Late drama defines Monday action as AS Tiga Sport and Auckland City open with wins

The second day of the 2026 OFC Men’s Champions League brought two tightly contested matches at Churchill Park in Lautoka, with AS Tiga Sport and Auckland City FC both needing late goals to begin their Group A campaigns with victories.

New Caledonia champions AS Tiga Sport opened the day with a narrow 1-0 win over Tahiti’s AS Vénus, in a match that appeared destined to finish goalless until the final minutes.

Tiga thought they had taken an early lead in the 17th minute when Yannick Ipunesso found the net, but the goal was ruled out for a foul in the build-up. Vénus also had their moments, with Keahinui Brown testing goalkeeper Thomas Schmidt and Manuarii Shan seeing a free kick pushed away before half-time.

The Tahitian side improved after the break and created several opportunities, while Tiga Sport came closest through Shane Welepane, whose powerful free kick was pushed onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Tetahio Teriinohopuaiterai.

The decisive moment finally arrived in the 89th minute. Jythrim Upa found space on the right and delivered a cross into the penalty area, where substitute Jean-Yves Saiko produced a diving header to give Tiga Sport all three points.

The later match produced even more drama as defending champions Auckland City came from behind to defeat Solomon Islands representatives Central Coast FC 2-1.

Central Coast gave the tournament favourites serious problems throughout the match. Raphael Lea’i was particularly dangerous, missing a good opportunity in the first half before later having a goal ruled out for offside shortly after the restart.

The Solomon Islands side eventually received its reward in the 58th minute. Lea’i broke behind the Auckland defence and played the ball into the path of Bobby Leslie, who struck a low first-time effort into the bottom corner to put Central Coast ahead.

For much of the second half, an upset appeared possible. Central Coast had produced an energetic attacking performance and forced Auckland City into the unusual position of chasing the game late.

The New Zealand champions, however, changed the match within two minutes.

Gerard Garriga equalised in the 78th minute after Central Coast goalkeeper Erick Wanega parried Pavel Osmancik’s effort into his path. Then, in the 80th minute, Michal Doudera crossed from the left and substitute Ryan De Vries volleyed home from close range to complete the turnaround.

The 2-1 victory extended Auckland City’s unbeaten run in the OFC Men’s Champions League to 28 matches, but Central Coast’s performance showed that the defending champions may face a difficult battle to retain their continental crown.

After Monday’s opening Group A matches, Auckland City and AS Tiga Sport both sit on three points, while Central Coast and AS Vénus remain without points.

Group A returns on Thursday, August 13, when AS Tiga Sport face Auckland City before Central Coast take on AS Vénus in what already shapes as an important match for both sides’ semi-final hopes.