Dwellers to play Wellington in Champions League quarters

PAPUA New Guinea’s Lae City Dwellers, who qualified for the quarterfinals after winning two of their matches in Pool A, will face Team Wellington FC in Wellington, New Zealand, after the draws for the OFC Champions League quarterfinals in April were finalised yesterday.
Lae City Dwellers (Toti City FC) coach Peter Gunemba said they received the word on Monday and would now use the National Soccer League matches as lead ups to the quarterfinals. “Team Wellington is an experienced side that had always made it into the finals of the OFC Champions League so going up against them is a huge task,” Gunemba said.
“They are made up of professionals but we cannot under-estimate our boys because they have been working hard to get to his stage.
“I cannot predict the result but all I can say is that we will give our best to give them a good run for their money.
“Obviously we will go in as underdogs but we have watched their match footages and we will continue to study their style of football as we prepare.
“We will also be flying the flag of Morobe, Papua New Guinea and our sponsors Lae Biscuit Company so we will do our very best,” Gunemba said.
OFC competitions director Chris Kemp said the draws have set up some really exciting encounters with most of the quarter finalist meeting for the first time in the competition.
“We look forward to the OFC Champions League getting back underway, after the international break, in early April,” Kemp said.
Team Wellington, who topped Group D in Honiara at the weekend will welcome PNG club champions and Group A runners-up Lae City Dwellers to Wellington.
Solomon Warriors, runners-up in Group B, will again find themselves on the road as they also travel to New Zealand to play reigning champions Auckland City FC at Kiwitea Street.
AS Dragon, who won their group on home soil, will once again enjoy home advantage when they take on Fiji club Lautoka FC who finished behind Auckland City in Group C.
Finally, Group A winners and the only competition debutants still in action, Nalkutan FC, will welcome Group D runners-up Marist FC who will be on the road for the first time after hosting their group at Lawson Tama, Honiara.