Despite his experience, and Auckland City’s pedigree in this competition, coach Ramon Tributlietx was relieved to get the first match out of the way, with the three points in hand.
“It was a tough match. I think Suva played a good game, they were very well organised defensively and that made our football difficult, especially in the first half,” Tribulietx says.
“We managed to capitalise once, in one of those situations that we couldn’t quite understand how to create but we knew it was going to be a difficult match.
They’re a good team and they were playing in front of their home fans so we knew it would be tough. We’re very happy, especially for that reason, and of course for the win.”
As is often the case when going into the unknown, both Auckland City and Suva took a little extra time to gauge their opponent when they helped kick-off the 13th edition of this competition in Suva.
Moving away from what might be considered their regular starting line-up, Tribulietx gave some players who were as yet untested at this level a run, opting for Oscar Garcia, Michael Den Heijer and Ivan Carril over the experience of Ivan Vicelich, Takuya Iwata and Ryan De Vries.
An unfortunate defending error, or a lucky break from some perspectives, saw David Browne convert from the penalty spot just 12 minutes in after Garcia was downed in the box by Kolinio Sivoki.
After going behind Suva appeared to become more determined, constantly disrupting play and driving forward with swift counter-attacks. Nickel Chand’s speed was well utilised up the left, but after beating past his defender his precision crosses were too easily cleared with Suva really lacking in numbers up front.
Suva racked up a couple of missed opportunities that coach Gurjit Singh will surely be ruing now, especially after a couple of concentration lapses cost them dearly in the second half. Just over ten minutes after coming on as a substitute, Sam Burfoot was finding the back of the net with a left foot effort that had keeper Emori Ragata well beaten. That was followed up by fellow substitute Adam McGeorge who beat his man before firing off his left and past a diving Ragata for Auckland City’s third.
A disappointing entry into the OFC Champions League annals for Suva, but coach Gurjit Singh remains optimistic after a fine first half performance against the FIFA Club World Cup third place finishers.
“I definitely think it was a good first half performance from the boys against one of the best teams here. The second half was a lapse in concentration costing us dearly but overall I’m really happy,” Singh says.
“It’s a bad thing that we missed some good chances and you have to take those chances in games like this. We got a chance to score and unfortunately we missed it but now we’re looking forward to the next game.”
Western United’s dream of a perfect opening appearance at the 2015 Fiji Airways OFC Champions League were dashed by an early second half goal from the 2014 runners-up Amicale.
Expecting a tough encounter against a quality side, the Solomon Islands champions’ assistant coach Riccardo De Vivo was disappointed not to take at least a point from the match.
“If you look at the team performance, maybe the first ten minutes we struggled to keep the ball on the ground. But overall, looking at the game, we had more than one chance where we could have scored,” he says.
“The goalkeeper made a few really good saves, with all parts of his body. We counted two chances in the first half and about three in the second half – they had one chance, took a chance and scored.”
Those chances for Western were created by a formidable strike force made up of dual internationals James Naka and Jack Wetney, and complimented by the always impressive former Wellington Phoenix man Benjamin Totori. Despite their best efforts, and some fine shots that were saved only by an incredibly impressive Mauro Boerchio in goal, it just wasn’t Western’s night as mere inches separated them from scoring time and again.
In the end it came down a single goal to separate the two sides, with Miguel Magnoni taking the honours of breaking the deadlock with a serious strike in the 49th minute.
Amicale looked impressive on attack, but the flow was lacking at times as communication breakdowns often led to avoidable turnovers. Samuela Kautoga and Solomon Islander Micah Lea’alafa created the most chances for their side but the final touch one of the contributing factors in their side not being able to extend their lead further.
Winning coach, Italian Marco Banchini, was evidently pleased to start the competition on a high.
“We played a good game, it’s important to start with a good result because in this competition we have to play three matches in one week and every match is the first final,” he says.
“I think that sometimes we could have kept the ball for longer, and maybe we were a little caught up in the emotions. But I think in the second half we did this better, holding on for five or six passages.”
The 2015 Fiji Airways OFC Champions League action continues tomorrow at ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji with Tafea FC and Hekari United opening Match Day 2 proceedings for Group C at 4.30pm (local) before Team Wellington debut against AS Tefana at 7pm (local).

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