Auckland City FC have lifted their 13th OFC Men’s Champions League title with a 2-0 victory over Hekari United FC in the final of the 2025 edition at the National Stadium in Honiara. 

Under the floodlights and backed by a strong crowd, Myer Bevan’s goals in each half proved decisive as the Navy Blues overcame a spirited Hekari United FC to claim their fourth consecutive OFC Champions League title.

Alongside their commitments at the FIFA™ Club World Cup 2025 in June, the result means Auckland City FC will also be OFC’s representatives at the FIFA™ Intercontinental Cup 2025 later in the year.

Hekari were making their first appearance in the final since winning the OFC Men’s Champions League in 2010, and got off to a physical and aggressive start, pressing high in an effort to get their dangerous front three into the game. 

It sparked a few promising chances early on, with Ati Kepo coming closest nodding a pinpoint cross from Pala Paul just inches wide of the left post.

The Navy Blues were forced onto the back foot, but as they so often do, remained composed and focused on the task at hand. 

Reduced to chances on the counterattack, Myer Bevan spurned a shot straight into the arms of Dave Tomare after advancing down the right-hand side of the box. 

It was he who put them ahead against the run of play in the 39th minute though, latching onto a low delivery from Haris Zeb with a classy back-heel finish into the bottom-right corner of the net. The former New Zealand international proceeded to sprint away in celebration, sending Auckland City into the half-time break with the lead. 

Needing to make a game of it in the second half, Hekari found every route to their star winger Rex Naime blocked, either by Jerson Lagos or Nathan Lobo. 

Instead, David Yoo was looking lively down the other end for Auckland City, powering a low shot wide of the bottom right corner two minutes into the stanza. 

Hekari’s chances were further thinned when striker Ati Kepo was forced from the field with cramp just after the hour mark. 

It turned into a case of managing the game for Auckland City FC, and they added the decisive second goal from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute. 

Matty Ellis won the spot kick for the Navy Blues after getting on the outside of Erick Joe in the box, and Myer Bevan duly obliged with a cool right-footed penalty into the bottom-right corner of the net, sending Tomare the wrong way. 

Matty Ellis had the chance to add a third goal late in injury-time but was denied by Tomare in a one-on-one situation inside the penalty area, as City strolled towards the finish line.

The final whistle was meant by joyous scenes from those in Navy Blue, as Auckland City FC continued their continental dominance with yet another OFC Men’s Champions League crown.

Auckland City FC 2 (Myer BEVAN 39’, 83’) 

Hekari United FC 0 

HT 1-0 

Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek