In the first round of games, Waitakere beat Kiwi FC 2-0 while Pirae won 2-1 against Solomon Warriors.
It is now a must-win scenario for Kiwi and Solomon Warriors today to retain any chance of advancing to the semi-final stage.
Now that the Samoans have had time together both on and off the field, coach Martin Tamasese has a good idea of what his players are capable of in the tournament, but is not taking any chances with Pirae.
“I know our opponent on Saturday is also a good team,” Tamasese says of the Tahitians. “We’re not going to underestimate any team and will prepare well for this next encounter.”
Pirae’s coach Samuel Garcia likewise shares his counterparts sentiments. “There are always things to be looked at, we will continue to work and take Kiwi very seriously,” he says. “We’ll start with rest, tomorrow a bit of cleaning up and then we’ll look at our tactics.”
The arrival of Naea Bennett and Teva Zaveroni will be a boon to Garcia’s squad, with the striker and beach soccer international having arrived in Fiji on Wednesday night.
“[Naea and Teva are] two important players, and that will be good. We’ll try to stay positive. We have a few things to work on, most notably keeping hold of the ball,” he added.
The second match of the day sees Waitakere United play Solomon Warriors. The Solomon Islanders may have come out second best in Wednesday’s match against Pirae, but a revived performance and eventual second half goal by James Naka would have boosted morale heading into today’s match-up against the two-time champions.
It was a spirited performance by a team who weren’t able to bring it back in time to beat the clock.
Says Warriors coach Moses Toata, “We are looking forward to the next game against Waitakere and it will be a big one, because [it is] Waitakere, you know? We will have to work with the boys and prepare aspects of our game that need improving.”
Waitakere posted a convincing 2-0 win on Wednesday with both goals coming in the first half. Co-coach Paul Temple was happy with the result, but won’t put anything past the Solomon Islanders.
“We’re expecting tough opposition,” he says. “It’s just about recovering really well and hopefully we’ll have the energy to go out and get three wins.”
Waitakere and Pirae sit on three points apiece while the Solomon Warriors and Kiwi FC round out the table with zero points. Warriors, with one goal to their name from Wednesday, sit third in Group A on goal difference.
“Kick Dengue Out of Fiji” – UNICEF Pacific/OFC
The OFC Champions League also marks the UNICEF Pacific, Fiji Government, OFC and Fiji FA social responsibility campaign “Kick Dengue Out of Fiji”, aimed at raising awareness of Dengue Fever.
For more information about “Kick Dengue Out of Fiji” please visit www.oceaniafootball.com and download the official Media Guide located under the “Fans” banner.
The OFC also acknowledges competition partners Vodafone Fiji, Courts and Sports World.
Media Coverage
Television stations EMTV – Papua New Guinea, Solomon Telekom TTV – Solomon Islands, VBTC – Vanuatu, FBC Fiji, Fiji TV and TNTV – Tahiti will broadcast all matches live in their nations and territories.
For radio, broadcasters FM 107 – Vanuatu, FBC Radio – Fiji and Communications Fiji Ltd will provide live coverage of matches, while OFC Radio will present live audio coverage of every match in English.
The OFC Radio (ENG) link can be accessed here: http://bit.ly/1okoVwU – with Jason PINE.
Live streaming of matches is suspended but full coverage of matches can be viewed at the official OFC TV YouTube channel.
Ends
AS Pirae v Kiwi FC
Churchill Park
Saturday 12 April, 2014
Kick-off: 1pm
PIRvKIW
AS Pirae Form: W
The players: Naea BENNETT and Teva ZAVERONI have arrived in Fiji and, alongside Marama VAHIRUA who has captained the team in BENNETT’s absence, will be a formidable presence for Pirae.
The vital statistics: Pirae are joint top of Group A and a win today would see them one step closer to the semi-final stage in a tournament they have not participated in since 2006. Naea BENNETT’s last outing in the OFC Champions League was in AS Pirae’s 2-0 win over YoungHeart Manawatu at the semi-final stage at North Harbour Stadium.
Squad list: 1. Stevens HIRIGA [GK], 2. Tauirai TEIVA, 3. Ariinui TAPU, 4. Ken WARREN, 5. Raimoana BENNETT, 6. Gael MESLIEN, 7. Raimana LI FUNG KUEE, 8. Salomon TEVEPAUHU, 9. Naea BENNETT, 10. Charles LABASTE, 11. Teva ZAVERONI, 12. Franck REVEL [GK], 13. Raumatahi NOHO, 14. Augustin DALLERA, 15. Teriinoho TIHONI, 17. Marc VAKI, 18. Jimmy TEPA, 19. Marama VAHIRUA, 20. Jay WARREN, 21. Javier PAEZ, 22. Tainui LEHARTEL, 23. Hubert TAUHA, 24. Jonathan TOROHIA [GK], 25. Heimanu TAIARUI, 26. Huimana PARKER
Coach: Samuel GARCIA (FRA)
Kiwi FC Form: L
The players: With Andrew SETEFANO and Barry LEWIS having been integral on Wednesday’s match against Waitakere, they may again be key for Kiwi’s defence against Pirae’s bolstered midfield.
The vital statistics: It’s a must-win for Kiwi in their 10th OFC Champions League appearance. However, the Samoan champions can take solace from their last match despite defeat, posting their best ever result in the OFC Champions League proper. Their previous outings resulted in a 13-0 and 14-1 thrashing back in 1999.
Squad list: 1. Masi TOETU [GK], 2. Lafi IOANE, 3. Linton DAUARA, 4. Andrew SETEFANO, 5. Tamoto FENIKA, 6.Albert BELL, 7. Jarell SALE, 9. Barry LEWIS, 10. Michael FIFI’I, 11. Mike SAOFAIGA, 13. Lionel TAYLOR, 15. Rajendra SINGH, 16. Jamie MASON, 17. Gary TAYLOR, 19. Yuta SAHARA, 20. Jimmy HOASIHITA, 22. Max HOEFLICH, 23. Iutizak MOHAMMED
Coach: Martin TAMASESE (SAM)
Waitakere United v Solomon Warriors
Churchill Park
Saturday 12 April 2014
Kick-off: 4pm
WTKvSOL
Waitakere United Form: W
The players: Tom BISS, Aaron JONES, and Joel STEVENS all made their OFC Champions League debuts on Wednesday and posted solid performances.
The vital statistics: Waitakere are joint top of Group A in their 47th Champions League match. Benji TOTORI now has 20 Champions League goals to his name and will be playing for more in his 34th appearance in the tournament.
Squad list: 1. Danny ROBINSON [GK], 2. Aaron JONES, 3. Steven GRAY, 4. Tim MYERS, 5. Brian SHELLEY, 6. Adam McGEORGE, 8. Tom BISS, 9. Sam FRENCH, 10. Benji TOTORI, 11. Joel STEVENS, 12. Sam MATHEWS, 14. Maksim MANKO, 16. Tristan PRATTLEY, 17. Jake BUTLER, 18. Martin BULLOCK, 19. Dylan STANSFIELD, 20. Jarrod YOUNG, 21. Paul TEMPLE, 22. James McPEAKE [GK], 26. Harshae RANIGA
Co-Coach: Brian SHELLEY (IRE)
Co-Coach: Paul TEMPLE (ENG)
Solomon Warriors Form: L
The players: Coach Moses TOATA has all his players available for this fixture.
The vital statistics: Warriors have not had as storied a history in the OFC Champions League as their opponents today, appearing for the first time last season. This is their 8th match in the tournament. Goalscorer James NAKA makes his 15th appearance in the Champions League.
Squad list: 1. Samson KOTI [GK], 2. Hadisi AENGARI, 3. Matson FENNY, 4. Fred FAKARI, 5. Dennis IFUNAOA, 6. Molea TIGI, 7. Brian FENI, 8. Michael MOLEA, 9. James NAKA, 10. Judd MOLEA, 12. Jerry DONGA, 13. Chris TAFOA, 14. Jeffrey BULE, 15. Molis GAGAME, 16. Emmanuel POILA, 17. Micah LEA’ALAFA,18. Willy DAUDAU, 19. Gibson DAUDAU, 20. Casper AENGARI, 22. Bata FURAI, 23. Gagame FENI, 24. Lency NORMAN, 25. Nicholas LEE, 26. Loea TAISARA, 27. Erekona LOEA, 28. Silas SEDA [GK], 30. Alfred LOFANA [GK]
Coach: Moses TOATA (SOL)
Ends