Auckland City FC are bracing for an all out attack from Koloale FC in the 2009 O-League Second Leg Final at Kiwitea Street this Sunday as the Solomon Island club champions try to avenge last weekend’s heavy defeat.
Captain Ivan Vicelich knows his Auckland side is firmly in the box seat to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup after beating Koloale 7-2 in the first leg final at Honiara’s Lawson Tama Stadium on Saturday, but he is still wary of the Solomon Islanders now that they have nothing to lose.
“They’re an attacking side and they put together good combinations so we can’t afford to get caught napping,” said Vicelich, who returned to Auckland this season after and an eight-year sojourn playing professionally overseas.
“Obviously they will throw everything at us to try to score goals and cause a major upset.”
Koloale arrived in Auckland this morning and will train at the Oceania Football Confederation academy later today. Coach Luke Eroi says his players have regrouped this week and are looking forward to another shot at Auckland.
“Last Saturday’s match is completely out of our minds and we are starting fresh,” said Eroi.
“We will look to put extra numbers up front to make goals because this is our last opportunity.”
Koloale face a huge a huge mountain needing to win by six clear goals if they’re to come out on top in the two legged playoff.
Auckland can afford to sit back but Vicelich insists that will not be part of the game plan.
“We want to put on a good show for our home supporters and the only way to do that is to go for the win and try to score goals.”
Auckland coach Paul Posa has named an almost identical 18-man squad from the first leg with the main exception being Solomon Island import George Suri who is still recovering from the hamstring injury he suffered against Koloale. Jonathan Raj also joins the team after his absence last week.
Koloale have elected to travel with 16 players with Oscar Sara and Leonard Rakoto left out of this weekend’s squad.
The final kicks off at 2:05pm on Sunday and will be televised live in New Zealand on Sky Sport 3.
2009 O-LEAGUE FINAL PREVIEW (2nd LEG)
Match: Koloale FC [SOL] vs. Auckland City FC [NZL]
Date: Sunday 3 May 2009
Venue: Auckland, New Zealand
Stadium: Kiwitea Street
Kick Off: 14h05 (Local time)
Referee: Norbert HAUATA [TAH]
Assistant Referee: Tevita MAKASINI [TON]
Assistant Referee: Mahit CHILIA [VAN]
Fourth Official: Averii JACQUES [TAH]
Koloale FC: 2. Welshman HOUKARAWA, 3. Jeffrey BULE, 5. Richard ANISUA, 6. Timothy JOE, 8. Peter TALOGA, 10. Ezra SALE, 13. Lency SAENI, 14. Nicholas MURI, 15. Mostyn BEUI, 16. Joses NAWO, 18. Henry KOTO, 19. Henry Fa’arodo, 20. Shadrack RAMONI (GK), 21. Eddie RAMO (GK), 26. Kluivert DAGI, 30. Tony OTINI
Coach: Luke EROI
Auckland City FC: 1. John FLETCHER (GK), 3.Matt FRIEL, 4. Sam CAMPBELL, 5. Matt WILLIAMS, 6. Ki-Hyung LEE, 7. James PRITCHETT, 9. Paul URLOVIC, 10. Grant YOUNG, 12. Jacob SPOONLEY (GK), 13. Alex FENERIDIS, 14. Keryn JORDAN, 15. Ivan VICELICH, 17. Allan CARELLA 21. Riki VAN STEEDEN, 22. Xavi ROCA, 23. Liam MULROONEY, 24. Milos NIKOLIC, 26. Jonathan RAJ,
Coach: Paul POSA
2009 O-LEAGUE FINAL (1st LEG)
Match: Koloale FC [SOL] vs. Auckland City FC [NZL]
Date: Saturday 25 April 2009
Venue: Honiara, Solomon Islands
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Kick Off: 15h00 (Local time)
Koloale FC: 2 (Richard ANISUA 10’ 76’)
Auckland City FC: 7 (Matt WILLIAMS 23’, Ki-Hyung LEE 39’, Paul URLOVIC 40’, Ivan Vicelich 58’ Keryn Jordan 65’ 77’ 86’)
Halftime: 3-1
2009 O-LEAGUE GROUP STAGE
Group A Standings
| PL |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
PTS |
|
| Auckland City |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
15 |
4 |
+11 |
10 |
| Waitakere United |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
7 |
+2 |
7 |
| Port Vila Sharks |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
16 |
-13 |
0 |
Group A Results
02.11.08 Auckland City FC vs. Waitakere United 2-2
22.11.08 Waitakere United vs. Port Vila Sharks 3-0
13.12.08 Port Vila Sharks vs. Auckland City FC 0-2
14.02.09 Auckland City FC vs. Port Vila Sharks 8-1
07.03.09 Port Vila Sharks vs. Waitakere United 2-3
05.04.09 Waitakere United vs. Auckland City FC 1-3
Group B Standings
| PL |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
PTS |
|
| Koloale FC |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
+2 |
7 |
| Hekari Souths FC |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
| Ba |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
-2 |
4 |
Group B Results
02.11.08 Ba vs. Koloale FC 0-0
22.11.08 Koloale FC vs. Hekari Souths United FC 3-1
13.12.08 Hekari Souths United FC vs. Ba 1-2
14.02.09 Ba vs. Hekari Souths United FC 1-3
07.03.09 Hekari Souths United FC vs. Koloale FC 1-0
28.03.09 Koloale FC vs. Ba 1-0
2009 O-League top goal scorers:
6 – Keryn JORDAN (Auckland City FC)
4 – Paul URLOVIC (Auckland City FC)
3 – Chad COOMBES (Auckland City FC)
3 – Roy KRISHNA (Waitakere United)
3 – Paul SEAMAN (Waitakere United)
2 – Richard ANISUA (Koloale FC)
2 – Kema JACK (Hekari Souths FC)
2 – Milos NIKOLIC (Auckland City FC)
2 – ‘OG’s
2 – Nicholas MURI (Koloale FC)
2 – Osea VAKATALESAU (Ba)
2 – Christopher BALE (Waitakere United)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Priscilla Duncan
Oceania Football Confederation
Media and Comminucations
T: +649-526-5651
F: +649-525-8164
M:+64 (0)21 884 018