Coach William Malas and his side could have been given a less daunting opening match but Leong feels the team has every chance of doing well in Port Moresby against the Papua New Guinea title-winners.
“We are taking on last season’s OFC club champions and they are a very strong side. But we are the Vanuatu Super Reds,” Leong says.
“We may have our problems but we will play our own game. We know who we are playing but Hekari does not scare us.”
Amicale have been drawn in Group A of the O-League and will also face Fiji’s Lautoka and Solomon Islands side Koloale. Leong believes each match will be fiercely contested.
“Even though Hekari stands out as the best team, the other three sides have everything to play for. We want to play better and qualify for the next phase. That is first our O-League objective.
“Our aim is to have more continuity, do better and stay involved in all the O-League competitions until the end,” he says.
Coach Malas says his charges will need to show plenty of courage to get the right result in Papua New Guinea.
“We will have to be brave to succeed against the O-League champions. We’ll certainly try to score at least a goal away and a win will be good for us.”
The Amicale players and officials will travel on Wednesday. The squad is as follows:
Ernest BONG (GK), Joel NAKAPUE (GK), Nelson SALE, Bongnaim ALPHONSE, Paul YOUNG, Sese Ala SELWYN, Stanley WAITA, Yelou Jean ROBERT, Deramoa MOFFAT, Gibson DAUDAU, Jack WETNEY, Fenedy MASAUVAKOLO, Jerry SHEM, Richard GARAE, Steward GARAELOTHI, Richard ANISUA, Alick MAEMAE, Paul OLIVIER, Taiva John WINGY.
Officials: Chabod JEAN-YVES (President), Melelp YVES (executive member), William MALAS (head coach), John PHILIMON (coach), Iata Albert KAWAS (Physio), Simon JACKSON (media).