Straight after that that highly anticipated encounter, the action will continue at 7pm when competition newcomers Team Wellington of New Zealand play AS Tefana of Tahiti.
For Hekari the 3-1 loss to Tafea at Govind Park in Ba on 7 April 2014 remains etched firmly on their memories. Just like tomorrow’s match, it was the opening Group C game and set the tone for what proved to be a disappointing campaign for the eight-time Papua New Guinea champions.
Experienced squad members like David Muta, Alick Maemae, Pita Bolatoga and Koriak Upaiga could give Hekari the edge they need.
While the youthful exuberance of newcomers like Tommy Semy and Barry Mansale will inject a different element again.
For Tafea, the memory is a much fonder one, but one that remains in the past. Well aware of the threat a team like Hekari United can pose, Tafea coach Moise Poida remains weary.
On track with their preparations for this competition before Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu, things haven’t been easy for the squad since then with training suspended for two weeks and players becoming unavailable to travel. However, Poida remains optimistic and believes that despite the issues the team is focused on the task ahead.
Giving opportunities to emerging talent is part of Poida’s coaching philosophy, which is why the team’s average age sits around 21-22. Jean Kaltack and Don Mansale’s ability to find the net will be crucial, while goalkeeper Seiloni Iaruel will also need to be in top form to prevent a result Tafea don’t want, or need in a competition where every match counts.
It will be a baptism of fire for Team Wellington when they make their Oceania debut at 7pm against AS Tefana – a side who has made it all the way to the final in the past.
However the side from New Zealand’s capital isn’t arriving without experience. Solomon Islands striker Henry Fa’arodo will add flair up front but it’s the middle-men who are likely to control the match. Chris Bale, Alex Feneridis and Jake Butler have turned out for
Auckland City or Waitakere United in the past, and have made a collectively 82 appearances in the OFC Champions League.
Scattered throughout the team are Tim Myers, Aaron Scott and Ian Hogg who are also competition veterans. The attacking flair of Fa’arodo will be well complimented by that of Costa Rican Luis Corrales.
After finishing runners-up to Auckland City FC in the Minor Premiership of New Zealand’s domestic league, the team were left disappointed by their defeat to Hawke’s Bay United in the semis to deny them a place in the final. Putting all that behind them,
Team Wellington are now focusing on the task ahead – finishing top of Group C at the 2015 Fiji Airways OFC Champions League.
For AS Tefana, a return to this level of competition has been much anticipated, with their hard work in the domestic competition paying dividends. A gallant showing in the 7th round of the 2014 Coupe de France against Noisy-le-Sec, saw them go down just 2-1, in their last foray into international football.
A large chunk of the squad are members of the Tahiti national team, the same players who have faced the likes of former world champions Spain, at the FIFA Confederations Cup. Others, like Vetea Chen, were in the team that finished fourth at the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
The four teams that make up Group C at the 2015 Fiji Airways OFC Champions League will get their campaigns underway at ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji on Sunday 12 April.
Extra information:
Tafea FC v Hekari United
ANZ Stadium, Suva
Sunday 12 April, 2015
Kick-off: 16h30
TAFvHEK
Match Officials
Referee: George TIME (SOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Avinesh NARAYAN (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 2: Bertrand BRIAL (NCL)
Fourth Official: Norbert HAUATA (TAH)
Tafea FC
The players: Coach Moise Poida is a strong advocate for youth development and his team list reflects that stance. Therefore players like Daniel Natou and Gibson Daudau, who have made 18 appearances between them in this competition, will be key. Powerful striker Jean Kaltack will be one to watch on attack, as will Bong Kalo.
The vital statistics: Tafea FC were runners-up in 2001 and in the past 20 years have won 16 domestic championships.
Coach quote: “The first match is always very important and very difficult to win because we are at the beginning of the tournament and there is more pressure. Last year we beat them and maybe this year they come with a slightly different team. Everyone is preparing well, I will focusing on this first game and winning it. We’re here to play and to win the game.”
Squad list: 1. Seiloni IARUEL (GK), 3. Fredy VAVA, 4. Jaycen BOTLENG, 5. Kevin SHEM, 6. Jais MALSARANI, 7. Jonah TURU, 8. Bong KALO, 9. Alista KARLIP, 10. Zica MANUHI, 11. Robert TASSO, 12. Edisson STEPHENS, 13. Gibson DAUDAU, 15. Ernie ROBERTS, 16. Daniel NATOU, 17. Nicolson TARI, 18. Ignas IAMAK, 19. Michell KALTAK, 20. Kaloran FIRIAM (GK), 21. Don MANSALE, 22. Sergio DANIEL (GK), 23. Alick ISMAEL, 24. Jean KALTACK, 25. Bill NICHOLLS
Coach: Moise POIDA (VAN)
Hekari United
The players: David Muta without a doubt will be a player to watch. His command of the midfield is renowned and with 30 appearances in this competition his experience will be key. Tommy Semmy has been on fire both domestically and for the Papua New Guinea U-23 squad, scoring in two recent friendlies against their Solomon Island counterparts. Hekari will be hoping he will bring that form to Fiji to aid in their campaign.
The vital statistics: Eight of Hekari’s 23 players are untested at this competition. Kema Jack and Alick Maemae sit at 6th and 8th in the OFC Champions League All Time Goalscorers records. Jack has 14 goals from 27 appearances, Maemae is on 12 goals from 24 games.
Manager Quote: “Last year’s loss is something we’ve never erased from our minds. We know they have a good team and we will have to do our best to beat them this time. Our boys are ready.”
Squad list: 1. Leslie KALAI (GK), 2. Daniel JOE, 3. Emmanuel POILA, 5. Haddis AENGARI, 6. Emmanuel AIREM, 7. Alick MAEMAE, 8. Nicholas MURI, 9. Dennis IFUNAOA, 10. Tuti Zama TANITO, 11. Joachim WAROI, 12. David MUTA, 13. Tommy SEMMY, 14. Emmanuel SIMON, 16. Pita BOLATOGA, 17. Kema JACK, 19. Koriak UPAIGA, 20. Ishmael POLE (GK), 21. Barry MANSALE, 22. Beniamino MATEINAQARA (GK), 23. Jeremy YASASA, 24. Tonga ESIRA, 26. Isaac TOROT
Coach: Jerry ALLEN (SOL)
Manager: Vonnie ETEAKI NATTO (SOL)
Team Wellington v AS Tefana
Sunday 12 April, 2015
Kick-off: 19h00
TWEvTEF
Match Officials
Referee: Nelson SOGO (SOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Rakesh CHANDRA (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 2: Ujwaal MUDLIAR (FIJ)
Fourth Official: Ravitesh BEHARI (FIJ)
The players: Team Wellington’s experience in this competition comes in the form of former Auckland-based midfielders Alex Feneridis, Chris Bale and Jake Butler who between them have made an impressive 82 appearances. Mickael Partodikromo of New Caledonia could offer something different to the line-up, as will Solomon Islands striker Henry Fa’arodo.
The vital statistics: Team Wellington are making their debut in the OFC Champions League. Twelve of this squad will be making their debut in the competition.
Coach Quote: “We’re really excited about the competition. We created history when we qualified for this tournament and being here is the realisation that we have finally made it. Tefana will be very tough, they’re in good form and just won the local championship title. They have a lot of young, home grown, hungry players but we’re excited to be taking them on.”
Squad list: 1. Michael O’KEEFFE (GK), 2. Justin GULLEY, 3. Aaron SCOTT, 4. Tyler DOYLE-LISSETTE, 5. Bill ROBERTSON, 6. Tim MYERS, 7. Henry FA’ARODO, 8. Cole PEVERLEY, 9. Jarrod SMITH, 10. Luis CORRALES, 11. Michael GWYTHER
, 12. Ian HOGG, 13. Alex FENERIDIS, 14. Chris BALE, 15. Sean LOVEMORE, 16. Tom JACKSON, 17. Jake BUTLER, 18. Mickael PARTODIKROMO, 19. Cory CHETTLEBURGH, 20. Adam COWAN, 21. Tamupiwa DIMAIRO, 22. Dan CLARKE (GK), 23. Alex CARR (GK)
Coach: Matt CALCOTT (NZL)
AS Tefana
The players: Tahiti beach soccer stalwart Vetea , also known as Angelo, Tchen will bring his experience of big matches to the field. Steevy Chong Hue is another man who is no stranger to pressure, having scored the winning goal for Tahiti against New Caledonia in the final of the 2012 OFC Nations Cup – which sent Tahiti through to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
The vital statistics: Tefana were OFC Champions League runners-up in 2012. They have opted to stick more-or-less with the side that helped them qualify for this competition.
Technical Director Quote: “Tefana is going well as we’ve been preparing since the end of our local championship. We know the most important match is the first one against Team Wellington which is a team that is of a top level, and it’s up to us to do what is necessary to start this competition well because the first match could be a determiner with at least two wins needed to qualify.”
Squad list: 1. Stevens HIRIGA (GK), 2. Stephane FAATIARAU, 3. Taumihau TIATIA, 4. Teheivarii LUDIVION, 5. Tauatua LUCAS, 6. Tunoa TEVAEARAI, 7. Temarii TINORUA, 8. Jess HIROI, 9. Tauhiti KECK, 10. Steevy CHONG HUE, 11. Sylvain GRAGLIA, 12. Alvin TEHAU, 13. Stanley ATANI, 14. Jonathan TEHAU, 15. Jean CHANG KOEI CHANG, 16. Manutea TAAE, 17. Lorenzo TEHAU, 18. Tauraa MARMOUYET, 19. Heimano BOUREBARE, 20. Kenny NUI, 21. Vetea TCHEN, 29. Mikael ROCHE (GK), 30. Tetahio TERIINOHOPUAITERAI
Coach: Sébastien LABAYEN (TAH)
Technical Director: Laurent HEINIS (TAH)
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 [email protected]
Sponsors
The OFC would like to acknowledge its sponsors Fiji Airways and Vodafone Fiji.