Auckland City FC will look to win the Charity Cup for a fifth time on Sunday when they host Team Wellington in the opening match of the ISPS Handa Premiership.

The ISPS Handa Premiership defending champions, who have won the title a record seven times, are a new-look side after losing a significant number of players from last year’s championship team.

The Navy Blues have lost a huge amount of experience – Darren White, Kris Bright, Marko Dordevic, Cole Peverley, Liam Graham, Daewook Kim, Ryan De Vries, Emiliano Tade and Callum McCowatt – as they get ready for another national league campaign.

But coach Ramon Tribulietx has proved a master at shaping a range of different squads in his successful time in charge. He has signed defender Hayden McHenery, Vanuatu international skipper Brian Kaltak, striker Javier Lopez, skilful wide player Dylan Manickum from rivals Waitakere United, midfielders Jordan Vale and Yousif Ali, goalkeeper Ruben Parker and Junior Navy Blues youth product Maro Bonsu-Maro while versatile Papua New Guinea international David Browne is back for his second spell at the club.

Tribulietx knows they will face a stern test first up when they host two-time ISPS Handa Premiership champions Team Wellington for the Charity Cup on Sunday.

“Team Wellington and their coach Jose Figueira are well known to everyone at the Navy Blues given our close rivalry in the ISPS Handa Premiership and OFC Champions League,” Tribulietx says.

“The first game of a new campaign is always difficult to predict an outcome but I expect to see two teams that, while short of being at full throttle, will have a very clear pattern of play on display nevertheless. What we can expect is a very tight match similar to what we saw last season.”

Team Wellington in comparison have a much more settled look about their squad for this campaign.

Figueira’s team could not complete a three-peat of titles in the 2017/18 season when they went down 1-0 to Auckland City in the ISPS Handa Premiership final but they did manage to claim the prized OFC Champions League title to secure a place at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Team Wellington have bolstered their midfield depth with All White Henry Cameron and Alex Palezevic joining the squad and up front they have welcomed back striker Tom Jackson from a long-term injury in the most notable additions for the 2018/19 season.

Figueira is looking forward to the test at Kiwitea Street on Sunday as the Charity Cup holders aim to lift the silverware for a third time and begin the new campaign on a high note.

“We are excited for this weekend,” Figueira says. “The players have been working extremely hard over the pre-season. Of course, this game comes a week earlier than everybody else so we are probably not right at the top of our preparations but we are looking forward to getting the ball rolling on Sunday.”

Figueira is pleased to have Cameron and Palezevic as part of the squad.

“They have both settled in really well, they are fantastic players and really good personalities. They have added a lot to the tactical quality for us as they are able to play in a number of positions.”

Figueira acknowledges Auckland City are going through a rebuilding phase but still expects them to provide a significant challenge.  

“They are in a similar position to us where they are still trying to build those new combinations. A game against Auckland City is always big and always passionate, and with the Charity Cup on the line it makes things even tastier as well,” he says.

“We will be expecting a high intensity, fast-paced game and we look forward to seeing where we are at this stage of the season.”

The occasion will also be utilised by Auckland City FC to further support its long-standing charity, the Butterfly Trust from Vanuatu.

In partnership since 2012, Auckland City FC and the Butterfly Trust have together raised nearly $5,000 for education and relief projects in Vanuatu while the club has also donated further funds and equipment.

The Butterfly Trust supports developing world communities to attain improved standards of living by facilitating access to education and primary health. In doing so, the trust seeks to transform the lives of countless men, women and children struggling to survive and grow under impoverished circumstances in many parts of the world.

A representative from the Butterfly Trust will be present at the Charity Cup to receive some Auckland City FC football kit while the trust will also be provided with a percentage of the gate takings.

“I hope supporters can find the time to learn more about this important part of the club and perhaps give generously where they can,” Tribulietx says.

For more information and to support the Butterfly Trust please visit www.butterflytrust.org

Match Details

ISPS Handa Premiership/Charity Cup
Auckland City FC v Team Wellington
Sunday 14 October, 4.35pm
Kiwitea Street, Auckland
Live on Sky Sport 4
#ISPSHandaPrem #ACvTW

Auckland City FC: 1. Enaut Zubikarai (GK), 2. Daniel McHenery, 4. Mario Bilen, 5. Angel Berlanga, 6. Brian Kaltak, 7. Cameron Howieson, 9. Javier Lopez, 10. Micah Lea’alafa, 12. Dylan Manickum, 14. Jordan Vale, 15. Daniel Morgan, 17. Reid Drake, 18. Ruben Parker (GK), 19. David Browne, 20. Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi, 23. Alfie Rogers
Coach: Ramon Tribulietx

Team Wellington: 1. Scott Basalaj (GK), 2. Justin Gulley, 3. Scott Hilliar, 4. Mario Ilich, 5. Liam Wood, 6. Taylor Schrijvers, 8. Henry Cameron, 10. Nathanael Hailemariam, 11. Mario Barcia, 12. Andy Bevin, 14. Jack-Henry Sinclair, 16. Angus Kilkolly, 17. Alex Palezevic, 19. Ross Allen, 21. Hamish Watson, 22. Marcel Kampman (GK)
Coach: Jose Figueira

Charity Cup History

2011 Auckland City FC 3-2 Waitakere United
2012 Waitakere United 2-1 Auckland City FC
2013 Auckland City FC 4-1 Waitakere United
2014 Team Wellington 2-2* Auckland City FC
2015 Auckland City FC 3-0 Team Wellington
2016 Auckland City FC 3-1 Team Wellington
2017 Team Wellington 3-1 Auckland City FC
*Team Wellington won 4-3 on penalties

Article added: Saturday 13 October 2018