09/08/2026
⚽️ OFC Men’s Champions League
🥅 Media Release
🏟️ 9 August 2026
Dos Santos Medina Hat-Trick Guides 🇻🇺Galaxy FC to Victory
A hat-trick from Willian Dos Santos Medina helped Galaxy FC to a stunning 4-1 victory over Rewa FC as the Vanuatu champions began their OFC Men’s Champions League campaign with all three points at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
Galaxy FC made a dream start as they took the lead with a spectacular goal in just the fourth minute. Andrew Malakai collected a short pass from a throw-in some thirty-five metres from goal close to the touchline and took aim with a speculative drive. His shot hit the back off a covering defender and looped high over the goalkeeper and into the net.
Rewa FC responded well forcing a sharp stop from Michael Laulae in the Galaxy FC goal, as player/coach Tevita Waranaivalu began to pull the strings in the Fijian club’s midfield, but Galaxy FC were proving to be a stubborn unit to break down.
The Vanuatu side, meanwhile, who qualified by winning the 2025 Port Vila Premier League, were looking sharp on the counterattack, allowing Rewa to dictate much of the possession content that their well-organised defensive shape would be ample to frustrate their opponents.
It was via one of these counterattacks that Galaxy doubled the lead on the cusp of half-time. Malakai chipped a ball over the retreating Rewa FC defence into the path of Dos Santos Medina and the Brazilian skipped around the advancing James Do’oro, who had come to meet the ball, before clubbing a superb finish from out wide into the gaping goal.
Life got even better for Galaxy FC seven minutes into the second half. Roberson Dos Santos Ribiero challenged with Rewa FC goalkeeper Do’oro and crucially won a header that fell to the feet of Dos Santos Medina who had the simplest of tasks to stab the ball into the open goal.
Chasing a 3-0 deficit Rewa FC needed an instant response, and they got it six minutes later. Don Keana floated in a delightful corner which was met at the near post by Gabiriele Matanisiga at the near post whose flicked header flashed home to reduce the arrears.
But Galaxy FC were thereafter back in the ascendancy. Dos Santos Medina was given the opportunity to complete his treble when Galaxy FC were awarded a spot-kick with four minutes left, much to the chagrin of the Rewa FC players who felt Do’oro had played the ball hen challenging.
The Brazilian did not pass up the chance, crashing home the resultant penalty to complete his trio of goals and give Galaxy FC the perfect start to the tournament.
Galaxy FC 4 (Andrew MALAKAI 4’, Willian DOS SANTOS MEDINA 45’, 52’, 86’ (p))
Rewa FC 1 (Gabiriele MATANISIGA 58’)
HT: 2-0
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek
