Galaxy book semi-final place as Rewa keep hopes alive in Group B

Galaxy FC became the first team to secure a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 OFC Men’s Champions League after beating Lae City FC 3-1 on Wednesday, while hosts Rewa FC revived their campaign with a 4-2 victory over Tupapa Maraerenga.

The opening match of the day at Four R Stadium in Ba saw Rewa enter under pressure after their 4-1 defeat to Galaxy in the first round. Tupapa Maraerenga were also looking for their first points after losing by the same scoreline to Lae City.

Rewa controlled much of the first half and eventually broke the deadlock through Ramzan Khan in the 40th minute. The midfielder had already gone close with a long-range effort that was tipped onto the crossbar, before producing another strike from distance that beat goalkeeper Tahiri Elikana and sent the Fijian side into the break ahead.

Tupapa responded immediately after the restart. Tremaine Rimene-Albrett was released by Honoura Maraetefau and finished past Epeli Loaniceva in the 47th minute to make it 1-1.

Rewa, however, regained the lead only a minute later. Don Keana attacked down the right and found Joseph Athale inside the area, with the New Caledonian reacting quickest after initially losing control to score from close range.

Setareki Hughes extended Rewa’s advantage in the 67th minute with a well-placed effort into the far corner, before Josaia Sela made it 4-1 five minutes from time after reacting to the rebound from his own saved header.

Maraetefau scored a second for Tupapa deep into stoppage time, capitalising on a mistake from goalkeeper Loaniceva, but it was not enough to prevent Rewa from collecting an important 4-2 victory.

The result moved Rewa level with Lae City on three points and kept the hosts firmly involved in the battle for the second semi-final place.

Later in the evening, Galaxy FC produced another strong performance to defeat Lae City 3-1 and guarantee their progression to the knockout stage with one group match still to play.

Lae City took the lead against the run of play in the 13th minute. Langarap Samol delivered a free kick into the area and Charles Hayes rose highest to head past goalkeeper Michael Laulae.

Galaxy gradually grew into the contest and Willian Dos Santos Medina once again became the decisive figure. The Brazilian forward equalised in the 40th minute after beating the defensive line and lifting the ball over Ronald Warisan.

The match remained level until the closing stages, with Lae City missing a major opportunity when Solomon Kamake rounded the goalkeeper but could only find the side netting.

Galaxy punished that miss in the 69th minute. Medina raced onto a pass from compatriot Roberson Dos Santos Ribeiro and finished past Warisan to put the Vanuatu champions ahead.

Only one minute later, the same Brazilian combination struck again. Ribeiro flicked the ball into Medina’s path, and the forward controlled before cutting inside and calmly finding the far corner to complete his second hat-trick in as many matches.

Medina now has six goals from Galaxy’s opening two matches, having also scored three times in the 4-1 win over Rewa on the first day of the tournament.

With two victories from two matches, Galaxy sit on six points and have already secured a place in the semi-finals. Lae City and Rewa both remain on three points, while Tupapa Maraerenga are still without a point.

The final Group B matches will take place on Saturday, August 15, when Galaxy face Tupapa Maraerenga before Rewa and Lae City meet in what is expected to be a decisive clash for the remaining semi-final place.