But for Benjamin Totori – a journeyman of Oceania football – it’s about recovering from the disappointment and regrouping for Tuesday’s crunch tie against Auckland City FC.
Totori is no stranger to the big game, nor the game against the Navy Blues – having played a bulk of his career for Waitakere United – and knows that the Solomon Islands champions will need to take something from the match if they are to advance from a tough Group B.
I feel really down after the game, but it’s football, someone had to win,” he says. “We deserved more than that. We’re looking forward to Auckland City and I think we can win.”
The veteran international striker is confident that his side can match up against the defending champions, who defeated hosts Suva 3-0 in the first game on day one.
“It’s football – anything can happen. And we played really well. So if we keep playing well and keep creating chances we might come up with a result against Auckland City.”
Totori says that the lack of a killer instinct in front of goal let his side down on Saturday.
“Yesterday’s game was our game. We created more chances we just lacked the finishing touch. It’s the first time we’ve been in the Champions League and it just comes down to experience. It looked like we could have won if we had scored.”
The former Wellington Phoenix striker is the competition’s leading scorer with 20 goals and is also the fifth most capped player in the Champions League. He knows that, to progress, he will need to produce in front of goal and add to his tally.
He welcomes being back at home after a long career abroad.
“It’s a good feeling playing with my brothers and with a team back home in the Champions League,” he says. “I’m very proud playing with these boys and my team back home.”
Western’s second match against Auckland City kicks off at 4:30pm on Tuesday April 14 at ANZ Stadium, Suva.

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