Wellington defeat Samoan club champions Lupe Ole Soaga

A clinical performance from Team Wellington saw them run to a 7-1 victory over Samoan club champions, Lupe Ole Soaga in the opening Group D match of the OFC Champions League in Honiara Wednesday afternoon.

Team Wellington had no trouble as Taylor Schrijvers nailed the opening goal within the first two minutes of the match.

It set the tone for a Team Wellington goal-fest as the side’s Guernsey FC recruit Ross Allen found his form to net twice in the first half. His hat-trick came on the 68th minute, at which point it was time for a breather as coach Jose Figuiera brought Daniel Mulholland on.

The 20-year-old Jack-Henry Sinclair scored a tidy goal at the end of the first half, with substitutes Mulholland and Nathaneael Hailemariam rounding out the scoring.

Lupe weren’t without their own chances, with a couple of efforts putting the backline and goalkeeper Scott Basalaj to the test. However it required a second half penalty for the Samoans to get on the board, with Lapalapa Toni stepping up and sending Basalaj one way as he slotted in the other side.

Figuiera said it was a good outing for his side, especially after the opening result.

“I’m really happy, it’s important after the first game to bounce back and get the three points,” Figuiera said.

“I was delighted with the way the boys went about it. Scoring seven and controlling the game is one thing at home, but doing it here in near 40 degrees is spectacular from the boys so I’m really proud.”

Lupe Ole Soaga coach Paul Ualesi said his team were beaten by a better side..

“First of all congratulations to Team Wellington for the game. I know some were outside, we played a lot of silly mistakes and there were a lot of goals.

“It was a good challenge and a first time against a New Zealand team. I think next time we will come after them, we will fight again.”