Auckland City FC Eyes Perfect Group Stage Finish Against Rewa

Navy Blues Aim to Extend Unbeaten Streak in Honiara

HONIARA, Solomon Islands – Auckland City FC will wrap up their OFC Champions League 2025 Group A campaign on Saturday with a showdown against Fiji’s Rewa at Lawson Tama Stadium.

The reigning champions have already secured their spot in the semi-finals with two victories and are yet to concede a goal in the tournament. A win or draw in this fixture will see them finish at the top of their group, reinforcing their dominance in Oceania’s premier club competition.

Road to the Semi-Finals

Auckland City opened their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over AS Pirae before delivering a composed 2-0 triumph against AS Tiga Sport. These performances underline their status as favorites to claim a record-extending 13th OFC Champions League title.

For Rewa, however, the tournament has been disappointing. Consecutive losses against AS Pirae and AS Tiga Sport have already confirmed their elimination, making this fixture their final chance to salvage some pride before exiting the competition.

Tactical Rotations in the Heat

Auckland City head coach Paul Posa has indicated that squad rotation will be key for this encounter, considering the challenging conditions in Honiara.

“Players have had a lot of tough football in two days in the heat, so we’ve just got to rotate and use the squad. We’ll be making some changes,” said Posa, hinting that some of his key players may be rested ahead of the semi-finals.

While the starting lineup remains uncertain, this match presents an opportunity for the squad’s fringe players to impress and stake their claim for a spot in the knockouts.

Rewa’s Last Stand

Rewa has struggled to gain a foothold in the competition, with their lack of attacking cohesion proving costly. However, they will be eager to put up a fight and end their campaign with a performance that showcases their quality.

Despite their struggles, Rewa could look to frustrate the Navy Blues with a compact defensive setup while attempting to catch them on the counterattack.

Aiming for Perfection

With an eye on the semi-finals, Auckland City FC will aim to finish the group stage on a high note, balancing their ambition with the need to manage player fitness. As the tournament favorites march on, Honiara braces for another captivating display from the region’s football powerhouse.

MATCH DETAILS

OFC Champions League 2025 – Group A
Saturday, 5 April
Rewa FC (FIJ) vs Auckland City FC
Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara
Kick-off: 3:00pm (Local time) | 5:00pm (NZT)

Auckland City FC Squad for OFC Champions League 2025

Goalkeepers: Conor Tracey, Areya Prasad, Nathan Garrow
Defenders: Adam Mitchell (C), Christian Gray, Nikko Boxall, Jordan Vale, Otto Ingham, Adam Bell
Midfielders: Gerard Garriga, Dylan Manickum, Jackson Manuel, Joe Lee, Jerson Lagos, Dylan Connoly, Matt Ellis, David Yoo, Haris Zeb
Forwards: Myer Bevan, Ryan De Vries, Nathan Lobo, Michael Den Heijer, Tong Zhou

Coaching Staff:
Head Coach: Paul Posa
Assistant Coaches: Ivan Vicelich, Adria Casals
Goalkeeper Coach: Jonas Hoffmann
Physiotherapists: Matt Payne, Zara Ellis
Team Manager: Keith Coton