The early kick-off features the Men In Black, fresh from an impressive 3-0 win over FC Gaitcha on Match Day 1, taking on the group’s surprise package in Lupe Ole Soaga.
The unfancied Samoan side fought from two goals down against AS Pirae on Saturday to register an impressive 3-3 draw which had player-coach Paul Ualesi grinning from ear to ear.
The impressive Scott Gannon’s free-kick, teamed with second-half goals to Luki Gosche and Suivai Ataga secured a first Champions League point for Ualesi’s side.
All eyes will be on the preliminary qualifiers once more as they look to go one better and record a maiden win in the tournament.
The side grew in confidence as the game wore on and could even have snatched a dramatic victory as time expired, but a point in game one leaves their fate very much in their own hands.
But Lupe will need to be at their best to defeat top-of-the-table Ba, who looked the goods at home in round one.
Coached well by national U-20 assistant Shalen Lal, last season’s semi-finalists were disciplined in defence, comfortable in midfield and aggressive in attack for long stretches against New Caledonia’s Gaitcha.
Lal’s side blends youth and experience and with a raucous home crowd behind them, could be halfway to the next stage of the tournament with another three points on Tuesday.
After the two square off, it’s Gaitcha’s turn against Tahiti’s AS Pirae at 7pm.
Pirae coach Sam Garcia was disappointed at the result against Lupe but knows that his side has to move on quickly if they are to remain in the hunt for a berth in the final four.
The Tahitian side have some reinforcements joining the squad and are well aware that – with a game against Ba to come on Saturday – they can ill afford any further slip-ups in pool play.
They come up against New Caledonia’s best in FC Gaitcha, who were on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline in their opening match.
Despite the efforts of a tireless front three led by Bertrand Kai, Kevin Coma’s side couldn’t break down the home side and now have a mountain to climb if they’re to make a push for the knockout phase.
They could be mathematically eliminated from contention for the top spot in Group A by the time the game kicks off and could be left eyeing up the top runners-up spot in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, the Champions League is poised to reach a milestone of its own with the second goal scored on Match Day 3 to be the 1000th in the competition’s history.
Ba FC against Lupe Ole Soaga kicks off at 4:30pm and FC Gaitcha will take on AS Pirae at 7pm, with both matches to be played at Ba’s Govind Park.
Extra Information
Lupe Ole Soaga v Ba FC
Govind Park
Ba, Fiji
Tuesday 14 April 2015
Kick-off: 4:30pm
LUPvBA
Referee: Albert MARU (PNG)
Assistant Referee 1: Mark WHITEHEAD (NZL)
Assistant Referee 2: Christopher WOLKEN (NZL)
Fourth Official: Ichikawa POLOVILI (TON)
Head to head: No previous meetings.
Lupe Ole Soaga
The players: Lupe recovered well after a shaky start against Pirae on Match Day 1. Scott Gannon’s impressive performance in an anchoring midfield role allowed the side to play the ball out from the back, using the pace of attackers Luki Gosche and Silao Malo to its advantage in the second half.
The vital statistics: Lupe is in pursuit of its maiden victory in the Champions League. The Samoans will have to regain their composure after the high of Saturday’s 3-3 draw with the fancied AS Pirae.
Coach quote: “We’re expecting a really tough game against Ba. They were semi-finalists last year and they have home advantage in their favour. We’re going to prepare for that. It’s going to be hard for us but we’re going to lift our performance against Ba.”
Squad list: 1. Ted SIKOVI, 2. Vaalii FAALOGO, 3. Andrew SETEFANO, 4. Vito LALOATA, 5. Suivai ATAGA, 6. Lionel TAYLOR, 7. Silao MALO, 8. Karetia SOAFA, 9. Lapalapa TONI, 10. Luki GOSCHE, 11. Ishmael TAULAI, 12. Faafua ATAGA LALOATA, 13. Oscar AMATAGA, 14. John TE’O, 15. Victor LAPALAPA, 16. Soliai LETUTUSA, 17. Ikenasio GOSCHE, 18. Scott GANNON, 19. Paul UALESI, 20. Apisaloma FAAFUA LEIATAUA, 21. Vaa TAUALAI, 22. Mataio TOETU
Coach: Paul UALESI (SAM)
Ba FC
The players: Ba looked steady and composed at the back against Gaitcha, with Remeru Tekiate and captain Alvin Singh shutting out a New Caledonian outfit which offered plenty of speed up front. In attack, Keegan Linderboom and Saula Waqa impressed with their physical play.
The vital statistics: A win would all but guarantee the hosts a spot in the semi-finals stage for the third year running. Shalen Lal’s side are looking to qualify for their first OFC Champions League final in eight years.
Coach quote: “We take every game seriously. It’s very important. Some people might have thought it could be a walkover but looking at their game against Pirae, they’re a very good side and we’ll have to prepare well to face them. They have a great side, full of speed. They have a lot of players up front who shoot on sight every time they get the ball. They’ve got a lot of fighting spirit and we have to be prepared.
Squad list: 1. Misiwani NAIRUBE, 2. Avinesh SUWAMY, 3. Meli CODRO, 4. Manasa NAWAKULA, 5. Ronil KUMAR, 6. Jone VESIKULA, 7. Laisenia NAIOKO, 8. Jonetani BUKSH, 9. Abbu ZAHID, 10. Mavileko NAKAMA, 11. Alvin SINGH, 12. Remueru TEKIATE, 13. Kini VILIAME, 14. Shameel RAO, 15. Saula WAQA, 16. Malakai TIWA, 17. Narendra RAO, 18. Praneel NAIDU, 19. Josefata NEIBULI, 20. James HOYT, 21. Shaneel NAIDU, 22. Jone SOROLO, 23. Keegan LINDERBOOM
Coach: Shalen LAL (FIJ)
FC Gaitcha v AS Pirae
Govind Park
Ba, Fiji
Tuesday 14 April 2015
Kick-off: 7pm
GAIvPIR
Referee: Robinson BANGA (VAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Stephen Kole SENIGA (SOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Mahit CHILIA (VAN)
Fourth Official: Nicholas WALDRON (NZL)
Head to head: No previous meetings.
FC Gaitcha
The players: Gaitcha is still in search of its first OFC Champions League goal after failing to trouble the scorers in game one. With Bertrand Kai, Jean-Christ Wajoka and Marius Bako in his side, Kevin Coma will be hoping that he won’t have to wait too much longer. Loic Wakanumune, Marius Bako and Emile Bearune carry yellow cards into the match.
The vital statistics: Discipline is the key for the New Caledonian outfit, after coach Kevin Coma labelled all three of Ba’s goals avoidable. Poor marking from two set-pieces and a fumble by the goalkeeper led to the Men In Black picking up three goals and three points, putting Gaitcha on the back foot in Group A.
Coach quote: “The players talk about history and there are still two matches for them to prove themselves. It will certainly be difficult and goal difference will count for a lot. [But] the story isn’t finished, I hope the players will lift their heads rather than drop them. Anything is possible in terms of the points and goal difference. It depends on the boys but we are still in this.”
Squad list: 1. Rocky NYIKEINE, 2. Jeremie DOKUNENGO, 3. Leopold MAKALU, 4. Loic WAKANUMUNE, 5. Jean-Paul READ, 6. Cedric SANSOT, 7. Emile BEARUNE, 8. Patrick DIAIKE, 9. Pierre WAJOKA, 10. Marius BAKO, 11. Bertrand KAI, 12. Jean-Christ WAJOKA, 13. Georges BEARUNE, 14. Jedidha SAIKO, 15. Patrick DRAWILO, 16. Mickael ULILE, 17. Jean-Louis TOTO, 18. David BEARUNE, 19. Christian LUEWADRIA, 20. Jim OUKA, 21. Yvanick PAWAWI, 22. Gerald QAEZE, 23. Pierre NYIKEINE
Coach: Kevin COMA (FRA)
AS Pirae
The players: An under-strength Pirae were forced to start untested 16-year-old Patrice Firiapu in goal against Lupe Ole Soaga on day one, and carried with them a matchday squad of just sixteen. But help is on the way for Sam Garcia, with two players s
et to join the squad early in the week.
The vital statistics: Saturday’s was Pirae’s first draw in the OFC Champions League in sixteen games, and failure to pick up three points on Tuesday could all but eliminate Sam Garcia’s side from semi-final contention.
Coach quote: “It’s going to be difficult. In my opinion, they’re one of the best team here. Despite the boost of the two players we have arriving on Monday, we know that Gaitcha is a very strong team. We’ll hang on, lift our heads, find our smiles again and recuperate well before Tuesday.”
Squad list: 2. Nicolas VALLAR, 3. Vincent SIMON, 4. Heimanu TAIARUI, 5. Edson LEMAIRE, 10. Tearii LABASTE, 11. Roonui TINIRAUARII, 12. Raimana DHALLUIN, 13. Roy KAYARA, 14. Heiarii TAVANAE, 15. Tainui LEHARTEL, 16. Efrain ARANEDA, 17. Marc VAKI, 18. Ariihau TERIITAU, 20. Jay WARREN, 21. Teaonui TEHAU, 32. Patrice FIRIAPU
Coach: Sam GARCIA (TAH)
OFC and UNICEF join forces on the Pacific Cyclone Appeal
Tropical Cyclone Pam, a Category 5 cyclone has affected over 166,000 people on 22 islands, including 82,000 children. Schools, hospitals and care facilities have all been affected, leaving children vulnerable and without many basic services.
UNICEF currently has about 65 per cent of the funds required to deliver life-saving aid to thousands of children and their families in Vanuatu and other affected countries. An additional US$2 million is needed to provide access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, lifesaving health and nutrition interventions, education and protection until the end of 2015.
To donate please visit: www.supportunicef.org/cyclonedonate .
For more information on the appeal please contact: Alice Clements at [email protected]
Sponsors
The OFC would like to acknowledge its sponsors Fiji Airways and Vodafone Fiji.