The coaches and captains of Auckland United FC and Hekari Womens FC have faced off ahead of this weekend’s final at the OFC Women’s Champions League in Tahiti.
The two sides will meet in the title decider for the second year running with defending champions Auckland United FC winning 1-0 in the final in Honiara, Solomon Islands last year.
The New Zealand champions edged a competitive group stage match 2-1 last week, and both teams expect another closely fought encounter on Saturday Tahiti time, Sunday in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
“We are expecting the same again from Hekari, good energy, good pressure.” Auckland United coach Ben Bate said. ” We have seen what Hekari will bring in the first 20 minutes and we want to start well and get on the front foot early against them.” He added.
Bate’s counterpart at Hekari Women’s FC Ericsson Komeng, says his players learned plenty from last year’s final and are determined to go one better.
“With respect to Ben and his team we have to show up on the day and hopefully create more chances because they are the defending champions and a quality side and we just have to give our best.” Komeng said.
Goal scoring hasn’t been a problem for either side at the tournament with both winning by 6-1 margins in the semi-finals.
Auckland United captain Talisha Green is confident her side can go back-to-back.
“Yeah, we’re really excited. I think finals are what we play for, these big matches, so everyone’s looking forward to it, pumped up. I think they’re going to come out physical, they’re going to come out strong and they’re going to come out quick. That is their strength, and we need to do the best that we can to nullify that.”
Her counterpart Marie Kaipu (7 goals) is in a race for the tournament’s golden boot with Auckland United’s Zoe Benson. (8 goals) But winning is all that matters for the Hekari Womens FC captain.
“Yes, we are all ready to go to the final. We have to score one or two more goals.”
The winner of the tournament will compete in the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup next year in a playoff against the AFC champions with the winners visiting the CAF champions in round two.
Photo Credit OFC Media via Phototek