City raring to go

Words: ACFC Media

Friday 8 March 2024

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Reigning Oceania Champions Auckland City FC can’t wait to take on New Zealand National League Campions Wellington Olympic in the first leg of the OFC Champions League Playoff on Saturday afternoon at Kiwitea Street.

By winning the 2022 and 2023 edition of the region’s premier club competition the Navy Blues have already secured their place in the revamped 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, however the 2024 OFC Champions League hosted by Tahiti will provide the winners entry to another prestigious international competition with participation at the inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup on offer at the end of the year.

With such high stakes, New Zealand’s top two clubs will be eager to resume their rivalry for a chance of representing their country on the international stage.

Olympic will go into the match high on confidence after defeating the Navy Blues in their final two outings of last year including last November’s National League Grand Final.

Last weekend the Greeks displayed their credentials by lifting the Charity Cup after defeating Chatham Cup Champions Christchurch United 3-0 to add the season’s first title on offer to their trophy cabinet.

That means Wellington Olympic have won the National League Championship league, grand final, Charity Cup and are current holders of the Mediterranean Cup.

The Mediterranean Cup is contested by both clubs head-to-head, although in this instance will be competed for over the two legs of the OFC Champions League National Playoff series.

However, Albert Riera’s charges are fully focussed on ending Olympic’s winning streak and grabbing an advantage ahead of the return leg in Wellington on 16 March.

Click HERE to watch the match live and free on FIFA Plus.

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD

2023

National League Grand Final
Wellington Olympic 2-0 Auckland City FC
WO: Kalilan Gould, Jack-Henry Sinclair
AC: N/A

National League Championship
Auckland City FC 1-3 Wellington Olympic
AC: Dylan Manickum
WO: Gianni Bouzoukis 2, Hamish Watson

OFC Champions League Playoff 2nd Leg
Auckland City FC 5-3 Wellington Olympic
AC: Liam Gillion, Emiliano Tade 3, Angus Kilkolly
WO: Ben Mata, Hamish Watson 2

OFC Champions League Playoff 1st Leg
Wellington Olympic 1-1 Auckland City FC
WO: Joel Stevens
AC: Christian Gray

2022

National League Championship Final
Auckland City FC 3-2 Wellington Olympic
AC: Liam Gillion, Gerard Garriga, Angus Kilkolly
WO: Tor Davenport Petersen, Ben Mata.

National League Championship
Wellington Olympic 1-2 Auckland City FC
WO: Gianni Bouzoukis
AC: Ryan De Vries, Own Goal

Chatham Cup Semi-Final
Auckland City FC 3-1 Wellington Olympic
AC: Dylan Manickum, Joe Lee, Emiliano Tade
WO: Jesse Randall

Match Details
OFC Champions League Qualifier 1st Leg
Saturday 9 March 2023
Auckland City FC vs Wellington Olympic AFC
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham
Kick-off: 2pm NZDT

AC 2023 OFC CL SQUAD: 1-Conor TRACEY (GK), 2- Mario ILICH, 3- Adam MITCHELL, 4-Christian GRAY, 6. Riley SEXTON, 7-Cam HOWIESON (c), 9-Angus KILKOLLY, 10-Dylan MANICKUM, 11-Ryan DE VRIES, 12-Regont MURATI, 13-Nathan LOBO, 14-Jordan VALE, 15- Caleb MOOSBALLY, 16-Joe LEE, 17-Joe RIDLEY, 18 - Areya PRASAD (GK), 19-Liam GILLION, 21- Adam BELL, 22-Tong ZHO, 23- Alfie ROGERS, 24-Joe WALLIS (GK), 25- Michael DEN HEIJER, 26-Rayan TAYEB, 27-Stipe UKICH.

SUSPENDED: 5- Timothy BOULET, 8-Gerard GARRIGA.

COACH: Albert RIERA
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
GK COACH: Enaut ZUBIKARAI
TECHNICAL: Adria CASALS
TECHNICAL: Jarrod WALLACE
LOGISTICS: Keith COTON
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE