Football: Draw released for President's Cup

Auckland City FC and Amicale drawn in separate groups at the OFC President's Cup. Credit: OFC via Phototek

The six teams involved in the OFC President's Cup now know the route they must take to become champions after confirmation of the official draw.

Four clubs and one age group international side each from the AFC and OFC will take part in the tournament - Amicale, Auckland City FC, Bodden Town, Busaiteen, Fiji U-20 and Singapore U-23.

The draw looks tight in both sections with the top two seeded teams - Oceania champions Auckland City FC and fulltime professional outfit Busaiteen - favourites to advance to the final.

But Bodden Town and Singapore U-23 will ensure the FIFA Club World Cup-bound Kiwis have their work cut out in the group stage.

OFC Competitions Michael Song says the draw guarantees the group stage will be competitive.

"Group A looks like a very tight section with Auckland City FC up against two contrasting styles of football from Asia and the Caribbean.

"But there's plenty of room for an upset to happen so drawing hard and fast conclusions about the outcome of this group is hasty," he says.

While Group A features three closely matched sides, Group B throws forward a stern challenge for the two Oceania representatives.

Last season's OFC Champions League runners-up Amicale and FIFA U-20 World Cup-bound Fiji take on former Bahraini premier league champions Busaiteen.

The fulltime professional Bahrainis have plenty of pedigree but they are struggling in their 10-team domestic competition languishing in eighth after four rounds.

"Busaiteen, despite their domestic struggles, will be favourites to top Group B but you can't write off Amicale who surprised everybody with their run to the OFC Champions League final last season.

"Fiji U-20 may have their work cut out to qualify for the final but Ravinesh Kumar will just be happy to see his youngsters get some tough preparatory matches under their belt in New Zealand conditions," Song says.

Amicale are in a rebuilding phase after surrendering their domestic title to arch-rivals Tafea FC and finishing third at the inaugural Melanesian Super Cup in Port Vila last week.

Fiji U-20 are cast as the competition's underdogs with Ravinesh Kumar and technical advisor Frank Farina eyeing next year's FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand as their priority.

The tournament will be held at The Trusts Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, from November 17-23.

The teams have been split into two groups and will compete in a round robin system before advancing to a play-off to determine the final placings on November 23.

The groups are as follows:

Group A
Auckland City FC (New Zealand)
Singapore U-23 (Asian Football Confederation)
Bodden Town (Cayman Islands)

Group B
Amicale (Vanuatu)
Busaiteen (Bahrain)
Fiji U-20 (Oceania Football Confederation)