The 2026 OFC Men’s Champions League got underway in Lautoka with two convincing victories in Group B, as Lae City FC and Galaxy FC both started their campaigns with 4-1 wins at Churchill Park.
Papua New Guinea champions Lae City opened the competition against Cook Islands representatives Tupapa Maraerenga and took control of the match early. Teenager Solomon Kamake broke the deadlock in the 17th minute after Nalau Moses helped a long ball into his path, allowing the young forward to finish across goalkeeper Tahiri Elikana.
Lae City doubled their advantage shortly before half-time. Moses again played an important role, delivering a set-piece that was turned into his own net by Tupapa defender Shane Tuteru.
Seven minutes after the restart, Moses added his name to the scoresheet. Good combination play between Gorden Mark and Sileon Hatagao opened the Cook Islands defence, with Moses finishing the move to make it 3-0.
Tupapa continued to compete and were rewarded in the 72nd minute when substitute Moses Taokia found Tremaine Rimene-Albrett, who reduced the deficit. It was Tupapa Maraerenga’s first goal in the OFC Men’s Champions League group stage since 2019.
Lae City, however, had the final say. Ruel Api scored in stoppage time after a David Tita corner was only partially cleared, completing a 4-1 victory and giving the Papua New Guinean side an ideal start to the tournament.
The second match of the day produced the same scoreline but perhaps an even bigger statement, with Vanuatu champions Galaxy FC defeating host side Rewa FC 4-1.
Galaxy needed only four minutes to take the lead. Andrew Malakai tried his luck from distance and his effort took a deflection before looping over the goalkeeper.
Rewa responded and enjoyed significant possession, but Galaxy remained organised defensively and looked dangerous on the counterattack. That approach produced a second goal just before half-time, when Malakai released Brazilian forward Willian Dos Santos Medina behind the defence. Medina rounded goalkeeper James Do’oro before finishing from a difficult angle.
The Brazilian struck again seven minutes into the second half after Roberson Dos Santos Ribeiro won an aerial challenge with Do’oro, leaving Medina with the opportunity to finish into an open goal.
Rewa found a response six minutes later. Don Keana’s corner was met by Gabiriele Matanisiga, whose header reduced the deficit to 3-1 and briefly gave the home side hope of a comeback.
Galaxy remained in control, however, and Medina completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 86th minute, sealing a memorable 4-1 victory for the Vanuatu champions.
The opening results leave Galaxy and Lae City together on three points, both with a +3 goal difference, while Rewa and Tupapa Maraerenga remain without points.
Group B returns on August 12 at Four R Stadium in Ba, with Rewa facing Tupapa Maraerenga before Lae City and Galaxy meet in a direct clash between the two opening-day winners.
Meanwhile, Group A begins on August 10, with AS Vénus facing AS Tiga Sport before Solomon Islands champions Central Coast FC take on defending champions Auckland City.
Oceania Football Center 