Kiwi FC were preliminary champs at OCL in 2016 Photo: Oceania Football
Samoan football club Kiwi FC are hoping to outpace their rivals at next week's qualifying tournament for the Oceania Champions League.
Kiwi are joined by American Samoa's Pago youth, Tonga's Lotohaʻapai United and hosts Tupapa Maraerenga at the event in the Cook Islands.
The top two teams join 14 others from the region in the group stages of the Champions League next month.
The Samoan team kick off their qualifying campaign tomorrow against the hosts, and Kiwi coach Martin Tamasese said counter-attacking is his side's strength.
He said, "we are going to play a fast game, using our speed and our fitness, so that we can counter from transitioning from defending."
Martin Tamasese said he expects tomorrow's match against Tupapa Maraerenga will be the toughest of the tournament.