Struggling Tahitian champions AS Temanava face a critical must-win clash in the Championnat De La Division Federale against fellow cellar-dwellers AS Tac on Sunday. The round 17 fixture has been brought forward because of AS Temanava’s O-League commitments.
AS Temanava surged to the Championnat De La Division Federale title last season but have struggled to display the same qualities experiencing a mid-season slump. AS Temanava will face another domestic league fixture against third placed AS Tefana on Friday 16th February as demands at both home and in Oceania take their toll on their flagging domestic campaign. AS Temanava must win both matches to keep any title hopes alive.
AS Temanava – coached by Bernard Vahirua – travel to the cauldron of Honiara and Lawson Tama Stadium to face Solomon Islands champions Marist FC for an intriguing O-League clash. AS Temanava were originally scheduled to host Marist FC last month but the O-League fixture was deferred following technical problems with the aircraft scheduled to carry the Solomon Islanders.
Anticipation and excitement in the Solomon Islands ahead of the O-League game is high and represents the biggest international football match in the country since the national team faced Australia two years ago.
Elsewhere in the Championnat De La Division Federale former champions AS Pirae face AS Tac, runaway leaders AS Dragon face AS Venus and AS Vairao meet AS Manu Ura. AS Tamarii-Faa have the bye.