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Key game

Match against Rewa is key game says Marist coach. No international friendlies, team leaves tomorrow

 

Marist FC Head Coach Juliano Schelming

O’League first timers Marist FC Head Coach Juliano Schelming said their first O’league match against Rewa FC of Fiji is a key game and a very important one.

Speaking to SunSPORTS over the weekend Mr Schelming said Rewa is Fiji’s strong team which also consist of three Brazilian players and a Japanese.

Marist will play Rewa FC in their first Group D opening match of the 2017 OFC Champions League on Saturday in Tahiti.

“Rewa FC is coming up very strong. This is a key game and a very important one because if we lost first game, to get back is very hard so this is a key game for us.

“I believe in Marist, we will be very strong and be competent to this team.

“We have strength, we are young and not experienced but we are potential team that can make a surprise in the O’League,” said Schelming.

He said his boys are improving very well after each home friendly, and began to adapt with the three Brazillian imports.

“They need to play a little longer with the Brazillians but now we cannot take on that because our focus is on the O’League. I think the team will represent well Solomon Islands,” he said.

The team will leave for Tahiti’s capital Papeete at 2pm tomorrow, Tuesday transiting through Brisbane and Auckland.

They will arrive at Tahiti on Tuesday March 14, note that Tahiti is one day behind Solomon Islands.

The team should have leave on Saturday to have one friendly in Tahiti but was not possible.

Mr Schelming said they will have training on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before their first match against Rewa on Saturday.

I am happy with the performance of the boys during the last five home friendlies, they did very well, and I believe they will perform well in the O’League.

Solomon Islands representatives Western United and Marist FC are pooled in Group C and D respectively with both campaign set to begin on March 11.

Team Wellington of New Zealand have qualified for the semi-finals of the OFC Champions League in Group B after thrashing Fiji’s club champions Ba United 8 – 0 in Stade Yoshida, New Caledonia.

AS Magenta of New Caledonia has also secured a semifinal spot after beating Madang 5-0 in their final Group A match at Stade Numa Daly in Nouméa, New Caledonia on Saturday.