And anyone expecting a repeat of Auckland’s last OFC Champions League semi-final with Fijian opposition back in 2006 is likely to have to think again. That day, Auckland destroyed Nokia Eagles 9-1 at North Harbour Stadium en route to their first Oceania club title.
This time they face an undefeated Ba side eager to repeat their 2007 exploits when they ran Waitakere United close only to miss out on FIFA Club World Cup qualification on the away goals rule.
Ba’s journey to the last four has been inspired by the form of Nigerian striker Sanni Issa who has blasted nine goals in just six group games.
Auckland coach Ramon Tribulietx has studied Ba and believes they will be a tough opponent.
“Ba are a very good side with some skilful players in the midfield and they have pace and goals up front, strong players at the back and they are well organised in and out of possession,” he says.
“Ba defend with a lot of numbers and manage to go forward using both through balls and wings, so overall they are a very good team that will come to Auckland with a lot of confidence after being undefeated in pool play.”
Ba must do without talismanic Fijian international Malakai Tiwa and influential team-mate Laisenia Raura but team manager Iliyaz Khan is preferrring to concentrate on the positives.
“Malakai and Laisenia will be out for us but Avinesh Suwamy is back and we have other capable players,” Khan says.
“We will be playing away from home but that should not make much difference as we have already played away matches in the group stages and won. We know Auckland are a good side but we have a game plan to meet them.”
The only player missing for Auckland is striker Gustavo Souto who is recovering from a shoulder injury picked up in the Super City derby defeat to Waitakere two weeks ago.
Souto’s loss is keenly felt but with the navy blues notching 19 goals in six group matches, Tribulietx has reason to be confident, particularly with the good form of Manel Exposito and Adam Dickinson to call on.
Dickinson has enjoyed his best season yet in front of goal with seven strikes in the Champions League so far, while Exposito netted the crucial equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Dragon in Tahiti.
Tribulietx, though, doesn’t have a preferred score line he wishes to take to Ba for the second leg on May 11.
“In the ideal world we won’t concede and score a few goals, but we are very respectful of Ba. Their run in the group stage was impeccable and they will bring the best out of us to come away with a good result for sure,” he says.
Tribulietx feels Auckland’s record as four-time winners of the OFC Champions League is no indicator of whether or not his side would start as favourites.
“Winning four titles does not really make a difference to the way we are going to approach the game. We have played these kinds of games a lot of times in the last few years and we are confident with the way we have to play,” he says.
“We are going to prepare as well as we can, with a lot of respect to Ba, and we will see what happens on the field.”
The takes place today at Kiwitea Street from 3pm local time.
Live streaming of the OFC Champions League semi-finals is available free of charge on the OFC Live Youtube channel at youtube.com/OFCfootball and a direct link will be provided via the OFC website at oceaniafootball.com

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