Tupapa Maraerenga book OFC Champions League 2026 place

Tupapa Maraerenga FC have secured their place at the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Men’s Champions League 2026 after a convincing 3-0 win over American Sāmoa’s Pago Youth FC on the final day of qualifying in Apia.

The Cook Islands side knew victory would guarantee qualification, and they delivered under pressure and showed composure and control even after being reduced to 10 men late in the first half.

Pago Youth threatened early, with Poasa Collins heading over from close range before Johnica Collins fired wide when well placed.

Tupapa responded with Daniel Bunch striking the crossbar with a powerful drive before breaking the deadlock just before the half-hour mark.

His initial effort was cleared, but the forward reacted quickly, volleying acrobatically into the net to give Tupapa a vital lead.

Moments later, Tupapa were dealt a blow when Joshua Karika was sent off for dissent.

Daniel Bunch scored twice for Tupapa Maraerenga FC, playing a key role in the win that booked the Cook Islands side a place at the OFC Men’s Champions League. Photo/OFC Media/Avii Faalupega

Any nerves were quickly settled, but as Tupapa doubled their advantage before the break, Jordan Boon surged into the penalty area and was brought down by Tala Atinae Ofisa, allowing Bunch to calmly convert from the spot for his second of the match.

Ngametua Tuakana went close to adding a third after the restart but fired straight at the goalkeeper when through on goal.

Pago Youth’s resistance finally ended in stoppage time, when captain Grover Harmon rose highest to head home from an Adil Kamaldeen corner, sealing both the win and qualification.

Sāmoa’s Vaivase-Tai FC celebrate victory over Tonga’s Nukuhetulu FC, but the result was not enough to secure qualification. Photo/OFC Media/Avii Faalupega

Earlier in the day, hosts Vaivase-Tai FC kept their hopes alive with an entertaining 5-3 win over Tonga’s Nukuhetulu FC. But the result was not enough to secure qualification.

Brothers Viliami and Nathan Viliamu led the scoring for Vaivase-Tai, with Roland Scanlon and Ethan Stowers also on target.

Viliami opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Scanlon doubled the lead inside 30 minutes.

Nukuhetulu had a chance to respond from the spot shortly after, but goalkeeper Osa Savelio produced a fine save to deny Tevita Falepapalangi.

Vaivase-Tai extended their lead through Nathan Viliamu before Scanlon was sent off for raising his hands to an opponent’s face.

The second half produced a burst of goals, with Nukuhetulu mounting a spirited comeback, but the 10 men of Vaivase-Tai held firm to claim victory.

Despite the result, it was Tupapa Maraerenga FC who finished the qualifiers with a place secured and now look ahead to the OFC Men’s Champions League in Fiji in August.