SOLOMON Warriors FC faces a Do or Die situation in their final group match of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League in Vanuatu.
They will take on Fiji’s Suva FC for the decider and must end the match with nothing less than a win if they are to progress to the second stage of the tournament.
Warriors started the tournament impressively with an unexceptional performance despite losing 3-1 to New Zealand’s Auckland City FC.
They were the first to score against City but things took a different turn following custodian Timothy Maerasia’s red card.
The experienced City side took advantage of the 10 men Warriors side to score three goals.
Warriors got back into the tournament defeating Lupe Ole Soaga of Samoa to keep their hopes alive for the semi finals.
Both Suva and Warriors have registered one win each.
Suva however has the goal difference advantage and a draw could see them through for the top four playoffs.
Warriors Coach Franco Ne’e remains confident his players can pull off a positive result against Suva FC.
He had some of his key players on the bench against Lupe Ole Soaga, giving them a well deserved rest for the final group match.
“Our focus now is for this final group match.
“It will be a tough game for us but we are ready for it.
“I have reserved some of my key players for this game and I am confident we will give our opponents a good match and hope for a positive result,” he said.
Solomon Warriors will be all out attack knowing nothing less than the three points will be enough.
Coach Ne’e has plenty of respect for Suva FC but felt his side taking an attacking approach will put them in good stead.
“Yes definitely, Suva, they will want to go for a draw. Tactically we know we can match them if they sit back and give us more time to play, so yes, our recovery is our key toward this final game against Suva,” He told OFC media.
The match is scheduled for 3pm at Loganville today.
By CARLOS ARUAFU
Solomon Star, Honiara
