Auckland City will have first crack, taking Rewa on at 7.45pm on Friday before Waitakere United tackle the tourists on Sunday from 3pm.
Both matches will take place on the recently-opened artificial turf at Bill McKinlay Park in Mt Wellington and admission is $10 for adults. Children under the age of 12 have free entry.
Fans will get plenty of value for money on Sunday as the clash will be preceded by a curtain-raiser featuring the Waitakere youth team and a New Zealand-based Fijian selection side. Kick-off for that game is 12pm.
The matches are part of the New Zealand clubs’ preparations for the upcoming 2011/12 O-League and ASB Premiership campaigns, which both kick off in late October.
Rewa will also find the chance to take on some high-quality opposition useful as they are preparing to defend their title in the 2011 Courts Inter District Championship, set to be held from October 6 to 10 at the TFL National Stadium in Suva.
The local sides will be slight favourites going in to the weekend’s meetings as Auckland City are the 2011 O-League champions while Waitakere United pipped their great crosstown rivals to last season’s ASB Premiership title.
But they will not find the going easy against Rewa, who possess a talent-packed line-up and are on a golden run after experiencing a string of success in recent months.
Since bagging the Battle of the Giants trophy last season, Rewa have won the 2010 Inter District Championship, 2011 Pillay Garments Champions League and the 2011 Vodafone Fiji FACT, as well as another Battle of the Giants title.
The squad features several Fiji internationals who took part in the Pacific Games in New Caledonia this month, including goalkeeper and national team captain Simione Tamanisau.
Festival of Football
Auckland City vs Rewa
Bill McKinley Park, Mt Wellington
Friday 16 September
Kick-off: 7.45pm local time
Waitakere United Youth vs NZ Fiji Select XI
Bill McKinley Park, Mt Wellington
Sunday 18 September
Kick-off: 12pm local time
Waitakere United vs Rewa
Bill McKinley Park, Mt Wellington
Sunday 18 September
Kick-off: 3pm local time

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