Navy Blues face ‘gruelling season’ if they can retain OFC Champions League crown

posted in: News, OFC Champions League

Auckland City will face a 45-game season if it can “go all the way in all competitions”, says club chairman Ivan Vuksich.

He said the club played 42 games in 36 weeks last year, and faced a “gruelling season.”

As the Navy Blues prepared to start their defence of their OFC Champions League title in Vanuatu, Vuksich said the club was taking nothing for granted and expected tough challenges playing good opposition in conditions City’s players were not used to.

“We are not underestimating this; last time we won, it was in Auckland; we had a bit of a home advantage. I am nervous because I know how good these teams are in their home environment. I know how their crowd gets behind them and really supports them; yeah, it’s going to be tough,” Vuksich told Auckland City’s website.

“What it means for the club? It’s everything, because if we win in Vanuatu — and it’s a big if, because the last time we played in the islands we got beaten in the semi-finals, so we don’t underestimate the task.

“But if we should win and be fortunate enough to win, it means that we go to the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, which in itself is going to be a wonderful experience, wonderful for the boys because at the end of the day that’s about the only reward they can get for having a hellishly long season.”

READ MORE: Watch live-stream as Auckland City play Solomon Warriors in OFC Champions League >>>>

Ivan Vuksich: ‘It’s going to be tough’

Fixtures

Auckland City’s pool games:

Game to be played on Sunday May 14, 2023

Auckland City v Solomon Warriors
Luganville, 1pm (NZT)

Game to be played on Wednesday May 17, 2023

Suva FC v Auckland City
Luganville, 4pm (NZT)

Game to be played on Saturday May 20, 2023

Lupe Ole Soaga v Auckland City
Luganville, 1pm (NZT)

More about the tournament

READ MORE: Game schedule released for May’s OFC Champions League tournament >>>>

READ MORE: Our previous stories about the OFC Champions League >>>>

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