With unpredictable conditions looming and a huge range of experience throughout the different teams, none of the four contenders are feeling complacent for Match Day 1 of the 2017 OFC Champions League Qualifier.
Lupe Ole Soaga, qualifiers in 2015, are hoping to repeat history with coach Paul Ualesi still at the helm. The Ualesi-led side enjoyed success not only in the 2015 qualifier but also the main competition, however two years on they will still be preparing for competitive opening match against Utulei Youth FC.
“We’ve really prepared hard for all of the opponents because we don’t want to underestimate any team,” Ualesi said.
“It’s the first game and we know it will be a big challenge for the team,” he added.
Overcoming hurdles as they arise and working on the team’s weaknesses has been imperative in Ualesi’s preparation of the side, but he is now confident they have the ability to repeat history.
“We need to be finishing well because we can’t win without finishing, and we need to win to qualify for the second stage,” he said.
“I’m confident for my team to play well. If they really play well and with discipline I think we’re going to be a top opposition.”
Utulei Youth coach Pita Sinapati has been working hard to prepare his side for the OFC Champions League Qualifier and hopes to cause an upset when they take on their Samoan opponents.
“We’ve been trying to build a team to compare to the standard of the competition,” he said.
“I know Lupe Ole Soaga are fit and their skills are maybe more accurate than ours but you never know.
“As of right now I am very confident because we’ve been combining as a team for two months now and I’m rooting for my team. I’ve got big confidence in them.”
Sinapati believes his team will prove themselves a worthy contender in the competition if they focus on working together and persevering for the full 90 minutes.
“Our goal is teamwork, never give up, and to keeping moving,” he said.
Veitongo coach Timote Moleni is looking forward to his side displaying their talent in front of a strong home crowd on Saturday, but knows the Cook Islands champions are going to be one of their hardest challenges.
“We don’t know much about Puaikura or the players they have from overseas but we know they will be a big challenge,” he said.
“They are the main team of our focus. If they win our game, I think the Puaikura team will definitely have a place in the Champions League.
“I’m confident in Veitongo and I am happy to face any challenge with them because I know the team came here for the game. They are here to play football.”
Moleni hopes that having the support of the crowd will give Veitongo the motivation to rise to the occasion and show the community their talent.
“I know that football is not a popular sport in Tonga, only rugby, but with the competition running in Tonga, maybe the people will come and support our team. We’re looking forward to it.”
With little knowledge on competition debutants Veitongo, Puaikura coach Matt Calcott is focusing on his own team’s performance, ensuring they play their best game regardless of their opponent.
“It’s pretty tough in the qualifier to find out a lot of information about the other teams but I think what will be important for us is that we concentrate on our own performance on Saturday,” he said.
“There’s been a lot of hard work that’s gone into Puaikura winning the league and qualifying and it’s great to come on board to build on that work which Anthony Samuela has done throughout the season,” he added.
With the high level of football development happening across the region, Calcott is going into the first game cautious of the challenges his side will have to overcome to earn the three points.
“The physicality of all the teams will be a big challenge for us,” he said.
“All the teams are improving due to the good work and the coach education around OFC and things like that.
“The game is really starting to improve in the region, which means all of the sides are a lot better prepared than they’ve been in the past.”
In spite of that, Calcott is confident the positive culture in Puaikura will help them prove dominant contenders.
“There’s a really good team spirit,” he said.
“A lot of them were in the U-20s together so it’s a young, hungry kind of team.
“We’ve gained a little bit of experience with some of the players from New Zealand. They’re not experienced in terms of age but they’re experienced in terms of football. They’ve had a lot of Champions League games and that’s great to see.
“If that experience can lend a hand to what is an already existing, excellent culture within the group, then I think we can get there.”
Utulei Youth will face Lupe Ole Soaga in the opening match of the round robin competition at Loto Tonga Soka Centre on 28 February at midday (local time), before Veitongo and Puaikura kick off at 3pm (local time).
Extra Information:
Utulei Youth FC [ASA] vs. Lupe Ole Soaga [SAM]
Loto Tonga Soka Centre
Nuku’Alofa, Tonga
Saturday 28 January
Kick-off: 12h00 (local)