21 Apr 2015

Sport: Win or bust for Team Wellington

11:10 am on 21 April 2015

Despite being newcomers to the Oceania Champions League football competition, Team Wellington will be able to draw on plenty of experience in Tuesday's semi final match-up against Fijian club Ba.

Both teams are unbeaten going into the winner-takes-all clash at ANZ Stadium in Suva, having topped their respective groups with maximum points.

This is Ba's sixth season in the O-League, having finished runners-up in 2007 and

making the semi finals 12 month ago.

Fiji's Ba Football Team during the 2015 OFC Champions League

Fiji's Ba Football Team Photo: OFC

Team Wellington are contesting their first continental campaign but have recruited a number of players with Champions League experience.

Team Wellington celebrate a goal at the 2015 Oceania Champions League.

Team Wellington celebrate a goal at the 2015 Oceania Champions League. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Midfielder Cole Peverley says they expect a lot of themselves.

"To be honest there's a lot of experience in the side and I think we wouldn't settle for less. We obviously want to win and we do think we have the quality to win it. We've obviously achieved nothing yet until we win it and I think everyone's thinking that, so we need to go out there and perform and get the result and obviously win the final as well. That would be obviously good for us and great for the club - that's definitely the ultimate goal".

Meanwhile defending champions Auckland City insist they won't be taking newcomers FC Gaitcha lightly in this afternoon's opening semi final clash.

City have claimed the past four O-League titles and are yet to concede a goal in this year's competition, while Gaitcha are the only semi finalist who did not finish top of their group.

Auckland City have also never lost to a New Caledonian club in the regional championship but coach Ramon Tribulietx says their opponents are a threat in transition and have a number of skillful players who are very dangerous on the ball.

Auckland City players celebrate a goal.

Auckland City players celebrate a goal. Photo: PHOTOSPORT