by Ronald Toito’ona
Auckland City FC remains confident but cautious about the challenges ahead, as they prepare to defend their title at the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Men’s Champions League 2025, which is set to kick off in Honiara tomorrow.
In an exclusive interview with In-depth Solomons yesterday, Head Coach Paul Posa spoke about the team’s approach, the pressures of such a competition, and the evolving football landscape in the Oceania region.
Auckland City FC has long dominated the OFC Champions League, and the expectations remain high. However, the coach believes that pressure is not something to shy away from but rather a tool to fuel motivation.
“There is always a bit of pressure, especially in the OFC, because it’s a tournament the club really loves and wants to do well in. We throw everything we have at it because historically, it has been good for us. But I think it’s a nice pressure,” he explained.
“We’ve won it before, so there’s no sense of underachievement. We must turn this pressure into a positive,” he added.
When asked about Auckland City FC’s consistency in the competition, the coach pointed to experience as a major factor.
“We’ve been around a long time. I first went to an OFC Champions League in Fiji in 1999, and though we were knocked out in the semi-finals, we learned a lot. Since then, we’ve kept learning, improving, and taking those lessons into tournaments like the Club World Cup. The OFC has helped us grow as a club,” said Coach Posa.
Despite their dominance, the coach is not taking anything for granted.
“We are one of several teams that should be considered favourites. But we are not the only favourites. The Solomon Islands (Central Coast FC) have home advantage, while teams like AS Pirae and AS Tiga Sport have fantastic players. We cannot take anything for granted,” said the 62-year-old.
For any football team, playing in Honiara presents unique challenges, particularly in terms of weather and pitch conditions. However, Auckland City FC is well-prepared.
“We’ve played in different conditions all over the world. There’s no excuse for not knowing what to expect. We have a fantastic team of staff who help the players manage these challenges.
“It’s part of football. Sometimes, island teams come and play in our conditions, and now it’s our turn to adapt,” Mr. Posa said confidently.
With the OFC Champions League in its final edition before the introduction of the new Pro League, the coach acknowledges the importance of closing this chapter with another success.
“Of course, it would be nice to finish on a high. But sport is about competing. Every team has a chance on the day, and our goal is to win. However, I expect four or five other teams to have the same aspirations, and rightfully so.”
ENDS