The equation for American Samoa champions Utulei Youth FC and host side Tupapa Maraerenga FC in Rarotonga, Cook Islands is simple – they need to win and hope that Kiwi lose to Veitongo FC.
From there it would likely come down to goal difference, with Tupapa holding a one goal advantage over Kiwi despite going down to them 2-1 on Match Day 2.
Tupapa coach Delaney Yaqona says they will try and put the calculations out of their minds and just focus on getting a result against Utulei.
“We can’t control what other teams do and we can’t control the result of the Kiwi game on Saturday, what we need to do is go back and re-think how we approach it,” Yaqona says.
“We have lost our captain due to suspension but the boys have just got to dig deep, score as many goals as we can, get the win and cross our fingers results go our way.”
For their opponents, who secured their first win of the tournament by edging past Veitongo 3-2, the game – which kicks off at 2.30pm local time – will be all about finding a new level.
Scoring goals hasn’t been an issue in either of their games so far, scoring on two and three occasions on Match Day 1 and 2 respectively, but stopping them at the other end has been a big problem.
“Obviously we still have a lot of work to do, but I believe if my boys follow the game plan we have we might come away with something from the game against Tupapa,” coach Ututoa Ino says.
“Tupapa are a really strong team but we expect that here.
“I want everything to improve before we face Tupapa, so hopefully we can achieve some of that.”
The 5pm clash on Match Day 3 will see Kiwi take on Veitongo, who are the only team without a win in the competition so far.
Kiwi FC will be full of confidence after overcoming their biggest challenge to the title by beating Tupapa on Match Day 2, and they have an attack which is firing right now.
They will fancy their chances coming up against the worst defensive team in the competition, but coach Martin Tamasese says there will be no underestimating the Tonga club champions.
“We never underestimate any team, and to us Veitongo are a big threat and a really good side, but we just need to play to our plan,” Tamasese says.
“We celebrated a bit after the Tupapa win but now it’s time to re-focus on Veitongo.”
While Kiwi have it all to play for Veitongo have no chance of winning the competition after suffering losses in their opening two games.
For coach Tuia Falepapalangi the match represents a chance to salvage something from what he admits has been a disappointing tournament for his team.
“We will still be trying hard to make sure we can get a win out of the game against Kiwi,” Falepapalangi says.
“So far we have not been happy with how we have played, so we want to leave with something.
“We have plenty of areas to work on, specifically our defending, because Kiwi are a good team in attack and that is a huge area of concern for us.”
Additional Information:
Tupapa Maraerenga FC vs. Utulei Youth FC
CIFA Academy
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Saturday 30 January 2016
Kick-off: 2.30pm (local)
TUPvUTU OCLP
Referee: Avereii JACQUES (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Bernard MUTUKERA (SOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Jeffrey SOLODIA (SOL)
Fourth Official: Robinson BANGA (VAN)
Tupapa Maraerenga FC
Vital Statistics: Despite Kiwi now being the only undefeated team in the competition Tupapa still have the best goal difference, having scored eight goals and conceded just three in two games.
The Players: Harlem Simiona was a standout in the Match Day 2 loss, scoring an individual goal and looking the most likely for Tupapa. At the back Ben Hunt is a calm presence who reads the game well.
Tupapa Maraerenga FC: 1. Sacha NATHU (GK), 2. Mii JOSEPH, 3. Ben HUNT, 4. Anthony SAMUELA, 5. John KARIKA, 6. Twin TIRO, 7. Grover HARMON, 8. Rhys RUKA, 9. Paavo MUSTONEN, 10. Campbell BEST, 11. Jared COLLIGAN, 12. Harlem SIMIONA, 13. Edward BROGAN, 14. Zahid ALI, 15. Sunai JOSEPH 16. Ishak MOHAMMED, 17. Edmond OKIRUA, 18. Mel MATAKANO, 19. James NAND, 20. Murray WILSON (GK)
Coach: Delaney Yaqona (FIJ)
Utulei Youth FC
Vital Statistics: Utulei will need a win – probably by a sizeable margin – if they are to have any hope of beating out Kiwi and Tupapa for the title on Match Day 3.
The Players: Kaleopa Siligi is the most creative player in the Utulei side, and offers plenty in the middle of the park. Up front Paul Collins has pace to burn when he gets in behind the defence.
Utulei Youth FC: 1. Jonathan FAAVAE (GK), 2. Neemia KALEOPA, 3. Palauni TAPUSOA. 4. Gun KANG, 5. Pita SINAPATI, 6. Kaleopa SILIGI, 7. Ryan SAMUELU, 8. Malu FAAVAE, 9. Kome TOMASI, 10. Elama FAATONU, 11. Tala FAALAVAAU, 12. Ueli TUALAULELEI, 13. Peter HARRINGTON (GK), 14. Tea SIATUU, 15. Pesamino VICTOR, 16. Paul COLLINS, 17. Iopu KALEOPA
Coach: Ututoa INO (ASA)
Kiwi FC vs. Veitongo FC
CIFA Academy
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Saturday 30 January 2016
Kick-off: 5pm (local)
KIWvVEI OCLP
Referee: Anna-Marie KEIGHLEY (NZL)
Assistant Referee 1: Sarah Walker (NZL)
Assistant Referee 2: Mark Whitehead (NZL)
Fourth Official: Nelson SOGO (SOL)
Kiwi FC
Vital Statistics: Kiwi are now the only unbeaten team left at the 2016 OFC Champions League Preliminary
The Players: Martin Packer creates plenty of opportunities through the middle of the park for Kiwi, while keeper James McPeake is tough to get around, combining sheer size with athletic ability in the net.
Kiwi FC: 1. James McPEAKE (GK), 3. James SUTCLIFFE, 4. Jarrell SALE, 5. Lewis FRANCIS, 6. Lafi IOANE, 7. Martin PACKER, 8. Tamoto FENIKA, 9. Barry LEWIS, 10. Jamie MASON, 11. Sam BLACKBURN, 12. Mike SAOFAIGA, 13. Lionel TAYLOR, 14. Albert BELL, 15. Tomas MOSQUERA, 16. Penitito TUMUA, 17. Charles BELL, 18. Benson HUNT, 21. Ethan TLISAIA (GK)
Coach: Martin TAMASESE (SAM)
Veitongo FC
Vital Statistics: Veitongo have the worst defensive record in the competition, having conceded 10 goals in two matches.
The Players: Veteran midfielder Kilifi Uele is showing he still has what it takes to compete at this level, and has a number of classy touches going forward. At the back Sione Uhatahi is a fearless defender who won’t think twice if required to put his body on the line.
Veitongo FC: 1. Brady LAUTI (GK), 2. Sione UHATAHI, 3. Fakamalinga SEMISI, 4. Oliveti VAI, 6. Ilalio LEAKONA, 7. Inoke VAIHU, 5. Sosefo LELEA, 8. Kamalie PAPANI, 9. Lafaele MOALA, 10. Tupou UHATAHI, 11. Hemaloto POLOVILI, 12. Hatana PAONGO, 13. Soane FAUPULA, 14. Halapua FALEPAPALANGI, 15. Viliami TONGAMANA, 16. Anthony LIKILIKI, 17. Silakivai MAILE 18. Siosaia FAUPULA, 19. Kilifi UELE, 20. Sinilau TAUFA (GK)
Coach: Tuia FALEPAPALANGI (TGA)

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