The competition returned after a mid-season break with a catch up match between Auckland City and Amicale on January 18 – won 3-2 in dramatic fashion by Auckland – but this week marks the first time all eight sides will take to the field once again. Reigning champions Auckland and fellow Kiwis Waitakere United lead their respective groups and are in pole position for a final berth but several of the other sides are not yet out of the running and still have much to play for, particularly if either of the leaders slip up this weekend.
Tefana can put themselves back in with a chance of topping Group A if they can defeat Waitakere in a match that takes place on Friday evening in Tahiti while a win for Fiji’s Ba over Mont-Dore in New Caledonia would also keep them in the hunt. Auckland look in control of Group B and are facing a pointless Koloale side with little to play for but an upset at Kiwitea St would open the door for Amicale and Hekari, who meet each other in Papua New Guinea on Saturday.
Koloale are likely to be vocally backed by a contingent of New Zealand-based Solomon Islanders – many of whom are travelling from other parts of the North Island for the match – and coach Jeffrey Allen is looking to give them plenty to cheer about by finally putting some points on the board. The Men in Green were swept aside 4-1 by Auckland in the earlier meeting between the sides in Honiara but Allen, who started the campaign as assistant coach but has now taken over the top role from previous incumbent Peter Eke, believes lessons have been learned from that disappointing day.
“We now have a better understanding of how Auckland play and have adapted our 4-4-2 formation to deal with their 4-3-3 system,” he says. “We also know who their key players are and will aim to keep ones like Manel Exposito under close guard because he plays well off the ball. I think the players may be more focused because playing away from home reduces the pressure on the team.”
American Allen has had to deal with the loss of several players in the transfer window – talismanic midfielder Henry Fa’arodo has moved to New Zealand side Team Wellington while Joses Nawo and Molis Gagame have also left the club – but feels there is still enough ability in the side to trouble the defending champions. He has included six members of the U-23 national team, who will attempt to book a spot at the London Olympics in the Oceania qualifiers next month, and will look to them to step up.
“The exit of players like Fa’arodo and Nawo is a challenge but at the same time it creates opportunities for our young stars. A lot of changes have had to be made but I am confident the players understand their roles and will rise to the occasion.”
They will face an Auckland City side full of confidence after a 6-0 dismantling of YoungHeart Manawatu in the ASB Premiership but coach Ramon Tribulietx does not have a full squad to select from as long-time No 1 goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley is recovering from a knee injury and Argentine Emiliano Tade, City’s top-scorer in the national league, is on compassionate leave after a family illness.
Gloveman Tamati Williams joined in the transfer window and will continue to deputise for Spoonley while Tribulietx has added yet another fellow Spaniard in the form of Ivan Ruiz, who has played professionally in his homeland and Sweden. Tribulietx must also take into account that midfielder Alex Feneridis may play again on Monday as he is in the New Zealand Olympic squad set to take on the Saudi Arabia national team in Melbourne.
That fixture likewise affects Waitakere coach Neil Emblen as he is also the man in charge of the Olympic set up. The Englishman, who has included himself in Waitakere’s playing squad, returns from Tahiti on Sunday and must jump straight back onto a plane to make the Saudi clash.
His chances of doing so with three points in his back pocket suffered a blow this week when goalkeeper Danny Robinson was ruled out due to the impending birth of his first child. Understudy Andy Ralph recently returned to his native England so Emblen is left with only youngster Matthew Upton as an option for the Tefana tie. In an interesting move, assistant coach and former All Whites midfielder Carl Jorgensen has been registered as a player and will provide goalkeeping cover from the bench.
Tefana coach Laurent Heinis used the transfer window to add defender Viritua Tiaiho and striker Alvin Tehau and will be looking to banish the memories of the humiliating 10-0 defeat suffered against Waitakere on the opening day.
Fellow francophones Mont-Dore will be equally desperate for a good showing as they have taken only one point from their three matches and sit bottom of Group A. They have a new man in charge, Georges Wadenges becoming player-coach to replace former boss Thierry Sardo, and now is an ideal time to be taking on Ba.
The Fijians are without key players Avinesh Suwamy, Isimeli Narisia and Malakai Tiwa, all suspended after being sent off in the 4-1 loss to Tefana in the last round. Other recent events have also conspired against Ba with flooding throughout the country making it difficult for the squad to assemble for training sessions.
“There seems to be nothing in our advantage for this match and we are facing all sorts of problems,” president Rishikendra Kumar says. “We have not trained well as the recent flooding has affected our preparation and eight of our players have been directly affected by this natural disaster. It will be tough because Mont-Dore have the services of several players who were part of the New Caledonia team that won the gold medal at the Pacific Games.”
There will be just as much quality on show as Hekari host Vanuatu’s Amicale in Port Moresby with both sides needing a win to keep their hopes alive. Hekari coach Jerry Allen signed Fijian defender Ilatia Tuilau in the window – he joins countrymen Pita Bolatoga (suspended for this match), Taniela Waqa and Maciu Dunadamu at the club – while Amicale have picked up defender Samuela Kautoga – another Fijian – and striker Jean-Nako Naprapol.
Amicale coach Luke Eroi returns to the helm after missing the Auckland match to deal with personal matters at home in the Solomon Islands and knows a loss would put an end to the Reds’ dreams of repeating their final-making heroics of 2011.
For the full 2012 O-League schedule and results click here

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