Along with Vanuatu’s Amicale, who lost 2-0 at home to Waitakere United, a miracle comeback is required from both sides if they are to prevent the two Kiwi clubs from colliding in an all-New Zealand finale.
No club side has ever reeled back a five goal deficit in the history of the OFC Champions League over two legs, yet navy blues coach Ramon Tribulietx is not taking anything for granted when Auckland face Ba in Fiji on Saturday with a healthy 6-1 lead to protect.
“The next 90 minutes could be very long especially if we don’t play with the required intensity. The tie is still alive and the conditions up in Ba are very different to here and so there is no room for relaxation,” he said.
Auckland City beat Ba 6-1 in front of a sell-out crowd at Kiwitea Street, but only after the visitors had midfielder Avinesh Suwamy and defender Meli Codro plus coach Yogendra Dutt, all sent off.
Govind Park has been a tough venue to visit for Kiwi clubs with Waitakere United losing there twice in two visits, 2-1 and 3-2. And despite the five goal deficit, Ba manager Iliyaz Khan says the team is aware of the difficult task they are faced with.
“We will be playing at home and it is a big advantage for us since we will be backed by our own fans. We need to win by five clear goals if we want to play in the final,” Khan said.
“Anything can happen in 90 minutes of football but we are confident of getting the five goals we need. Malakai Tiwa and Laisenia Raura will make their return to the side after missing last week’s match and we are looking for a positive result playing Auckland City at home,” he added.
Tribulietx said Iliyaz’s comments were proof enough that Saturday’s match has all the hallmarks of a classic encounter.
“Those views confirm the game will be very hard, Ba feel they can win it and that is good for the game, it is what we are expecting, a very motivated Ba team.
“We will look at what we can do to overcome Ba’s physical approach and try to play our own game, focus on our own ideas as a team,” he said.
With Auckland City’s advantage in the tie significant, any thoughts of resting key players are on hold – for now, at least – as Tribulietx mulls over his selections for Saturday’s game.
“I have not decided the starting eleven for this game yet and we no injuries with the exception of Gustavo Souto who is out for the rest of this campaign.
“Adam McGeorge is still in doubt for the game and we will have to make a call on his fitness for the Ba game tonight after training,” he said.

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