A squad of 18 players and 4 officials departed the Fua’amotu Airport on Tuesday evening 14th of February heading to Apia, Samoa to represent Veitongo Football Club that is taking part in the OFC Champions League 2023 Qualifying Stage.
As the draw for the qualifying matches was released by the OFC yesterday, the team left the country with high spirit and with a goal to proceed on to the main draw of the OFC Champions League. Head Coach Timote Moleni is confident with the preparation they’ve put on for the tournament and are ready for action. “With the help of TFA Technical Adviser, James Selby we will make sure it will not be a smooth tournament for the other teams” Moleni added.
Veitongo flew to Samoa via Nadi, Fiji and will stay at the Best Value Motel in Vaitele Apia which is close to the field of the Football Federation Samoa. They will continue training in Apia for their first match on Saturday.
Their first match this Saturday will be against Cook Islands’ Club League Champion, Tupapa Maraereanga FC on 1:00pm. Veitongo will then face Samoa’s Club League Champion, Lupe Ole Soanga or famously known as the Lupe on their second match on Tuesday next week on 4:00pm. Veitongo will play their final match on Friday next week against American Samoa Club League Champion, Ilaoa & To’omata, 1:00pm.
Veitongo FC last competed in the OFC Champions League on the same qualifying stage on January 2020. However the tournament was suspended in March 2020 after the group stage due to the Covid-19 outbreak. On 4 September 2020, the OFC announced that the tournament was abandoned due to the border and travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and no champions were awarded.
Travelling Squad
- Semisi ‘Otukolo (GK)
- Sione Tu’ifangaloka (DF)
- ‘Opesi Tu’ifangaloka (DF)
- Siaki Huni (DF)
- Pita Huni (DF)
- Vai Lutu (FW)
- Kamaliele Papani (MF)
- Tuia Falepapalangi (MF)
- Christopher Kefu (FW)
- Hemaloto Polovili (MF)
- ‘Oliveti Vai (MF)
- Feki Tufi (FW)
- Timote Fakasi’i’eiki (DF)
- ‘Utu’one Lea’aetoe (DF)
- Sione Fehoko (MF)
- Sinilau Taufa (GK)
- Pita Tukimaka (DF)
- David ‘Ana (MF)
- Timote Moleni (Head Coach)
- James Selby (Technical)
- Richmond Tautua’a (Trainer)
- Fetu’u Vea (Head of Delegation)
End.
