Meanwhile, AS Pirae made an emphatic start to their Group B campaign, powering to a 3-0 win over New Caledonia's Tiga Sport in the capital, scoring all three goals in a first half blitz.
RNZ Pacific reports Hekari, who were champions in 2010, scored two second half goals to repel the challenge of the Vanuatu team in front of a vibrant home crowd of nearly 6000.
A spirited appeal for handball in the Hekari penalty area in the 36th minute threatened to be the defining moment of the first half, but the home town pleas for a penalty were dismissed by the referee.
