OFC Women's Champions League 2025 Semi-Finals Preview: Coaches Share Thoughts
Defending champions Auckland United FC head into their match with momentum from a strong group stage, but coach Ben Bate acknowledges there's still room for improvement.
'Our game against Hekari was a bit of a challenge,' Bate reflected.
'The energy and intensity they brought in the first half caught us off-guard. We made a few changes at halftime, and I think we really took control in the second period,' Bate added.
With the Solomon Islands-based side known for its pace and spearheaded by the dangerous Ileen Pegi, Bate is approaching the match with caution and respect.
'We spent time in the Solomon Islands last year during the OFC Womens Champions League and got to know the Eels quite well. They're dangerous, especially with their quick transitions and pace up front — their front four are really bright and sharp," Bate said.
For Henderson Eels, their semi-final appearance marks a historic achievement, and head coach Priscilla Tariga is keeping the mood in camp calm and focused.
'It's history for us to reach the semi-finals,' Tariga said. 'Everyone is relaxed — there's no pressure. I've told the girls, 'We can do this.''
Facing the reigning champions is no easy task, but Tariga is determined her side will stick to their plan and give everything on the field.
'Auckland are the best team, as we know, but we will give it 100 percent. We'll keep our structure, manage our game plan, and play our game. Every minute must count.'
While Auckland United are a strong favourite to progress to the Championship decider, the other semi-final has a more even look to it.
Ba Women FC are making history of their own in their maiden OFC Women's Champions League campaign, and Charlene Lockington is proud of her team's journey as they prepare to face Hekari Women's FC.
'We're new to the competition, but we won't take it lightly,' Lockington stated. 'We respect Hekari — they're a tough side with two Fijians in their ranks — but we are looking forward to the challenge.'
'The girls are excited. We've already made history for our club by reaching the semis. We do have one injury we're managing, but a few fresh players will be brought in. Everyone is ready.'
Ericsson Komeng is keeping his Hekari Womens FC squad focused on the task ahead as they prepare to face the determined Fijian outfit.
'The mood in the camp is positive,' Komeng said. 'After the win in the final Group match, the girls are looking forward to playing Ba. They are a strong team with quality players.'
While a potential rematch with Auckland United looms in the final, Komeng is adamant the team's full focus remains on their semi-final battle.
'We can't look ahead. We don't go to the grand final unless we beat Ba. That's our only focus right now — to give Ba a good game and hopefully get the win.'
Both matches can be watched LIVE and FREE on FIFA+.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
4 hours ago
- NZ Herald
South Africa v Australia live updates: Springboks host Wallabies in Rugby Championship opener
Advertise with NZME. Live updates of the Rugby Championship opener between the Springboks and Wallabies. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi will start at No 8 for the first time in a test when the Springboks begin their Rugby Championship defence in Johannesburg on Saturday against Australia. The 34-year-old double Rugby World Cup winner, who will make his 94th test appearance, is usually to be found on the flank but has operated in the position for his franchise, the Durban-based Sharks. He will do it for the first time for the Boks largely because the other leading contenders are all unavailable. Regular No 8 Jasper Wiese is serving a four-match ban after head-butting a rival in a warm-up victory over Italy last month. Other options Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom suffered serious pre-Springbok season injuries and are unlikely to be available this year. Moving Kolisi means flanker Marco van Staden comes into the starting lineup with reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit completing the back row. Manie Libbok gets the nod at first five-eighths before Handre Pollard and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, with head coach Rassie Erasmus well aware of the record of the Japan-based playmaker. The Springboks have lost only one of 13 tests when Libbok has started – the pool defeat by Ireland at the 2023 World Cup in France. But when the 28-year-old came off the bench in seven internationals, record four-time World Cup winners South Africa lost four. Creative Libbok is capable of opening the tightest defences, but doubts remain over his goal kicking, a skill perfected by Pollard. Grant Williams has moved to the front of the queue for the hotly contested halfback position and starts with veteran Cobus Reinach providing cover on the bench. Erasmus has opted not to risk star wing Cheslin Kolbe or veteran centre Damian de Allende as both are recovering from niggles. Edwill van der Merwe, who has scored five tries in three tests, replaces Kolbe on the right wing while Andre Esterhuizen fills in for De Allende at second five-eighths. 'Cheslin has recovered from a niggle and trained with us last week, but we decided to exercise caution and give him extra time at training before selecting him,' said Erasmus. 'Damian picked up a back niggle and will train this week, but Andre has been strong for us in the last few seasons, so it was an easy decision to name him alongside Jesse [Kriel].' Australia flew to Johannesburg after a 2-1 series loss to the British and Irish Lions. The Wallabies want to snap a four-match losing streak against South Africa and will name their team on Thursday. 15 Aphelele Fassi; 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse; 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams; 8 Siya Kolisi (capt), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden; 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth; 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Rugby Championship: All Blacks vs Pumas
It's the start of the rugby championship this weekend which features New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Australia. The All Blacks have got Scott Barrett and Beauden Barrett back but are still coping with a lot of injuries - so there are several young players who've been drafted into the squad. Rugby commentator Frankie Deges speaks to Mihi from Buenos Aires. Ardie Savea, Pablo Matera. Graphic: Liam K. Swiggs Photo: Photosport
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Clubs battling DCC charge increases
Higher ground and facility user charges could force a community football club to shut up shop, a Dunedin-based sports administrator says. Southern Football chief executive Dougal McGowan told the Otago Daily Times that Dunedin City Council charges have risen sharply since 2018 and the organisation is bracing itself for another price hike. Southern Football shelled out $42,202 to use the city's venues and grounds in 2018. But those costs have swollen considerably. This year, despite using six fewer fields, Southern Football was charged $98,119 and it expects the bill to climb to more than $100,000 in 2026. "You can't put the fees up to be able to cover all of that," Mr McGowan said. "It's just not possible because people can't afford to play the game otherwise." "We try to keep our game as cheap as we possibly can because ... we want to make it as accessible to everybody as we can. "But these price rises are making it really, really difficult." For one small community club in the region, who Mr McGowan declined to name, it could spell the end. "The amount we have to pay for the ground that they use ... is more than what we get from them in fees. "Next year this cost to the council will go up again for the ground usage and then lights and changing room costs on top. "So, we're going to have to have a conversation with them about maybe they might have to close. "That's a really sad indictment on what we're doing in our communities." Community sport is beset by other rising costs, and competition for funding has increased as the city's sinking lid policy on class-4 gambling starts to bite. The proposed Online Casino Gambling Bill could strip further funds from the community. But McGowan said every small increase was felt, and it was forcing administrators into making some tough decisions. "Even though we've got more people playing the game, we've had to cut the number of grounds we can use because we just can't afford it." Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Kinley said the main codes had met to discuss how they could work together to address the impact increased ground charges will have on clubs and "ultimately participants". "Most of our clubs actually operate really well, but they operate on a really fine margin," Mr Kinley said. "However, these potential impacts of fees going up and the Online Casino Gambling Bill just have more of an impact, and we know that class-4 gaming is dropping slightly anyway across the country." DCC group manager of parks and recreation Heath Ellis said staff were in contact with sports codes across the city and were always available to meet. "Councillors asked for a review of fees and charges for sports fields to ensure equity between different codes," Mr Ellis said. "Previously, some codes were paying up to 4.9% of total costs for sports field use, while others were paying as low as 3.2%. "Staff presented councillors with a table detailing the potential costs to the different codes — recovering 4% of costs from all sports field users, or alternatively 5%. "Councillors decided to consult the public on the 5% option, and later voted to confirm this amount. "Just two submissions were received raising concerns about potential increases in sports field fees." Sport Otago chief executive James Nation felt the savings to the ratepayers were minimal. "When you look at the actual money that the council's saving by going from a 4% to 5%, it's negligible in the grand scheme of things," Mr Nation said. "But the impact on an individual sports person is massive."
