The side from New Zealand’s capital took home the 2014-15 season opening Charity Cup after going all the way to penalties, before beating the Oceania champions just ahead of their departure for Morocco and that momentous 2014 FIFA Club World Cup campaign.
However, come February the Aucklanders were back in top form, dismissing their rivals 3-0 at Kiwitea Street before going on to finish top of the league plus claim the title after a 2-1 victory over Hawke’s Bay United in the grand final.
Since arriving in Fiji, the defending champions have been in scintillating form making their way through the group stage without conceding a single goal but that doesn’t mean it has been an easy journey, says captain Ivan Vicelich.
“I’m finding the tournament very tough,” the veteran midfielder says.
“We’ve had some good results, and so have Team Wellington. We’ve played some tough games and I’m really proud of how the team has stuck together and regrouped.
“From Morocco we’ve lost a few players and had some new players come into the team that have adapted really well. The tournament is very difficult and all credit to both sides who have played well and now with the final, hopefully we get a good game to celebrate the tournament.”
It’s been an all new experience for sometimes captain Bill Robertson who believes just making the final isn’t good enough for his Team Wellington side.
They too have won each of their four previous matches in Fiji, but while Auckland City have maintained their clean sheet, Team Wellington have conceded three goals – something they’ll be keen to tighten up during tomorrow’s final.
“It’s been a fantastic experience. It’s been tough, the quick turnaround in games means you don’t get a lot of time to recover, so we’ve had to put a lot of focus on managing our bodies, nutrition and hydration and really focusing on that to be able to perform at peak level in each game.
“While it has been tough, I’ve been really pleased with how Wellington has performed. It is our first time at the tournament but I think we can be really pleased with our progress – making the final on our first time is a good achievement – but we’re certainly not settling for that.
“We’re looking forward to the final and can hopefully go the next step.”
Auckland City FC play Team Wellington in the final of the 2015 Fiji Airways OFC Champions League at ANZ Stadium in Suva, Fiji tomorrow (Sunday 26 April) at 7pm.

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