NADI, Fiji - Auckland City FC’s OFC Champions League campaign has already delivered two wins from two, ensuring safe passage to the semi‑finals with a game to spare.
15 August 2026
Yet Sunday’s clash with Tahitian champions AS Vénus in Ba is no dead rubber for Rudy Mozr’s side.
The Navy Blues opened in Lautoka with a comeback victory over Central Coast FC, Gerard Garriga and Ryan De Vries striking late to turn the tie.
Matchday 2 brought another late show — skipper Mario Ilich heading home in the 85th minute to secure a 1–0 win over AS Tiga Sport and confirm qualification.
By contrast, AS Vénus have endured a bruising campaign.
A narrow 0–1 defeat to AS Tiga was followed by a heavy 0–3 loss to Central Coast, leaving the Tahitians eliminated before the final round.
Coach’s View
“We have obviously six points but our main aim is to get nine after the group stage and go from there,” Mozr said.
Pressed on whether rotation might be on the cards, he was emphatic: “A lot of people keep asking me, will you rotate, will you change the team? Whatever team we put on Sunday, it’s going to be a team to win the game,” the Navy Blues’ head coach insisted.
“That’s the clear message and we’ll try our best to make sure that we have full points after the group stage.”
Group A Standings
Clubrooms Double Header
It’s a huge Sunday at Kiwitea. After City’s Oceania campaign, Central United’s women face Te Atatu AFC in a pivotal NRF Women’s League 1 showdown. Two matches. Two teams. One home.
MATCH DETAILS
OFC Champions League 2026 – Group A
Auckland City FC vs AS AS Vénus (TAH)
Sunday 16 August 2026
Kick‑off: 12:00 PM
Govind Park, Ba FIJI
OCL SQUAD: 1. Cam BROWN (GK) 2. Mario ILICH (C) 4. Christian GRAY 5. Nathan ROSTRON 6. Nikko BOXALL 7. Michal DOUDERA 8. Gerard GARRIGA 10. Dylan MANICKUM 11. Ryan DE VRIES 13. Nathan LOBO 14. Shan ANAND 15. Jeremy FOO 17. Ryan WATSON 19. Rhys DAVIES 18. Ari PRASAD (GK) 20. Pavel OSMANčIK 21. Bono KACUROV 23. Alfie ROGERS 24. Matt FOORD (GK) 25. Mike Den HEIJER, 26. Matt ELLIS 27. Tom GOLDING 30 Ari PRASAD
HEAD COACH: Rudy MOZR
ASSISTANT COACH: Ivan VICELICH
ASSISTANT COACH: Alan SHAKER
GOALKEEPER COACH: Adam BANNISTER
TRAINER: Karlo PAVIC
PHYSIO: Matt PAYNE
PHYSIO: Zara ELLIS
TEAM MANAGER: Keith COTON
