In Group A, newcomers Solomon Warriors will make their maiden appearance at home against Amicale while Hekari United host Ba in the other clash. The Group B play features Mont-Dore welcoming defending champions Auckland City and debutants Dragon travelling to Waitakere United.
See below for a look at the action that’s in store across the four matches on the opening day of the OFC Champions League.
OFC Champions League – Match Day 1 Preview
Solomon Warriors [SOL] vs. Amicale [VAN]
The details:
3pm local time, Saturday 30 March
Lawson Tama Stadium
Honiara, Solomon Islands
The officials:
Referee: Nick WALDRON [NZL]
Assistant referee 1: Noel BERRY [SOL]
Assistant referee 2: Johnny ERICK NIABO [SOL]
4th official: John SAHOU [SOL]
The lowdown:
Debutants Solomon Warriors will want to get their historic first ever campaign off to a good start and have looked to foreign shores to make sure that will be the case. There is a strong link between the Warriors and the football scene in the New Zealand town of Nelson and that relationship has borne fruit with coach Brendan Crichton, a former boss of Nelson Suburbs in the mainland league, being lured to Honiara for a third stint at the club. The new man in charge has brought in Kiwi striker Sam Ayers and English goalkeeper Eddie Newman, who both starred for him at Nelson, and also has the services of Vanuatu youngsters Nemani Roqara and Brian Kaltack, the latter of whom is one of the finest defensive prospects in the Pacific. Newman has been playing in his homeland for Halifax Town and is likely to prove one of the best custodians in the league while the squad’s local produce also includes a wealth of talent, including key figures Judd Molea, Jeffery Bule, Micah Lea’alafa and Jerry Donga. They will not be short of company against Amicale as the Vanuatu side contains six Solomon Islanders. Coach Richard Iwai, a former Vanuatu international, has also cast his recruitment net far and wide, signing up Australian goalkeeper Michael Rutherford, Senegalese pair Souleymane Sarr and Paul Ngom, and French duo Aliou Traore and Pape Gueye. There is particular excitement about the abilities of striker Gueye, who has tasted football of a high level in France.
The quote:
“The boys have done well so far and I am sure they are capable of the task. The only thing I will be putting more emphasis on is mental fitness. There were some incidents in our friendly matches that called for mental maturity but in general I have confidence in the players.” – Solomon Warriors coach Brendan Crichton
The squads:
Solomon Warriors: 1. Eddie NEWMAN [GK], 2. Hadisi AENGARI, 3. Welshman HOUKARAWA, 4. Tome FAISI, 5. Dennis IFUNAOA, 6. Molea TIGI, 7. Brian FENI, 8. Molis GAGAME, 9. Karol KAKATE, 10. Judd MOLEA, 11. Kidston BILLY, 12. Jerry DONGA, 13. Moffat KILIFA, 14. Jeffery BULE, 15. Willy DAUDAU, 16. Emmanuel POILA, 17. Micah LEA’ALAFA, 18. Sam AYERS, 19. Gibson DAUDAU, 20. Casper AENGARI, 21. Brian KALTACK, 22. Bata FURAI, 23. Gagame FENI, 24. Silas SEDA [GK], 25. Chris TAFOA, 26. Loea TAISARA, 27. Nemani ROQARA, 29. Michael MOLEA, 30. Matson FENNY, 31. Alfred LOFANA [GK]
Coach: Brendan CRICHTON [NZL]
Amicale: 1. Chikau MANSALE [GK], 2. Samuel KALOROS, 3. Chanel OBED, 4. George VUTI, 5. Laitia TUILAU, 6. Samuela KAUTOGA, 7. Jean-Robert YALOU, 8. Johnny TIRAENG, 9. Jean NAPRAPOL, 10. Richard ANISUA, 11. Fenedy MASAUVAKALO, 13. Pape GUEYE, 15. Alphonse BONGNAIM, 16. Daniel NATOU, 17. Nelson Sale KILIFA, 18. Jack WETNEY, 19. Souleymane SARR, 20. Michael RUTHERFORD [GK], 21. Paul YOUNG, 22. Paul NGOM, 23. Roddy LENGA, 24. Kency TANGIS, 25. Joses NAWO, 26. Alick MAEMAE, 27. Moffat DEROMOA, 28. Aliou TRAORE, 29. Dominique FRED, 30. Francois SAKAMA, 32. Natou NANUA, 33. Joel NAKAPUE [GK]
Coach: Richard IWAI [VAN]
Hekari United [PNG] vs. Ba [FIJ]
The details:
3pm local time, Saturday 30 March
PMRL Stadium
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
The officials:
Referee: Peter O’Leary [NZL]
Assistant referee 1: David CHARLES [PNG]
Assistant referee 2: Roger ADAMS [PNG]
4th official: Hillary ANI [PNG]
The lowdown:
Former champions Hekari United will be desperate for a strong showing in the new season after following up their groundbreaking title win in 2010 – they became the first side from a Pacific Island nation to be crowned the region’s club kings on that occasion – with a disappointing 2011 before narrowly missing out on a place in the 2012 final. Having become the only side to break the New Zealand clubs’ recent dominance, the men from Port Moresby will feel a place in the knockout stages is a more than realistic goal and appear to have the talent to pull it off. Papua New Guinea internationals David Muta, Kema Jack and Erikson Komeng all return for another attempt to repeat the 2010 heroics while there are strong contingents in the squad from Fiji and Solomon Islands, who both provide three players. The Fijian trio of Pita Bolatoga, Taniela Waqa and Maciu Dunadamu are likely to be particularly influential. They will come up against plenty of their fellow countrymen on Saturday as the Ba squad is drawn mainly from players within the country’s borders but coach Yogendra Dutt has also looked further afield, bringing in United States-based defender Jacob Morrison and Nigerian striker Sanni Issa, along with midfield pair Clarence Clarke and Scott Gannon, from Liberia and Australia respectively.
The quote:
“To play the Fiji champions is a big challenge for us because we know full well that they have a very good team. But our players know the way they play so we are prepared. Despite all the challenges we have faced this year we have prepared well.” – Hekari United manager Vonnie Kapi Natto
The squads:
Hekari United: 1. Leslie KALAI [GK], 2. Daniel JOE, 3. Malon KALTANAK, 4. Kila POLENA, 5. Daniel TAYLOR, 6. Samuel KINI, 7. Raymond GUNEMBA, 8. Maciu DUNADAMU, 9. Nigel DABINYABA, 10. Wira WAMA, 11. Joachim WAROI, 12. David MUTA, 13. Andrew LEPANI, 15. Wilson GIASUAU, 16. Pita BOLATOGA, 17. Kema JACK, 18. Erikson KOMENG, 19. Koriak UPAIGA, 20. Godfrey BANIAU [GK], 21. Clifton AUMAE, 22. Gure GABINA [GK], 23. Ian YANUM, 25. Taniela WAQA, 27. Calvin BILL, 28. Billson BULLO, 29. Joey AMBROSE, 30. Tuti ZAMA
Coach: Jerry ALLEN [PNG]
Ba: 1. Ratu JONE [GK], 2. Avinesh SUWAMY, 3. Meli CODRO, 4. Jacob MORRISON, 5. Ronil KUMAR, 6. Jone VESIKULA, 7. Tuimasi MANUCA, 8. Aisea CODRO, 9. Abbu ZAHID, 10. Mavileko NAKAMA, 11. Josefata NEIBULI, 12. REMUERU, 13. Kini VILIAME, 14. Malakai LEVATIA, 15. Osea VAKATALESAU, 16. Malakai TIWA, 17. Malakai KANAHEWE, 18. Laisenia RAURA, 19. Varun KUMAR, 20. Sanni ISSA, 21. Marika MADIGI, 22. Epeli CODRO [GK], 23. Fayah CAMARA, 24. Clarence CLARKE, 25. Jone SALAUNEUNE, 26. Scott GANNON, 27. Alvin SINGH
Coach: Yogendra DUTT [FIJ]
Mont-Dore [NCL] vs. Auckland City [NZL]
The details:
3pm local time, Saturday 30 March
Stade Numa Daly
Noumea, New Caledonia
The officials:
Referee: Jacques AVERII [TAH]
Assistant referee 1: Didier HMUZO [NCL]
Assistant referee 2: Eddy THEAIN-BOANOUMA [NCL]
4th official: Isidore ASSIENE-AMBASSA [NCL]
The lowdown:
As defending champions, Auckland City are the side to beat in the tournament but are not coming off the back of a vintage domestic season, having been pipped to the national league title by fierce rivals Waitakere United for the fourth season in a row. The heart-breaking nature of their defeat in the final of that competition – City lost 4-3 in extra-time – will still be playing heavily on the hearts of coach Ramon Tribulietx and his players and a bright start to the Champions League would be the perfect way to get over that disappointment. Auckland have dominated the Pacific’s premier club event in recent times and will be looking to make it a hat-trick of titles after winning the previous two editions. Tribulietx
has stuck largely with the squad he led through the domestic campaign but has made some notable additions in the form of two-cap All White Adam McGeorge and former Canterbury United midfielder Darren White. The camp retains a distinct Spanish flavour with Catalonia native Tribulietx being joined by Manel Exposito, Gustavo Souto, Albert Riera and Pedro Garcia while teenage Papua New Guinea striker David Browne, tipped for a big future, brings a touch of Pacific flair. Given the regional might of the New Caledonia national team, Noumea-based Mont-Dore have performed poorly outside of their own shores and had to go through a preliminary qualifying tournament to book their place in the Champions League after being left with the wooden spoon last season. In contrast to most of their opponents, they have an entirely local team – including New Caledonia captain Olivier Dokunengo – and will turn to a promising batch of youngsters to fuel their chances. Ben Malakai, Jean-Pierre Bob, Cedric Decoire, David Wadra and Louis Waia all starred for their country at this month’s OFC U-20 Championship in Fiji.
The quote:
“We just have to leave the ASB Premiership final behind us and move on. We’ll take some positives out of it and try to learn a few things for the future. This first game against Mont-Dore is now our next target.” – Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx
The squads:
Mont-Dore: 1. Yoran WAIMA [GK], 2. Dominique SAWA, 3. Dan VAKIE, 4. Joseph TCHACKO, 5. Loic BESSIERES, 6. Ludwig ZEOULA, 7. Jean-Pierre BOB, 8. Romain PAINBENI, 9. Jackyno MAOU, 10. Cedric DECOIRE, 11. Alphonse TOKOTOKO, 12. Jean-Marc HMALOKO, 13. Olivier DOKUNENGO, 14. Pascal KENON, 15. Mathieu HERVO, 16. Fabrice WACAPO, 17. Ben MALAKAI, 18. Lamo XEWE, 19. Louis WAIA, 20. Pierre WEINANE, 21. Jacques WAMYTAN, 22. Thomas SCHMIDT [GK], 23. David WADRA, 24. Raphael OIREMOIN, 30. Louis SAMEKE [GK]
Coach: Harold OIREMOIN [NCL]
Auckland City: 1. Jacob SPOONLEY [GK], 2. Simon ARMS, 3. Takuya IWATA, 4. Adam MCGEORGE, 5. Darren WHITE, 6. Matthew RIDENTON, 7. James PRITCHETT, 8. Chris BALE, 9. Manel EXPOSITO, 10. Gustavo SOUTO, 11. Daniel KOPRIVCIC, 12. Tamati WILLIAMS [GK], 13. Alex FENERIDIS, 14. Adam DICKINSON, 15. Ivan VICELICH, 16. Albert RIERA, 17. Pedro GARCIA, 18. Damian HIRST [GK], 19. Mario BILEN, 20. Emiliano TADE, 21. David BROWNE, 22. Andrew MILNE
Coach: Ramon TRIBULIETX [ESP]
Waitakere United [NZL] vs. Dragon [TAH]
The details:
3pm local time, Saturday 30 March
Fred Taylor Park
Auckland, New Zealand
The officials:
Referee: Rakesh VARMAN [FIJ]
Assistant referee 1: Glenn LOCHRIE [NZL]
Assistant referee 2: Chris WOLKEN [NZL]
4th official: Mirko BENISCHKE [NZL]
The lowdown:
The smart money may be on New Zealand champions Waitakere United to lift this year’s trophy as they have just completed a golden run domestically and are due a change of fortunes on an international level, having not ruled the Pacific since 2008. Coach Paul Marshall, who has also experienced life in the hot seat across town at Auckland City, has made some significant additions to the squad he took to the national title, the most exciting of which is the signing of English strikers Chris Palmer and Billy Colton. A handful of former players return to the club in back-up goalkeeper Richard Gillespie, Julyan Collett and Rory Turner while former All White Jeremy Christie is another player familiar to Waitakere fans. With 29 internationals under his belt, Christie offers plenty of experience and will relish to chance to be back on home soil and on show as All Whites coach Ricki Herbert looks to put a team together for November’s FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. The arrival of veteran Hawkes Bay United defender Bill Robertson will add further experience. Having not been sighted in this competition before, Tahitian outfit Dragon are somewhat of an unknown quantity and Marshall is likely to be as surprised as anyone should they spring an upset on Saturday. There is certainly enough quality among the ranks to provide Waitakere with a stern challenge and the performance of Tahitian internationals Mikael Roche and Nicolas Vallar, in goal and at centre back respectively, will be crucial if Dragon are to keep out the likes of danger men Roy Krishna and Allan Pearce.
The quote:
“We’ve spent a lot of time doing recruitment and I think we’ve got a fantastic range of players. We’ve got players that can do different jobs in the same areas which gives us a bit of variety. We’re not going to be solely looking at one style of play, we can change things up quite nicely with the players we’ve got,” – Waitakere coach Paul Marshall
The squads:
Waitakere United: 1. Danny ROBINSON [GK], 2. Aaron SCOTT, 3. Jack BEGUELY, 4. Tim MYERS, 5. Brian SHELLEY, 6. Matt CUNNEEN, 7. Jeremy CHRISTIE, 8. Chad COOMBES, 9. Milos NIKOLIC, 10. Allan PEARCE, 11. Luiz DEL MONTE, 12. Roy KRISHNA, 13. Julyan COLLETT, 14. Daniel JONES, 15. Salesh KUMAR, 16. Tristan PRATTLEY, 17. Jake BUTLER, 18. Sam MATHEWS, 19. Daniel MORGAN, 20. Ryan DE VRIES, 21. Dylan STANSFIELD, 22. Richard GILLESPIE [GK], 23. Masaki NOMOTO, 24. Harshae RANIGA, 25. Bill ROBERTSON, 26. Billy COLTON, 27. Chris PALMER, 28. Alex CARR [GK], 29. Kyosuke KITANO, 30. Rory TURNER
Coach: Paul Marshall [NZL]
Dragon: 1. Mikael ROCHE [GK], 2. Alexis MAURI, 3. Sebastien GAIRIN, 4. Tamatoa WAGEMANN, 5. Henri CAROINE, 6. Kevin GAUDIN, 7. Efrain ARANEDA ESTAIN, 8. Yannick VERO, 9. Samuel HNANYINE, 10. Raimana LI FUNG KUEE, 11. Andre TEIKIHAKAUPOKO, 12. Jonathan TEHAU, 13. Steevy CHONG HUE, 14. Matatia PAAMA, 15. Heimano BOUREBARE, 16. Edson LEMAIRE, 17. Sylvain GRAGLIA, 18. Xavier SAMIN [GK], 19. Vincent SIMON, 20. Torea MARUOI, 21. Alessandro VALLAR, 22. Nicolas VALLAR, 23. Teaonui TEHAU, 24. Jonathan CABALE, 25. Heremana TEIKIPUPUNI
Coach: Ludovic GRAUGNARD [TAH]

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