Cook Islands football champions Tupapa Maraerenga have withdrawn from the OFC Champions League competition after three players were unable to confirm they had been immunised for measles.
The Rarotonga club had travelled to New Caledonia to contest Group C of the Champions League alongside host club AS Magenta, AS Tiare Tahiti and Solomon Warriors, which kicked off on Sunday.
Cook Islands football champions Tupapa Maraerenga withdrew from the OFC Champions League group stage. Photo: OFC Media via Phototek
But following blood tests on Friday requested by the Directorate of Health and Social Affairs of New Caledonia, three players from Tupapa Maraerenga and two from Solomon Warriors were unable to confirm their immunisation status.
"The DASS decided not to allow the players concerned to participate in training sessions and matches during the Group C of the 2020 OFC Champions League," the Oceania Football Confederation confirmed in a statement.
"However, we understand that players are free to participate in any other activities with their club during their stay in New Caledonia."
Tupapa Mararenga finished runners up in the OFC Champions League Qualifying Stage. Photo: OFC Media via Phototek
With three of their squad unavailable, Tupapa Maraerenga opted to withdraw from the competition and return home.
Group hosts AS Magenta were awarded a 3-0 victory in yesterday's opening round in Noumea and the same result will apply to their remaining two matches.
Solomon Warriors are continuing with the competition, however, and opened their account with a 1-0 victory over AS Tiare Tahiti on Sunday, with Dennis Ifunaoa scoring the match-winner in the 66th minute.
Solomon Warriors striker Dennis Ifunaoa scored the only goal against AS Tiare Tahiti. Photo: OFC via Phototek
John Alick was denied from the penalty spot early in the second half but the Solomon Island champions finally found the breakthrough with striker Dennis Ifunaoa heading home from close range for the only goal of the game.
"It was a very hard game and we talked about this morning during our team talk, I told the boys that this game was very, very important to win," said Solomon Warriors head coach Selson Molea.
"I was disappointed that we missed a few chances and the penalty, it's something for us to think about and try to work on, we need to convert our opportunities and when we get a penalty we have to put it away."
Solomon Warriors coach Selson Molea. Photo: OFC via Phototek
Tiare Tahiti coach Vatea Terai lamented his side's failure to make the most of their opportunities.
"We really wanted to win this first game, and we had some chances to score but we couldn't make them count," he said.
"Our goalkeeper was in great form, he is a good player and he kept us in the game. He did a good job but unfortunately our forwards today couldn't do their job at the other end."
AS Tiare are back in action on Wednesday against AS Magenta, while Tupapa Maraerenga's withdrawal means Solomon Warriors must wait until the weekend to take on the group hosts.
