O-LEAGUE FINAL PREVIEW: KOSSA FC VS WAITAKERE UNITED

Solomon Island champions Kossa FC will face Waitakere United in the first leg of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) O-League final at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara tomorrow.

The return leg will be played on Sunday May 11th at Douglas Field, Trusts Stadium, with the aggregate winner of the two matches progressing to the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan later this year.

Waitakere United capped of an impressive domestic season by beating Team Wellington in the NZFC Grand Final last weekend to earn their first ever NZFC championship. They also knocked intercity rivals Auckland City out of the O-League on route to the final during their current nine match unbeaten streak.

While Waitakere will head into the final as firm favourites the humidity and heat in Honiara is likely to play a major factor in the first leg and Captain Danny Hay is aware of the challenge ahead.

"Heat will definitely be a factor, but the guys have to work through it. There are always outside factors that teams have to deal with, the difference is a successful team can do it," Hay said.

Kossa FC have recently made the DJ League Top Eight competition though their fifth place finish is not a fair reflection of the talent within the squad.

James Naka, Joe Luwi, Samson Takayama, Gideon Omokirio and John Morgan all double as Kossa FC players and Bilikiki Beach Soccer champions and their time away from the squad has proved disruptive throughout the season.

They will all be back on board tomorrow and with former Auckland City striker Reginald Davani leading the line will be looking to stage a huge upset in front of an anticipated crowd of over 12,000.

Kossa have shown impressive form in the OFC O-League and earned their place in the final by beating Fijian champions Ba away from home in their final match Group B to secure the top spot.

Kossa coach Jacob Moli is excited for the big challenge ahead and is looking at tomorrow’s game as a great day for Solomon Island football.

“For Kossa this is our biggest game and one we are very much looking forward to,” said Moli.

“I think it’s going to be a joyous day and we will be carrying the pride of Solomon Island football with us onto the field.”

OFC will be providing live internet text updates of the match on www.oceaniafootball.com

Delayed television coverage of the match will be shown in the Solomon Islands on One News. Check local listings for details.

Fiji TV will also be showing delayed television coverage later in the week. Look out for more details on www.oceaniafootball.com

See below for local Solomon Island radio frequencies broadcasting the match.

Match Details 2008 O-League Final [1st Leg]

Date                             Saturday, 26 April 2008

Match                           Kosssa FC (SOL) vs. Waitakere United FC (NZL)                        

Venue                          Honiara, Solomon Islands

Stadium                       Lawson Tama Stadium

Kick Off                       14H00 (SOL T) 15H00 (NZT)

Match Details 2008 O-League Final [2nd Leg]

Date:                            Sunday, 11 May 2008                         

Match:                          Waitakere United (NZL) vs. Kossa FC (SOL)                  

Venue:                         Auckland, New Zealand

Stadium:                      Douglas Field, The Trusts Stadium

Kick Off:                      14H00 (NZT) 13H00 (SOL T)

Squads:

Kossa: 1. John MORGAN; 3. Sam MAENA; 4. Tome FAISI; 5. Samson TAKAYAMA; 6. Mahlon MAEMANIA; 8. Philip ASHLEY; 9. Samson WAAHERO; 10. Francis NEE; 11. Joe LUWI; 12. Roy ENORI; 13. James NAKA; 14. Reginald DAVANI; 15. Seni NGAVA; 16. Paul WALE; 17. Gideon OMOKIRIO; 21. Severino AEFI; 22. Willie SADE; Terry OIKA;

Coach: Jacob MOLI (SOL)

Waitakere: 1. Richard Gillispie; 2. Jonathan PERRY; 5. Danny HAY; 6. Darren BAZELY; 7. Jason HAYNE; 8. Commins MENAPI; 9. Benjamin TOTORI; 10. Allen PEARCE; 11. Neil SYKES; 13. Danijel KOPRIVCIC; 14. Hoani EDWARDS; 15. Christopher BALE; 16. Neil EMBLEN; 17. Jake BUTLER; 20. Jason ROWLEY; 21. Graham PEARCE; 22. Simon EADDY;

Coach: Chris Milicich (NZL)

Referee: Rakesh VARMAN (FIJ)

Assistant Referee 1: Andrew ACHARI

Assistant Referee 2: Mahit CHILIA (VAN)

Fourth Official: Lencie FRED (VAN)

Solomon Island listeners can tune into the following local frequencies for live commentary of the OFC O-League final: