Marist eye upset in OFC Champs League deciders

Marist FC hasn’t given up hope of sneaking into the OFC Champions League football semi-finals.

But the Solomon Islands champions admit they'll need to be at their very best to upset hosts and Group D leaders AS Tefana in Papeete.

The Honiara club was 4-2 winners against Fiji's Rewa in their first match but suffered a frustrating 2-1 defeat to Vanuatu side Erakor in midweek.

They need to beat Tefana by at least two goals to give themselves a chance of progressing to the next round and coach Juliano Schmeling said anything was possible.

"The players are still growing, still improving, they're a young squad. They're really enjoying this challenge, the challenge for a very young group but the challenge that if we want to qualify for the semi-finals we need to pass through this challenge," Schmeling said.

"They're happy and looking forward to get a good performance on the Friday [local time]."

"Definitely we respect Tefana because they have been in the O-League for many years. [They have a] strong squad, playing at home but in the game anything can happen," he said.

"We need to get a good strategy for the game, some good plans, good task for our players and perform well. Especially if we don't have any individual mistakes I believe we still have a chance."

Erakor also have a slim chance of finishing top of they can beat Rewa by at least five goals and hope Marist beat Tefana by a solitary strike.

Meanwhile in Group C hosts Auckland City are well placed to advance in their bid for a seventh straight Oceania crown.

The Navy Blues might already have top spot secured by the time they face winless Malampa Revivors from Vanuatu.

But coach Ramon Tribulietx said they won't be taking anything for granted.

"We need to make sure that we are tuned up for the game. It's going to be another difficult battle against a team that's going to run and run and run with a lot of intensity. We need to make sure we're up for it."

Papua New Guinea's Lae City and Western United from Solomon Islands square off in the early kick off, needing big wins to overtake Auckland on goal difference.

Even if that does come to pass, a draw or better will be enough for the defending champs to join Team Wellington and AS Magenta in the final four.

Photo: OFC Media Solomon Islands futsal coach Juliano Schmeling.