Debutants Eastern Suburbs and Galaxy FC have advanced to the OFC Champions League quarter finals at the expense of two former regional winners.
New Zealand domestic title holders Eastern Suburbs thrashed defending champions Hienghène Sport 4-0 in their final Group A clash on Saturday to top the standings with eight points from three games.
Eastern Suburbs topped the scoring charts in Port Moresby with six in three games. Photo: OFC via Phototek
Uruguayan striker Martin Bueno continued his hot form in front of goal with a third consecutive brace to go cletournament scoring charts with six, with Reid Drake and Adam Thurston also finding the back of the net for Tony Readings' side.
"I thought we were fantastic today," said the victorious coach.
"We knew we were up against a good team and we knew they had to win to progress from the group so we knew they were going to come at us and they did. I think getting two goals early really helped but we are very pleased with the performance.
"We had tricky conditions here but we were very disciplined defensively and pretty good in attack."
Only a couple of Eastern Suburbs players had previous experience in Oceania's top flight and Readings was encouraged by the way his players rose to the occasion.
"Overall we are happy and we do feel like we have grown in each game and very pleased to progress from this tough group," he said.
"It's fantastic for us. This is the first time for us in this tournament. I think everyone knew this was the toughest group so to get out of this, is amazing for us."
2019 champions Hienghène Sport failed to reach the knockout rounds. Photo: OFC via Phototek
Hienghène coach Felix Tagawa remained philosophical despite the defending champions' early exit from the competition.
"We couldn't bring our best team here because some of our key players had to stay behind in New Caledonia for their work or family commitments," he said.
"We are not a professional team so we can't demand everything from our players. Last season was exhausting for our club, our players and staff and some of our main players needed a break, which in the end counted a lot during this campaign."
Fellow newcomers Galaxy FC clinched the second quarterfinal spot in Group A despite a 2-1 defeat to 2010 champions Hekari United in Port Moresby.
Playing on their home turf at Sir John Guise Stadium, Hekari needed to win by three goals or more to leapfrog Vanuatu's Galaxy into second place in the group.
Ati Kepo opened the scoring with an emphatic 54th minute strike and put the PNG National Soccer League leaders two goals to the good 10 minutes later.
Ati Kepo scored twice for Hekari United. Photo: OFC via Phototek
However, Galaxy playmaker Bong Kalo silenced the home crowd six minutes from full-time with a crucial consolation goal, in his first appearance of the tournament following a two-match suspension, to ensure the Vanuatu side advance on goal difference.
"I knew it was going to be a huge game for us against Hekari on their home ground and it was a relief to score that goal that sealed our qualification," beamed an ecstatic Galaxy coach Batram Suri after the match.
"I'm really proud of my team's achievement. Even when we were two nil down I believed in my boys and I knew we have the ability to score, and the goal was a great contribution by Bong Kalo."
Bong Kalo scored late to ensure Galaxy FC advanced to the knockout rounds. Photo: OFC Media via Phototek
Hekari counterpart Jerry Allen focused on the positives despite the disappointment of failing to qualify for the knockout rounds.
"We wanted to win today to give something back to our fans and, despite we missed out on qualification because of our goal difference, we still managed to win," he said.
"When we were up two nil and had some momentum I thought we are going to score again and qualify. We had some chances but it's football and today it wasn't to be. I'm still proud of the boys and want to thank all the people who came out supporting us."
Home-town revival keeps Malampa moving on
Vanuatu will have two teams in the OFC Champions League knockout rounds for the first time after Malampa Revivors stunned Lae City 3-0 on Friday to finish top of Group B in Luganville.
The group hosts had drawn their opening two fixtures against Lautoka and Henderson Eels but saved their best for last with star striker Andre Batick bagging a hat-trick on his return from suspension to propel the Vanuatu National Super League champions into the knockout rounds for the first time.
"We really prepared to win this game," said a delighted Malampa coach Steve Varegali.
Vanuatu striker Andre Batick scored all three goals for Malampa Revivors. Photo: OFC Media
PNG champions Lae City had entered the game knowing a draw would be enough to secure a quarter-final berth but finished the game with nine men after Nigel Dabinyaba and captain Raymond Gunemba received their second yellow cards late in the game.
"It's very disappointing," Lae City coach Peter Gunemba said.
"I didn't expect to lose the game that way because the boys played very, very well in the last few games and we were thinking that this game was going to be our game."
Henderson Eels are through the quarter finals for a second straight year after a stoppage time winner from Joses Nawo gave the Solomon Islands side a dramatic 3-2 win over Lautoka FC.
Joses Nawo scored the match-winner deep into stoppage time. Photo: OFC Media
The Honiara club trailed 2-0 six minutes into the second half following goals from Shazil Ali and Jack Caunter before substitute Kennedy Watemae found the back of the net in the 72nd minute.
With the Eels nine minutes away from elimination, teenage star Raphael Le'ai equalised in the 87th minute before Nawo struck six minutes into stoppage time to send Eddie Marahare's side into the knockout rounds.
"I cannot express how sweet it is to come back, especially in the additional time, to win the game," said a relieved Marahare after the final whistle.
"In the second half we just had the fighting spirit to go until the end."
