It's all or nothing time in the Oceania Champions League, with New Zealand's Auckland City and Team Wellington needing to overcome Francophone opposition if they're to set up a repeat of last year's tournament decider.
Reigning champions Auckland face Tahitian side AS Tefana, who sneaked into the semi finals as the best second place finisher in the group stages.
Tefana received two red cards during an ill-tempered affair in one of their pool matches but
Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx said he'll leave the referees to maintain control.
"We're going to have to understand that the game could become physical at some stage, especially when you're playing in a semi finals of the Champions League where everybody goes in more intense than normal, because what's at stake is very important."
Joao Moreira (17) is congratulated after scoring a late winner for Auckland City against Lae City Dwellers. Photo: OFC via Phototek
The teams have met in the knockout rounds before, with Auckland prevailing in the 2012 Champions League final.
Tahiti national team skipper Nicholas Vallar is in his first year with Tefana and admitted his side will have to produce something special.
"It's the first time for us to play the semi final in this competition and we try to do best and good luck for all the teams. I saw the last game for Auckland City and I think they're the best team of the competition but that's football and in football everything can happen so we will try to win this game but then we know there is little chance to win this game but we will try to all the best."
AS Tefana midfielder Nicolas Vallar Photo: OFC via Phototek
Tefana goalkeeper Mikael Roche, another experienced international, said they would embrace the occasion.
"We are quite excited in fact because everyone is waiting for this game because when you play semi finals of a big competition you are always excited by it so good stress for sure but excited. I think all the players are really waiting because we really want to know what is our real level regarding to the best team of the Pacific for the last five years."
In the second semi final, Team Wellington and AS Magenta from New Caledonia will both take perfect winning records into the knockout game.
Magenta's Georges Bearune (c) has been in fine goal scoring form during the OFC Champions League. Photo: OFC via Phototek
The New Zealand champions Wellington thrashed 2010 Oceania champions Hekari United 4-0 to finish top of Group B but coach Matt Calcott insisted they will not underestimate the Group C winners.
"We know that they have done extremely well in their domestic league back in New Caledonia. I watched their game against Tefana and they were very impressive and well organised by their coach Alain Moizan. They hold possession well, they are technically good and they have some quality individuals in their ranks."
The two winners will advance to Saturday's grand final where they have a chance to qualify for December's FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.
Team Wellington coach Matt Calcott. Photo: OFC via Phototek
