The identity of the teams progressing from Group A has already been decided – Fiji’s Ba and Vanuatu’s Amicale secured their safe passage in previous rounds – but Group B is still wide open with defending champions Auckland City and Tahiti’s Dragon set to fight it out to join Waitakere United in booking a semi-final place.
Both Group A matches take place on Saturday 27 April with Ba welcoming Amicale and Solomon Warriors travelling to Hekari United.
The Group B action also kicks off on Saturday 27 April when Auckland City head to Dragon for a vitally important match before Mont-Dore play host to Waitakere United on Sunday 28 April. The time difference between Tahiti and New Caledonia means these matches will in fact occur on the same day.
See below for a look at the action that’s in store across the four matches in the final round of the OFC Champions League.
Please note that a goal scored during the previous round in the match between Amicale and Ba at Port Vila Stadium in Port Vila, Vanuatu, on Saturday 20 April was wrongly attributed. The penalty goal for Ba in the 67th minute was scored by Sanni Issa, not Josefata Neibuli as previously reported. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Ba [FIJ] vs. Amicale [VAN]
The details:
3pm local time, Saturday 27 April
Govind Park
Ba, Fiji
The officials:
Referee: Matt CONGER [NZL]
Assistant referee 1: Adriu NAISOROKI [FIJ]
Assistant referee 2: Rakesh CHANDRA [FIJ]
4th official: Ravitesh BEHARI [FIJ]
The lowdown:
With both sides already assured of their place in the semi-finals, this match does not carry the importance you would expect from a top-of-the-table clash at this point of the season but each team will still be keen for a win to boost their confidence levels ahead of the knockout stages. And there is still something riding on it as Amicale are only three points behind Group A leaders Ba and do therefore have a slim chance of finishing top on goal difference if they can earn a hefty win. It would take a remarkable performance to pull that off though as Ba are superior in that regard by five strikes and, as the only unbeaten side in the competition, are unlikely to fall to a heavy defeat on home soil. They will be missing a pair of key players though as Avinesh Suwamy, who found the net from the spot in the 2-1 away win over Amicale last weekend, is suspended and targetman Osea Vakatalesau is yet to recover from an injury sustained in round four against Solomon Warriors. Amicale will be without Solomon Islander Nelson Sale Kilifa through suspension and his absence is a significant blow as he is a key member of a defence that has leaked only two goals so far – the best defensive record in the competition. The Reds will be out for revenge after suffering that loss to Ba in the previous round and will aim to become to first team to win at Govind Park this season. To do so, they will have to keep close tabs on Nigerian striker Sanni Issa, who has been a revelation for the Men in Black and is the golden boot leader with eight goals after scoring in every round.
The quote:
“We have the momentum so the same players who have been playing so far may play on Saturday. Sanni Issa has gelled well with the team and has done really well in the past matches. He knows very well what is to be done on the field and we hope he will do wonders in the matches ahead. Osea Vakatalesau will not be able to play as he is still recovering from his injury and we hope he recovers well ahead of the semi-final.” – Ba manager Iliyaz Khan
The squads:
Ba: 1. Ratu JONE [GK], 3. Meli CODRO, 4. Jacob MORRISON, 5. Ronil KUMAR, 6. Jone VESIKULA, 7. Tuimasi MANUCA, 8. Aisea CODRO, 9. Abbu ZAHID, 10. Mavileko NAKAMA, 11. Josefata NEIBULI, 12. REMUERU, 13. Kini VILIAME, 14. Malakai LEVATIA, 16. Malakai TIWA, 17. Malakai KANAHEWE, 18. Laisenia RAURA, 19. Varun KUMAR, 20. Sanni ISSA, 21. Marika MADIGI, 22. Epeli CODRO [GK], 23. Fayah CAMARA, 24. Clarence CLARKE, 25. Jone SALAUNEUNE, 26. Scott GANNON, 27. Alvin SINGH
Coach: Yogendra DUTT [FIJ]
Amicale: 1. Chikau MANSALE [GK], 2. Samuel KALOROS, 3. Chanel OBED, 4. George VUTI, 5. Laitia TUILAU, 6. Samuela KAUTOGA, 7. Jean-Robert YALOU, 8. Johnny TIRAENG, 9. Jean NAPRAPOL, 10. Richard ANISUA, 11. Fenedy MASAUVAKALO, 13. Pape GUEYE, 15. Alphonse BONGNAIM, 16. Daniel NATOU, 18. Jack WETNEY, 19. Souleymane SARR, 20. Michael RUTHERFORD [GK], 21. Paul YOUNG, 22. Paul NGOM, 23. Roddy LENGA, 24. Kency TANGIS, 25. Joses NAWO, 26. Alick MAEMAE, 27. Moffat DEROMOA, 28. Aliou TRAORE, 29. Dominique FRED, 30. Francois SAKAMA, 32. Natou NANUA, 33. Joel NAKAPUE [GK]
Coach: Richard IWAI [VAN]
Hekari United [PNG] vs. Solomon Warriors [SOL]
The details:
3pm local time, Saturday 27 April
PMRL Stadium
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
The officials:
Referee: Nick WALDRON [NZL]
Assistant referee 1: David CHARLES [PNG]
Assistant referee 2: David YAREBOINEN [PNG]
4th official: Anio AMOS [PNG]
The lowdown:
The main problem here for the two sides will be motivation as both were forced to give up their semi-final dreams some time ago and, with the sizeable carrot of an appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup now gone, may struggle to lift themselves for one final push. But there is in fact plenty for at least one of these sides to play for as Hekari are in danger of picking up the competition’s wooden spoon and, with the threat of having to go through a preliminary qualifying tournament for next year’s event, that would be a very unwanted mantle indeed. New Caledonia’s Mont-Dore endured that process prior to this season’s campaign and are again in line for the same fate as they have only one point to their name and are bottom of Group B. Hekari are the cellar dwellers of Group A and likewise have just one point to show for their efforts, so will aim to earn their first victory against Warriors and hope Mont-Dore continue their winless run in meeting Waitakere at home. Warriors hauled themselves out of such a scenario by notching a morale-boosting 4-2 win over Hekari in the previous round and will be keen to show they belong at this level by finishing their debut season on a high note. They will need to do so without the services of suspended midfielder Willy Daudau but Hekari have no such absentees so will be full strength. Hekari at least finally proved their can find the net by scoring in that loss Warriors as, prior to that, they had recorded only one strike. Their three goals are a poor return for a squad containing the attacking calibre of Kema Jack, Joachim Waroi and Maciu Dunadamu and coach Jerry Allen needed more from these players to have any chance of mounting a semi-final challenge.
The quote:
“We will go to Hekari with the intention to win and try to add to our tally for the competition. Fortunately, we had some rest days ahead of us after the last match before travelling and we have given the players a couple of days to recuperate before resuming training. To win in the last match after the grueling schedule we have been through was a great feeling. It is a great relief to feel that we belong in this competition.” – Solomon Warriors coach Brendan Crichton
The squads:
Hekari United: 1. Leslie KALAI [GK], 2. Daniel JOE, 3. Malon KALTANAK, 4. Kila POLENA, 5. Daniel TAYLOR, 6. Samuel KINI, 7. Raymond GUNEMBA, 8. Maciu DUNADAMU, 9. Nigel DABINYABA, 10. Wira WAMA, 11. Joachim WAROI, 12. David MUTA, 13. Andrew LEPANI, 15. Wilson GIASUAU, 16. Pita BOLATOGA, 17. Kema JACK, 18. Erikson KOMENG, 19. Koriak UPAIGA, 20. Godfrey BANIAU [GK], 21. Clifton AUMAE, 22. Gure GABINA [GK], 23. Ian YANUM, 25. Taniela WAQA, 27. Calvin BILL, 28. Billson BULLO, 29. Joey AMBROSE, 30. Tuti ZAMA
Coach: Jerry ALLEN [PNG]
Solomon Warriors: 1. Eddie NEWMAN [GK], 2. Hadisi AENGARI, 3. Welshman HOUKARAWA, 4. Tome FAISI, 5. Dennis IFUNAOA, 6. Molea TIGI, 7. Brian FENI, 8. Molis GAGAME, 9. Karol KAKATE, 10. Judd MOLEA, 11. K
idston BILLY, 12. Jerry DONGA, 13. Moffat KILIFA, 14. Jeffery BULE, 16. Emmanuel POILA, 17. Micah LEA’ALAFA, 18. Sam AYERS, 19. Gibson DAUDAU, 20. Casper AENGARI, 21. Brian KALTACK, 22. Bata FURAI, 23. Gagame FENI, 24. Silas SEDA [GK], 25. Chris TAFOA, 26. Loea TAISARA, 27. Nemani ROQARA, 29. Michael MOLEA, 30. Matson FENNY, 31. Alfred LOFANA [GK]
Coach: Brendan CRICHTON [NZL]
Dragon [TAH] vs. Auckland City [NZL]
The details:
7.30pm local time, Saturday 27 April
Stade Pater
Papeete, Tahiti
The officials:
Referee: Rakesh VARMAN [FIJ]
Assistant referee 1: Stephane TETAUIRA [TAH]
Assistant referee 2: Paul AHUPU [TAH]
4th official: Pari OITO [TAH]
The lowdown:
With a place in the semi-finals on offer for the victors, this clash is the match of the season so far and there will be plenty of nerves from both sides as they look to keep their respective campaigns alive. Of the pair, Dragon’s need for a win is greater than Auckland’s as they suffered a damaging setback last night in being held to a 1-1 draw at home to New Caledonian visitors Mont-Dore – a side they were expected to defeat comfortably as their fellow francophones had not even picked up a point before that game. The disappointing result means Auckland now need only a draw to ensure their progression while Dragon have no choice but to press hard for the win. In a knock to Dragon’s chances of achieving that goal, captain and key defender Nicolas Vallar will be suspended after completing a frustrating evening for his side yesterday by being sent off in injury time. Dragon hold somewhat of a psychological edge after defeating Auckland 3-1 away – becoming the first Pacific Islands team to beat a New Zealand opponent on home soil in the process – but Auckland will be buoyed by the Tahitian champions’ failure to beat Mont-Dore and will also take heart from that fact that fierce rivals Waitakere managed a 1-0 win at Stade Pater earlier in the competition. Auckland have no players missing through suspension but will be without two important figures regardless as Gustavo Souto’s season is over after the Spanish striker sustained a fractured collar bone in the 1-0 loss to Waitakere last weekend while midfielder Chris Bale misses the trip due to work commitments. Midfielder Darren White looks on track to recover from an ankle sprain however and Argentine striker Emiliano Tade is also available again after returning from a knee injury. Auckland are coming off the back of consecutive defeats and have never suffered three successive losses in this competition.
The quote:
“We have to face this match as a final, that’s the only way to go. It is going to be the most important game of the season for this club. The situation will have to bring the best out of us to make sure we are competitive. Obviously, what happens through the game will tell us whether we have to readjust something or not but we will approach it with the same ideas. Dragon are a strong, organised side and we lost to them last time but every game is different.” – Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx
The squads:
Dragon: 1. Mikael ROCHE [GK], 2. Alexis MAURI, 3. Sebastien GAIRIN, 4. Tamatoa WAGEMANN, 5. Henri CAROINE, 6. Kevin GAUDIN, 7. Efrain ARANEDA ESTAIN, 8. Yannick VERO, 9. Samuel HNANYINE, 10. Raimana LI FUNG KUEE, 11. Andre TEIKIHAKAUPOKO, 12. Jonathan TEHAU, 13. Steevy CHONG HUE, 14. Matatia PAAMA, 15. Heimano BOUREBARE, 16. Edson LEMAIRE, 17. Sylvain GRAGLIA, 18. Xavier SAMIN [GK], 19. Vincent SIMON, 20. Torea MARUOI, 21. Alessandro VALLAR, 23. Teaonui TEHAU, 24. Jonathan CABALE, 25. Heremana TEIKIPUPUNI
Coach: Ludovic GRAUGNARD [TAH]
Auckland City: 1. Jacob SPOONLEY [GK], 2. Simon ARMS, 3. Takuya IWATA, 4. Adam MCGEORGE, 5. Darren WHITE, 6. Matthew RIDENTON, 7. James PRITCHETT, 9. Manel EXPOSITO, 10. Gustavo SOUTO, 11. Daniel KOPRIVCIC, 12. Tamati WILLIAMS [GK], 13. Alex FENERIDIS, 14. Adam DICKINSON, 15. Ivan VICELICH, 16. Albert RIERA, 17. Pedro GARCIA, 18. Damian HIRST [GK], 19. Mario BILEN, 20. Emiliano TADE, 21. David BROWNE, 22. Andrew MILNE
Coach: Ramon TRIBULIETX [ESP]
Mont-Dore [NCL] vs. Waitakere United [NZL]
The details:
4.30pm local time, Sunday 28 April
Stade Numa Daly
Noumea, New Caledonia
The officials:
Referee: Gerald OIAKA [SOL]
Assistant referee 1: Didier HMUZO [NCL]
Assistant referee 2: Claude CHEVALIER [NCL]
4th official: Bertrand BILLON [NCL]
The lowdown:
This game was looming as a must-win for Waitakere but the pressure has been lifted to a certain degree after Dragon surprisingly failed to take a win at home to strugglers Mont-Dore last night, having to settle instead for a 1-1 draw. That result means Waitakere have now already qualified for the semi-finals but they will still have their eye on another three points as they will want to top the group and thus earn the advantage of meeting the second-placed team in Group A. The west Aucklanders disposed of Mont-Dore 3-1 in the sides’ previous encounter in New Zealand but the performance was far from convincing and they are likely to find the going tougher on Sunday as the New Caledonians’ confidence levels will have received a shot in the arm with that draw against Dragon. They will also have the benefit of facing a Waitakere strike force missing two of its most potent weapons as Fijian international Roy Krishna and former All White Allan Pearce are both suspended. But there is still plenty of offensive talent in the Waitakere line-up and more responsibility for finding the net will now fall on the shoulders of the likes of Ryan De Vries and English import Chris Palmer. They will fancy their chances as Mont-Dore have the worst defensive record in the competition and are still searching for their first win. Dan Vakie provided the equaliser against Dragon with a header but Mont-Dore’s main attacking threat has been Roman Painbeni, pressed forward from his usual deeper-lying midfield position.
The quote:
“All games are tough but, put it this way, I’d rather be going to New Caledonia than to Tahiti which is where Auckland have to go. They’ve already lost to Dragon and the pitch in Tahiti isn’t great whereas we’re going to a pitch which is not too bad at all so that pleases us.” – Waitakere United coach Paul Marshall
The squads:
Mont-Dore: 1. Yoran WAIMA [GK], 2. Dominique SAWA, 3. Dan VAKIE, 4. Joseph TCHACKO, 5. Loic BESSIERES, 6. Ludwig ZEOULA, 7. Jean-Pierre BOB, 8. Romain PAINBENI, 9. Jackyno MAOU, 10. Cedric DECOIRE, 11. Alphonse TOKOTOKO, 12. Jean-Marc HMALOKO, 13. Olivier DOKUNENGO, 14. Pascal KENON, 15. Mathieu HERVO, 16. Fabrice WACAPO, 17. Ben MALAKAI, 18. Lamo XEWE, 19. Louis WAIA, 20. Pierre WEINANE, 21. Jacques WAMYTAN, 22. Thomas SCHMIDT [GK], 23. David WADRA, 24. Raphael OIREMOIN, 30. Louis SAMEKE [GK]
Coach: Harold OIREMOIN [NCL]
Waitakere United: 1. Danny ROBINSON [GK], 2. Aaron SCOTT, 3. Jack BEGUELY, 4. Tim MYERS, 5. Brian SHELLEY, 6. Matt CUNNEEN, 7. Jeremy CHRISTIE, 8. Chad COOMBES, 9. Milos NIKOLIC, 11. Luiz DEL MONTE, 13. Julyan COLLETT, 14. Daniel JONES, 15. Salesh KUMAR, 16. Tristan PRATTLEY, 17. Jake BUTLER, 18. Sam MATHEWS, 19. Daniel MORGAN, 20. Ryan DE VRIES, 21. Dylan STANSFIELD, 22. Richard GILLESPIE [GK], 23. Masaki NOMOTO, 24. Harshae RANIGA, 25. Bill ROBERTSON, 26. Billy COLTON, 27. Chris PALMER, 28. Alex CARR [GK], 29. Kyosuke KITANO, 30. Rory TURNER
Coach: Paul Marshall [NZL]

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