City aiming for top-two finish in group stage

By PARKER TAMBUA
LAE City are aiming to finish in the top-two in group B of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League as they depart for Vanuatu this morning.
This will be the fifth appearance for the five-time Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League champions in the Champions League and coach Peter Gunemba has named a strong 18-man squad with a good mix of experience and new talents.
Gunemba told The National yesterday despite his team facing a few of hurdles in the NSL, they were optimistic about their chances of reaching the quarterfinals.
“We have what it takes to go all the way in the Champions League,” Gunemba said.
“The bulk of the team have enough experience at the OFC level.
“My players know the work rate that is required of them in these Champions League games.”
Gunemba said they knew what they are up against but added that they were more composed and would take it one game at a time in their three pool matches against hosts Malampa Revivors, the Solomon Islands’ Henderson Eels and Fiji’s Lautoka.
“We will face some of top-class teams in the region and it will be tough,” he said.
“But we know our strengths, we just have to capitalise on that and believe in ourselves.”
According to Gunemba, the team will transit from Port Vila to Santos Island this afternoon where they will play all their matches.
Their first group match will be against Henderson Eels at Luganville Soccer Stadium on Saturday (10am kick-off, PNG time).
Squad: Ronald Warisan, Matheson Nasa, Mosebuya Milubuwa, Valentine Nelson, Philip Steven, Maybon Pwesei, Thomas Yagum, Troy Gunemba, Jacob Sabua, Emanuel Simon, Abdias Aguirre, Gustine Vervaga, Emanuel Airem, Joshua Oscar, Obert Bika, Nigel Dabinyaba (vice-captain), Raymond Gunemba (captain).