Like a number of his teammates, the Costa Rican has previously turned out at this level with defending champions Auckland City FC.
Now he’s hoping he’s made a winning choice with Team Wellington as the two sides get set to meet in tomorrow’s 2015 Fiji Airways OFC Champions League final at ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji.
“This champions league has been very good so far,” he says.
“It’s an experience that I already had in the past, but then I can see that Oceania football has grown. The organisation has been tremendous, the field where we play has been really good, and I’m very happy overall.”
To play in a final is one thing, but to make it to the final of the premier club competiton in Oceania with a debuting side is something else, and the achievement is not lost on Corrales.
“To play in any final in any competition for me is a privilege, and this time it feels really special because it’s with a club that opened a lot of doors for me when I first came to New Zealand.
“To know be making history for this club, I’m really proud of it.”
Corrales believes his experience both with and against fellow finalists Auckland City FC will go a long way.
“I love my past with Auckland City, I learned a lot from the club,” he says.
“I think I know pretty well their ideas, the way they play and I understand them – but I’m not the only one.
“If you see our squad you can see there is a number of them in there that know Auckland City well. We played back home in New Zealand so we’re used to the way they play and hopefully it goes our way this time.”
Certainly those encounters in the ASB Premiership will count towards something, and if you consider the Charity Cup as well, that puts Team Wellington 2-1 up in the previous three head-to-heads.
“It’s good that we’ve played each other a few times, but it could work their way or our way,” Corrales muses.
“They have a different squad after what they did at the FIFA Club World Cup. A lot of players left, and then they got new players so it could be different.”
While the football is keeping Corrales and his teammates pretty busy in Fiji, the 31-year-old was pleased they were able to take some time to visit a local school – Samabula Primary School in Suva.
“I personally work with children in New Zealanad and I just love working with kids,” he says.
“Being at Samabula Primary School was amazing, it brings back memories of when I was a child and wanting to be a pro-footballer and all those sorts of things.
“To come and share some of our experience with the children of Suva has been fantastic.”
Corrales and Team Wellington will take on defending champions Auckland City FC in the 2015 Fiji Airways OFC Champions League final at 7pm on Sunday 26 April at ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji.

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