In an intense OFC Champions League semifinal that extended into extra time, Rewa fell short to AS Pirae, 4-2 after a series of dramatic turns.
The match began with early tension as Rewa’s Inosi Matanisiga received a yellow card just six minutes into play.
However, Rewa capitalised on a subsequent play when Epeli Valevou was fouled, earning a penalty that Patrick Joseph confidently converted in the 34th minute, giving Rewa a 1-0 lead.
Valevou himself took a yellow card shortly after, in the 36th minute.
By halftime, Rewa maintained their narrow lead, but AS Pirae came out pressing strongly in the second half.
Despite multiple attempts by AS Pirae, Rewa’s defense held firm, with Skipper Setareki Hughes playing a crucial role.
Rewa’s goalkeeper Isikeli Sevanaia, made a strong save in the 76th minute, denying Sandro Tau’s powerful header.
The drama heightened in the 89th minute when AS Pirae’s Desire Ngiamba scored from a penalty awarded after a handball by Monit Chand.
In the added seven minutes of stoppage time, another handball, this time by Ivan Kumar, gave Ngiamba the chance to score his second penalty, putting AS Pirae ahead 2-1.
Just when it seemed AS Pirae had clinched the win, Rewa’s veteran Samu Kautoga headed in an equalizer from a corner by Tevita Waranivalu in the 99th minute, pushing the game into extra time.
The home side regained the lead in the 98th minute with a goal from substitute Patrick Tepa.
The final blow to Rewa came in the 115th minute when Peniame Drova accidentally headed the ball into his own net, sealing the victory for AS Pirae at 4-2.
