OFC Champions League 2019

They will be joined in the last eight by Fiji's Ba FC, who beat Kiwi FC 5-1 to leapfrog Erakor into second place in the group thanks to their superior goal difference.

With their qualification destiny out of their hands, Ba FC's main goal was to ensure they do their part by defeating Kiwi FC before hoping for Team Wellington to do them a favour by overcoming Erakor at Port Vila's Korman Stadium.

Currently sitting in third place with a loss and a draw Ba must defeat Samoa’s Kiwi FC by a healthy margin in Friday’s opening game in order to leapfrog Erakor in the standings, before the hosts take on the table topping team Wellington to conclude proceedings in Vanuatu.

Following a narrow 2-nil defeta to Team Wellington and a dramatic come-from-behind draw with Erakor Golden Star, the Men in Black from Fiji will fancy their chances against Kiwi FC anchored to the bottom of the group without a point.

Drawn into Group C, alongside Vanuatu’s National Super League grand final champions Erakor Golden Star, Samoa National League champions and Qualifying tournament runners-up Kiwi FC, Team Wellington will kick of their title defence with Saturday’s group opener against Fiji Premier League runners-up Ba FC at Port Vila’s Korman Stadium.

Following their arrival at Bauerfield International Airport, Jose Figueira’s troops from the New Zealand capital could not hide their excitement about the task ahead of them.