OFC Champions League Qualifying: Kiwi Blow Out Lotoha'apai United, Join Tupapa Maraerenga In Advancing To Group Stage Proper

The qualifying round of the OFC Champions League concluded on Saturday with two games contested at CIFA Academy Field, Matavera, Cook Islands:

In the opener, Paulo Scanlan delivered a quadruple (3', 40', 43', 74') while Lotial Mano added a double (11', 69') as Kiwi destroyed Lotoha'apai United 9-1 to advance to the group stage of the tournament.

In the finale, Harlem Simiona scored the game winner in the 89th minute as Tupapa Maraerenga defeated American Samoa's Pago Youth 2-1.

Final Qualifying Group Standings:

1. Tupapa Maraerenga (GP: 3; GD: +7; PTS: 9)
2. Kiwi FC (GP: 3; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
3. Lotoha'apai United (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 3)
4. Pago Youth (GP: 3; GD: -6; PTS: 0)

Tupapa Maraerenga and Kiwi FC advanced to the group stage, which is set to open next Sunday.

GROUP A (all games to be contested at Yoshida Stadium, Kone, New Caledonia, starting February 10):

Hienghene Sport (New Caledonia)

Toti City (Papua New Guinea)

AS Tefana (Tahiti)

Malampa Revivors (Vanuatu)



GROUP B (all games to be contested at Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji, starting February 10):

Lautoka (Fiji)

Central Sport (Tahiti)

Henderson Eels (Solomon Islands)

Morobe Wawens (Papua New Guinea)



GROUP C (all games to be contested at Korman Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu, starting February 23):

Erakor Golden Star (Vanuatu)

Team Wellington (New Zealand; defending champions)

Ba FC (Fiji)

Kiwi FC (Samoa)



GROUP D (all games to be contested at Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands, starting February 24):

Solomon Warriors (Solomon Islands)

Auckland City (New Zealand)

AS Magenta (New Caledonia)

Tupapa Maraerenga (Cook Islands)