But before the two square off it’s the home side, still searching for its first win, against the Solomon Islands’ Western United, who are also without a point nor a goal after two rounds of play.
Although neither side can advance from the pool, the match will certainly not be lacking in intensity, as Commins Menapi and Gurjit Singh look to avoid finishing the campaign at the bottom of Group B.
There’s pride on the line, and that should be motivation enough as both coaches look to prove their worth in the continental showpiece.
Suva were unlucky not to have taken a maiden point from their second match against Amicale, beaten by a stoppage time winner to Fenedy Masauvsakalo. By the admission of the Vanuatu side’s coach, the result may have flattered last year’s finalists. The home side will be keen to give their fans, who have turned out in good numbers throughout the group stage, some fond memories of their debut campaign.
Meanwhile at Western United, led by veteran striker Benjamin Totori, it seems just a matter of time before they trouble the scorers. Totori is the competition’s all-time leading goalscorer and his teammate Jack Wetney was also unfortunate not to have added his name to the scoresheet against Auckland. They were unlucky not to earn at least a point against Amicale on Match Day 1 before being beaten 3-0 by the Navy Blues on Tuesday afternoon.
In that game they showed signs of promise, their pace and willingness to get forward causing headaches for the opposition. Assistant coach Riccardo de Vivo also credited the effort and workrate of his side.
The second match of the day is undoubtedly the marquee match-up of the tournament to date.
Six-time champions Auckland City have looked sharp as ever in their two matches and need only a draw against Amicale to top the group. But this is the re-match that Marko Banchini’s side has been waiting for after last May’s 3-2 final defeat to Ramon Tribulietx’s side over two legs. In Oceania there’s no game an underdog raises for more than a match against the defending champions, who are so far on track for an historic fifth straight regional title.
A delighted Banchini said after the last-gast win on Tuesday that football was ‘crazy’ and ‘superb’, and no doubt he would be adding more superlatives to that list if he came out victorious on Saturday.
While Amicale have squeaked through in their two games, Auckland has scored six and is yet to concede in Suva. Tribulietx is pleased with the way his team dealt with an unfamiliar style of play in Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat of Western United. And he knows that topping the group would provide a clear psychological advantage were the sides to meet again in the knockout phase.
Ironically the sides could meet again on Tuesday if one finishes as the highest-ranked runners-up but that arrangement suits neither coach.
Group B action gets underway at Suva’s ANZ Stadium from 4:30pm with the clash between Western United and Suva before the big re-match between Amicale and Auckland City FC at 7pm.
Extra information:
Suva FA v Western United
ANZ Stadium, Suva
Saturday 18 April, 2015
Kick-off: 16h30
SUVvWES
Match Officials
Referee: Ichikawa POLOVILI (TGA)
Assistant Referee 1: Terry PIRI (COK)
Assistant Referee 2: Bertrand BRIAL (NCL)
Fourth Official: Salesh CHAND (FIJ)
Suva FA
The players: FIFA U-20 World Cup-bound defender Kolinio Sivoki has been outstanding for the Capital City boys and will be relishing the opportunity to test his skills against the competition’s top goalscorer Benji Totori come Saturday.
The vital statistics: Suva tested both 2014 finalists in their matches, and while they may have lost to both Auckland City FC and Amicale FC, showed that they are not out of their depth at this level. The two losses mean they’re in a battle with Western to lift themselves off the bottom of the table and a win here would do wonders for their confidence. Nickel Chand and Emori Ragata remain the only Suva players with cautions.
Coach quote: “We will do our best again, we are sure they will also try and put in a good effort against us. We won’t give up and will give another good performance in the last game.”
Squad list: 1. Ulaiasi TAMANISAU (GK), 2. Dave RADRIGAI, 3. Noa TUIWAINIKAI, 4. Jale DREOLA, 5. Adrian MEDINA, 6. Nickel CHAND, 7. Pita RABO, 8. Inia BOKO, 9. Esava NAQELECA, 10. Abdulwali AMAN, 11. Maciu DUNADAMU, 12. Tomasi UCULOA, 13. Poasa BAINIVALU, 14. Rusiate MATAREREGA, 15. Waisake NAVUNIGASAU, 16. Shahil DAVE, 17. Kolinio SIVOKI, 18. Al-taaf SAHIB, 19. George JERMY, 20. Leone DAMUDAMU, 21. Sakaraia NAISUA, 22. Emori RAGATA (GK), 23. Giacomo RATTO
Coach: Gurjit SINGH (FIJ)
Western United
The players: Scotsman Euan Murray put in a solid performance against Auckland City. Benjamin Totori proved why he has been a staple in this competition over the years with another inspired performance that saw him come close to extending his all-time goal scoring record.
The vital statistics: Like their opponents on Suva, Western United will be wanting to finish on a high with at least a point, though three points would be preferable. Five players have cautions, with Djibril Sibidi and Abraham Maezama picking theirs up in the match against Auckland City.
Assistant Coach Quote: “We’re going into this match with the same mentality. We’ll try and play the game with the same tempo, we’re not going to change our style and we’re going to go for the three points.”
Squad list: 1. Fabrizio PRATTICO (GK), 2. Tome FAISI, 3. George KAKAI, 4. George STEVENSON, 5. Freddie KINI, 6. Euan MURRAY, 7. Jack WETNEY, 8. Lenson BISILI, 9. Benjamin TOTORI, 10. Rashid KAMARA, 11. John AGBO, 12. Djibril SIBIDI, 13. James NAKA, 14. Abraham INIGA, 15. Lon GARABA, 16. Gagame FENI, 17. Abraham MAEZAMA, 18. Navusu KITU (GK), 19. Jeffery BULE, 20. Phillip MANGO (GK), 21. Charlie OTAINAO, 22. Aleck WICKHAM, 23. Joses NAWO
Coach: Commins MENAPI (SOL)
Assistant Coach: Riccardo DE VIVO (ITA)
Amicale FC v Auckland City FC
Saturday 18 April, 2015
Kick-off: 19h00
AMIvAKL
Match Officials
Referee: Norbert HAUATA (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Tevita MAKASINI (TGA)
Assistant Referee 2: Paul AHUPU (TAH)
Fourth Official: Ravitesh BEHARI (FIJ)
Amicale FC
The players: Micah Lea’alafa was a game changer against Suva, coming off the bench to inspire his side to a 3-2 victory. His skills are renowned, he has slotted into the squad well and could well prove the difference. The usual suspects in Osea Vaketalesau, Fenedy Masauvakalo and Nelson Sale continue to impress with their performances at either end of the field.
The vital statistics: It was at this point in the 2014 competition that Amicale undid their regional rivals 1-0 to force them into a waiting game for semi-final contention. In their eight previous meeting they may have only won twice before, but they won’t be paying too much credence to the past as they aim to lock up that spot at the top of Group B for themselves. Samuela Kautoga and Rijat Shala join Osea Vakatalesau and Laitia Tuilau on a caution each following their previous match.
Squad list: 1. Marko MILIVOJEVIC (GK), 2. Samuela KAUTOGA, 3. Nelson SALE, 4. Marcomattia NASALI, 5. Francesco PERRONE, 6. Rijat SHALA, 7. Gaspar LEZCANO, 8. Micah LEA’ALAFA, 9. Dominique FRED, 10. Fenedy MASAUVAKALO, 11. Miguel MAGNONI, 12. Alphonse BONGNAIM, 14. Sailas NAMATAK, 15. Osea VAKATALESAU, 16. Nicola PRINCIVALLI, 17. Chanel OBED, 18. Massimiliano LIONETTI, 19. Brian KALTACK, 20. Mauro BOERCHIO (GK), 21. Laitia TUILAU, 22. Carlo POLLI, 23. Chikau MANSALE (GK), 24. Kensi TANGIS
Coach: Marco BANCHINI (ITA)
Auckland City FC
The players: Auckland City appeared to pick up a couple of injuries in their previous match, with striker Ryan De Vries being
stretchered off. Darren White stepped up from defender into a front-man role and nicked a brace so clearly the side has depth and ability which could cause trouble for Amicale.
The vital statistics: Auckland City have the better track record in previous meetings between these sides with five wins from eight matches, two losses and a draw. Just one player has picked up a yellow card for the Navy Blues so far, Portuguese striker Jaoa Moreira.
Coach Quote: “We’ll have to be ready because it’s going to be another cracking game and maybe a decider. We’ll definitely be playing against a very good team, we’re just going to have to recover well and prepare from Friday onwards.”
Squad list: 1. Tamati WILLIAMS (GK), 2. Marko DORDEVICH, 3. Takuya IWATA, 4. Mario BILEN, 5. Angel BERLANGA, 8. Anthony HOBBS, 9. Darren WHITE, 10. Ryan DE VRIES, 11. Cam LINDSAY, 12. Adam MCGEORGE, 13. Ivan CARRIL, 14. Colin MURPHY, 15. Ivan VICELICH, 16. Daewook KIM, 17. Joao MORIERA, 18. Danyon DRAKE (GK), 19. David BROWNE, 20. Oscar GARCIA, 21. Gustavo SOUTO, 22. Andrew MILNE, 23. Sam BURFOOT, 24. Jacob SPOONLEY (GK), 25. Michael DEN HEIJER
Coach: Ramon TRIBULIETX (ESP)
OFC and UNICEF join forces on the Pacific Cyclone Appeal
Tropical Cyclone Pam, a Category 5 cyclone has affected over 166,000 people on 22 islands, including 82,000 children. Schools, hospitals and care facilities have all been affected, leaving children vulnerable and without many basic services.
UNICEF currently has about 65 per cent of the funds required to deliver life-saving aid to thousands of children and their families in Vanuatu and other affected countries. An additional US$2 million is needed to provide access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, lifesaving health and nutrition interventions, education and protection until the end of 2015.
To donate please visit: www.supportunicef.org/cyclonedonate .
For more information on the appeal please contact: Alice Clements at aclements@unicef.org
Sponsors
The OFC would like to acknowledge its sponsors Fiji Airways and Vodafone Fiji.
