Discipline costs Rewa as they fall 4-2 to Tiga Sport in OFC Men’s Champions League opener

Discipline let Rewa down as they were beaten 4-2 by New Caledonia’s Tiga Sport in their first match of the OFC Men’s Champions League in the Solomon Islands.

Epeli Velevou and John Orobulu scored for Rewa.

The team played most of the match with 10 players after Kavaia Rawaqa received a red card for striking the face of Tiga Sport midfielder Pierre Iewane, who had earlier received a yellow card for an offence prior to the incident.

Rewa also had four players yellow-carded.

Coach Rodeck Singh says after reviewing the replays, some of the yellow and red card decisions may not have been fully justified.

However, he says at top-level football, players cannot allow frustration to take over, as receiving a red card and playing with 10 men makes it much harder to compete.

As they prepare for their next game, Singh says discipline is an area they will need to improve on.

While he is pleased with the team's attacking performance, he says defence will be a key focus ahead of their next match.

Rewa takes on AS Pirae at 1pm on Wednesday.