Soccer: Four new faces for Auckland City in O-League

Auckland City FC training at Kiwitea Street. New Zealand Herald Photograph by Natalie Slade

Auckland City have added four new faces to their squad for the OFC Champions League in Fiji next month as they chase their fourth consecutive trip to the FIFA Club World Cup.

Hawke's Bay United midfielder Sean Morris joins the side along with Bay team-mate Sean Lovemore, while Mario Illich is promoted from the club's youth ranks, but the major acquisition for Auckland City FC is former K-League midfielder Daewook Kim.

Kim played made his K-League debut for Korean club Daejeon Citizen FC in 2010 before moving to National Police Agency FC, then Gyeongju Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power FC.

"Kim is technically very good and very fast on the ball, he definitely has everything to be an important player for our midfield but needs some time to readjust to what we do as well," said coach Ramon Tribulietx.

"These players come to fill in the positions we have lost players and adds competition to the squad as well as the extra motivation they will bring in for the Champions League.

"I think overall these are good additions that with a bit of time can be good players for our club."

Auckland have been drawn in a group with host club Nadi, AS Dragon and Amicale.

"Dragon and Amicale are well known as we have played them in recent years and they are two of the best island teams in the competition," said Tribulietx.

"They have also strengthened their squads very well, especially in the case of Amicale with a lot of European based players signing for the club.

"They are both good teams on the ball, their squads are full of talented players and definitely two very good challenges for us.

"I know a bit less about Nadi but have seen some footage and any team playing at home will be very motivated and dangerous."

The three group winners and the best runner-up advance to a home and away final to be played April 26/27 and May 3/4.

Dates for the OFC Champions League final are set for May 10/11 and May 17/18.

The winner of the OFC Champions League qualifies for the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2014.