Reigning champions Team Wellington have arrived in New Caledonia in good spirit and full of excitement ahead of Sunday’s OFC Champions League semi-final clash against Hienghene Sport.
After landing at Noumea’s la Tontuata airport, Jose Figueira’s charges from the New Zealand capital have appeared relaxed but also purposeful and determined to tackle the task in front of them.
The Team Wellington coach insists it was crucial for his side to arrive well before kick-off in order to acclimatise to the locals conditions.
“We’ve had a little bit of a long day but the important thing is that we are here a good three or four days before the game so plenty of time to get ourselves used to the surrounding,” said Figueira.
“The boys can’t wait to get out on the grass, we’ve had obviously a couple of weeks since the quarter-final and everyone is really excited to be back in New Caledonia and ready for a big semi final.
With two New Caledonian teams, Hienghene Sport and AS Magenta and two teams from New Zealand, Team Wellington and Auckland City in the final four of this year’s OFC Champions League, the organisers and clubs have agreed to stage both semi finals as a back-to-back double-header at Noumea’s Stade Numa Daly.
Wellington’s match with Hienghene Sport will be followed by AS Magenta’s meeting with nine-time champions Auckland City FC and Figueira is hoping for a special occasion for Oceania football on Sunday.
“It’s huge, I think it’s really great for OFC, great for football, we are hoping the crowd comes out and makes it a real festival of football, so it’s really exciting,” said the Team Wellington coach.
To view the results, match schedule and latest news for the OFC Champions League 2019
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