Events

Auckland City FC and Western United will open the day’s proceedings at 4.30pm and it’s sure to be another lively encounter.
After going down by the slimmest of margins to Vanuatu’s Amicale FC, Western United will be wanting to get their campaign back on track. It’s not going to be easy against the defending champions, who rested several key players for their opening match, and therefore have some good, fresh legs to call on for this game.
With a full squad to pick from, Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx has options, and will have done his homework on the Solomon Islands champions. The fact that they lost by just one goal to Auckland’s rivals Amicale will be cause for concern, as it gives some indication of how strong the squad is.
As expected the experienced trio of Benjamin Totori, Jack Wetney and James Naka were impressive – but they will need to capitalise on every chance they get against Auckland City as they are sure to be few and far between.
For Auckland City, keeping those three players contained, as well as Gagame Feni and Jeffery Bule, will be essential. And that’s where the likes of Mario Bilen and Marko Dordevic will come into play. The two central defenders will need to be on their toes to keep up with the renowned Solomon Islanders.
Gustavo Souto and Oscar Garcia have formed a formidable partnership and their efforts to move the ball up the left at pace didn’t go unnoticed. Sam Burfoot also impressed with his high workrate after coming on as a substitute against Suva and we can be sure to see more of the same come Tuesday.
In the late match, 2014 OFC Champions League runners-up Amicale FC will take on the hosts Suva at 7pm – a match that is sure to attract a large and vocal crowd in support of both teams.
With three points under their belts, Amicale are sitting equal on points with Auckland City in Group B – but there are two games to go and every point counts. Goalkeeper Mauro Boerchio and defender Brian Kaltack were excellent against Western United and if they can repeat the goal preventing performances of that match, Amicale will be in a good position to get another three points. They will need firepower up front however, and while the always exciting Micah Lea’alafa played provider, the finishing in the middle left a lot to be desired and that could prove their downfall.
Suva’s performance against a strong Auckland City side proved they should not be considered minnows in this competition. Their defence was solid and they held strong in midfield which is why the defending champions were only a goal behind at the break.
Some great chances for Suva to equalise, and even take the lead, went begging and with the need to get three points on the board, attackers Nickel Chand, Rusiate Matarerega and Maciu Dunadamu will need to apply precision to every chance that comes their way.
Extra information:
Auckland City FC v Western United
ANZ Stadium, Suva
Tuesday 14 April, 2015
Kick-off: 16h30
AKLvWES
Match Officials
Referee: Ravitesh BEHARI (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 1: Avinesh NARAYAN (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 2: Rakesh CHANDRA (FIJ)
Fourth Official: Salesh CHAND (FIJ)

The players: Having rested several key players in their first outing, there will be plenty of fresh legs for this encounter. Tamati Williams patrolled his allocated area as well as ever and subdued any and all threats on goal. The Spanish duo of Gustavo Souto and Oscar Garcia are forming a formidable partnership and could cause problems with their intuitive one-touch passes.

The vital statistics: Auckland City FC are chasing a record seventh OFC Champions League title, and their fifth consecutive.
Coach quote: “I think they’re going to be a good side. We’ll watch their game and that will give us an idea of what it’s going to be like to play them.”

Squad list: 1. Tamati WILLIAMS (GK), 2. Marko DORDEVICH, 3. Takuya IWATA, 4. Mario BILEN, 5. Angel BERLANGA, 8. Anthony HOBBS, 9. Darren WHITE, 10. Ryan DE VRIES, 11. Cameron LINDSAY, 12. Adam MCGEORGE, 13. Ivan CARRIL, 14. Colin MURPHY, 15. Ivan VICELICH, 16. Daewook KIM, 17. Joao MORIERA, 18. Danyon DRAKE (GK), 19. David BROWNE, 20. Gustavo SOUTO, 21. Oscar GARCIA, 22. Andrew MILNE, 23. Sam BURFOOT, 24. Jacob SPOONLEY (GK), 25. Michael DEN HEIJER
Coach: Ramon TRIBULIETX (ESP)

Western United

The players: Jeffery Bule has a firm command of the backline, but it’s his ability to drive through the midfield and create goalscoring opportunities that makes him dangerous.
The vital statistics: Six players in the starting line-up make their OFC Champions League debuts on Saturday; goalkeeper Fabrizio Prattico, Tome Faisi, Euan Murray, Djibril Sibidi, Lon Garaba and Abraham Maezama. Lon Garaba, Benjamin Totori and Euan Murray all have one caution each.
Assistant Coach Quote: “We have Auckland City next which is going to be a tough game, the team needs to regroup, we need to work on our shape and just carry on to play the games and possibly take our chances. We need to keep our spirits up and hope for the best.”

Squad list: 1. Fabrizio PRATTICO (GK), 2. Tome FAISI, 3. George KAKAI, 4. George STEVENSON, 5. Freddie KINI, 6. Euan MURRAY, 7. Jack WETNEY, 8. Lenson BISILI, 9. Benjamin TOTORI, 10. Rashid KAMARA, 11. John AGBO, 12. Djibril SIBIDI, 13. James NAKA, 14. Abraham INIGA, 15. Lon GARABA, 16. Gagame FENI, 17. Abraham MAEZAMA, 18. Navusu KITU (GK), 19. Jeffery BULE, 20. Phillip MANGO (GK), 21. Charlie OTAINAO, 22. Aleck WICKHAM, 23. Joses NAWO

Coach: Commins MENAPI (SOL)
Assistant Coach: Riccard DE VIVO (ITA)
Amicale FC v Suva FA
Tuesday 14 April, 2015
Kick-off: 19h00
AMIvSUV
Match Officials
Referee: George TIME (SOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Terry PIRI (COK)
Assistant Referee 2: Bertrand BRIAL (NCL)
Fourth Official: Norbert HAUATA (TAH)

The players: As expected, Micah Lea’alafa lit the field up with his weaving runs, creating several chances for his teammates to take advantage of. Mauro Boerchio was imposing in goal and knows how to shut down the angles well.

The vital statistics: Defender Brian Kaltack is competing in his first OFC Champions League for a Vanuatu club after previously appearing for Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United and the Solomon Warriors, while it is also striker Osea Vaketalesau’s first time competing for a club outside Fiji, with his 25 previous appearances coming with Nokia Eagles, Ba and Lautoka. Vaketalesau and Laitia Tuilau have a caution a-piece.
Coach Quote: “For me, tomorrow is another final and could be the most important match of the pool because too many teams have three points and we have to continue the run to the semi-final. Suva is one team that may have lost 3-0 but played well and showed that they have many technical players. It will be a difficult match and I hope that the players who were so nervous in the first game can change their behaviour.”

Squad list: 1. Marko MILIVOJEVIC (GK), 2. Samuela KAUTOGA, 3. Nelson SALE, 4. Marcomattia NASALI, 5. Francesco PERRONE, 6. Rijat SHALA, 7. Gaspar FELIX, 8. Micah LEA’ALAFA, 9. Dominique FRED, 10. Fenedy MASAUVAKALO, 11. Miguel MAGNONI, 12. Alphonse BONGNAIM, 14. Sailas NAMATAK, 15. Osea VAKATALESAU, 16. Nicola PRINCIVALLI, 17. Chanel OBED, 18. Massimiliano LIONETTI, 19. Brian KALTACK, 20. Mauro BOERCHIO (GK), 21. Laitia TUILAU, 22. Roberto POLLI, 23. Chikau MANSALE (GK), 24. Kensi TANGIS
Coach: Marco BANCHINI (ITA)
Suva FA
The players: Pita Rabo’s workrate was outstanding in the centre of the park. Nickel Chand’s pacy runs in behind the defensive line are dangerous, but yet to prove lethal.

The vital statistics: Prior to kick-off against Auckland City FC, Suva had only three players with experience in this competition. They can add a further nine play
ers to that list following their debuts on Saturday. Nickel Chand is the only Suva player with a caution.
Coach Quote: We’ll be looking forward to the next game, another tough one for us, but we’ll do our best. We’ll sit down and watch Amicale play and just like we did against Auckland City, we’ll do our best to get some points.”

Squad list: 1. Ulaiasi TAMANISAU (GK), 2. Dave RADRIGAI, 3. Noa TUIWAINIKAI, 4. Jale DREOLA, 5. Adrian MEDINA, 6. Nickel CHAND, 7. Pita RABO, 8. Inia BOKO, 9. Esava NAQELECA, 10. Abdulwali AMAN, 11. Maciu DUNADAMU, 12. Tomasi UCULOA, 13. Poasa BAINIVALU, 14. Rusiate MATAREREGA, 15. Waisake NAVUNIGASAU, 16. Shahil DAVE, 17. Kolinio SIVOKI, 18. Al-taaf SAHIB, 19. George JERMY, 20. Leone DAMUDAMU, 21. Sakaraia NAISUA, 22. Emori RAGATA (GK)

Coach: Gurjit SINGH (FIJ)

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.