Auckland City have booked a place in the OFC Champions League semi-finals after beating Fiji’s Rewa FC 3-0 in their second pool game.
The Navy Blues took charge in the first half and then dominated possession to ensure a smooth progression from the tournament’s group stage.
Playing at Ngahue Reserve, Stonefields, City were denied a penalty early when skipper Cam Howieson went down in the box.
But midway through the half, Dylan Manickum was dragged down and this time City were awarded the spot kick.
Howieson calmly slotted the penalty to put City ahead in the 26th minute.
In the 35th minute, City doubled their lead from a corner when Joe Bell got foot to ball and before Rewa’s defence could react, Mario Ilich tapped in from close range.
The sides turned around with City 2-0 ahead and calling the shots.
Howieson controlled the centre of the pitch and City’s formation stretched Rewa across the width of the pitch.
When it seemed City were comfortable with running down the clock, they scored a third goal in stoppage time, through substitute Emiliano Tade.
Main photo: Cam Howieson … controlled the middle of the pitch for City. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
Full match replay
Click on the following link to watch the match:
Results
Group B
Game played Monday August 8, 2022
Auckland City 3 (Cam Howieson 26′ pen, Mario Ilich 35′, Emiliano Tade 90+4′)
Rewa 0
Nikao Sokattak 0
Hienghène Sport 1 (Fonzy Ranchain 58′)
Games played Friday August 5, 2022
Auckland City 5 (Adam Mitchell 7′, Cam Howieson 14′, Dylan Manickum 39′, Mario Ilich 49′, Liam Gillion 88′)
Hienghène Sport 0
Rewa 3 (Abbu Zahid 2’, 56’, Tevita Waranaivalu 45+3’)
Nikao Sokattak 1 (Mark Leito 78′)
Standings
Group A
Games played Thursday August 4, 2022
Central Coast 0
AS Vénus 3 (Teaouni Tehau 12’, 16’ pen, 46’)
Galaxy 2 (Own goal 28‘, Kensi Tangis 46’)
Lae City 2 (Own goal 34‘, Jonathan Allen 73’)
Games played Sunday August 7, 2022
Central Coast 3 (Jeffery Bule 37′, Junior Fordney 45′, Clifford Fafale 56′)
Galaxy 1 (Kensi Tangis 14′)
AS Vénus 1 (Kévin Barbe 80′)
Lae City 0
Standings
Tournament schedule
Click here for tournament schedule >>>>
More football stories
