Match Day 2 of the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship will provide new challenges as Papua New Guinea face a downtrodden Vanuatu in the first game of the day, while New Zealand will play Tonga to round out the action.
Papua New Guinea were kept in check by Tonga during the first half of the opening match, but four goals in the second period sealed a hard earned victory. Coach Rachel Wadumah will be looking for more of the same from her girls – rapid, one-touch passing while making the most of their speed and agility. She’ll also be looking for her forwards to capitalise on more of the chances being created in front of the goal mouth.
Once again Vanuatu’s inexperience will likely count against them in this encounter. They let nerves get the better of them on Tuesday, and facing defending champions New Zealand that’s to be expected, but Tom McDonald’s charges will have to settle much quicker if they’re to disrupt this free-running Papua New Guinea side. The score-line wasn’t favourable but Vanuatu did show some brief flashes of brilliance as players faced up to the Kiwis and displayed some positive footwork.
Tonga proved they have the defensive worth to keep a problematic attack from scoring after shutting out Papua New Guinea for the first 45 minutes. They will need to tighten every aspect of their game in order to prevent the free-scoring Kiwis from running riot on the goal.
New Zealand will be buoyed by their 12-goal triumph over Vanuatu and looking for another big win over Tonga. Coach Aaron McFarland wasn’t 100 per cent happy with the on-field performance however and wants to see his players more settled and organised. While the lower-scoring of the two halves, he says the second period was much closer to how he wants his team playing and will be encouraging more of this come Thursday.
EXTRA INFORMATION:
Papua New Guinea vs. Vanuatu
Papua New Guinea vs. Vanuatu
Mangere Centre Park, Auckland
Thursday, 20 February 2014
Kickoff: 1pm
Referee: Finau VULIVULI (FIJ)
Papua New Guinea
The players: Captain Rumona Morris was a work-horse popping up all over the field against Tonga. She created opportunities for her teammates and with her shots-on-target tally, she’s likely to get on the scoreboard herself soon. Meagan Genemba made some effective and exciting attacks while goal scorer Talitha Irakau was solid in defence, while also making some stunning runs forward.
The vital statistics: Papua New Guinea women are currently the second highest-ranked women’s team in Oceania, behind New Zealand.
Squad list: 1. Lace KUNEI (GK), 2. Bridget KADU, 3. Talitha IRAKAU, 4. Dinah DABINYABA, 5. Carolyn OBI, 6. Dinna AWELE, 7. Rumona MORRIS, 8. Grace STEVEN, 9. Yvonne GABONG, 10. Vali AIPI, 11. Natasha KASKI, 12. Meagen GUNEMBA, 13. Nicolla NIAMAN, 14. Georgina KAIKAS, 15. Gloria LAELI, 16. Marie KAIPU, 17. Karen ROMO, 18. Grace JESSEM, 19. Joy TSUGA, 20. Lavina HOLA
Coach: Rachel WADUNAH (PNG)
Coach Quote: “With Vanuatu we know that they are a very young team, but that doesn’t mean that we will underestimate them. We will just take them as they come on Thursday.”
Vanuatu
The players: Captain Junane Ishmael was a rock in midfield, preventing plays and trying to create a link to the forwards. Maximilienne Bihu and Marie-Estella Rory displayed some great technique in attack and defence respectively.
The vital statistics: Junane Ishamael is the most experienced member of this squad. The 18-year-old was included in Vanuatu’s Women’s Olympic Qualifying squad.
Squad list: 1. Samantha PAUL (GK), 2. Lutricia WILBUR, 3. Priscilla CHARLEY, 4. Nadine KILETEIR, 5. Melissa WAKARET, 6. Jane ALATOA, 7. Eva BOE, 8. Emilia TARAVAKI, 9. Jasmina TAKARO, 10. Maximilienne BIHU, 11. Paulieana MANWO, 12. Delisa YEOYER, 13. Marie-Estella RORY, 14. Junane ISHMAEL, 15. Louisa KALPRAM, 16. Synia WANEMUT, 17. Leiwia KALTAPIRI, 18. Diana WAYANE, 19. Monica MELTEVIEL, 20. Melody TATE (GK)
Coach: Tom MCDONALD (AUS)
Coach Quote: “We’re going to play our game, play some football and we’ll definitely focus on just relaxing and playing the way Vanuatu plays. We do have some very good players here so we just have to believe in ourselves.”
Tonga vs. New Zealand
Tonga vs. New Zealand
Mangere Centre Park, Auckland
Thursday, 20 February 2014
Kickoff: 4pm
Referee: Robinson BANGA (VAN)
Tonga
The players: Goalkeeper Sina Lutua had a lot of work to do and often showed she was up to the challenge with some stellar saves. Central defender Ofa La’akulu was cool under pressure, playing her way out of some sticky situations and clearing danger efficiently.
The vital statistics: Tonga had just one shot on target in their match against Papua New Guinea.
Squad list: 1. Sina LUTUA (GK), 2. Malia LEONE, 3. Meleseini TUFUI, 4. Vea FUNAKI, 5. Tolini KOFUTU’A, 6. Ofa LA’AKULU, 7. Malia TONGIA, 8. Wendy FEKE, 9. Unaloto TAHITU’A, 10. Heilala MOALA, 11. Seini LUTU, 12. Ilisapeti MALEKAMU, 13. Lilian KAITAPU, 14. Nelma ONGOLEA, 15. Hala’unga TAHOLO, 16. Manusiu LATAVAO, 17. Tupou TOPUI, 18. Meliame LUITAI, 19. Kailata TIMANI (GK), 20. Tangimausia MA’AFU (GK)
Coach: Penateti FEKE (TGA)
Coach Quote: “New Zealand are the number one side in Oceania and we’ll be opting for a more defensive approach to this encounter.”
New Zealand
The players: Laura Merrin is a quiet threat, especially with her left foot, as she’s able to cross in to set her teammates up nicely. Emma Rolston and Martine Puketapu are both attacking threats, scoring seven goals between them in the Junior Football Ferns 12-0 win over Vanuatu.
The vital statistics: Emma Rolston has taken an early lead in the Golden Boot race after firing home four goals against Vanuatu on Tuesday. Her closest contender is teammate Martine Puketapu who has three.
Squad list: 1. Lily ALFELD (GK), 2. Catherine BOTT, 3. Laura MERRIN, 4. Daisy CLEVERLEY, 5. Emily JENSEN, 6. Meikayla MOORE, 7. Geneva GROSS, 8. Lauren DABNER, 9. Martine PUKETAPU, 10. Emma ROLSTON, 11. Briar PALMER, 12. Megan ROBERTSON, 13. Isabella COOMBES, 14. Elizabeth ANTON, 15. Emily STOTTER, 16. Belinda VAN NOORDEN, 17. Jasmine PEREIRA, 18. Chloe KNOTT, 19.Tayla O’BRIEN, 20. Corina BROWN (GK)
Coach: Aaron MCFARLAND (NZL)
Coach Quote: “Island teams, without making generic statements, play a different brand to us and we have to adjust to that and the different sorts of pressure they put on us. They’re quite quick and if we make mistakes they can take advantage of that so we have to dominate possession right from the first whistle and show a really strong character – that’s the approach we need to take.”

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