In a replay of last year's O-League final, Vanuatu champions Amicale meet a rampant Auckland City at Kiwitea St this afternoon. Both teams go into the match unbeaten with the group leadership at stake.
In last year's final City won 2-1 in Vanuatu and sealed the title with a 4-0 win at home. The Ramon Tribulietx-coached Auckland side went on to represent Oceania in last month's Fifa Club World Cup.
In matches this season City won 4-1 over Koloale FC in Honiara and beat previous O-League winners Hekari United 2-0 at Kiwitea St. Amicale have played Hekari and Koloale at home for a 1-1 draw and 2-0 win.
The visitors are under no illusion as they face this huge hurdle.
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Advertise with NZME."The Auckland players are experienced and they play quality football but I think we will give them a good run," said Amicale's technical director William Malas. "If our boys can do well in this game, it will put us in a good position going into the last three matches."
Malas is taking more of a hands-on role for the game as coach Luke Eroi has some personal matters to attend to in his native Solomon Islands.
Malas' task has been made more difficult as he is without Seimata Chilia, who left for former club Tupuji Imere earlier this month, and Solomon Islands internationals Jack Wetney and Joe Luwi.
They do have the services of former Auckland City player Alick Maemae however and will be looking to the skillful midfielder to challenge the always well-organised City defence.
The home team will also be wary of Fenedy Masauvakalo who scored Amicale's solitary goal in last season's two-leg final. He also claimed the O-League's golden boot.
This catch-up game completes the third round after being delayed through City's involvement in the Fifa tournament in Japan. It was very much a return to business as usual for City on Saturday as they maintained their season-long unbeaten record with a 3-0 win over Canterbury United - and a season-long goal count of 29-5.
Tribulietx was pleased with his team's return after the Christmas break but made it clear he is taking it "a game at a time" in what has been, and will continue to be, a busy season.
After the win over Canterbury Tribulietx said they would savour their sixth straight ASB Premiership win before returning to work on Monday to prepare for today's game.
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Advertise with NZME.He was pleased to get through that tester largely unscathed and played down the significance of losing key players Andreu Guerao and Ian Hogg.
Andrew Milne picked up a strain against Canterbury but should be fit.
Of Guerao's return to Europe where he has joined Georgian side Dinamo Tblisi,
Tribulietx said he was disappointed to lose a player of his ability.
"He will be a big loss but it was inevitable," said Tribulietx. "Replacing him will not be just a matter of one player but a number of different alternatives in the depth of our squad."
On what they have shown this season, the O-League champions are capable of doing that.
Auckland City v Amicale (Vanuatu)
Kiwitea Street
Today 5.45pm
Referee: Kader Zitouni (Tahiti)
