The 2008–09 OFC Champions League was the 8th edition of the Oceanian Club Championship, Oceania's premier club football tournament organized by the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), and the 3rd season under the current OFC Champions League name. The competition consisted of a home and away group stage, followed by a knockout round. It took place from 2 November 2008 until 3 May 2009.
A qualifying round was due to be played, but due to the withdrawal of the representatives from the Cook Islands and Tuvalu, the entrants from Papua New Guinea automatically gained entry to the main draw. It is unknown why the domestic champions of Tahiti and New Caledonia were unable to participate.
The winner of the tournament was Auckland City of New Zealand, who beat Koloale of the Solomon Islands in the two legged final, claiming Oceania's US$1 million (NZ$1.41 million) berth in the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.
Participating teams
Direct to group stage Auckland City (New Zealand) – 2007–08 New Zealand Football Championship regular season runner-up Ba (Fiji) – 2008 Fiji National League premier Koloale (Solomon Islands) – 2007–08 Solomon Islands National Club Championship champion Port Vila Sharks (Vanuatu) – 2008 VFF Bred Cup winner Waitakere United (New Zealand) – 2007–08 New Zealand Football Championship champion and premier
O-League Preliminary Entrants Hekari United (Papua New Guinea) – 2007–08 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League champion Tupapa Maraerenga (Cook Islands) Nauti FC (Tuvalu)
Other OFC nations Magenta (New Caledonia) – disallowed Sinamoga (Samoa) – did not enter Tongans (Tonga) – did not enter Konica Machine FC (American Samoa) – did not enter (Tahiti) – member nation not eligible
Under the rules of the OFC Champions League, the winner of the O-League Preliminary competition replaces the last-placed member nation from the previous year's O-League.
Qualifying stage
Hekari United automatically qualified to the Group Stage following the withdrawal of the representative clubs from Cook Islands and Tuvalu.
Group stage
Group A
Group B
Final
Koloale FC Honiara: 2 Welshman Houkarawa 3 Jeffrey Bule 5 Richard Anisua 6 Timothy Joe 13 Lency Saeni 14 Nicholas Muri 15 Mostyn Beui 16 Joses Nawo 18 Henry Koto 19 Henry Fa'arodoGK 16 Shadrack Ramoni Substitutes: 8 Peter Taloga 10 Ezra Sale 12 Oscar SaraGK 21 Eddie Ramo 23 Leonard Rakoto 16 Kluivert Dagi 30 Tony OtiniManager: Luke EroiAuckland City FC: DF 3 Matt Friel MF 5 Matt WilliamsDF 6 Lee Ki-Hyung DF 7 James PritchettFW 9 Paul Urlovic FW 10 Grant YoungGK 12 Jacob Spoonley MF 13 Alex Feneridis DF 15 Ivan Vicelich DF 16 George Suri FW 24 Milos Nikolic Substitutes:GK 1 John Fletcher DF 4 Sam Campbell FW 14 Keryn Jordan DF 21 Riki van Steeden DF 22 Xavi Roca MF 23 Liam Mulrooney DF 26 Jonathan Raj Manager: Paul Posa Assistant referees: Michael Mouauri (Cook Islands) Hilary Ani (Papua New Guinea) Fourth official: Chris Beath (Australia)
Auckland City FC: DF 3 Matt Friel DF 4 Sam CampbellMF 5 Matt WilliamsDF 6 Lee Ki-Hyung DF 7 James PritchettFW 9 Paul Urlovic FW 10 Grant Young GK 12 Jacob Spoonley MF 13 Alex Feneridis DF 15 Ivan Vicelich FW 24 Milos Nikolic Substitutes:GK 1 John Fletcher FW 14 Keryn Jordan DF 21 Riki van Steeden DF 22 Xavi Roca MF 23 Liam Mulrooney DF 26 Jonathan Raj Manager: Paul PosaKoloale FC Honiara: 2 Welshman Houkarawa 3 Jeffrey Bule 5 Richard Anisua 6 Timothy Joe 13 Lency Saeni 14 Nicholas Muri 15 Mostyn Beui 16 Joses Nawo 18 Henry Koto 19 Henry Fa'arodoGK 20 Shadrack Ramoni Substitutes: 1 Santas Kabini 8 Peter Taloga 10 Ezra Sale 26 Kluivert Dagi 30 Tony OtiniManager: Luke Eroi Assistant referees: Tevita Makasini (Tonga) Mahit Chilia (Vanuatu) Fourth official: Averii Jacques (Tahiti)
Auckland City won 9–4 on aggregate.
The OFC Champions League winner also advances to the qualifying round of the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup.
Topscorers
Rank Player Club Total1 Keryn Jordan Auckland City 2 1 3 2 82 Paul Urlovic Auckland City 1 2 1 43 Richard Anisua Koloale 1 2 3 Chad Coombes Auckland City 3 3 Roy Krishna Waitakere United 2 1 3 Paul Seaman Waitakere United 1 1 1 37 Abraham Iniga Hekari United 1 1 2 Kema Jack Hekari United 1 1 2 Nicholas Muri Koloale 1 1 2 Milos Nikolic Auckland City 2 2 Osea Vakatalesau Ba 1 1 2Last updated May 3, 2009
References OceaniaFootball
pt:Liga dos Campeões da Oceania de 2008