Auckland City FC and Amicale FC of Vanuatu are set to go head-to-head in the final of the inaugural OFC President's Cup tomorrow in what will be a replay of the 2014 OFC Champions League final.
Reigning regional club champions Auckland City may have beaten Vanuatu rivals Amicale FC toqualify for next month's FIFA Club World Cup, but that has left Oceania's runners-up with plenty to prove going into tomorrow's final.
Much has changed for both sides with Auckland City bringing in several new players, including former Amicale defender Marko Dordevic and Nigerian striker Sanni Issa. Both players are yet to make an appearance at this tournament but will jump at the chance to take on their former teammates.
Amicale have also made changes with local talents Francois Sakama, Fenedy Masauvakalo and Dominique Fred joined by former All White Ian Hogg as well as Australian imports Panagiotis Nikas, Adrian Ucchino and Michele Grazia.
While Amicale are going through a rebuilding phase the ease in which they beat professional Bahraini club Busaiteen to qualify for the final indicates they're on the right path and Auckland should be ready for a challenge.
Newcomer Hogg says while it's taken some time to get used to each other's patterns of play, the side is coming together well.
"Everyone is there for one goal and that's to win," he says. "When you have everyone sort of pushing for a starting place it's good competition.
"I think some of the Amicale boys were hoping it would be Auckland City in the final so they could get some revenge for the loss in the Champions League final last season. I'm really looking forward to it as I've still got a few friends there and it should be a good match," the former City man says.
For Ramon Tribulietx the OFC President's Cup final is welcome preparation for his side ahead of Morocco.
"It's a big game. We know they're very good, they have a few new players in there - or quite a lot of new players, a new team. But they've kept the island players that are very good technically," Tribulietx says.
"They are very motivated and that's what we saw when they played Busaiteen, they are motivated to win. It will be a tough one, a very difficult match, but we hope to recover well and be competitive on Sunday."
