Action from the Tupapa Maraerenga FC and American Samoa’s Pago Youth FC in Apia, on Friday afternoon. Photo: OFC

Cook Islands' Tupapa Maraerenga FC will compete at the OFC men's Champions' League in Suva in August, following their 3-0 win over American Samoa's Pago Youth FC in Apia, on Friday afternoon.

The win, on the last day of the qualifying event, was the team's second, following their earlier 3-0 win over Tonga's Nukuhetulu FC last week.

Oceania Football Confederation said two Daniel Bunch goals were the key for the Cook Islands side, who had to work hard after going down to ten men late in the first half.

The Cook Islanders, who took the field late afternoon in the second and final game, had led 2-0 at halftime.

Captain Grover Harmon headed home in the final minutes from an Adil Kamaldeen corner to seal the victory and qualification.

Local Samoan side Vaivase-Tai FC, who defeated Nukuhetulu FC in the earlier match on Friday, missed out on qualification.

The Samoans looked to be on their way to the main tournament when Nathan Viliamu scored twice, with another one from his brother Viliami, but the win was not enough to secure them their spot in the champions' league.

Vaivase-Tai FC led 3-0 at halftime over Nukuhetulu.

But the Tongans came back hard in the second spell, with three goals as they chased their first win.

Garrett Burton Gee scored first for Nukuhetulu, followed by Nathan Viliamu grabbing his second for the Samoan side.

Nukuhetulu got one back through Morgan Lyman, but Ethan Stowers scored again for the local club to move ahead 5-2.

A late Kulisitofa Kite strike pulled another back for Nukuhetulu but the ten men of Vaivase-Tai FC were able to comfortably hold on.

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A day out with the community was how some clubs competing at the OFC Pro League in Port Moresby spent their free day on Thursday, ahead of their matches this weekend.

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