OFC Final: Clash of Kiwis

Pictured Auckland City vs Team Wellington 2015 OFC Final Suva, Fiji (Picture Simon Abana)

By OFC Media

In their third-consecutive OFC Champions League final play-off, New Zealand clubs Auckland City and Team Wellington will meet at Kiwitea Street in Auckland this Sunday for the first of two matches, both hopeful of claiming a spot at the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2017.

With varying results between the two teams throughout their season in the 2016-2017 New Zealand Premiership, Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx believes Team Wellington’s line-up is stronger than ever this year, and expects both clashes will be neck-and-neck.

“The main difference this year compared to last year is that they’re looking to keep the ball a little bit longer, and they look to pass a bit more than they used to, but they’re still a very direct team that benefits a lot from counter-attacking football,” he said.

“They’re very dangerous on set pieces as well, that’s how we conceded in the national league final. They’ve got very good players and they’re well-organised out of possession. When they had to drop deep – like in the second half of that final – they defended well.”

“We have to be prepared for a very tough game. That’s what we’re expecting. It will be a very tough final. There’s a big reward at stake and obviously both teams understand that.”

After dominating AS Magenta 7-1 in the second leg of their semi-final two weeks ago, Team Wellington are hungry for another victory, but coach Jose Figueira is preparing for a tough first leg at the six-time consecutive champions’ home ground.

“Auckland City have got a tremendous record at Kiwitea Street,” he said.

“They’ve got good support behind them, they’ve got many players that have played in many finals, and many other things swinging in their favour, especially at home, but we’ve shown – at home and on the road – that we can score goals.

“We’re a team that likes to attack and get on the front foot so we’ll be aiming to try and do the same thing.”