Rewa bounce back as Auckland survive Central Coast scare in OFC Champions League

Hosts Rewa FC from Fiji have breathed life into their Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Men’s Champions League campaign after coming from behind to beat Tupapa Maraerenga 4-2 in Ba on Wednesday.

The Fijian side needed a result after losing their opening match and made the most of home advantage with Ramzan Khan, Joseph Athale, Setareki Hughes and Josaia Sela all finding the net.

The result comes two days after Solomon Islands club Central Coast FC pushed tournament favourites Auckland City all the way in Lautoka, only to concede twice in the final 12 minutes and lose 2-1.

Rewa started strongly against Tupapa with Khan testing the Cook Islands goalkeeper Tahiri Elikana from distance before finally breaking the deadlock in the 40th minute.

The midfielder's second long-range effort of the match flew into the top corner to give Rewa a 1-0 lead at half-time.

But Tupapa hit back almost immediately after the restart. Tremaine Rimene-Albrett was played through by Honoura Maraetefau and calmly finished past Rewa goalkeeper Epeli Loaniceva to level the match in the 47th minute.

Rewa FC players celebrate during their 4-2 victory over Tupapa Maraerenga in Ba. Photo/OFC Media/Phototek

Rewa responded just a minute later. Don Keana raced down the right and crossed for Joseph Athale, who reacted quickest after initially losing control of the ball to put Rewa back in front.

The Fijians continued to push. Setareki Hughes went close before finding the net in the 67th minute.

After a corner was cleared into his path, Hughes created space and curled the ball into the far corner to make it 3-1.

Watch highlights of the Rewa FC vs Tupapa Maraerenga below.

Josaia Sela then sealed the points five minutes from full-time, heading towards goal before following up on his own saved effort to make it 4-1.

Tupapa refused to give up and were rewarded deep into stoppage time when Maraetefau capitalised on a loose pass from Loaniceva to score his second.

Rewa held on for a 4-2 win and will now look to build on the result as the group stage continues.

Their win followed a dramatic contest between Auckland City and Central Coast on Monday.

The Solomon Islands side produced an impressive attacking display and deservedly took the lead through Bobby Leslie in the 58th minute after Rafa Lea’i burst behind Auckland's defence and set him up.

Auckland City players celebrate after two late goals secured a 2-1 comeback win over Solomon Islands side Central Coast FC in Lautoka. Photo/OFC Media/Phototek

Lea’i had already threatened throughout the match while Hudyn Irodao also forced a save from Auckland goalkeeper Matthew Foord.

But Auckland's experience showed late. Gerard Garriga equalised in the 78th minute after goalkeeper Erick Wanega could only push away Pavel Osmancik's shot.

Just two minutes later, substitute Ryan De Vries completed the comeback, volleying home from a Michal Doudera cross.

The 2-1 win extended Auckland City's unbeaten run in the OFC Men’s Champions League to 28 matches.

For Central Coast, the result was a painful finish after they had taken the game to one of the tournament favourites for much of the night.

With Rewa now back among the points and Central Coast showing they can trouble the region's biggest clubs, Group A remains wide open as the Pacific sides fight to stay in the race.

The competition continues this week with Lae City Dwellers from Papua New Guinea taking on ABM Galaxy from Vanuatu on Thursday. On Friday, AS Tiga Sport from New Caledonia will face Auckland City while Central Coast take on AS Venus from Tahiti.

The OFC Men's Champions League tournament ends on 22 August. For more details, click here.