Puaikura FC are eager to etch out some history of their own in this competition, with improving on local rival Tupapa Maraerenga’s previous efforts a driving force.
Some careful recruiting from coach Tuka Tisam has seen Stuart Kelly, who won the 2011 OFC Champions League with Auckland City FC, welcomed into the fold. The wide range of nationalities making up the team sheet, last seen in the victorious Kiwi FC side of 2013, shows Puaikura are here to do business.
Their opening opponents are an equally unknown quantity.
American Samoa champions Samoan Korean Baptist Church FC (SKBC FC) lifted the trophy in their first season following promotion to the top league.
Some names and faces will be familiar to those who followed last year’s representatives Pago Youth with Korean goal machine Gun Kang switching yellow and black stripes for blue and red. American Samoa U-20 players Ruben Luvu, Sam Kome, Neemia Kaleopa and Kaleopa Siligi have all been recruited as the side attempts to top their dream run with qualification to the Champions League Group Stage.
The second encounter on Match Day 2 sees Lotoha’apai United of Tonga take on Lupe Ole Soaga, the host nation’s champions.
For the third consecutive year Lotoha’apai United FC are looking to add to their OFC Champions League appearances and erase some of the more unsavoury memories the club has of previous outings in the region’s premier club competition.
The long-time Tongan champions are keen to prove they can dominate at more than just the domestic level and their first chance to do that is against Samoa’s Lupe Ole Soaga.
Form will play a big part in Lotoha’apai’s bid for glory with the majority of the 2012 and 2013 squad returning, but needing to improve on previous performances. Mixing the experience of the Uhatahi brothers and Lafaele Moala with the likes of up-and-coming teenagers Hemaloto Polovili, Sione Kite and Soakai Vea could inject the drive the team needs to surpass their previous best.
After the highs of victory experienced by compatriots Kiwi FC in Pago Pago a year ago, Lupe Ole Soaga are keen to etch the name of another Samoan side on this competition. Unlike their predecessors the Samoan champions have opted for a majority local side, with Lapalapa Toni, Vaalii Faalogo, Ted Sikovi and Lionel Taylor sure to impress.
Late call-up Andrew Setefano is bound to lend his experience to the campaign, he was a member of the championship winning Hekari United squad and was crucial to the line-up as Kiwi FC stepped up in the 2014 OFC Champions League.
EXTRA INFORMATION
Samoan Korean Baptist Church FC v Puaikura FC
J.S. Blatter Football Complex, Tuanaimato
Tuesday, 7 October 2014
Kickoff: 4.30pm
Referee: Ravitesh BEHARI [FIJ]
Samoan Korean Baptist Church FC
The players: Gun Kang was awarded 2013 FFAS National League Most Valuable Player. Ruben Luvu, Neemia Kaleopa, Kaleopa Siligi and Sam Kome were members of the American Samoa U-20 squad in 2013.
The vital statistics: SKBC FC won the FFAS National Soccer League Division 1 their first hit out after promotion.
Squad list: 1. Richard DONOVAN (GK), 2. Gun KANG, 3. Steven GARCIA, 4. Trevor KAITUU, 5. William FONG, 6. Sam KOME, 7. Dunstone ALEZIRU, 8. Nemia KALEOPA, 9. Kaleopa SILIGI, 10. Raynel KRISHNA, 11. Johnny SIONE, 12. Rueben LUVU, 13. Melfi ALSHERHRI, 14. Miguel DIAZ, 15. Jerry KENA, 16. Joseph KOROIADI, 17. Sione LUI, 20. Sione MAU (GK)
Coach: Rishi PRAKESH [FIJ]
Manager: Raynel KRISHNA [FIJ]
Manager Quote: “We have prepared well for our first game so we will see how it goes. The coaches did their part, the trainers did their part and it’s now show time for the players to show if they can win or lose. We’ll try to do our 100 per cent best on the field.”
Puaikura FC
The players: Stuart Kelly’s talent and experience winning the OFC Champions League with Auckland City should help give his side an edge. The trio from Fiji count among the side’s experienced players, while the youth and exuberance of Cook Island U-17 players like Dwayne Tiputoa and Jarves Aperau could influence the team’s course during this campaign. Keep an eye out for Shohei Monju and Claes Ljungberg, from Japan and Sweden respectively, as they given the opportunity to reveal their football pedigree.
The vital statistics: Three members of the squad were part of Tuka Tisam’s 2013 Cook Islands U-17 squad – Dwayne Tiputoa, Jarves Aperau and Kimi Samuela. Stuart Kelly spent 11 years with Glasgow Rangers, including seven years in the youth setup, and represented Scotland through U-16 to U-20. Puaikura FC becomes the 13th senior club side he will turn out for, including loan spells.
Squad list: 1. Stevan DUJAKOVIC (GK), 2. Paul-Luiz VAN EIJK, 3. Jarves APERAU, 4. Claes LJUNBERG, 5. Vishal REDDY, 6. Alex McGREGOR, 8. Dean STYLES, 9. Shiek SHAH, 10. Stuart KELLY, 11. Dwayne TIPUTOA, 12. Temana PENNYCOOK, 13. Tarik KAFEDZIC, 14. Benjamin HEATHER, 15. Shohei MONJU, 16. Kimi SAMUELA, 17. Avinesh CHAND, 18. Roimata MOEKAPITI (GK)
Coach: Tuka TISAM [COK]
Coach Quote: “We haven’t got a clue about this side we’re playing first up, we’re just going to play our way – the Puaikura style. I think our young players like Dwayne, Kimi and Jarvis, will be key. It’s their first time in this Champions League Preliminary so it will be a good experience for them, and our players from overseas will be a great help.”
Lotoha’apai United v Lupe Ole Soaga
J.S. Blatter Football Complex, Tuanaimato
Tuesday, 7 October 2014
Kickoff: 7pm
Referee: Robinson BANGA [VAN]
Lotoha’apai United
The players: Lafaele Moala has been part of the team for a number of years and will be a midfield danger man, he was part of the national Olympic qualifying side alongside Matana Paongo who is also back in the side. Mark Uhatahi’s form will be key to this side’s progression as once he starts finding the back of the net, he will be hard to stop. Uhatahi is once again joined in the team by his three brothers – Sione, Michael and Tupou. The youngest squad member Soakai Vea has been to New Zealand three times in the past two years to further develop his skills, how that training has paid off should be evident when he hits the pitch in Apia.
The vital statistics: At 16 years old Soakai Vea is the youngest member of the team making the gap between him and his captain, Mark Uhatahi, 15 years.
Squad list: 1. Brady KITE (GK), 2. Sione UHATAHI, 3. Oliveti VAI, 4. Samisoni MAFI, 5. Fineasi PALEI, 6. Hemaloto POLOVILI, 7. Mark UHATAHI, 8. Lafaele MOALA, 9. Tupou UHATAHI, 10. Soakai VEA, 11. Timote MAAMALOA, 12. Soane FAUPULA, 13. Sione
KITE, 14. Michael UHATAHI, 15. Matana PAONGO, 16. Sefo LELEA, 17. Kakala VAINUKU, 18. Sione FAUPULA (GK)
Coach: Fetu’u VEA [TGA]
Coach Quote: “We don’t know much about the Samoan champions. Last year it was Kiwi FC and it was a mix of players and we almost beat them. We had two goals before they came up and beat us at the final whistle. I think tomorrow will be a good game too.”
Lupe Ole Soaga
The players: Late injury replacement Andrew Setefano proved his worth as a goal-stopping defender with Kiwi FC in the 2014 OFC Champions League. His experience at this level, alongside that of fellow Samoa international Lionel Taylor, will be vital to the success of Lupe’s campaign.
The statistics: Lupe Ole Soaga was founded in 1998. Their 2012/13 Samoan National League victory marks the club’s first domestic title.
Squad list: 1. Ted SIKOVI (GK), 2. Vaalii FAALOGO, 3. Suiga NOA, 4. Vito LALOATA, 5. Suni SARSOUM, 6. Suivai ATAGA, 7. Lionel TAYLOR, 8. Silao MALO, 9. Lapalapa TONI, 10. Luki GOSCHE, 11. Kareti SOAFA, 12. Ishamel TAULAI, 13. Faafua ATAGA LAOATA, 14. Sapati UMUTAUA, 15. Victor LAPALAPA, 16.Oscar AMATAGA, 17. Apisaloma FAAFUA LEIATAUA, 18. Mataio TOETU (GK)
Coach: Paul UALESI [SA
M]
Coach Quote: “I know nothing about the Tongan team. We’re looking forward to doing our best and working on what we planned. We’ll get a feel of our opponents early on and then switch modes if we need to.”

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