The competition returned after a mid-season break with a catch up match between Auckland City and Amicale on January 18 – won 3-2 in dramatic fashion by Auckland – but this week marks the first time all eight sides will take to the field once again. Reigning champions Auckland and fellow Kiwis Waitakere United lead their respective groups and are in pole position for a final berth but several of the other sides are not yet out of the running and still have much to play for, particularly if either of the leaders slip up this weekend.
Tefana can put themselves back in with a chance of topping Group A if they can defeat Waitakere in a match that takes place on Friday evening in Tahiti while a win for Fiji’s Ba over Mont-Dore in New Caledonia would also keep them in the hunt. Auckland look in control of Group B and are facing a pointless Koloale side with little to play for but an upset at Kiwitea St would open the door for Amicale and Hekari, who meet each other in Papua New Guinea on Saturday.
Koloale are likely to be vocally backed by a contingent of New Zealand-based Solomon Islanders – many of whom are travelling from other parts of the North Island for the match – and coach Jeffrey Allen is looking to give them plenty to cheer about by finally putting some points on the board. The Men in Green were swept aside 4-1 by Auckland in the earlier meeting between the sides in Honiara but Allen, who started the campaign as assistant coach but has now taken over the top role from previous incumbent Peter Eke, believes lessons have been learned from that disappointing day.
“We now have a better understanding of how Auckland play and have adapted our 4-4-2 formation to deal with their 4-3-3 system,” he says. “We also know who their key players are and will aim to keep ones like Manel Exposito under close guard because he plays well off the ball. I think the players may be more focused because playing away from home reduces the pressure on the team.”
American Allen has had to deal with the loss of several players in the transfer window – talismanic midfielder Henry Fa’arodo has moved to New Zealand side Team Wellington while Joses Nawo and Molis Gagame have also left the club – but feels there is still enough ability in the side to trouble the defending champions. He has included six members of the U-23 national team, who will attempt to book a spot at the London Olympics in the Oceania qualifiers next month, and will look to them to step up.
“The exit of players like Fa’arodo and Nawo is a challenge but at the same time it creates opportunities for our young stars. A lot of changes have had to be made but I am confident the players understand their roles and will rise to the occasion.”
They will face an Auckland City side full of confidence after a 6-0 dismantling of YoungHeart Manawatu in the ASB Premiership but coach Ramon Tribulietx does not have a full squad to select from as long-time No 1 goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley is recovering from a knee injury and Argentine Emiliano Tade, City’s top-scorer in the national league, is on compassionate leave after a family illness.
Gloveman Tamati Williams joined in the transfer window and will continue to deputise for Spoonley while Tribulietx has added yet another fellow Spaniard in the form of Ivan Ruiz, who has played professionally in his homeland and Sweden. Tribulietx must also take into account that midfielder Alex Feneridis may play again on Monday as he is in the New Zealand Olympic squad set to take on the Saudi Arabia national team in Melbourne.
That fixture likewise affects Waitakere coach Neil Emblen as he is also the man in charge of the Olympic set up. The Englishman, who has included himself in the playing squad, returns from Tahiti on Sunday and must jump straight back onto a plane to make the Saudi clash.
His chances of doing so with three points in his back pocket suffered a blow this week when goalkeeper Danny Robinson was ruled out due to the impending birth of his first child. Understudy Andy Ralph recently returned to his native England so Emblen is left with only youngster Matthew Upton as an option for the Tefana tie. In an interesting move, assistant coach and former All Whites midfielder Carl Jorgensen has been registered as a player and will provide goalkeeping cover from the bench.
Tefana coach Laurent Heinis used the transfer window to add defender Viritua Tiaiho and striker Alvin Tehau and will be looking to banish the memories of the humiliating 10-0 defeat suffered against Waitakere on the opening day.
Fellow francophones Mont-Dore will be equally desperate for a good showing as they have taken only one point from their three matches and sit bottom of Group A. They have a new man in charge, Georges Wadenges becoming player-coach to replace former boss Thierry Sardo, and now is an ideal time to be taking on Ba.
The Fijians are without key players Avinesh Suwamy, Isimeli Narisia and Malakai Tiwa, all suspended after being sent off in the 4-1 loss to Tefana in the last round. Other recent events have also conspired against Ba with flooding throughout the country making it difficult for the squad to assemble for training sessions.
“There seems to be nothing in our advantage for this match and we are facing all sorts of problems,” president Rishikendra Kumar says. “We have not trained well as the recent flooding has affected our preparation and eight of our players have been directly affected by this natural disaster. It will be tough because Mont-Dore have the services of several players who were part of the New Caledonia team that won the gold medal at the Pacific Games.”
There will be just as much quality on show as Hekari host Vanuatu’s Amicale in Port Moresby with both sides needing a win to keep their hopes alive. Hekari coach Jerry Allen signed Fijian defender Ilatia Tuilau in the window – he joins countrymen Pita Bolatoga (suspended for this match), Taniela Waqa and Maciu Dunadamu at the club – while Amicale have picked up defender Samuela Kautoga – another Fijian – and striker Jean-Nako Naprapol.
Amicale coach Luke Eroi returns to the helm after missing the Auckland match to deal with personal matters at home in the Solomon Islands and knows a loss would put an end to the Reds’ dreams of repeating their final-making heroics of 2011.
2012 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 17 February
Stade Loius Gavinet
Faa’a, Tahiti
Local kick-off: 7.30pm
Referee: Isidore ASSIENE [NCL]
Assistant referee 1: Philippe REVEL [TAH]
Assistant referee 2: Paul AHUPU [TAH]
Fourth official: Norbert HAUATA [TAH]
Tefana: 23. Xavier SAMIN [GK], 2. Stephane FAATIARAU, 3. Pierre KUGOGNE, 6. Heimano BOUREBARE, 7. Taufa NEUFFER, 8. Tetiamana MARMOUYET, 10. Hiva KAMOISE, 11. Jean-Claude CHANG KOEI CHANG, 12. Viritua TIAIHO, 13. Stanley ATANI, 15. Lorenzo TEHAU, 16. Sebastien LABAYEN, 17. Roihau DEGAGE, 18. Tauraa MARMOUYET, 19. Alvin TEHAU, 20. Axel WILLIAMS, 21. Angelo TCHEN, 25. Leonce ROOMETUA [GK]
Coach: Laurent HEINIS
Waitakere United: 1. Carl JORGENSEN [GK], 2. Jason ROWLEY, 6. Matt CUNNEEN, 7. Martin BULLOCK, 8. Chris BALE, 10. Allan PEARCE, 11. Ross McKENZIE, 12. Roy KRISHNA, 14. Andrew BEVIN, 16. Neil EMBLEN, 17. Jake BUTLER, 20. Ryan DE VRIES, 22. Matthew UPTON [GK], 25. Sean LOVEMORE, 27. Ross HAVILAND
Coach: Neil EMBLEN
Mont-Dore [NCL] vs. Ba [FIJ]
Saturday 18 February
Stade Numa Daly
Noumea, New Caledonia
Local kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Peter O’LEARY [NZL]
Assistant referee 1: Didier MHUZO [NCL]
Assistant referee 2: Noel XOLAWAWA [NCL]
Fourth official: Jimmy WRIGHT [NCL]
Mont-Dore: 1. Jean-Jacques WACHOU [GK], 2. Dominique SAWA, 3. Jacques WAMYTAN, 4. Jean-Patrick WAKANUMUNE, 5. Georges WADENGES, 6. Olivier DOKUNENGO, 7. Patrick DIAIKE, 10. Romain PAINBENI, 11. Brian RONY ATTI, 12. Pierre NYIKEINE, 13. Loic WAKANUMUNE, 14. Steevens LONGUE, 15. Pascal KENON, 18. Jean-Marc HMALOKO, 19. Fabrice WACAPO, 20. Loic BESSIERES, 24. Yoann GERBET, 26. Pierre WEINANE
Coach: Georges WADENGES
Ba: 1. Jone RALULU [GK], 4. Manueli KALOU, 5. Ronil KUMAR, 6. Jone VESIKULA, 11. Alvin SINGH, 12. Remueru TEKIATE, 15. Rinal PRASAD, 18. Laisenia RAURA, 20. Mavileko NAKAMA, 21. Josefata NEIBULI, 24. Meli CODRO, 25. Aisea CODRO, 26. Marika MADIGI, 28. Jone SALAUNEUNE, 29. Osea VAKATALESAU
Coach: Yogendra DUTT
Auckland City [NZL] vs. Koloale [SOL]
Saturday 18 February
Kiwitea Street
Auckland, New Zealand
Local kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Averii JACQUES [TAH]
Assistant referee 1: Jan-Hendrik HINTZ [NZL]
Assistant referee 2: Nicholas VAN DER SALM [NZL]
Fourth official: Jamie CROSS [NZL]
Auckland City: 12. Tamati WILLIAMS [GK], 5. Angel BERLANGA, 6. Chad COOMBES, 7. James PRITCHETT, 8. David MULLIGAN, 9. Manel EXPOSITO, 10. Luis CORRALES, 11. Daniel KOPRIVCIC, 13. Alex FENERIDIS, 14. Adam DICKINSON, 15. Ivan VICELICH, 16. Albert RIERA, 21. Ivan RUIZ, 22. Andrew MILNE, 23. Simon ARMS, 24. Stephen CARMICHAEL, 25. Mario ILICH, 26. Liam ANDERSON [GK]
Coach: Ramon TRIBULIETX
Koloale: 20. Shadrack RAMONI [GK], 2. Isreal KOTE FANAI, 3. Freddie KINI, 4. Cecil BURU, 9. Benjamin TOTORI, 10. Ezra SALE, 11. Ian PAIA, 12. Gideon OMOKIRIO. 13. Lency SAENI, 14. Augustine SAMANI, 16. James NAKA, 21. David LAFAI [GK], 23. Steven ANISI, 25. Francis LAFAI, 29. Abraham EKE
Coach: Jeffrey ALLEN
Hekari United [PNG] vs. Amicale [VAN]
Saturday 18 February
PMRL Stadium
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Local kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Chris KERR [NZL]
Assistant referee 1: Hilary ANI [PNG]
Assistant referee 2: David CHARLES [PNG]
Fourth official: John KORIS [PNG]
Hekari United: 1. Leslie KALAI [GK], 2. Daniel JOE, 3. Ilatia TUILAU, 6. Samuel KINI, 7. Raymond GUNEMBA, 8. Maciu DUNADAMU, 9. Nigel DABINYABA, 10. Wira WAMA, 12. David MUTA, 13. Andrew LEPANI, 14. Neil HANS, 17. Kema JACK, 18. Eric KOMENG, 19. Koriak UPAIGA, 20. Godfrey BANIAU [GK], 23. Ian YANUM, 25. Taniela WAQA, 26. Bruce KUSUNAN
Coach: Jerry ALLEN
Amicale: 1. Ernest BONG [GK], 2. Rexley TARIVUTI, 3. Young PAUL, 4. Selwyn SESE ALA, 5. Richard ANISUA, 6. Nelson Sale KILIFA, 7. Jean-Robert YELOU, 9. Dereck MALAS, 11. Fenedy MASAUVAKALO, 13. Gibson DAUDAU, 14. Moffat DERAMOA, 15. Alphonse BONGNAIM, 17. Jean-Nako NAPRAPOL, 20. Chikau MANSALE [GK], 23. Samuela KAUTOGA, 26. Alick MAEMAE, 33. Joel NAKAPUE [GK]
Coach: Luke EROI
Source: OFC MEDIA
