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We must refocus on Oceania - Berlanga

Words: ACFC Media

Tuesday 3 April 2018

Picture: Phototek

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC captain Angel Berlanga wants the Navy Blues to refocus their efforts when they take on Solomon Warriors in the one-off OFC Champions League quarter-final on Sunday.

The Navy Blues are riding the crest of a wave after picking up their seventh ISPS Handa Premiership trophy to go along with their fifth consecutive minor title but Berlanga says his team must push on for more honours.

"The OFC Champions League is a new challenge, a new competition to think about and we have to pick ourselves up and drive on.

"We have to focus on this because the Oceania Champions League is the big trophy and its the one that gets you to the FIFA Club World Cup.

"We've done very well in the OFC Champions League over the last few years and we want to keep doing our best for everyone at our club," Berlanga told www.aucklandcityfc.com

Auckland City FC came through the group stage of the Champions League with three wins over Madang FC (5-0), Lautoka (1-0) and AS Venus (7-0) and face a Solomon Warriors side stacked with top talent.

The Warriors confirmed their place in the last eight with a narrow 2-1 win over AS Dragon on 17 February courtesy of goals from Kensi Tangis and Judd Molea. They also defeated AS Lossi 6-1 after losing their campaign opener to Erakor Golden Star 2-0.

Victory over the Solomon Warriors could set-up a potential semi-final re-match with Team Wellington scheduled for late April.

That fixture would be played on a home and away basis on the weekends of April 21-22 and 28-29.

Berlanga, who made his 179th club appearance in the victory over Team Wellington, reflected on Sunday's efforts with pride as the Navy Blues ended an unwanted run of back-to-back grand final defeats.

"That was a very tough game because Team Wellington represented themselves very well. We defended very well and prevented them from scoring and at the end we created some very good chances and thankfully Callum took one of them.

"Small details made the difference in the end. You never know whats going to happen in a final. These games can be so emotional. Team Wellington had a lot of control of the ball so we had to defend a bit deep but we knew we were a threat on the counter attack through Callum and Micah Lea'alafa. We knew we could score.

"We try our best to defend our goal and our keeper Enaut Zubikarai is always helping us from the back, organising our defence. Our midfielders and forwards contribute to that by their movements in front of us - they must've covered 20 kilometres each," Berlanga said.

On the transfer front the club saw Harry Edge depart the Navy Blues to return to Central Premier League side Western Suburbs AFC. Edge, who joined Auckland City FC in 2016-17, saw little game time and sealed his return to the capital last week.

Jordan Vale, who turned out for ISPS Handa Premiership rivals Eastern Suburbs AFC and captained them in the recent semi-final defeat to the Navy Blues, has signed for Auckland City FC as a replacement. Vale has turned out for Auckland City FC in the past at both senior and youth level.

Auckland City FC take on Solomon Warriors at Kiwitea Street on Sunday 8 April 2018. The match kicks off at 2pm NZST.

Ends

Match Details
OFC Champions league Quarter Final
Sunday 8 April 2018
Auckland City FC v Solomon Warriors
Kiwitea Street, Sandringham, Auckland
Kick-off: 2pm NZST
#OFCCL

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