The first round of O-League action in 2011 takes place this weekend with several teams looking to further press their claims for a spot in the grand final. Unbeaten Lautoka are at the top of Group A and will look to make sure it stays that way with a victory over struggling Solomon Islands side Koloale while second-placed Amicale meet defending champions Hekari United in the pool’s other match.#In the only Group B game of the round, Waitakere United will hope to take advantage of the inactivity of New Zealand rivals Auckland City, who have had their clash with Magenta postponed until a yet-to-be determined date. The two Auckland-based sides are fighting it out for pole position in the group and a win for Waitakere over Tefana would give them the edge going into the business end of the season.#Lautoka battles Koloale Saturday 3pm at Churchill Park. #Lautoka [from]: 1. Jone SOROLO, 2. Krishna SMAY, 3. Alvin AVINESH, 4. Semesa DOIDOI, 5. Siga ALI, 6. Avindra NAIDU, 7. Valerio NAWATU, 8. Malakai WAQA, 9. Leone VURUKANIA, 10. Sanni ISSA, 11. Adam BELCAID, 12. Kamal HASSAN, 13. Peni FINAU, 14. Shameel RAO, 15. Mathew MAYORA, 16. Jone VONO, 17. Mohammed MANSARAY, 18. Samulea DRUDRU, 19. Abbua ZAHID, 20. Osama AWAD, 21. Ali CEM [GK], 22. Parmesh PRASAD [GK], 23. Poasa BAINIVALU, 24. Isikeli JEKE, 25. Judd MOLEA, 26. Slyvester EFE, 27. Malakai LAVETIA, 28. Yavuz EKINCI, 29. Azeddine DARIF, 30. Sayed REZA#Coach: Gurjit SINGH# Koloale: 1. Eddie RAMO [GK], 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, 23. Steven ANISI, 25. Francis LAFAI, 28. Joses NAWO, 30. Leonard SALE OLEA#Coach: Peter EKE# #Match Day 4 Preview# #The first round of O-League action in 2011 takes place this weekend with several teams looking to further press their claims for a spot in the grand final. Unbeaten Lautoka are at the top of Group A and will look to make sure it stays that way with a victory over struggling Solomon Islands side Koloale while second-placed Amicale meet defending champions Hekari United in the pool’s other match.# #In the only Group B game of the round, Waitakere United will hope to take advantage of the inactivity of New Zealand rivals Auckland City, who have had their clash with Magenta postponed until a yet-to-be determined date. The two Auckland-based sides are fighting it out for pole position in the group and a win for Waitakere over Tefana would give them the edge going into the business end of the season.# #That match is a Friday evening kick-off on the artificial turf at Tefana’s Stade Louis Ganivet ground and Waitakere player-coach Neil Emblen is aware how crucial the encounter could prove.# #The former New Zealand Knights player did not kit up for his team’s 6-1 ASB Premiership win over Youngheart Manawatu on Saturday but made sure he would be fit for the trip to Papeete by getting a match under his belt last week. Emblen lined up for feeder club Waitakere City in a mid-week friendly against fellow winter outfit Birkenhead United and was joined on the artificial turf at North Harbour Stadium by goalkeeper Andy Ralph.# #The ex-English semi-professional injured his hand while warming up for the domestic clash with Auckland last November and has had to watch as Danny Robinson regained the No 1 jersey and made it his own with a string of impressive performances. But Ralph is now back to full fitness and ready to challenge his fellow Englishman for a starting place.# #Also coming back into the squad is veteran midfielder Martin Bullock, whose experience and ability will be welcome assets on a surface unfamiliar to many of Waitakere’s players.# #“He is not quite ready to play so we will have to see how he progresses,” Emblen says. “Artificial turf tests your touch so a player like him would be valuable.”# #To make sure his charges will be ready for the challenge, Emblen put them through their paces at North Harbour Stadium’s artificial field on Monday and Wednesday before the squad flew out for Tahiti yesterday afternoon.# #Defender Jack Pelter misses the match through suspension so the youthful back four of Aaron Scott, Jason Rowley, Tim Myers and Ashton Pett are likely to continue in front of Robinson or Ralph. Emblen has more options in midfield and attack with only the likes of Allan Pearce and Dakota Lucas, who both scored twice against Manawatu, Jake Butler and Chris Bale sure of their spots.# #Opponents Tefana have just one point to show for their efforts so far but, significantly, that draw was secured in their only home match, a 1-1 deadlock with Auckland City in December. Their hopes of finishing at the top of Group B appear slim but a win here would keep those dreams alive. The fierce Tahiti-New Caledonia rivalry means they have plenty to play for regardless as they will be desperate to pick up some points and finish ahead of Magenta.# #Coach Larent Heinis and his players also have a score to settle against Waitakere after being humbled 3-1 in the earlier O-League fixture between the sides. Goalscoring has been an issue – Tefana have found the net just twice from their three matches – so Heinis will be looking for the likes of strikers David Chang Koei Chang, Alvin Tehau and Taufa Neuffer to break their duck.# #Hekari United have no such problems – the Papua New Guinea team’s five strikes make them the top scorers in Group A – but will be disappointed with their middle-of-the-road results. They have posted a win, a draw and a loss and will need to improve on that form to achieve their goal of booking a swift return to the FIFA Club World Cup.# #They have already been in O-League action this year – the December clash with Lautoka was moved to January 15 due to Hekari’s Club World Cup commitments – but failed to score in that 0-0 stalemate. Defender Treva Ire was the stand-in coach for that match but Jerry Allen is now back at the helm and will be wary of the threat posed by an Amicale side packed full of attacking talent and in good form.# #Hekari found out how tricky an opponent the Vanuatu side can be when they were beaten 2-1 on the opening day and Amicale president Jean Yves Chapod is hoping for a repeat of that result. Amicale are just a point behind Group A leaders Lautoka and Chapod has his heart set on a crack at the title.# #But he believes the players must not get too far ahead of themselves and need to concentrate on securing three points this weekend.# #“This match is not like a final, far from it,” Chapod says. “Whoever wins on Saturday will not be champions – there are two more games to go in the group and there are two other teams. We will have to earn the right to compete in the final.”# #Fijian champions Lautoka are trying to do likewise and appear to be facing the ideal opponent to continue their good run in winless Koloale. The Solomon Islanders have lost 4-0 and 2-0 in their last two matches against Hekari and Amicale respectively, and were beaten 2-1 at home by Lautoka in round one.# #But Lautoka coach Gurjit Singh says their current status as a wounded animal makes them a dangerous proposition.# #“Koloale seem to be down in the competition but they are not yet out,” he says. “It will be a very tough match for us and we cannot afford to lose. We need to maintain our lead in the group if we are to qualify for the final.”# #2011 O-LEAGUE MATCH DAY 4 PREVIEW# #This is the official preview of Match Day 4. Please note squads are subject to change.# #Media wishing to attend any O-League match should contact the respective home club contact prior to match day. Media are encouraged to use these contacts for further specific information or clarification.# #Tefana [TAH] vs. Waitakere United [NZL]#Friday 4 February#Papeete, Tahiti#Stade Louis Ganivet#Local kick-off: 7.30pm# #Referee: Bertrand BILLON [NCL]#Assistant referee 1: Paul AHUPU [TAH]#Assistant referee 2: Thiery TAMARII [TAH]#Fourth Official: Norbert HAUATA [TAH]# #Tefana: 1. Gilbert MERIEL [GK], 2. Stephane FAATIARAU, 3. Pierre KUGOGNE, 4. Nahuiotiu TEIEFITU, 6. Heimano BOUREBARE, 7. Taufa NEUFFER, 8. Tetiamana MARMOUYET, 10. Hiva KAMOISE, 12. Arnaud SICOT, 15. Lorenzo TEHAU, 16. Sebastien LABAYEN, 17. Roihau DEGAGE, 18. Tauraa MARMOUYET, 19. Alvin TEHAU, 20. Axel WILLIAMS, 23. Xavier SAMIN [GK], 24. David CHANG KOEI CHANG, 26. Kenny NUI#Coach: Laurent HEINIS# #Waitakere United: 1. Danny ROBINSON [GK], 2. Jason ROWLEY, 3. Aaron SCOTT, 4. Tim MYERS, 8. Chris BALE, 10. Allan PEARCE, 12. Roy KRISHNA, 13. Mike GWYTHER, 14. Tim PAYNE, 15. Martin BULLOCK, 16. Neil EMBLEN, 17. Jake BUTLER, 18. Zane SOLE, 19. Dakota LUCAS, 22. Andy RALPH [GK], 23. Ashton PETT, 24. Luke ADAMS, 25. Sean LOVEMORE#Coach: Neil EMBLEN# # #Amicale [VAN] vs. Hekari United [PNG]#Saturday 5 February#Port Vila, Vanuatu#PVL Stadium#Local kick-off: 3pm# #Referee: Jacques AVERII [TAH]#Assistant referee 1: Michael JOSEPH [VAN]#Assistant referee 2: Mahit CHILLIA [VAN]#Fourth Official: Robinson BANGA [VAN]# #Amicale: 1. Ernest BONG [GK], 2. Stewart GARAELOTHI, 3. Young PAUL, 4. Selwyn SESE ALA, 6. Nelson SALE, 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], 21. Philip TOM TOMAKE, 22. Chikau MANSALE [GK], 25. Stanley WAITA#Coach: William MALAS# #Hekari United: 20. Gure GABINA [GK], 5. Apisalome TUVURA, 6. Abraham INIGA, 9. Tuimasi MANUCA, 10. Osea VAKATALESAU, 11. Pedro AJOKOPA, 12. David MUTA, 13. Andrew LEPANI, 14. Neil HANS, 15. Samuel KINI, 16. Elliot RAGOMO, 17. Kema JACK, 18. Eric KOMENG, 19. Koriak UPAIGA, 21. Malakai TIWA, 26. David TARO, 28. Henry FA’ARODO, 30. Godfrey BANIAU [GK]#Coach: Jerry ALLEN# # #Lautoka [FIJ] vs. Koloale [SOL]#Saturday 5 February#Lautoka, Fiji#Churchill Park#Local kick-off: 3pm# #Referee: Michael HESTER [NZL]#Assistant referee 1: Ravinesh KUMAR [FIJ]#Assistant referee 2: Rakesh CHANDRA [FIJ]#Fourth Official: Andrew ACHARI [FIJ]# #Lautoka [from]: 1. Jone SOROLO, 2. Krishna SMAY, 3. Alvin AVINESH, 4. Semesa DOIDOI, 5. Siga ALI, 6. Avindra NAIDU, 7. Valerio NAWATU, 8. Malakai WAQA, 9. Leone VURUKANIA, 10. Sanni ISSA, 11. Adam BELCAID, 12. Kamal HASSAN, 13. Peni FINAU, 14. Shameel RAO, 15. Mathew MAYORA, 16. Jone VONO, 17. Mohammed MANSARAY, 18. Samulea DRUDRU, 19. Abbua ZAHID, 20. Osama AWAD, 21. Ali CEM [GK], 22. Parmesh PRASAD [GK], 23. Poasa BAINIVALU [GK], 24. Isikeli JEKE, 25. Judd MOLEA, 26. Slyvester EFE, 27. Malakai LAVETIA, 28. Yavuz EKINCI, 29. Azeddine DARIF, 30. Sayed REZA#Coach: Gurjit SINGH# #Koloale: 1. Eddie RAMO [GK], 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, 23. Steven ANISI, 25. Francis LAFAI, 28. Joses NAWO, 30. Leonard SALE OLEA#Coach: Peter EKE# #Please note: The Group B match between Magenta [NCL] and Auckland City [NZL] was originally scheduled to take place on Saturday 5 February but has been postponed until a yet-to-be determined date due to stadium availability.#
