Auckland City and Team Wellington have earned some brief respite after navigating a gruelling schedule to qualify for Sunday's Oceania Champions League football final.
Defending champions Auckland qualified for their fifth consecutive O-League decider after beating FC Gaitcha of New Caledonia 1-0, with Marko Dordevic breaking the deadlock in the 72nd minute.
Meanwhile Michael Gwyther scored both goals in Team Wellington's 2-0 victory over host side Ba FC to advance to their first Oceania final.
Team Wellington's Michael Gwyther celebrates his goal. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx has rotated his squad in an effort to combat fatigue but admits a number of players are feeling the effects of a jam-packed schedule.
"It's been a very tough competition - not only physically but also mentally, especially. Four games in a very small period of time - I think that's been a good challenge for everyone, not only for the players but also for the staff. Right now we've got five days [before the next match] and probably this has come at the right time. We need a bit of a break. If we had been a little bit fresher [in the semi final] then we would have probably scored a little earlier, I know that's my feeling, but again at the end of the day the competition is set up this way and we can only take it on and try to prepare as well as we can".
Auckland City FC coach Ramon Tribulietx Photo: Supplied
The winner of Sunday's final in Suva will qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup later this year.
