As the final whistle blew for the OFC Champions League 2023 group stage, Oceania Football Center presents its ‘Best XI’ of the O-League’s group stage’ From the eight teams qualified for the process, four continue in the competition: Auckland City, Suva, AS Pirae and Ifira Black Bird – from all these clubs the ‘Best XI’ was taken.
Auckland City is the team with most representatives in the selection: Adam Mitchell, Nathan Lobo, Gerrard Garriga and Liam Gillion. Following, the Tahitian side of AS Pirae counts on three players: Matatia Paama, Etienne Tave and Tehotu Gitton. Ifira Black Bird has two players in the squad: Andreas Duch and Godine Tenene while Suva has also two: Alex Saniel and Azariah Soromon.
In the goal Andreas Duch played two matches for Ifira, improving the defensive end of the local side making crucial stops through the games he played. In the left side Nathan Lobo was always a threat for Auckland City, a very offensive wing-back with quick feet. In the other side the tall right-back Etienne Tave was crucial for AS Pirae, scoring in the decisive match against Hekari United. To complete the defense the experienced Adam Mitchell and AS Pirae’s key player Matatia Paama in the heart of the defense.
In the middle the impressive Tehotu Gitton that controled the actions for Pirae, always a threat inside the box for the opponents. Navy Blues‘ Gerrard Garriga scored twice in the tournament so far helping Auckland to top the group A. Ifira’s Tenene scored the crucial goal over Tiga Sport to make history and qualify the Ni-Vanuatu side to the semifinals, contributing immensely in the construction of plays for his side.
The Ni-Vanuatu duo of Suva impressed in the group stage: Alex Saniel and Azariah Soromon dominated the actions for the Fijians upfront, helping them to beat Lupe o le Soaga and Solomon Warriors. The Auckland City’s young star Liam Gillion harmed the same Suva with two brilliant goals and also played a good match against Solomon Warriors in the debut.
The semifinal stage is set to commence this midweek in Port Vila and the players who starred in the group stage will be eager to continue their good form in the knock-out round.
Oceania Football Center 