The champion clubs of Tonga and Cook Islands pushed each other all the way last season and will be expected to do the same in a much tighter edition this season.
The 2012 match-up between these two sides ended in a 3-3 draw which allowed Cook Island club champions Tupapa Maraerenga to slip through to the play-off against Mont-Dore.
This year the side have returned with a fairly similar line-up for this year’s edition with the notable addition of goalkeeper Liam Little who attended the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan with Auckland City.
Another major change has seen Delany Yaqona leave his playing days behind to take the helm. Both Grover Harmon and Campbell Best should once again be in form and looking to inflict some damage in front of the goal.
Lotoha’apai United have twice competed in the group stages of the OFC Champions League and will be looking to secure a third appearance by the end of this week.
The Tongan club champions have returned with an almost identical team sheet to 2012, including player-coach Lui Muavesi.
The 47-year-old defender has a lot of experience under his belt which will come in handy against their opponents.
The side’s top scorer in 2012, Mark Uhatahi, is in the final squad and will want to make his mark in the overall chase.
The other clash on Match Day 1 is that between Samoa and American Samoa club champions Kiwi and Pago Youth.
Kiwi have made two previous appearances at this level, the first in the 1999 OFC Club Championship where two losses saw them finish bottom of Group B and the second in the 2012 OFC Champions League Preliminary where one win from three matches helped them finish above tomorrow’s opponents Pago Youth on the table.
Pago Youth will make their second consecutive preliminary appearance and will be counting on home advantage to help lift them off the bottom of the table. They met the same opponent in Tonga on Match Day 1 last year and will be hoping history won’t be repeating. Pago Youth went down 5-1 on that occasion.
EXTRA INFORMATION
Lotoha’apai United v Tupapa Maraerenga
Pago Park Soccer Stadium, Pago Pago
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Kickoff: 12pm
Referee: Salesh CHAND (FIJ)
Lotoha’pai United
The players: Lafaele Moala has been part of the team for a number of years and will be a midfield danger man, he was part of the national Olympic qualifying side alongside Matana Paongo. Striker Mark Uhatahi is a key player who wants his name etched on the Golden Boot award. Uhati is joined by his three brothers in the squad – all of whom are ones to watch.
The vital statistics: Earned two wins from three matches in the 2012 preliminary to earn second place in the standing, missing out to Tupapa Maraerenga on goal difference.
Squad list: 1. Brady Idaho LAUTI [GK], 2. Tupou UHATAHI, 3. Sione UHATAHI, 4. Samisoni MAFI, 5. Michael UHATAHI, 6. Soane Tatafu FAUPULA, 7. Matana PAONGO, 8. Ilalio LEAKONA, 9. Lafaele MOALA, 10. Mark UHATAHI, 11, Valu Tevita KOLOFALE, 12. Oliveti VAI, 13. Fakamalinga Ki Muli SEMISI, 14. Sione Tutulevuvea TAHITUA, 15. Sione TAHITU’A 16. Lui MUAVESI, 18. Soane FAUPULA [GK]
Coach: Lui MUAVESI
Coach Quote: “Last year going into the competition we only trained for three weeks, this year we did better by training for four months. We have a few U-17 players that we hope will help boost our side and help us achieve what we are aiming for.”
Tupapa Maraerenga
The players: Liam Little and Hone Fowler both have FIFA Club World Cup appearances to their names while Mii Joseph, Byron Paulus and Sam Margetts have all taken part in the group stages of the OFC Champions League during the past three years.
The vital statistics: Two wins from three matches during the 2012 preliminary and a goal difference of +10 saw the side progress to the play-off. They have made one previous appearance in the group stages of the premier OFC club championship, finishing second from bottom of Group B in 2000/01.
Squad list: 1. Liam LITTLE [GK], 2. Mii JOSEPH, 3.Hone FOWLER, 4. Allan BOERE, 5. Paul Branden TUREPU, Byron PAULUS, 7. Gover HARMON, 8. Rhys RUKA, 9. Sam MARGETTS, 10. Campbell BEST, Geoff STRICKLAND, 12. Ronnie SAKAI, 13. Anthony SAMUELA, 14. Teriiahoroa FRAMHEIN, 15. Sunai JOSEPH, 16. Twin TIRO
Coach: Delany YAQONA
Coach Quote: “We’ve done everything we can to prepare for this game and the boys are rearing to go. I’m not going to predict any outcome but all I can say is that the boys are definitely going out there for a win.”
Kiwi v Pago Youth
Pago Park Soccer Stadium, Pago Pago
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Kickoff: 3pm
Referee: Matt CONGER (NZL)
Kiwi
The players: New Zealander Andrew Barron will be one to watch with the 2010 FIFA World Cup counting among his career highlights. He is joined in the squad by fellow Kiwis Barry Lewis, Jamie Maso and Adam Cowan. Samoa national team players Andrew Setefano and Lionel Taylor will also be players to watch.
The vital statistics: Kiwi’s first and only win in this competition was a 5-1 victory over Pago Youth in 2012.
Squad list: 1. Filipo ASIATA [GK], 2. Shaun EASTHOPE, 3. Patrick ASIATA, 4. Andrew SETEFANO, 5. Barry LEWIS, 6. Andrew BARRON, 7. Jarrell SALE, 8., 9. Max HOEFLICH, 10.Albert BELL, 11. Tamoto FENIKA, 13. Lionel TAYLOR, 15. Adam COWAN, 16. Martin PACKER, 17. Jamie MASON, 19. Lafi IOANE, 20. Joseph GAUGHAN, 21. Masi TOETU [GK], 22. Mikey SAOFAIGA
Coach: Martin TAMASESE
Coach Quote: “I think American Samoa has prepared well and it will be a tough game for us. We have been training for about a month and it’s been four days since our overseas players joined us in Apia. Our preparations have been really good.”
Pago Youth
The players: Matthew Trick is one of the national league’s consistently stand-out players communicating well with his teammates. Gun Kang controls well and from his position up front frequently troubles the back lines of their national league opponents.
The statistics: Gun Kang was named 2013 FFAS National League MVP.
Squad list: 1. Taufaiula MAVAEGA [GK], 2. Gene NEEMIA, 3. Ailao TUALAULELEI, 4.Alatina VAIALII, 5. Matthew TRICK, 6. Kaleopa SILIAI, 7. Nissan TUPAI, 8. Ryan SAMUELU, 9. Johnny SIONE, 10. Sam TUALAULELEI, 11. Ruben LEVU, 12. Neemia KALEOPA, 13. Abraham FATA, 14. Ulufanua MALIKO, 15. Sinisa TUA, 16. Gun KANG, 17. Liatama Jr. AMISONE, 18. BJ SAMUELU [GK]
Coach: Ailao TUALAULELEI
Coach Quote: “Our National League just finished about two weeks ago and we have continued training for this tournament. I told my team we have to prepare really well for this tournament, not only for Kiwi tomorrow but for the Cook Islands and Tonga teams too.”

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