OFC Champions League

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.

However with a match against rising Solomon Islands powerhouse Marist in their final Group D match, the race to claim that berth in the semi-finals alongside Team Wellington and AS Magenta is far from over.

For his part, Marist coach Juliano Schmeling believes if his side can pick themselves up following their loss to Erakor Golden Star, then anything could happen on the day.

“It’s definitely not easy with the way we lost our second match, but Friday will be a big day because at least three teams are still in the running.”

Malampa Revivors opened with a significantly stronger performance in their 1pm fixture against Western United, forcing the speedy Solomons to fight to the final whistle for the 2-1 win.

Western earned an early lead when Joses Nawo sent in an impressive shot from the right edge of the 18-yard box in the 25th minute but the Ni-Vanuatu first-timers lifted their intensity after conceding and the rest of the half saw a more equal spread of possession as Malampa Revivors fought for the equaliser.

Wanting to prove themselves a valid contender in this competition, Erakor Golden Star were hoping to make three points their own last evening.

However with Marist chasing their second win in a bid to set themselves up comfortably going into their final match the opening Group D match proved a thriller.

The Solomon Islands club champions almost made an early impression on the match when Atkin Kaua fired in a powerful effort that veteran keeper Chikau Mansale dealt with well.

Vanuatu champions Amicale FC have previously criticised the $NZ10,000 entry fee imposed on teams and the decision to play the tournament in one central location, denying club's the chance to play at home and boost revenue.

RNZI reports from next year, a record 16 teams will take part in the group stage, in four groups being contested at four different venues, with the semis and final to be played home and away.

Amicale technical director Anthony Pisano said the chance to play in front of their home supporters is well overdue.

Had it not been for Joao Moreira’s belated intervention for the defending champions, both games would have ended in 1-1 draws and thrown Group A wide open. That goal could therefore prove crucial as Auckland will now be favourites to finish top, although Amicale can still do so if they beat the New Zealanders in the group’s all-important final game on Sunday.

Attention returned to Group C on Match Day 4 at Auckland’s QBE Stadium and there was certainly much for those in attendance to mull over with both fixtures providing no shortage of talking points.

The tone of the action-packed day was set within minutes of the opening game, a typically feisty Francophone derby between New Caledonia’s AS Magenta and their Tahitian rivals AS Tefana, who finished the game with just nine players on the park.

Team Wellington and Hekari United have been drawn into the same group for the second year running where they will be joined by Suva, a side desperate to improve on last year’s disappointing performance on home soil, and newcomers AS Lössi.

Vanuatu club champions Amicale FC have recruited heavily from overseas, with six Italians, an Argentinian, a Brazilian, a Scot and two New Zealander joining the club's Solomon Island imports and local Vanuatu contingent.

RNZI reports they finished third three years ago and runners-up in 2014 but last year failed to make it out of the group phase.

The annual competition is bringing the region’s top 12 teams to Auckland to battle it out for the regional crown and a chance to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup - and OFC TV will be there capturing all the action. 

The tournament gets underway on 8 April and coverage of this year’s event is a mix of live broadcasting and streaming.