With just one more chance to earn three points after this round, each of the eight teams will be desperate to pick up wins as they look to top their group and book a spot in the grand final.#Amicale and Lautoka, level on seven points, are in the box seat in Group A while Auckland City are in charge of their own destiny as outright leaders of Group B, three points ahead of second-placed Waitakere United. In an intriguing turn of events, the leading teams in each group will meet each other this weekend with Amicale and Lautoka set to clash in Port Vila and Auckland ready to host rivals Waitakere in a local derby that is always keenly contested.#The round’s other derby will see another chapter written in the traditional Tahiti-New Caledonia rivalry when Tefana welcome Magenta to Papeete on Friday evening local time. Solomon Islands side Koloale will entertain defending champions Hekari United in Honiara in Saturday’s other Group A fixture.#That group is still very much wide open but this weekend will go some way to deciding who is likely to finish in top place. Fijian champions Lautoka might have thought they had one foot in the grand final after an unbeaten opening half to the O-League but their run was derailed in alarming fashion with a 6-1 humbling at the hands of a resurgent Koloale in the last round.#Lautoka were forced to play for much of that match with 10 men after goalkeeper Jone Sorolo was sent off in the 15th minute but coach Gurjit Singh will still have been concerned at the manner of the defeat. Getting their campaign back on track against Amicale, who fought out a dramatic 3-3 draw with Hekari in their previous outing, will be far from straightforward as the Vanuatu side harbour strong hopes of making the final and will be desperate for a win.#Amicale have home advantage but Lautoka are yet to lose an away game and Singh is determined to keep that record going.#“Amicale will be very tough to beat at home and will have plenty of support from the crowd,” he says. “But we cannot afford to lose this match at any cost. We need to cut out the silly mistakes that have cost us recently.”#Goalkeeper Ali Cem comes into the Lautoka squad to replace the suspended Sorolo and is joined by fellow overseas-based players Adam Belcaid, Mohammed Mansaray and Yavuz Ekinci.#“The inclusion of Ali will be a boost because goalkeeping is one area in which we have lacked this season,” Singh says. “The only problem I can see is that the overseas and local players have not played together much before.”#Amicale were leading 3-1 in that remarkable match against Hekari but somehow failed to take all three points when the Papua New Guineans scored twice in the dying moments to salvage a draw. But they have since bounced back to beat Tupuji Imere 2-0 and Academy 4-2 in the Vanuatu Premier League and are targeting wins in both their remaining O-League matches.#“Lautoka are a good team who have experience of this kind of game but so are we,” manager Andrew Leong says. ‘We must play well in both games and win in style. We know our ability but we won’t underestimate Lautoka.”# The two Group A leaders will also be wary of Hekari, who have notched just one win from their four matches but are only two points behind the frontrunners and remain in contention. They are without the services this week of strikers Osea Vakatalesau and Kema Jack, and their absence is likely to have a big impact. Fijian targetman Vakatalesau scored twice in the draw with Amicale and is often the focal point of Hekari’s attacks, particularly in the final minutes when his height and physicality come in handy, while local hero Jack has picked up the golden boot in his country’s national league for the past three years.# Coach Jerry Allen will instead turn to the likes of Neil Hans, Tuimasi Manuca and Abraham Iniga to find a way past a Koloale rearguard that has been breached nine times already this season, the worst defensive record in the competition. Koloale’s chances of progressing appear slim but they will be keen to build on the big win over Lautoka and bring some pride back to a country where football is far more than just a pastime.#A large crowd is sure to turn up at Lawson Tama Stadium as always and there is a feeling among the locals in Honiara that their side has turned the corner and are likely to finish the campaign a lot more strongly than they started it. Peter Eke’s men are on a good run in the national S-League after posting three wins in a row and Eke is hoping that impressive form will be carried over into the Hekari match.#Another set of players in resurgent mood are Tefana, who began in disappointing fashion with two losses but have since posted a draw and a win to keep their final hopes alive. In an ominous sign for opponents Magenta, both of those positive results were achieved at home on the Stade Louis Ganivet artificial turf and it is clearly not an easy place from which to pick up three points.#The hosts will also have plenty of motivation after letting Magenta get the better of them in a 1-0 loss at Noumea in November.#“If we want to go further in the competition we need to win this game,” Tefana coach Laurent Heinis says. ‘It will be a very decisive match for us and for Magenta as well.”#The scenario will be similar on Sunday in New Zealand, where anything less than a Waitakere win will signal the end of their grand final hopes. Player-coach Neil Emblen’s side warmed up for the must-win match with a 6-1 victory over Waikato FC in the ASB Premiership and are fully aware of the importance of Sunday’s clash.#“It’s the biggest game of the season for us and we know we’ve got to beat them,” Emblen says. “The win against Waikato will give us a lot of confidence and impetus. We had Martin Bullock back and he had a major influence, dictating play and making us more patient. He allows Chris Bale and Jake Butler to push further forward.”#In a massive blow to Waitakere’s chances of picking up any silverware this term, Fijian striker Roy Krishna is out injured for this game and potentially several more in the coming weeks. Krishna is the man Waitakere often turn to for attacking inspiration and his absence will place more responsibility on the shoulders of ex-All White Allan Pearce to unlock an Auckland defence which welcomes back key member Angel Berlanga.#The most likely candidate to make way for the Spaniard is Sam Campbell, who joined Ivan Vicelich, James Pritchett and Ian Hogg in keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 away win over Magenta on Monday. The match winner in Noumea was former Barcelona striker Manuel Exposito, who curled a delightful free kick home with only seven minutes remaining.#If the Waitakere defence fails to keep Exposito and fellow dangerman Luis Corrales quiet – and the likes of Pearce, Dakota Lucas and Mike Gwyther cannot find a way through at the other end – then Emblen and his side will have to wait another year to get their hands on a trophy they last won in 2008.#2011 O-LEAGUE MATCH DAY 5 PREVIEW# This is the official preview of Match Day 5. Please note squads are subject to change.# Tefana [TAH] vs. Magenta [NCL]#Friday 25 February#Papeete, Tahiti#Stade Louis Ganivet#Local kick-off: 7.30pm# #Referee: Nick WALDRON [NZL]#Assistant referee 1: Philippe REVEL [TAH]#Assistant referee 2: Paul AHUPU [TAH]#Fourth Official: Kader ZITOUNI [TAH]# #Tefana: 1. Gilbert MERIEL [GK], 2. Stephane FAATIARAU, 4. Nahuiotiu TEIEFITU, 6. Heimano BOUREBARE, 7. Taufa NEUFFER, 8. Tetiamana MARMOUYET, 9. Kenny NUI, 10. Hiva KAMOISE, 11. Jean Claude CHANG KOEI CHANG, 12. Arnaud SICOT, 13. James LEOU, 14. Manutea TAAE, 15. Lorenzo TEHAU, 17. Roihau DEGAGE, 18. Tauraa MARMOUYET, 20. Axel WILLIAMS, 23. Xavier SAMIN [GK], 24. David CHANG KOEI CHANG#Coach: Laurent HEINIS# #Magenta: 1. Jean Yan DOUNEZECK [GK], 3. Judigael IXOEE, 4. Jean Paul READ, 6. Wilson FOREST, 7. Noel KAUDRE, 8. Georges GOPE-FENEPEJ, 9. Paul POATINDA, 10. Cesar LOLOHEA, 14. Jules WEA, 17. Andre SINEDO, 22. Jonathan KAKOU, 23. Jean Claude JEWINE, 25. Joris GORENDIAWE, 26. Leopold MAKALU, 29. Andre NAXUE#Coach: Alain MOIZAN# #Club contacts:#Tefana: Leon Tefau +689 784 852 or teonemahina@mail.pf#Magenta: Edmond Bowen +687 790 245 or edmond.bowen@free.fr# #Koloale [SOL] vs. Hekari United [PNG]#Saturday 26 February#Honiara, Solomon Islands#Lawson Tama Stadium#Local kick-off: 3pm# #Referee: Chris KERR [NZL]#Assistant referee 1: Jackson NAMO [SOL]#Assistant referee 2: Noel BERRY [SOL]#Fourth Official: George TIME [SOL]# #Koloale: 1. Eddie RAMO [GK], 3. Freddie KINI, 4. Cecil BURU, 5. Samson TAKAYAMA, 6. George SURI, 7. Jeffery BULE, 9. Benjamin TOTORI, 10. Ezra SALE, 11. Ian PAIA, 13. Lency SAENI, 15. Mostyn BEUI, 16. Shadrock RAMONI [GK], 19. Abraham EKE JNR, 21. Gabriel EKE, 23. Steven ANISI, 25. Francis LAFAI, 28. Joses NAWO, 30. Leonard SALE OLEA#Coach: Peter EKE# #Hekari United: 20. Gure GABINA [GK], 4. Treva IRE, 5. Apisalome TUVURA, 6. Abraham INIGA, 8. Wira WAMA, 9. Tuimasi MANUCA, 11. Pedro AJOKOPA, 12. David MUTA, 14. Neil HANS, 15. Samuel KINI, 18. Eric KOMENG, 19. Koriak UPAIGA, 21. Malakai TIWA, 24. Alfred HAKAMANOENUKU, 25. Alvin SINGH, 27. Andrew SETEFANO, 28. Henry FA’ARODO, 30. Godfrey BANIAU [GK]#Coach: Jerry ALLEN# #Club contacts:#Koloale: Timothy Aruafu +677 26075 or 747 3916 or taruafu@solomon.com.sb#Hekari United: Henry Morabang +675 761 01910 or morabangh@thenational.com.pg# #Amicale [VAN] vs. Lautoka [FIJ]#Saturday 26 February#Port Vila, Vanuatu#PVL Stadium#Local kick-off: 3pm# #Referee: Mirko BENISCHKE [NZL]#Assistant referee 1: Mahiti CHILIA [VAN]#Assistant referee 2: Michael JOSEPH [VAN]#Fourth Official: George BRUCE [VAN]# #Amicale: 1. Ernest BONG [GK], 3. Young PAUL, 4. Selwyn SESE ALA, 5. Richard ANISUA, 6. Nelson SALE, 7. Jean Robert YELOU, 9. Dereck MALAS, 10. Batram SURI, 11. Fenedy MASAUVAKALO, 13. Gibson DAUDAU, 14. Moffat DERAMOA, 15. Alphonse BONGNAIM, 17. Alick MAEMAE, 18. Richard GARAE, 19. Jack WETNEY, 20. Joel NAKAPUE [GK], 25. Stanley WAITA, 26. Lenson BISILI#Coach: William MALAS# #Lautoka: 21. Ali CEM [GK], 2. Krishna SMAY, 3. Alvin AVINESH, 5. Siga ALI, 6. Avindra NAIDU, 7. Valerio NAWATU, 8. Malakai WAQA, 9. Leone VURUKANIA, 11. Adam BELCAID, 12. Kamal HASSAN, 14. Shameel RAO, 17. Mohammed MANSARAY, 18. Samulea DRUDRU, 22. Parmesh PRASAD [GK], 28. Yavuz EKINCI#Coach: Gurjit SINGH# #Auckland City [NZL] vs. Waitakere United [NZL]#Sunday 27 February#Auckland, New Zealand#Kiwitea St#Local kick-off: 3pm# #Referee: Peter O’LEARY [NZL]#Assistant referee 1: Ian-Hendrick HINTZ [NZL]#Assistant referee 2: Mark RULE [NZL]#Fourth Official: Campbell-Kirk WAUGH [NZL]# #Auckland City: 1. Jacob SPOONLEY [GK], 2. Angel BERLANGA, 3. Ian HOGG, 4. Sam CAMPBELL, 6. Stuart KELLY, 7. James PRITCHETT, 8. David MULLIGAN, 9. Manuel EXPOSITO, 10. Luis CORRALES, 11. Daniel KOPRIVCIC 12. Liam LITTLE [GK], 13. Alex FENERIDIS, 14. Adam DICKINSON, 15. Ivan VICELICH, 16. Albert VIDAL, 17. Adam McGEORGE, 22. Andrew MILNE, 23. Adam THOMAS#Coaches: Aaron McFARLAND and Ramon TRIBULIETX# #Waitakere United: 1. Danny ROBINSON [GK], 2. Jason ROWLEY, 3. Aaron SCOTT, 4. Tim MYERS, 6. Jack PELTER, 7. Martin BULLOCK, 8. Chris BALE, 9. Luiz DEL MONTE, 10. Allan PEARCE, 13. Mike GWYTHER, 14. Tim PAYNE, 16. Neil EMBLEN, 17. Jake BUTLER, 18. Zane SOLE, 19. Dakota LUCAS, 20. Ryan DE VRIES, 22. Andy RALPH [GK], 24. Luke ADAMS#Coach: Neil EMBLEN# #Ends# Source: OFC MEDIA
