Auckland City FC's Myer Bevan celebrates his goal against Papua New Guinea's Hekari United, on Saturday, at the National Sports Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.nz
Auckland City FC have lifted their 13th Oceania Football Confederation Men's Champions League title, with a 2-0 victory over Port Moresby's Hekari United FC on Saturday, in Honiara.
Myer Bevan's goals in each half proved decisive as the Navy Blues overcame a spirited Hekari United FC to claim their fourth consecutive OFC Champions League title.
Alongside their commitments at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in June, the result means Auckland City FC will also be OFC's representatives at the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 later in the year.
Hekari were making their first appearance in the final since winning the OFC Men's Champions League in 2010, and got off to a physical and aggressive start, pressing high in an effort to get their dangerous front three into the game.
It sparked a few promising chances early on, with Ati Kepo coming closest, nodding a pinpoint cross from Pala Paul just inches wide of the left post.
Reduced to chances on the counterattack, Bevan spurned a shot straight into the arms of Dave Tomare after advancing down the right-hand side of the box.
It was Bevan who put them ahead against the run of play in the 39th minute though, latching onto a low delivery from Haris Zeb with a classy back-heel finish into the bottom-right corner of the net.
Needing to make a game of it in the second half, Hekari found every route to their star winger Rex Naime blocked, either by Jerson Lagos or Nathan Lobo.
Instead, David Yoo was looking lively down the other end for Auckland City, powering a low shot wide of the bottom right corner two minutes into the stanza.
Hekari's chances were further thinned when striker Kepo was forced from the field with cramp just after the hour mark.
It turned into a case of managing the game for Auckland City FC, and they added the decisive second goal from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute.
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