OFC Champions League: Kiwi, Tupapa Maraerenga Take Prelim Round Openers

The preliminary round for the one available OFC Champions League group-stage berth commenced on Tuesday with two games, both contested at CIFA Academy Field in Matavera, Cook Islands.

In the opener, Tomas Masquera produced a hat trick (PK-34', 40', 90'+1) while Martin Packer added a double (75', 77') as Vailima Kiwi FC (Samoa) blew out Utulei Youth (American Samoa) 6-2.

In the nightcap, Jared Colligan delivered a hat trick (PK-7', PK-13', 42') while Harlem Simiona added a double (31', 70') as Tupapa Maraerenga (Cook Islands) destroyed Tonga's Veitongo FC 7-0.

Preliminary Group Standings:

1. Tupapa Maraeranga (GP: 1; GD: +7; PTS: 3)
2. Vailima Kiwi FC (GP: 1; GD: +4; PTS: 3)
3. Utulei Youth (GP: 1; GD: -4; PTS: 0)
4. Veitongo FC (GP: 1; GD: -7; PTS: 0)

The winner of this group will qualify for the OFC Champions League's group stage and will participate in Group C, alongside Nadi FC (Fiji), AS Magenta (New Caledonia), and AS Tefana (French Polynesia).

Here are the two other groups:

GROUP A:

Auckland City (New Zealand; defending champions)

Amicale FC (Vanuatu)

Solomon Warriors (Solomon Islands)

Lae City Dwellers FC (Papua New Guinea)



GROUP B:

Team Wellington (New Zealand)

PRK Hekari United (Papua New Guinea)

Suva FC (Fuji)

AS Lossi (New Caledonia)



Group-stage play commences on April 8.