Four years after reaching the final, Tahitian club AS Vénus are back at the OFC Men’s Champions League for a sixth appearance.
Vénus have a long history at Oceania’s continental club championship dating back to the second-ever edition of the tournament in 1999, and have reached the knockout stage on three occasions, including a 0-3 defeat to Auckland City FC in the final of the competition during their last appearance in 2022.
“Qualifying for the OFC Men’s Champions League means a lot to us,” says head coach Vateanui Tehau. “We are in our sixth participation and are trying to replicate our run to the final that we achieved in 2022.”
They won their 11th Tahiti Ligue 1 title last year to qualify, and will again meet Auckland City FC here, this time in Group A alongside Central Coast FC and AS Tiga Sport.
Bolstered by eight players who gained a taste of professional experience in the OFC Pro League with Tahiti United earlier this year too, AS Vénus have the tools to make another deep run at the competition.
History
AS Vénus were runners-up when they last played in the OFC Men’s Champions League in 2022, following in the footsteps of AS Pirae and AS Tefana as just the third Tahitian club to reach the final of the competition.
They have twice reached the semi-finals too, losing to South Melbourne in 1999, and then Wollongong Wolves in 2001. The only time AS Vénus have failed to advance from the group stage, except for the COVID-affected tournament in 2020, was in 2018, when they finished third in Group C with three points.
The Coach: Vateanui Tehau
Previously an understudy to Samuel Garcia, who departed the club last year to take charge of Tahiti United in the inaugural OFC Pro League, Vateanui Tehau has taken the step up as head coach of AS Vénus.
The Squad
A core group of eight Tahiti United players have returned to the fold for AS Vénus after being involved in the OFC Pro League earlier in the year. They include Roonui Tehau, German Haewegene, Pothin Poma, Maurii Heitaa, Kalï Lenoir, Kevin Barbe, Mana Teniau, and Manuarii Shan.
“These players have evolved as professionals and will provide a boost in terms of experience and quality,” says coach Tehau.
Five of the squad are also capped for the Tahitian national team, whilst six are survivors from their last OFC Men’s Champions League campaign in 2022.
Player to Watch: Roonui Tehau
Roonui Tehau is an experienced campaigner and a veteran of two of AS Vénus’ previous OFC Men’s Champions League campaigns in 2020 and 2022, scoring twice on their run to the final four years ago.
The 28-year-old midfielder has 12 caps and a goal for the Tahitian national team and was a key component of the Tahiti United squad for the inaugural OFC Pro League, appearing in 16 of the club’s 17 games. He’ll be tasked with controlling the middle of the pitch for AS Vénus in Fiji.
Team List
Match Schedule:
Group A
Monday 10th August, 12pm
AS Vénus v AS Tiga Sport
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Thursday 13th August, 3pm
Central Coast FC v AS Vénus
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Sunday 16th August, 12pm
Auckland City FC v AS Vénus
4R Stadium Govind Park, Ba
How to Watch
OFC Men’s Champions League 2026 will be taking place in Fiji from 9-22 August. You can watch the action LIVE and FREE on FIFA+ via DAZN HERE