AS Pirae has secured their place in the OFC Men’s Champions League final after a dramatic semi-final victory over Fiji’s Rewa FC at Stade Pater. The match, filled with late-game heroics and high tension, saw AS Pirae overcome their rivals 4-2 after extra time.
The game reached a climax with two stoppage-time penalties, both converted by AS Pirae’s Désiré Ngiamba, which initially seemed enough to secure victory. However, a last-gasp goal from Rewa’s Samu Kautoga in the 99th minute forced the match into extra time.
In the opening exchanges, both teams pushed hard to assert dominance. AS Pirae’s Sandro Tau missed an early chance, heading wide from a cross by Désiré Ngiamba. Rewa responded swiftly, with Josaia Sela testing AS Pirae’s goalkeeper Francois Decoret, who made a crucial save.
The deadlock was broken just over 30 minutes in when Rewa’s Valevou was fouled by Taumihau Tiatia in the penalty area. Joseph stepped up to convert the penalty, giving Rewa a 1-0 lead.
AS Pirae intensified their efforts in the second half, with Ariiura Labaste nearly equalizing, but his shot was straight at Rewa’s goalkeeper Isikeli Sevanaia. Despite dominating possession, AS Pirae struggled to create clear chances until stoppage time.
A handball in the box by a Rewa defender gave Ngiamba the opportunity to equalize from the penalty spot, which he did with composure. Minutes later, another penalty was awarded to AS Pirae, and Ngiamba once again found the net, turning the game on its head.
With the match seemingly decided, Rewa’s Kautoga headed home an equalizer in the 99th minute, forcing the game into extra time.
AS Pirae regained the lead eight minutes into extra time when substitute Patrick Tepa fired a low shot into the near post. The victory was sealed when a cross from the left was inadvertently turned into his own net by Rewa defender Peniame Drova.
The thrilling contest ended 4-2 in favor of AS Pirae, setting up a final showdown with Auckland City on Friday evening.
Final Score:
AS Pirae 4 (Ngiamba 90′ (P), 90+6′ (P), Tepa 98′, Own Goal 111′)
Rewa FC 2 (Joseph 35′ (P), Kautoga 90+9′)
Half-Time:
Rewa FC 1-0 AS Pirae
Full-Time:
2-2 (AET: 4-2)