Match Day 3 Preview

After a tough 6-0 drubbing at the hands of the defending champions, Fiji will be out to prove their worth against a Papua New Guinea side still flying high after recording a 3-0 win over Cook Islands in their opener.
Fiji showed they had both talent and flair as striker Fazeem Khan created some great chances but the final touch was just lacking, something co-coaches Yogendra Dutt and Kamal Swamy will be keen to work on, along with some of the disciplinary matters that crept in late in the game on Tuesday.
While Papua New Guinea earned a comprehensive victory, coach Harrison Kameke faced a similar situation in that his side created umpteen chances, but weren’t as lethal as they will need to be as the competition progresses.
New Zealand will be on cloud nine after their 6-0 drubbing of Fiji but they won’t be letting their guard down against Samoa. Their hosts proved a formidable foe in the 3-0 loss to New Caledonia, showing technical and tactical improvement on past years and real determination.
With a strong coaching team led by Jose Figuiera, New Zealand are an organised outfit with their eye firmly on the coveted prize. The squad have enjoyed a reasonable amount of time together and that shows on the field as they seem to be able to anticipate each other’s moves with ease, expect to see more of the same as they look to add a further three points on Match Day 3.
Cook Islands took a defensive approach to their 3-0 loss to Papua New Guinea and are set to do the same against New Caledonia. Delaney Yaqona has preached a compact method of play and was happy with the way it worked in general. Now he’s keen to see the game plan applied for the full 90 minutes to prevent a repeat of 2013.
New Caledonia romped home to a 5-0 victory over Cook Islands in Luganville and they look capable of doing the same here. Whether they can or not will depend largely on how Cook Islands recover, and their own mentality and self-belief. With plenty of talent and speed nestled within the squad and the nerves of the first match out of the way expect to see this side grow as the competition continues.
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Extra Information:
OFC U-17 Championship – MATCH DAY 3 PREVIEW

Papua New Guinea v Fiji
2.00pm local time, Thursday 15 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
PNGvFIJ
Referee: Gerald OIAKA [SOL]
Assistant Referee 1: Himon SESE [VAN]
Assistant Referee 2: Lemusa ALATASI [ASA]
4th Official: Averii JACQUES [TAH]
Papua New Guinea
Vital Statistics: Papua New Guinea’s last win over Fiji was a 2-1 victory in 2011 at North Harbour Stadium. Stahl Gubag is sitting on one yellow card.
The Players: Striker Brendon Kambual impressed with his defence-splitting runs and his ability to find space. If the injury he picked up late in the first match isn’t too severe he should prove a threat to Fiji’s defence. Freddy Tupani’s speed on the ball and the manner in which he whips in behind defenders is impressive. Give him time to take his shots and he will be lethal.
Coach Quote: “We have a lot of work to do and we just have to go back to the drawing board. Fiji is a good side and we just have to do the right things for us to face them.”
Squad List: 1. Kusuga KOMOLONG [GK], 2. Nickson PURARI, 3. Robin LIVAI, 4. Kenneth PILAILO, 5. Jacob AKUS, 6. Bruno KELENA, 7. Oswald BADE, 8. Gregory TOGUBAI, 9. Roy CLEAVE, 10. Brendon KAMBUAL, 11. Gary POKAS, 12. Clive SAMLAL, 13. Tanaka SIGAMATA, 14. Freddy TUPANI, 15. Stahl GUBAG, 16. Misty JULIAN, 17. Larsen PASUM, 18. Sylvester AGAT, 19. Martin TOKWAKWASI, 20. Jerry SERIBA [GK]
Coach: Harrison KAMAKE [PNG]
Fiji

Vital Statistics: Fiji got the edge over Papua New Guinea in 2013 winning 2-0 on their way to their fourth place finish. Fiji will be without Afraz Ali who was suspended after receiving a direct red card. Goalkeeper Waisake Ravuiwasa and Shavneel Deo both have a caution apiece.
The Players: Waisake Ravuiwasa will be key if he keeps his cool, with some impressive saves restricting New Zealand to just six goals. If Fazeem Khan can continue as he started, but with some improved finishing, he’s be dangerous on attack.
Coach Quote: “We’ve still got some other players on the bench that can fill that midfield position that Ali has left vacant. We’ve got options so we will see how it goes.”
Squad List: 1. Biuvanua JOELA [GK], 2. Manumanubai ARAMI, 3. Shalit REDDY, 4. Mkeimi RALULU, 5. Shoel KHAN, 6. Adeel ALI, 7. Fazeem KHAN, 8. Shamron PRASAD, 9. Patrick JOSEPH, 10. Kartik KUMAR, 11. Simeli BATIRATU, 12. Amena BOLAITAMANA, 13. Alvish NAIDU, 15. France CATAROGO, 16. Lino ROSERU, 17. Timoci DOVI, 18. Savneel DEO, 19. Rusiate QIO, 20. Waisake RAVUIWASA [GK]
Suspended: 14. Afraz ALI
Co-Coaches: Yogendra DUTT [FIJ] and Kamal SWAMY [FIJ]
New Zealand v Samoa
4.30pm local time, Thursday 15 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
NZLvSAM
Referee: Ichikawa POLOVILI [TGA]
Assistant Referee 1: Sione TEU [TGA]
Assistant Referee 2: Ravinesh KUMAR [FIJ]
4th Official: Kader ZITOUNI [TAH]
New Zealand
Vital Statistics: New Zealand are chasing their sixth, and fifth consecutive, regional title in Samoa. The players hail from six of New Zealand Footballs seven federations.
The Players: If Logan Rogerson can time his runs to beat the offside trap he will be New Zealand’s best weapon. His vision and awareness in regards to where he needs to be to receive balls and create space is unrivalled here so far.
Coach Quote: “I came and watched Samoa’s first half on Tuesday and I have to say they’re going to make it a tough task. I thought their teamwork, their energy and their effort was something to be commended. I’ve told our boys that already and that’s the next focus, as well as looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd.”
Squad List: 1. Michael WOUD [GK], 2. Jack-Henry SINCLAIR, 3. Luke JOHNSON, 4. Billy JONES, 5. Sione FA’APOI, 6. Liam WILLIAMS, 7. Oliver CECI, 8. Sarpreet SINGH, 9. Jack ANDERSON, 10. Logan ROGERSON, 11. Louie MILLS, 12. Reuben CLARK [GK], 13. Sean SKEENS, 14. James McGARRY, 15. Connor PROBERT, 16. Jamie WOODLOCK, 17. Ben KIORE, 18. Daniel LOUGH, 19. Sam WILSON, 20. Ben MATA
Coach: Jose FIGUIERA [ENG]
Samoa
Vital Statistics: In 1997 Samoa lost just 1-0 to New Zealand, a team which Football Federation Samoa CEO Michael Kapisi was a member of.
The Players: Goalkeeper Taase Hunt was outstanding against New Caledonia. Constantly on his toes and patrolling his entire area, his efforts prevented a greater deficit. As expected David Wensley lived up to the hype, his seamless movement on and off the ball created room and allowed Samoa to launch several counter-attacks that tested their opponents.
Coach Quote: “We all know that New Zealand is the best team in Oceania but if we beat New Zealand it will be a dream come true. They are in the top of our region so we will have to do something special, we must defeat New Zealand.”
Squad List: 1. Faafouina IOLE [GK], 2. Tauati TANOAI, 3. Peter HUNT, 4. Bronson LOTU-I’IGA, 5. Lafoga LAFOGA PUPULA, 6. Poasa EPA, 7. Seli FUIMAONO, 8. Samuelu MALO, 9. Willie SAUILUMA, 10. Frank MARINER, 11. David WENSLEY, 12. Vaa TAUALAI, 13. Mose SOFALA, 14. Timote HALAHINGANO, 15. Osa SAVELIO, 16. Iosefo TOMA, 17. Henry SMITH, 18. Slade OMERI, 19. Felix-Dominique IULIO, 20. M
aaushammah TAUASA, 21. Salvation SATUALA, 22. Taase HUNT [GK], 23. Tusitala VITO [GK]
Coach: Desmond FAAI’UASO [SAM]
New Caledonia v Cook Islands
7.00pm local time, Thursday 15 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
NCLvCOK
Referee: Robinson BANGA [VAN]
Assistant Referee 1: Mahit CHILIA [VAN]
Assistant Referee 2: Himon SESE [VAN]
Fourth Official: Averii JACQUES [TAH]
New Caledonia
Vital Statistics: New Caledonia beat Cook Islands 5-0 at the last edition of this competition. Renzo Wejieme has one caution.
The Players: Jean-Marc Kaudre possesses speed which combined with his game understanding makes him a threat in front of goal. Not shy of dropping back to lend a hand or recuperate the ball, Kaudre is a player to watch.
Coach Quote: “We’ll observe them, identify their strengths and their weaknesses and try to work on all that for the next match. I know how they play in general, but it’s a new generation, a new coach and I’ll have to watch them.”
Squad List: 1. Jacques WAZIZ (GK), 2. Lucas BITAUD, 3. Jean-Marc KAUDRE, 4. Jimmy GUSEAL, 5. Sam TIAOU, 6. Renzo WEJIEME, 7. Marino AKAPO, 8. Joseph HNAGONE, 9. Henri BOUCHERON, 10. Joris KENON, 11. Armand HARPER, 12. Valerian MICHALAK, 13. Takiave TEIHOTAATA, 14. Maxime BETOULLE, 15. Brandon STREETER, 16. Nelson KAI, 17. Ernest AKON, 18. Etienne POANOUI, 19. Nelson KAKUE, 20. Patrick NYIKEINE [GK]
Cook Islands

Vital Statistics: Cook Islands lost all five of their matches in 2013 and are keen to avoid a similar statistic this time around.
The Players: This is another side where the goalkeeper’s performance helped stem the flow of goals. Chrismagne Elikana was energetic and with his quick decision making was able to keep his side in the game, especially during the first half. He will again be key as they continue in the competition. Substitute Kristian Young’s speed was a shock to Papua New Guinea’s defence when he entered the fray. Young is an impact player who will be difficult to contain.
Coach Quote: “New Caledonia are very similar to PNG, technically very good. What’s going to make them a bit of a bigger challenge is that they’ve got a very fast striker up the front. It’s someone that, you can put a through ball from anywhere on the field, and our boys have got to watch it, drop early and just cut him out because I saw him do some really big runs and just get through there.”
Squad List: 1. Chrismagne ELIKANA [GK], 2. Melbourne MATAKINO, 3. Rechimaer RAIROA, 5. Rouru RAIROA, 6. Owenne MATAPO, 7. Will NAPA, 8. Varu VARU, 9. Tamaiva MATEARIKI, 10. Sunai JOSEPH, 11. Peter PUREAU, 12. Sam TATUAVA, 13. Kristian YOUNG, 14. Sam KOIATU, 15. Daniel TAOKIA, 16. Michael WOOD, 17. Albert TARU, 18. Maru MIRO, 19/20. Atera MAROROA [GK]
Coach: Delaney YAQONA [FIJ]