Peverley: Warriors to be respected

Words: ACFC Media

Saturday 7 April 2018

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Navy Blues midfielder, Cole Peverley is excited after a positive group stage to feature in the next phase of the OFC Champions League, when Auckland City FC host the Solomon Warriors on Sunday.

After linking up with the Navy Blues midway through the season from Team Wellington, Peverley has made an instant impact in Auckland City FC’s OFC Champions League campaign.

Starting in all three Champions League group matches, Peverley played a vital role at the heart of midfield when Auckland City FC brushed through Group C last month.

Ahead of this weekend’s game, Peverley acknowledges the challenge of playing a side like the Solomon Warriors and keeping a positive mentality will earn them the right result.

“We’re all excited, obviously to get back into it after a positive group stage, the team is obviously coming off some really good results.”

“The fact that we haven’t conceded a goal in so many minutes, we go into the game with high confidence, but obviously it’s not going to be an easy match we know they’re a good team and we’ve got to switched on to get the job done.”

“As a team and the way we set up and the confidence we have with our defending and especially in our attacking as well, if you go into games with that goal of not conceding, you’ve got a good chance of getting a result and a positive one.”

The Solomon Warriors may have never beaten the Navy Blues before, but pose a serious attacking threat on the counter-attack, with the attacking talent of Gagame Feni, Kensi Tangis and Jerry Donga.

Peverley understands the consequences of giving the Solomon Island side the time and space to do perform their attacking flair.

“Gagame’s played in New Zealand before, for Canterbury and a few other clubs, and we know what those players can be like.”

“I’ve played with Henry Fa’arodo at Team Wellington for a few years, and they all play a similar style where they can hurt you if you’re not switched on, if you lose the ball, they can counter, they’re quick and that’s their strength with these island teams.”

“They can be very unpredictable, but we’ve got be on our toes and like I said defend properly and do the job.”

The match will kick off at Kiwitea Street at 2pm.

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