THE Fiji Airways Oceania Champions League is now in the knockout stages and the games have become even more exciting and tense.
The favourites are through and there has been no major surprise. Fiji has witnessed football being played at another level.
A notch up from the local premier league series the fans are used to at home.
There have been beautiful goals scored, classy passes and magical football from the 12 clubs that entered the tournament.
Now the tournament has entered the knockout stages and here are some players fans should keep an eye out for.
Ba captain Abbu Zahid is one man who is slowly rising to stardom.
The striker/midfielder was born on February 14, 1991. He joined Ba in 2012 and soon became the X-factor for the team.
Not only is he fast and skilled, he has a knack of being in the right place at the right time. Many a times he has been the toast of the Ba side.
Those who know him are aware of his commitment to the sport. Definitely a man to watch as he not only knows how to score the goals but also sets them up as well.
Malakai Tiwa, born October 3, 1986 has been Ba’s talisman for many years.
The 1.86m tall player had announced his retirement two years ago but is back for the Men In Black as they search for their maiden Champions League glory.
Tiwa has featured for Ba in all of the Champion League games since they started playing in the regional competition.
Tiwa is the man Ba look to. If Tiwa is having a good day, Ba will definitely have a good day.
Ba’s Saula Waqa is one of the emerging players of the Champions League.
He was born on October 12, 1995. The 1.9m tall player has been able to use his height and speed to his advantage.
He is currently in the search for the Golden Boot.
Waqa is a forward and a player of great speed, who can also operate as an attacking midfielder. He definitely will be on the scoreboard if given even half a chance.
Cole Robert Peverley, born 3 July 1988 is a New Zealand professional footballer who currently plays for Team Wellington as a midfielder.
He has earned national representation honours at Under-20, Under-23 and All Whites level.
The midfielder and captain of Team Wellington has been very instrumental for the team. His work rate is enormous and is often the man who starts those attacking moves that end up in goals.
Standing at 1.89 metres and weighing at 69 kilograms, Peverly plays a rover type of game and assists both in attack and defence.
He is also responsible for guiding Team Wellington to where they are in the Oceania Champions League.
Team Wellington striker Luis Corrales was born September 30, 1983 in Costa Rica but has been playing in New Zealand since 2007.
He started his career with Auckland City and for the past three years he has been a regular for Team Wellington.
Standing at 1.65 metres he is 65 kilograms but do not let that stature fool you. Corrales loves the contact game and has been very physical in his approach.
He has proven to be very deadly with ball at his feet and around the penalty area.
Henry Faro’odo is a common name in the region. The Solomon Islander is the biggest thing in Solomon football after Benjamin Totori.
Born October 5, 1982, Faro’odo has had massive regional experience playing in his home nation, for Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United and also in New Zealand.
He plays a versatile role but prefers the left midfield. Very elusive and has puts in the Solomon flair every time he touches the ball.
Hard not to see why he was selected by Team Wellington for their Champions League campaign.
Tamati Williams is Auckland City’s best goalkeeper and he has kept that tag as he has not allowed any goals to go against him in the Champions League.
At 1.92m and 90kg he is a force to reckon with.
As a player, he featured in the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan 2012 and in Morocco in 2013 and 2014. In 2014, he was awarded the bronze ball as City finished in third spot.
Williams favourite memory is his All Whites debut versus South Africa at Mount Smart Stadium and last year’s match with Raja Casablanca at the FIFA Club World Cup in Agadir.
Nicknamed the ‘Godfather’, Ivan Vicelich is the most experienced player in the Champions League.
Born on September 3, 1976, he does not show any sign of aging at 39.
His experience in Europe at club level and then playing in the 2010 World Cup has helped the Auckland City remain as favourites to retain the Champions League title and have another shot at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Vicelich’s biggest inspiration is his family.
“They have always supported me through the highs and lows of my football career and they have been a never ending source of love and encouragement,” he said.
David Browne, the 20-year-old striker is a great find for Auckland City.
Born December 27, 1995, he is 1.75m tall and weighs at 65kg. He is fast and skilful and has been one of the master movers for Auckland.
Although he is yet to don the All Whites jersey, Browne looks to be on his way there and definitely he will need to be marked very closely.
