Host-nation side AS Pirae make their OFC Women’s Champions League debut, with hopes high that home advantage will prove a crucial factor in their bid to lift the trophy.
Their appearance also marks an historic moment for women’s football in Tahiti, with 2025 the first time the country has been represented at the OFC Women’s Champions League, having not entered a side in either 2023 or 2024.
AS Pirae won’t have to look too far for inspiration in their quest for success however, with the club’s men’s side having reached the OFC Men’s Champions League final on home turf last year. The challenge for the women will be to go one step further.
Lambert Rupea will be part of the coaching team leading AS Pirae, with the assistant coach confident that their preparations stand them in good stead ahead of kick off.
“We’ve prepared the team as well as we can. The OFC Women’s Champions League is new for us and we’re here to learn and see the level of the other teams, but we are confident.
“The girls are very motivated to play at home in Tahiti and are even more excited as matches will take place in Pirae, the city they are playing for!” Rupea said.
As well as the motivation of playing on home soil, the pride of being the first Tahitian team to participate in an OFC Women’s Champions League is also not lost on the squad, as they prepare for a challenging couple of weeks.
“It’s the first time for AS Pirae at the OFC Women’s Champions League and also the first time for a women’s Tahitian team and for that we are all very proud.
“The group we are in looks tough but we’re here to play our game against the best teams in the south Pacific. I think at this stage of the competition, all teams are very good, so we will take it match by match and see how we go,” Rupea explained.
Photo Credit: FTF via Christophe Fotozz
AS Pirae
Kick-off times local
v Auckland United FC
Monday, May 5 | 3:00pm
v PanSa
Thursday, May 8 | 3:00pm
v Hekari Womens FC
Sunday, May 11 | 3:00pm