“It’s everything”- City Chairman on Champions League

Words: ACFC Media

Thursday 11 May 2023

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC Chairman Ivan Vuksich spoke about the significance of the OFC Champions League for the players and the entire club as the Navy Blues departed to Vanuatu for their Oceania title defence.

City are the undisputed heavyweights of the Pacific having won the region’s premier club football competition on ten previous occasions, including the 2022 edition which was hosted in Auckland by the Oceania Football Confederation.

However, Vuksich admits he is nervous ahead of the upcoming tournament and nobody at the club is taking anything for granted.

The City Chairman believes the team will face huge challenges as they embark on the quest of defending their continental crown against some very good opposition in conditions they are not used to.

With another Champions League title and qualification for the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia on the line, Vuksich says the next couple of weeks could define the Navy Blues gruelling domestic and international season.

“What it means for the club? It’s everything, because if we win in Vanuatu - and it’s a big if, because the last time we played in the islands we got beaten in the semi-finals, so we don’t underestimate the task - but if we should win and be fortunate enough to win, it means that we go to the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, which in itself is going to be a wonderful experience, wonderful for the boys because at the end of the day that’s about the only reward they can get for having a hellishly long season,” explained the City Chairman.

“Last year 42 games in 36 weeks, this year if we go all the way in all competitions it will end up about 45 games, so it’s a gruelling season and there has to be some reward for these guys for putting a huge effort in.

“We are not underestimating this, last time we won it was in Auckland, we had a bit of a home advantage. I’am nervous because I know how good these teams are in their home environment I know how their crowd gets behind them and really supports them, yeah it’s going to be tough,” Vuksich said.

Auckland City will begin their campaign against the Solomon Warriors on Sunday 14 May in Luganville.

Match Details

OFC Champions League - Group A

Sunday 14 May 2023
Auckland City FC v Solomon Warriors
Luganville Soccer City Stadium, Vanuatu
Kick-off: 12h00 local time / 1.00pm NZST