OFC Pro League: Saniel stars as Vanuatu Utd power past Hekari to lead Challengers Group

Vanuatu United FC have made a strong statement in the Challengers Group of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) with striker Alex Saniel scoring twice in a key opening-day win over Papua New Guinea Hekari 3-1 at Eden Park in Auckland on Thursday.

Both sides came into the crucial OFC Pro League's round six match knowing how important the result would be with only the top teams progressing to the semi-final playoff race.

Vanuatu United started brighter creating early pressure through Kathy Iamak, who forced a save after goalkeeper Christinus Biasu failed to deal with an Otto Ingham free-kick.

They took a deserved lead just before the half-hour mark through Raymond Diho, who cut in from the left and curled a superb strike into the far corner.

But PNG Hekari responded quickly. Captain Ati Kepo levelled the score with a sharp finish from a tight angle after bending the ball past Matt Acton and in off the post to make it 1-1.

The second half was tighter with chances at both ends as fatigue set in. Godfrey Haro missed a good opportunity for Hekari while Owen Smith hit the inside of the post with a dangerous free-kick for Vanuatu United.

With the match finely balanced heading into the final stages, Saniel stepped up for Vanuatu.

Captain Michel Coulon flicked a corner back into the danger area and Saniel reacted first to bring the ball down and fire home from close range to restore the lead.

He then sealed the win later after being set up by substitute Azariah Soromon to make it 3-1 and secure all three points.

The result puts Vanuatu United in a strong position early in the group ahead of a key clash with Solomon Kings FC this weekend.

Solomon Kings edge Tahiti United in tight contest

Earlier in the day, Solomon Kings FC held off a late push from Tahiti United to win 2-1 in their hard-fought opening match.

Both teams knew the stakes were high in the Challengers Group where every point counts towards a place in the knockout playoff.

Tahiti United started strongly with Germain Haewegene and Tevita Waranaivalu causing early problems while Haewegene forced a good save from Phillip Mango.

But Solomon Kings slowly settled. Jez Lofthouse and Sota Higashide started to control the game in midfield.

The breakthrough came early in the second half when Higashide combined with Lofthouse, who squared for Rafa Le’ai to bundle the ball in from close range.

Tahiti thought they had equalised midway through the second half when Joseph Athale fired home but the goal was ruled out after the video assistant referee (VAR) spotted an offside in the build-up.

Solomon Kings FC and Tahiti United FC battle it out in a tight opening clash, with the Kings holding on for a crucial 2-1 win in the Challengers Group at Eden Park. Photo/OFC Media/Phototek

The Kings doubled their lead when Lofthouse broke clear and finished well to make it 2-0.

Tahiti hit back almost immediately through Bradley Ruiz, who fired into the top corner to give his side hope.

But Solomon Kings held firm in the closing stages to secure a valuable opening win.

With both Vanuatu United FC and Solomon Kings FC claiming opening victories, the Challengers Group is already shaping to be a close battle for a place in the semi-finals with big clashes still to come in Tāmaki Makaurau.