All the Group A action will take place on Saturday 20 April with Solomon Warriors welcoming Hekari United in a battle of the winless sides and Ba heading to Amicale for a top-of-the-table clash. The Group B play is spread across two days and sees Auckland City host local rivals Waitakere United in a vital match on Sunday 21 April before Mont-Dore chase their first points of the tournament away to francophone foes Dragon on Tuesday 23 April.
See below for a look at the action that’s in store across the four matches in round five of the OFC Champions League.
Solomon Warriors [SOL] vs. Hekari United [PNG]
The details:
3pm local time, Saturday 20 April
Lawson Tama Stadium
Honiara, Solomon Islands
The officials:
Referee: Salesh CHAND [FIJI]
Assistant referee 1: Noel BERRY [SOL]
Assistant referee 2: Jackson NAMO [SOL]
4th official: George TIME [SOL]
The lowdown:
Motivation is likely to be the biggest problem for these teams as both have had underwhelming campaigns so far and are now out of the running for the semi-finals. Of the pair, Hekari will be the more disappointed as they are an established club at this level and won the title in 2010 whereas this is Warriors’ maiden appearance in the Champions League. Having become the first ever Pacific Island team to lift the trophy three years ago, Hekari have tried to recapture that glory ever since and their failure to do so again will be a major frustration to coach Jerry Allen. Finding the net has been Allen’s biggest problem as Kema Jack’s strike on the opening day remains Hekari’s only goal of the season. A clash against the group’s only other winless team appears to provide the best chance of correcting this and Hekari’s prospects will also be boosted by the return from suspension of two key players in Pita Bolatoga and Koriak Upaiga. Solomon Warriors have not adapted well to life at this level and hit their lowest point on Wednesday in being outclassed 5-0 by Ba. A meeting with the lowest scorers in the group will therefore be very welcome and, with one more match against Hekari to follow, the final two fixtures offer the newcomers a good opportunity to salvage something from their debut season.
The quote:
“Our dream to move on in the competition has ended and I am very disappointed that it is finished for us now. We now have only pride to play for against Solomon Warriors.” – Hekari United coach Jerry Allen
The squads:
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. Kidston BILLY, 12. Jerry DONGA, 13. Moffat KILIFA, 14. Jeffery BULE, 15. Willy DAUDAU, 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]
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]
Amicale [VAN] vs. Ba [FIJ]
The details:
3pm local time, Saturday 20 April
Port Vila Stadium
Port Vila, Vanuatu
The officials:
Referee: Mirko BENISCHKE [NZL]
Assistant referee 1: Michael JOSEPH [VAN]
Assistant referee 2: Alick LUKAI [VAN]
4th official: Robinson BANGA [VAN]
The lowdown:
With both sides already assured of a safe passage into the semi-finals, this game does not have quite the same significance as you would expect of a top-of-the-table clash at this stage of the season. But a win would be invaluable nonetheless as Ba and Amicale are locked on ten points each and finishing top of the group may prove an advantage as that side will play the second-placed team in Group B rather than the winner. Amicale are yet to lose at home but that record could be under threat as Ba appear the most accomplished opponent to visit Port Vila so far. Nigerian striker Sanni Issa scored a hat-trick in the Men in Blacks’ 5-0 win over Solomon Warriors on Wednesday and the Amicale defence will have to best at their best as Ba are the group’s top scorers by some distance. But Amicale are yet to concede a goal – the only team in the tournament with a clean sheet – and have plenty of firepower themselves. Talismanic striker Fenedy Masauvakalo appears to have rediscovered his form of the 2011 season, when he won the golden boot as the Reds made it all the way to the final. Solomon Islands international Joses Nawo returned from suspension to put in a strong performance and join Masauvakalo on the scoresheet in the 2-0 win over Hekari but, given Ba’s goal threat, the most important man for Amicale could be veteran goalkeeper Chikau Mansale. Two Amicale players, defender Samuela Kautoga and striker Jack Wetney, will return to the fold from suspension.
The quote:
“We know we are in the semi-final now but we have to continue to play and try to beat Ba at home. Ba are a quality team with very good players and we respect them but our boys will continue to play their style of football. Our aim now is to play smart and top the group.” – Amicale coach Richard Iwai
The squads:
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, 17. Nelson Sale KILIFA, 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]
Ba: 1. Ratu JONE [GK], 2. Avinesh SUWAMY, 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, 15. Osea VAKATALESAU, 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]
Auckland City [NZL] vs. Waitakere United [NZL]
The details:
3pm local time, Sunday 21 April
Kiwitea Street
Auckland, New Zealand
The officials:
Referee: Andrew ACHARI [FIJ]
Assistant referee 1: Simon LOUNT [NZL]
Assistant referee 2: Nick VAN DER SALM [NZL]
4th official: Matt CONGER [NZL]
The lowdown:
Following the results of Wednesday’s Group B double header, this match now assumes massive importance in the fight for a semi-final berth. Of the four sides in the pool, only New Caledonia’s Mont-Dore are out of the running, leaving fierce New Zealand rivals Auckland and Waitakere to fight it out with Tahitians Dragon for the top two places and the chance to progress. Auckland hold the advantage in that quest as they have the most points in the bag but the defending champions’ shock 3-1 defeat to Dragon on home soil has breathed new life into the group and they cannot afford for that loss to turn into a winless run. Having not earned the results they would have liked in the first half of the campaign, Waitakere lik
ewise do not have room for any slip-ups and therefore also need to target three points at Kiwitea Street. They will be out for revenge after being humbled 3-1 at home by Auckland in the sides’ previous meeting and, although they defeated Mont-Dore on Wednesday, the performance was far from convincing and coach Paul Marshall will want more from his men against their great rivals. English import Chris Palmer got off the mark with a penalty mid-week while Fijian international Roy Krishna also came into form with a double. Auckland’s biggest goal threat at the moment is Adam Dickinson and Waitakere will be particularly wary of his abilities after conceding two goals to the Liverpudlian last time. Midfielder Chad Coombes returns from suspension for Waitakere.
The quote:
“We know what we have to do, I think we need to pick up three points against Auckland to have any chance of going through. We’re going to have to play better than we did on Wednesday, there’s no question about that. We didn’t play well and it’s a game that we’ll put behind us. We secured the three points but that’s about all we did.” – Waitakere United coach Paul Marshall
The squads:
Auckland City: 1. Jacob SPOONLEY [GK], 2. Simon ARMS, 3. Takuya IWATA, 4. Adam MCGEORGE, 5. Darren WHITE, 6. Matthew RIDENTON, 7. James PRITCHETT, 8. Chris BALE, 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]
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, 10. Allan PEARCE, 11. Luiz DEL MONTE, 12. Roy KRISHNA, 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]
Dragon [TAH] vs. Mont-Dore [NCL]
The details:
7.30pm local time, Tuesday 23 April
Stade Pater
Papeete, Tahiti
The officials:
Referee: Robinson BANGA [VAN]
Assistant referee 1: TBC
Assistant referee 2: Paul AHUPU [TAH]
4th official: Oito PARI [TAH]
The lowdown:
The teams go into this meeting with hugely contrasting fortunes as Mont-Dore have only pride to play for while Dragon have every reason to push for a win as a semi-final place is still a very real possibility. After losing all four of their matches so far, Mont-Dore are the only team in the competition without a point to their name and will be desperate to avoid finishing the season with nothing to show for their efforts. Fortune did not favour them on Wednesday against Waitakere as they were forced to play the entire match with only ten men after the first-minute dismissal of Pascal Kenon, who is now suspended for this encounter. But coach Stephane Drahusak was happy to have restricted the New Zealand champions to a 3-1 win, especially after suffering a record-breaking 12-2 loss to Auckland just days earlier. Dragon found their trip to New Zealand much more enjoyable and their 3-1 win over Auckland has given them a great chance of making the semi-finals in their debut Champions League outing. But with the race for those two spots in Group B so tight, that historic victory will count for little unless they continue to pick up points. Given New Caledonia and Tahiti enjoy such an intense sporting rivalry, coach Ludovic Graugnard and his charges will relish the chance to earn another win against Mont-Dore and heap more misery on their francophone counterparts. Captain Nicolas Vallar returns from suspension for Dragon and his presence will add even more solidarity to a defence that has leaked only three goals so far. Dragon will not be at full strength however as Sebastien Gairin and Vincent Simon are both unavailable due to suspension.
The quote:
“We have earned a chance of qualifying with our win over Auckland but we need to keep putting pressure on the New Zealand teams. Everything is on our hands to qualify for the semi-finals but we will be very interested to see the result of the game between Auckland and Waitakere on Sunday.” – Dragon coach Ludovic Graugnard
The squads:
Dragon: 1. Mikael ROCHE [GK], 2. Alexis MAURI, 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], 20. Torea MARUOI, 21. Alessandro VALLAR, 22. Nicolas VALLAR, 23. Teaonui TEHAU, 24. Jonathan CABALE, 25. Heremana TEIKIPUPUNI
Coach: Ludovic GRAUGNARD [TAH]
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, 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]

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