This is a step in the wrong direction.
The high-stakes prize is simply too valuable to be rushed through under such a quickfire structure.
OFC's quirky Fijian experiment has produced some quality football and the Confederation deserves credit for their work in getting the games broadcast live on Sky TV.
But the knockout stages of the tournament need to stand alone, allowing the clubs to benefit from hosting these critical clashes, showcasing OFC's talent around the Confederation and giving the best team the best chance of winning.
The OFC penny counters will have comfortably shaved off a few hundred thousand by doing it on the cheap in Fiji.
But they won't have saved half as much as they spent on the exorbitant President's Cup tournament which cost $600,000 to host in New Zealand last November.
Can't remember it? That's because the tournament that included teams like Cayman Island champions Bodden Town FC, Bahrain outfit Busaiteen FC and a Fiji U-20 team hardly registered in the public's eye.
The tournament is the brainchild of OFC president David Chung who is, for some reason, planning another one in August.
So while the O-League and the OFC Nations Cup (which is also being turned from a home-and-away series into a one-off tournament) are cutting costs, the President's Cup, which is not a Fifa qualifying tournament, is swimming in cash.
Team Wellington stand the best chance of profiting from the O-League tournament structure as a two-week getaway at the end of their regular season. They've shamelessly hoovered up the best of the rest from the ASB Premiership.
In came former Waitakere trio Aaron Scott, Jake Butler and Chris Bale along with Hawkes Bay frontman Sean Lovemore and Southern United's Tom Jackson.
Wellington would find it hard to topple the dominant Auckland City over two legs in New Zealand, but a one-off final in humid Fijian conditions could be anyone's game.
Auckland are the best team and should win the tournament. But if they don't and Wellington do, the trickle-down effect could represent a fundamental changing of the guard in New Zealand football.
New Zealand's top players would suddenly migrate to Wellington for the 2015-16 national league season with an eye on the Club World Cup.
That raises the stakes in Fiji even higher.
Auckland City wary of OFC ambush in Suva semifinal showdown
Auckland City FC coach Ramon Tribulietx is taking no chances for today's OFC Champions League showdown with FC Gaitcha at ANZ Stadium in Suva.
The Navy Blues have been impressive so far, notching three wins from three, scoring nine goals, with three clean sheets.
They also go into the FC Gaitcha clash knowing the club has never lost to a club from New Caledonia.
But despite that impressive record, Auckland City FC would do well to show respect for a country that has proved difficult for the All Whites to beat at international level.
Strikers Bertrand Kai, a one-time OFC Player of the Year, attacking midfielder Marius Bako, wide man Patrick Diaike and Jean-Christ Wajoka could all pose problems for the Navy Blues, having rattled 13 goals past Lupe Ole Soaga and AS Pirae in the first round.
Auckland City FC captain Ivan Vicelich was part of the All Whites team that were beaten 2-0 by New Caledonia in 2012, a match where Kai scored a brilliant solo goal to eliminate New Zealand from the OFC Nations Cup and Confederations Cup contention.
Vicelich is under no illusions about the threat carried by FC Gaitcha's talented group.
"This will be a very difficult game, even if we are in a good run of form. Gaitcha are a strong attacking team and pose a danger with their long throw-ins.
"Marius Bako is also a player we need to be careful about and they have good attacking options," Vicelich said.
Defence is one area where FC Gaitcha have struggled, conceding six goals in just three matches.
Goalkeeper Rocky Nykeine is somewhat unorthodox, yet was inspirational in Les Cagous' win over the All Whites three years ago.
Most of those recent goals were leaked at set-pieces, which is encouraging for Auckland City after Joao Moreira bagged an opener from a corner in the 3-0 win over Amicale last Tuesday night.
Tribulietx and his team went through a final training session at the Fiji FA Academy yesterday and have only one injury concern, Oscar Garcia, who is rehabilitating a hamstring injury.
Darren White, sent off in the win over Amicale, is suspended for two matches but Auckland City have lodged an appeal to the OFC.
OFC Champions League semifinal
• Auckland City FC v FC Gaitcha.
• ANZ Stadium, Suva, 3.30pm.
• Live on Sky Sport
Team Wellington v Ba.
7pm.
Live on Sky Sport
