The ASB Premiership champions had to survive a couple of scares after taking the lead. Goalkeeper Tamati Williams, having already taken a knock to the head when pulling off a brave save at the feet of Nickel Chand in the first half, pulled off a superb double save from Ruisate Matarerega just after the restart.
But any anxiety Auckland may have harboured was allayed when substitute Burfoot beat Ragata at his near post with a left-foot finish 19 minutes into the second half.
Suva kept the pressure on the visitors and there was a controversial moment shortly after Burfoot's goal, when Williams looked to have handled the ball outside his penalty area following a wayward header by stand-in skipper Angel Berlanga. But referee Norbert Hauata waved away the protests, raising the ire of the 5500-strong partisan crowd.
With Suva desperately trying to find a way back into the match, Tribulietx threw on Adam McGeorge for Garcia and the former All Whites midfielder, now in his third spell with the club, completed a satisfying evening in Fiji by beating Ragata to make it 3-0.
Also played yesterday, last year's semifinalists AS Pirae were held to an unlikely 3-3 with Samoan champions Lupe Ole Soaga.
Team Wellington begin their campaign today, taking on Tahitian side Tefana in Suva, while Auckland City face Western United of Solomon Islands on Tuesday.
