Fiji’s Rewa FC began their campaign in the 2025 OFC Champions League on a challenging note, suffering a 4-2 defeat against Tiga Sport of New Caledonia in Honiara, Solomon Islands. In a game marked by adversity, Rewa played more than half the match with just ten players after veteran defender Kavaia Rawaqa received a red card in the 28th minute for striking an opponent.
The match started brightly for Rewa as they put pressure on their opponents, but an ill-timed foul by defender Leon Kofana in the 14th minute led to a penalty, which was converted by Tiga Sport’s Mickaël Partodikromo. Rewa’s Epeli Valevou managed to equalize for his team shortly after, but Tiga Sport regained the lead before halftime, finishing the first period with a score of 2-1.
The second half saw Rewa struggle under the weight of their numerical disadvantage and succumb to additional goals from Tiga Sport’s Gutacene Wadra and Jythrim Upa. Although John Orobulu pulled one back for Rewa in the 72nd minute, it was not enough to change the outcome.
The loss is a setback for Rewa, who came into this tournament looking to build on their recent semifinal appearance, where they narrowly lost to AS Pirae. Coach Roderick Singh expressed his disappointment but remained optimistic about his team’s potential, highlighting their ability to grow and improve through tough experiences.
For Rewa, despite the rocky start, there is still hope. The team’s resilience and fighting spirit can serve as motivation to bounce back in their upcoming matches and showcase the development they have made as a competitive force in regional football. The Delta Tigers have the opportunity to learn from this experience and possibly turn their fortunes around in this tournament.
The loss can be seen as an opportunity for the team to regroup and prepare for future challenges, demonstrating the kind of resilience that is essential in competitive sports. Fans are encouraged to remain supportive as Rewa seeks to reestablish its footing in the tournament.
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