AUCKLAND – Waitakere United Coach Chris Milicich admits to knowing little about the Vanuatu champions- Port Vila Sharks, but said he is expecting a ‘torrid, tough encounter’ when the two sides meet in the second round of the 2009 O-League at Trusts Stadium on Saturday.

While Port Vila make their O-League debut in Group A – Solomon Island champions Koloale FC will be hosting Hekari Souths United FC from Papua New Guinea who are also set to open their O-League account in Group B.

After an opening round 2-2 draw with intercity rivals Auckland City, Milicich is wary of just how important points against Port Vila could prove, and shrugged off suggestions that his players focus could be on the impending FIFA Club World Cup appearance in Japan.

“There is absolutely no danger of us taking this game lightly,” he said. “We’ve become past masters of focusing on the game at hand, and I’m expecting a torrid match against a quality side.

“I expect a game that will test us all over the park and I think it would be fair to say that this is a year when a team from outside of New Zealand has a very good chance of rolling us or Auckland, and I don’t want it to be us.”

Milicich said he is confident to have experienced defenders Danny Hay and Neil Emblen back in the squad after feeling their absence in his side’s  7-0 loss to the Wellington Phoenix last weekend.

“I haven’t been happy with the way the sides been playing, we’ve been our usual pragmatic selves picking up points and winning games but against the Phoenix we were poor in execution and poor in thought, and we’re going to have to go back to basics to make sure people understand their roles a bit clearer.

“Training has been very intense, and there is definite drive there. Some people knew that on the weekend they let themselves down and they now have three games to impress me before the Club World Cup and to do the job they’re given.

Port Vila arrived in New Zealand on Wednesday and Manager Stephen Felix said there is a real buzz in the camp leading up to the game.

“The boys are mentally prepared, and are looking forward to doing their thing on Saturday,” Felix said.

“This is the first O-League game for the Port Vila Sharks, but a lot of the players have O-League experience having played for Tafea FC in last year’s competition.

“We have a couple of new players coming in, but for the most part the team is full of experience so won’t be overawed.

Felix said a number of his squad have played overseas in Tahiti and Australia, and are also current Vanuatu internationals who will be guiding the younger players.

“We have watched a few DVD’s of Waitakere’s games, including the final they played against Kossa in Auckland and we are aware of how dangerous they can be, but it is up to the players and the coach to counter their attack and I am confident we can do it.”

In Group B – Match Day one saw Koloale hold Fijian champions Ba to a 0-0 draw at Govind Park and a win on Saturday will see the Solomon Island side jump to the top of the table.

Hekari have shown some impressive form in pre season with wins over Australian State side Sunshine Coast and Solomon Island side Marist FC, while also making a perfect start to the domestic National Soccer League competition in Papua New Guinea with two wins from two matches.

Hekari will rely on the steadying influence of star U-23 midfielder David Muta who has returned home after a stint playing in Australia.

Koloale will be without striker Henry Fa’arodo who will serve a suspension from his red card in the opening round fixture.

www.oceaniafootball.com will bring you live text updates from all the matches

MEDIA – Solomon Island Football Federation (SIFF) will be running live text updates of the match between Koloale FC and Hekari Souths United FC from the following link http://sports.solomon.com.sb

2009 O-LEAGUE

 

WAITAKERE UNITED v PORT VILA SHARKS

Group A

Trusts Stadium

Auckland

New Zealand

Saturday 22 November 2008

Kick-off: 17h00 (Local Time) 15H00 (VAN T)

WAI: (From) 1. Richard GILLESPIE; 2. Jonathan PERRY; 3. Aaron SCOTT; 4. Tim MYERS; 5. Danny HAY ©, 7. Daniel ELLENSOHN; 8. Paul SEAMAN; 9. Benjamin TOTORI; 10. Allan PEARCE, 12. Roy KRISHNA; 13. Danijel KOPRIVCIC; 14. Jeff CAMPBELL;15. Christopher BALE, 16. Neil EMBLEN;  17. Jake BUTLER; 18. Ian HOGG,19. Mikael MUNDAY; 21. Kayne VINCENT, 22. Daniel ROBINSON [rgk]; 29. Adriano PIMENTA; (Two to be omitted)

Coach: Chris MILICICH (NZL)

PVS: (From)1. Samson OBED; 2.Ken MAUSAVAKALO. 3.Moise POIDA; 4.Pita MAKI; 5.Jean NAKO; 6.Richard IWAI; 7.Etienne MERMER; 8.Hubert NAKE; 9.Francois SAKAMA; 10.Silas NAMATAK; 11.Alphonse WELIN; 12.Geoffrey GETE; 13.John PRESLEY; 14.Michell KALTAK; 15.Alfred MALAS;16.Fenedy MAUSAVAKALO; 17.Andrew CHICHIRUA; 18.Rexley TARI;

Coach: Robert CALVO (VAN)

Referee: Norbert HUATA (TAH)

Assistant Referee 1: Philippe REVEL (TAH)

Assistant Referee 2: Teariki GOODWIN (COK)

Fourth Official: Peter O’Leary (NZL)

Group A Standings:

  PL W D L GF GA PTS GD
1. Auckland City FC 1 0 1 0 2 2 1 0
2. Waitakere United 1 0 1 0 2 2 1 0
3. Port Vila Sharks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

KOLOALE FC v HEKARI SOUTHS UNITED FC

Group B

Lawson Tama Stadium

Honiara

Solomon Islands

Saturday 22 November 2008

Kick-off: 15h00 (Local Time) 14H00 (PNG T)

Squads:

KOL: (From) 20. Shadrack RAMANI; 1. Zantas SOEASI; 17.Marlon HOUKARAUA; 6.Timothy JOE; 2.Welshman HOUKARAUA; 25.Francis LAFAI; 5.Richard ANISUA; 18.Henry KOTO; 15.Mostyn BEUI; 8.Peter TALOGA; 13.Lency SAENI; 3.Jeffery BULE; 7.Augustine ANISI; 9.Pressley FUTA; 16.Joses NAWO; 14. Nicholas MURI; 10.Ezra SALE; 27.Klivert DAGI

Coach: Luke Eroi (SOL)

HEK: (From) 1.Fred HALE [GK]; 2.Cyril MUTA; 3.Jacob PEKAU; 4.Benjamin MELA; 5. Michael FOSTER; 6. Abraham INIGA; 7.Abraham ENOCH; 8. Joachim WAROI; 9.David MUTA; 10. Andrew LEPANI; 11.Jack SAMANI; 12.Charles PARANDA; 13.Kema JACK; 14.Ericson KOMENG; 15.Koriak UPAIGA; 16.Gure GABINA [GK]; 17.Brian FENI; 18.Lorima DAU

Coach: Patrick MNITI (SOL)

Referee: Michael HESTER (NZL)

Assistant Referee 1: Mahit CHILIA (VAN)

Assistant Referee 2: Nawen HOPKEN (VAN)

Fourth Official: Andrew MOLI (SOL)

Group B Standings:

  PL W D L GF GA PTS GD
1. Ba 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
2. Koloale FC 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
3. Hekari Souths United 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0