Holders Auckland City are favourites to retain their OFC Champions League crown, but moving the finals from New Zealand to Vanuatu should create a more interesting tournament.
The competition was first staged back in 1987 as the Oceania Club Championship, with four more editions taking place from1999 to 2006 when Australia left the OFC. A year later the tournament changed name to the Champions League.
Auckland City won their first title in 2006 and have gone on to dominate the competition with a total of ten victories, accounting for all but three of New Zealand’s total titles. Only Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United in 2010 and New Caledonia’s Hienghene Sport in 2019 have broken the run of Kiwi dominance.
This year’s hosts have produced three finalists in the past: Tafea, edged out1-0 by Australia’s Wollongong Wolves in 2001, and Amicale, who were beaten by Auckland City in 2011 and again three years later.
Back then, the title was decided over two legs home and away, but this year’s finals will all be played in Vanuatu with two groups of four and winners and runners-up progressing to the semi-finals.
Bu hikaye World Soccer dergisinin June 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye World Soccer dergisinin June 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role
Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar
Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines