final.