OFC Insider
AMICALE FC
SUVA FA
The year 2014 saw Amicale FC prove themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the regional stage. Amicale’s 1-0 upset of Auckland City FC in the Group Stage almost denied the New Zealanders a chance to defend their title, and they have the opportunity to do it again this time around. Italian coach Marko Banchini has taken over the reins and brought in several compatriots as well as a string of European players, while retaining the services of Kensi Tangis, Dominique Fred and 2014 Golden Glove winner Chikau Mansale. There is no doubt that with the drive to bring in reinforcements, Amicale have their eyes fixed firmly on the prize.
Suva FA become the sixth Fijian club to participate in the OFC Champions League in tournament history behind Ba, Labasa, Lautoka, Nadi and the Nokia Eagles. The capital-city side have their work cut out for them, sharing a group with sixtime champions Auckland City FC and two-time runners-up Amicale, as well as fellow debutants and dark horses Western United. The majority of Suva’s experience comes from former Amicale midfielder Esava Naqeleqa, Maciu Dunadamu and, interestingly, former U-20 striker Rusiate Matarerega. Coach Gurjit Singh has made a series of key recruitments and will be relying on these players to make the difference in what is a tough pool for any side to debut in.
1
Marko MILIVOJEVIC (GK)
[SRB]
2
Samuela KAUTOGA
[FIJ]
3
Nelson SALE
[SOL]
4
Marcomattia NASALI
[ITA]
5
Francesco PERRONE
[ITA]
6
Rijat SHALA
[SUI]
7
Gaspar LEZCANO
[ARG]
8
Micah LEA’ALAFA
[SOL]
9
Dominique FRED
[VAN]
10
Fenedy MASAUVAKALO
[VAN]
11
Miguel MAGNONI
[ITA]
12
Alphonse BONGNAIM
[VAN]
14
Sailas NAMATAK
[VAN]
15
Osea VAKATALESAU
[FIJ]
16
Nicola PRINCIVALLI
[ITA]
17
Chanel OBED
[VAN]
18
Massimiliano LIONETTI
[ITA] [VAN]
19
Brian KALTACK
20
Mauro BOERCHIO (GK)
[ITA]
21
Laitia TUILAU
[FIJ]
22
Carlo POLLI
[SUI]
23
Chikau MANSALE (GK)
[VAN]
24
Kensi TANGIS
[VAN]
Coach
Marko BANCHINI
[ITA]
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Ulaiasi TAMANISAU (GK) Dave RADRIGAI Noa TUIWAINIKAI Jale DREOLA Adrian MEDINA Nickel CHAND Pita RABO Inia BOKO Esava NAQELECA Abdulwali AMAN Maciu DUNADAMU Tomasi UCULOA Poasa BAINIVALU Rusiate MATAREREGA Waisake NAVUNIGASAU Shahil DAVE Kolinio SIVOKI Al-taaf SAHIB George JERMY Leone DAMUDAMU Sakaraia NAISUA Emori RAGATA (GK) Giacomo RATTO
Coach
Gurjit SINGH
[FIJ] [FIJ] [FIJ] [FIJ] [ESP] [FIJ] [FIJ] [FIJ] [FIJ] [USA] [FIJ] [FIJ] [FIJ] [FIJ] [FIJ] [FIJ] [FIJ] [FIJ] [ESP] [FIJ] [FIJ] [FIJ] [ITA] [FIJ]
15