2023 OFC Champions League final

The 2023 OFC Champions League Final was the final match of the 2023 OFC Champions League, the 22nd edition of the Oceanian Club Championship, Oceania's premier club football tournament organized by the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), and the 17th season under the current OFC Champions League name.

2023 OFC Champions League Final
Event2023 OFC Champions League
Date27 May 2023 (2023-05-27)
VenueVFF Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila
Man of the MatchCameron Howieson (Auckland City)
RefereeDavid Yareboinen (Papua New Guinea)
Attendance5,420[1]
WeatherPartly Cloudy
26 °C (79 °F)
65% humidity[2]
2022
2024

The final was a single match between New Zealand's Auckland City and Fiji's Suva. The match took place at VFF Freshwater Stadium in Port Vila on 27 May 2023.[3][4][5]

Defending champions Auckland City FC, defeated Fijian Suva 4–2 after extra time to win a record eleventh title and earned the right to play at the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.[6] As they also won the 2022 OFC Champions League, they also earned the right to play at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Teams

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In the following table, finals until 2006 were in the Oceania Club Championship era, since 2007 were in the OFC Champions League era.

Team Previous finals appearances (bold indicates winners)
  Auckland City 10 (2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022)
  Suva None

Venue

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VFF Freshwater Stadium was the venue for the final. This is the first time that the stadium hosted an OFC Champions League final.

Road to the final

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Note: In all results below, the score of the finalist is given first (H: home; A: away; N: neutral).

  Auckland City Round   Suva
Opponent Agg. 1st leg 2nd leg National play-offs Opponent Agg. 1st leg 2nd leg
  Wellington Olympic 6–4 1–1 (A) 5–3 (H) Semi-finals   Rewa 3–2 1–1 (A) 2–1 (H)
Opponent Result Group stage Opponent Result
  Solomon Warriors 3–1 Matchday 1   Lupe ole Soaga 6–0
  Suva 3–1 Matchday 2   Auckland City 1–3
  Lupe ole Soaga 3–0[a] Matchday 3   Solomon Warriors 2–0
Group A winners

Pos Team Pld Pts
1   Auckland City 3 9
2   Suva 3 6
3   Solomon Warriors 3 3
4   Lupe ole Soaga 3 0
Source: OFC
Final standings Group A runners-up

Pos Team Pld Pts
1   Auckland City 3 9
2   Suva 3 6
3   Solomon Warriors 3 3
4   Lupe ole Soaga 3 0
Source: OFC
Opponent Result Knockout stage Opponent Result
  Ifira Black Bird 2–2 (5–4 p) Semi-finals   Pirae 4–2 (a.e.t.)

Format

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If the match is level at the end of 90 minutes of normal playing time, extra time will be played (two periods of 15 minutes each), where each team would be allowed to make a fourth substitution. If still tied after extra time, the match will be decided by a penalty shoot-out to determine the winners.

Match

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Details

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Auckland City  4–2 (a.e.t.)  Suva
Report
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auckland City
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Suva
GK 1   Conor Tracey
RB 14   Jordan Vale   86'
CB 3   Adam Mitchell
CB 5   Michael den Heijer
LB 13   Nathan Lobo   70'
CM 8   Gerard Garriga   51'   60'
CM 2   Mario Ilich
CM 7   Cameron Howieson (c)   99'
RW 16   Joseph Lee   68'
CF 11   Angus Kilkolly   90+2'   91'
LW 10   Dylan Manickum   39'
Substitutes:
GK 24   Joe Wallis
DF 4   Christian Gray
DF 6   Dan Morgan
DF 12   Regont Murati   68'
DF 24   Zhou Tong   86'
MF 15   Aidan Carey
MF 23   Matt Ellis
FW 11   Ryan de Vries   39'
FW 19   Liam Gillion   91'
Manager:
  Albert Riera
GK 22   Akuila Mateusuva
RB 2   Simione Nabenu   25'
CB 4   Inoke Turagalailai
CB 5   Remueru Takiate
LB 3   Meli Codro   110'
CM 24   Alex Saniel
CM 10   Marlon Tahioa   104'
CM 11   Ravnesh Karan Singh
RW 13   Azariah Soromon   60'   99'
CF 7   Dave Radrigai   58'
LW 14   Samuela Drudru (c)   36'
Substitutes:
GK 1   Jovilisi Borisi
GK 21   Sanaila Waqanicakau
DF 15   Waisake Navunigasau
MF 6   Ramzan Khan   72'
MF 8   Malakai Rakula   72'
FW 9   Bruce Hughes   104'
FW 19   Merrill Nand   68'   25'   72'
FW 23   Rusiate Matarerega   36'   72'
Manager:
  Maxwell Thaggard

Man of the Match:
Cameron Howieson (Auckland City)

Assistant referees:
Bertrand Brial (New Caledonia)
Jeremy Garae (Vanuatu)
Fourth official:
Ben Aukwai (Solomon Islands)
Fifth official:
Jeffery Solodia (Solomon Islands)

Match rules

  • 90 minutes.
  • 30 minutes of extra time if scores level.
  • Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
  • Maximum of three substitutions, with a fourth allowed in extra time.

Notes

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  1. ^ The Lupe ole Soaga v Auckland City match was cancelled due to injuries in the Lupe ole Soaga squad. Lupe ole Soaga SC will have all its matches cancelled and considered null and void. OFC will award victory and the resultant three points to the opposing team as well as the score of 3–0.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Auckland City vs Suva". Oceania Football Confederation.
  2. ^ "Port Vila, Shefa, Vanuatu Weather History". Weather Underground. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  3. ^ "OFC Competitions 2023 Calendar confirmed 1/01/2023" (PDF). Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Seven clubs confirm their places for this year's OFC Champions League". friendsoffootballnz.com. 5 March 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  5. ^ "DRAW DATE CONFIRMED FOR OFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023". Oceania Football Confederation. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Auckland City claim record extending 11th OFC Champions League title in extra time nail-biter". Oceaniafootball. 27 May 2023.
  7. ^ "OFC STATEMENT ON LUPE OLE SOAGA SC". Oceania Football Confederation. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
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