Soccer: Domestic rivals behind Auckland's bid for O-League riches

Aaron McFarland. Photo / Natalie Slade

Auckland City carry not only their own aspirations into tomorrow's second leg of their O-League final with Vanuatu champions Amicale, but the hopes of the other seven ASB Championship clubs.

City, with a handy 2-1 lead after the away leg in Port Vila, know victory in the Oceania Champions League guarantees them a spot in December's Fifa Club World Cup in Japan and, with it, a minimum US$500,000 payout.

With the other New Zealand clubs set to share a healthy percentage, City will not be lacking support at Kiwitea St. City co-coach Aaron McFarland said: "We know how disappointed we all were when Waitakere did not make it least year."

Determined to shrug off the disappointment of losing last Sunday's ASB Premiership grand final to Waitakere, McFarland said winning the O-League had always been the priority. "We are in a good position after winning up there. We know if we don't concede a goal we go through but we also know it won't be easy.

"In Vanuatu we were perhaps fortunate Alex Maemae didn't play and that he is not down to play this game either, but they have other threats.

"While we won't go out to play for a draw, we want to defend by keeping possession and play the type of game we have all season. They have tactical weaknesses we can exploit."

After missing last Sunday's final, All Whites midfielder David Mulligan is expected to play at least some part. Much will depend on a fitness check on Albert Riera.

McFarland sees playing on the smaller, and smoother, Kiwitea St ground as an advantage. "We could see in the first leg some players were uncertain how the ball would roll. We play our best football at Kiwitea St. It is a big advantage especially if, as predicted, it is wet and cooler."

City captain and All White Ivan Vicelich, who has led their defence superbly all season, will again be aware of ace Amicale striker Fenedy Masauvakalo, who took his O-League tally for the season to six with their sole strike in the first leg.

Amicale technical director William Malas, who is joined on the coaching staff by coach Luke Eroi and assistant Philemon John, believes the tie can still go either way.

"They are ready for the game and the training has been going very well," Malas says. "We felt we should have beaten Auckland back home - we gave them the opportunity to win. It's an open door for us now, we've seen how Auckland play and know we can beat them."

The 18-strong Amicale squad arrived in Auckland on Wednesday and Malas says they have adjusted quickly to the conditions.

"It's a little bit colder in the evening and at night but during the day it seems like we have brought our Vanuatu weather with us. We hope this weather will continue."

O-League final

Second leg

* Auckland City v Amicale
* Where: Kiwitea St
* When: Tomorrow 2pm
* Referee: Norbert Hauata (Tahiti)