History beckons for the winner with records set to tumble, no matter who emerges victorious.
Auckland are aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive Oceania club title, their fifth overall, while for Waitakere a win would hand the west Aucklanders a clean sweep of four available trophies, three of them domestic honours.
Perhaps more importantly, a place at the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2013 and the pay cheque of $500,000 USD that comes with it will fall into the lap of the victors.
But Tribulietx says his priorities in terms of preparation are more sharply focused on what happens between the white lines at Mt Smart Stadium’s Arena 2.
“These records and milestones are not really part of any of the talks we have within the squad, those details are probably more for the media or supporters to digest,” he says.
“We are focused on recovering strongly from our trip to Fiji and getting ourselves ready for Sunday – our focus is firmly on what we have to do as a team to get the right result.”
A Gustavo Souto strike and an Adam Dickinson brace helped Auckland to a comprehensive 3-1 away win over Waitakere in the sides’ first Champions League meeting this season but Waitakere earned a slender 1-0 win over Auckland at Kiwitea Street in the return fixture.
Tribulietx is confident his team can claim another triumph over their great rivals but says any talk of smashing records is purely secondary to getting the right result.
“My personal aim as a coach is to keep improving our team and to have a better understanding of what our team needs regarding the moment of the season we are in, not to establish or break records – that is something that takes care of itself,” he says.
Auckland have a decent record against Waitakere in previous OFC Champions League campaigns with three wins, seven draws and only two losses but Waitakere have enjoyed the edge this year by notching four wins in their last six meetings in all competitions.
“All of the derby games this season have been very tight. It doesn’t really make a difference to us who considers us to be the favourites or the underdogs,” Tribulietx says.