The Samoan champions, Kiwi FC, last appeared in the OFC Champions League proper in the inaugural tournament in Fiji in 1999 where they lost heavily to AS Venus and Nadi.
Not much has changed 15-years-on with Kiwi FC very much the competition underdogs, earning their berth in the group stage after victory in the OFC Champions League Preliminary competition held in American Samoa last year.
Coach Martin Tamasese has lost the influential trio of Adam Cowan, Andy Barron and Shaun Easthope for the group stage tournament but bolstered his club’s hopes by the recapture of Sam Margetts and new faces Michael Fifii, Jamie Mason and veteran defender Barry Lewis.
Local talent in Lionel Taylor, Max Hoeflich and Andrew Setefano give cause for some optimism but they will have to be at their best as they take on a wounded Waitakere United eager to stamp their mark on this competition after surrendering their domestic title.
Co-coaches Paul Temple and Brian Shelley have quietly restored confidence in the Waitakere United camp by securing the services of talismanic forward Benjamin Totori.
Totori is the OFC Champions League’s top goal scorer with 19 strikes in 32 competition matches and will add pace, verve and finishing power to an already formidable line-up.
“Benjamin indicated that we were the only team he wanted to play for, which was pleasing because I’m sure we weren’t his only option,” Shelley says.
“He will definitely give us something that we haven’t got. We have creative players but he’s a bit different – he scores goals, is a real attacking threat and can play in a few different positions. Plus, he’s a Pacific Islander so will be really comfortable in the environment we’re going to face in Fiji.”
Totori’s capture adds firepower to a line-up that already includes ASB Premiership goalkeeper of the decade, Danny Robinson, All Whites midfielder and skipper Jake Butler and new signings Tom Biss, Joel Stevens and Steven Gray.
In Group C’s other match, AS Pirae ends its eight year absence from the OFC Champions League when it takes on a Solomon Warriors side desperate to give people back home something to smile about in the wake of the devastating flood damage back home in Honiara.
Pirae’s ascent to the top of Tahitian club football is due in no small part to the return to Papeete of former OFC Player of the Year Marama Vahirua.
Vahirua, a former professional player with extensive experience in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League, has attracted other top quality players to the club including Teva Zaveroni and Raimana Lee Fung Kuee, just two of the Tiki Toa internationals who excelled at last year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
Coach Samuel Garcia has prepared meticulously on assembling a formidable squad with Raimoana Bennett and talismanic skipper Naea Bennett providing experience and inspiration to the set-up.
By contrast, Solomon Warriors preparations have been dealt a hammer blow after the flood and earthquake disaster that struck its shores last week.
The squad missed its flight out of the country and didn’t arrive in Fiji until late on Saturday night.
This is the Solomon Warriors second consecutive appearance at the OFC Champions League but they are relatively inexperienced at this level with a young squad that may depend heavily on the inspirational ‘x’ factor of veteran midfielder James Naka.
Naka, who appeared for KOSSA in the 2008 OFC Champions League final and two FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups with the Bilikiki Boys, is renowned for his capacity to spark a game into life out of nowhere.
While Naka offers experience, Micah Lea’Alafa is the rising star of Solomon Islands football and could be one to watch as the Warriors seek to press their semi-final cause.
A minute’s silence will also be observed for those affected by the Solomon Islands flood at all matches.
Match Day 3 at the OFC Champions League also continues with the “Kick Dengue Out of Fiji” campaign in conjunction with UNICEF Pacific, the Fiji Government, OFC and the Fiji FA.
Tournament sponsors Vodafone, Courts and Sportsworld also play a prominent role in supporting football in Fiji and around the Oceania region.
Viewers can also watch the OFC Champions League group stage tournament via the OFC’s official YouTube channel here: http://bit.ly/1gWrT6G
The OFC Radio (ENG) link can be accessed here: http://bit.ly/1okoVwU
The OFC Radio (FRA) link can be accessed here: http://bit.ly/QB9xxp
Kiwi FC v Waitakere United
Churchill Park
Wednesday 9 April, 2014
Kick-off: 1pm
Referee: Nawen HOPKEN (VAN)
KIWvWTK
Head to head: No previous meetings
Kiwi FC
The players: Having won the preliminary stage competition with ease, Kiwi have lost a few of the players from that squad but still retain the core of Andrew SETEFANO, Jamie MASON, and Masi TOETU. New signings include Sam MARGETTS, Michael FIFI’I, and Yuta SAHARA.
The vital statistics: Kiwi’s last appearance in the OFC Champions League was in 1999, bowing out to AS Venus on the last match day. With 8 games to Waitakere’s 45, Kiwi FC are firm underdogs going into Group A’s opening match.
Squad list: 1. Masi TOETU [GK], 2. Lafi IOANE, 3. Linton DAUARA, 4. Andrew SETEFANO, 5. Tamoto FENIKA, 6.Albert BELL, 7. Jarell SALE, 9. Yuta SAHARA, 10. Gary TAYLOR, 11. Mike SAOFAIGA, 13. Lionel TAYLOR, 15. Jamie MASON, 16. Michael FIFI’I, 17. Sam MARGETTS, 19. Barry LEWIS, 20. Rajendra SINGH, 21. Jimmy HOASIHITA, 22. Max HOEFLICH, 23. Iutizak MOHAMMED.
Coach: Martin TAMASESE (SAM)
Waitakere United
The players: Waitakere have recruited well, adding young talent Tom BISS, Aaron JONES, and Joel STEVENS to the ranks. Benjamin TOTORI also adds to the frontline and with extensive OFC Champions League experience will be key for the squad.
The vital statistics: With 45 matches played so far, Waitakere are second only to Auckland City FC with the most appearances in the OFC Champions League. Their best run was the back-to-back championship years of 2007 and 2008 and Waitakere have struggled since. Co-coaches Paul TEMPLE and Brian SHELLEY will be looking for a positive start today to relaunch their title hopes.
Squad list: 1. Danny ROBINSON [GK], 2. Aaron JONES, 3. Steven GRAY, 4. Tim MYERS, 5. Brian SHELLEY, 6. Adam McGEORGE, 8. Tom BISS, 9. Sam FRENCH, 10. Benji TOTORI, 11. Joel STEVENS, 12. Sam MATHEWS, 14. Maksim MANKO, 16. Tristan PRATTLEY, 17. Jake BUTLER, 18. Martin BULLOCK, 19. Dylan STANSFIELD, 20. Jarrod YOUNG, 21. Paul TEMPLE, 22. James McPEAKE [GK], 26. Harshae RANIGA.
Co-Coach:Brian SHELLEY (IRE)
Co-Coach: Paul TEMPLE (ENG)
Solomon Warriors v AS Pirae
Churchill Park
Wednesday 9 April, 2014
Kick-off: 4pm
Referee: Salesh CHAND (FIJ)
SOLvPIR
Head to head: No previous meetings
Solomon Warriors
The players: Beach soccer star James NAKA will be key for the Solomon Islanders, as will Jeffrey BULE, who is the most experienced member of the squad having featured in the OFC Champions League previously for Koloale FC.
The vital statistics: The Warriors are back for their second OFC Champions League campaign and their 7th match overall. Jeffrey BULE makes his 19th appearance in the competition.
Squad list: 1. Samson KOTI [GK], 2. Hadisi AENGARI, 3. Matson FENNY, 4. Fred FAKARI, 5. Dennis IFUNAOA, 6. Molea TIGI, 7. Brian FENI, 8. Michael MOLEA, 9. James NAKA, 10. Judd MOLEA, 12. Jerry DONGA, 13. Chris TAFOA, 14. Jeffrey BULE, 15. Molis GAGAME, 16. Emmanuel POILA, 17. Micah LEA’ALAFA,18. Willy DAUDAU, 19. Gibson DAUDAU, 20. Casper AENGARI, 22. Bata FURAI, 23. Gagame FENI, 24. Lency NORMAN, 25. Nicholas LEE, 26. Loea TAISARA, 27. Erekona LOEA, 28. Silas SEDA [GK], 30. Alfred LOFANA [G
K].
Coach: Moses TOATA [SOL]
AS Pirae
The players: Many of Pirae’s talent are beach soccer stars – amongst them FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bronze Ball winner Raimana LI FUNG KUEE. Also of note are Naea BENNETT, Teva ZAVERONI, Raimoana BENNETT, and Heimanu TAIARUI; their skills should transfer onto the football pitch and be the edge Pirae need.
The vital statistics: Pirae’s best run in the OFC Champions League was in 2006, coming runners-up to eventual champions Auckland City. This is their first appearance in the relaunched format.
Squad list: 1. Stevens HIRIGA [GK], 2. Tauirai TEIVA, 3. Ariinui TAPU, 4. Ken WARREN, 5. Raimoana BENNETT, 6. Gael MESLIEN, 7. Raimana LI FUNG KUEE, 8. Salomon TEVEPAUHU, 9. Naea BENNETT, 10. Charles LABASTE, 11. Teva ZAVERONI, 12. Franck REVEL [GK], 13. Raumatahi NOHO, 14. Augustin DALLERA, 15. Teriinoho TIHONI, 17. Marc VAKI, 18. Jimmy TEPA, 19. Marama VAHIRUA, 20. Jay WARREN, 21. Javier PAEZ, 22. Tainui LEHARTEL, 23. Hubert TAUHA, 24. Jonathan TOROHIA [GK], 25. Heimanu TAIARUI, 26. Huimana PARKER.
Coach: Samuel GARCIA (FRA)
Ends