Champions League newcomers Papua New Guinea’s Lae City Dwellers will be hoping for an upset against Auckland City today at QBE Stadium Oval in Auckland, New Zealand.
The PNG title holders showed glimpses of their potential in their 3-0 defeat to Amicale.
Dwellers will be banking on PNG internationals and former Hekari United strikers Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba to push forward with some quick counter attacks.
With Auckland City likely to dominate possession, the Dwellers’ counter-attacking prowess could be dangerous weapon against the defending champions.
Dwellers coach Peter Gunemba stated that his side will go into the match with a positive attitude.
He said on the OFC official website that he doesn’t care how good they are, he never fear any teams.
“I believe in my players and have confidence in my players that they can play better.
“When I tell them to play they just go down and do something and after the first game they’re feeling much better,” Gunemba said.
Auckland City will be aiming to continue their march towards a sixth consecutive regional title.
Coach Ramon Tribulietx said that he knows Dwellers have won the final game of the league, the grand final.
“They’re Papua New Guineans and I know some of the players they’ve got in there so we’ll see what they look like collectively,” Tribulietx said.
Dwellers squad list:
- Matheson NASA (GK)
- Mosebuya-Mosie MILUBWA,
- Valentine NELSON
- Goropaul ALBERT,
- Japhet TIAMPO,
- Troy GUNEMBA,
- Raymond GUNEMBA,
- Michael FOSTER,
- Nigel DABINYABA,
- Obert BIKA,
- Joachim WAROI,
- Mathew DAVID,
- Adolf KUMISI,
- Ken KEPE M,
- Joshua TALAU,
- Carlos PEKA,
- Cyril MUTA,
- Bewa WILLIE,
- Esa NASA,
- Ronald WARISAN (GK)
- Peter DABINYABA JNR,
- Billson BULLO,
- John KICHANI
Picture: This is a loop png file picture of Lae City Dwellers defenders surrounding a striker from an oposing team.