The Auckland City football coach Ramon Tribulietx says he's been impressed with the quality of the Pacific teams competing in the Oceania Champions League this season.
City defended their O-League title at the weekend, beating Waitakere United 2-1 in an all-New Zealand final, to qualify for December's Club World Cup.
Earlier in their campaign, Auckland were tested by Tahitian champions Dragon who they failed to beat in two encounters.
Ramon Tribulietx says he's noticed a step up in both the on field product and off-field structures of the Island teams.
"I mean that Tahitian side was probably the best Island side that I've seen - probably, for me, you know the biggest game we've played this season, with all respects obviously to Waitakere in that final.We had to get a result otherwise we were knocked out and we were playing against a very good side and playing in their conditions. These teams from the Islands are getting better every year - that's helping us to get better and be more competitive and hopefully to have a better showdown next time we compete at the Club World Cup, so I think it's all positive for the Oceania region."
