Match Day 1 Preview

Dubbed the group of death by some, hosts Samoa are joined by four-time defending champions New Zealand, 2013 runners-up New Caledonia, Fiji, Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea.
As hosts, Samoa will open the 16th edition of this competition against New Caledonia at 2pm at J.S. Blatter Football Complex in Tuanimoto.
After losing out at the final hurdle during the OFC U-17 Preliminary in 2013, Samoa are out to prove they are a nation on the rise. Under new coach Desmond Faai’uaso, a former national team striker himself, the side has been quietly building a solid foundation. They’ve brought in several overseas-based players from New Zealand, Samoa and Canada, who combined with the local squad members, are expected to perform well in front of the home crowd.
New Caledonia is once again coached by Kamali Fitialeata, who led them to their second-ever runners-up finish in 2013. Preparations have been a mixed bag for the side with training camps scattered throughout the 2014, before the Christmas and New Year festivities severely disrupted proceedings.
The second match of the day sees Cook Islands take on Papua New Guinea in what will be a tough opener for both teams. While Papua New Guinea have the pedigree of having been involved in several events at this level. Attacker Freddy Tupani is one of the squad’s most experienced players having appeared at the OFC U-20 Championship in Fiji last year.
Cook Islands have a lot to prove after winning through to the tournament proper in 2013, only to be undone by their opponents at the next level. Aware of their underdog status in Group A, they’re keen to put forward a series of performances that better reflects the talent nestled within their nation.
The match of the day is surely the 7pm encounter between Fiji and New Zealand, with the latter chasing their fifth consecutive title at this level.
Fiji are still riding high on their U-20 squad’s qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup and will be keen to add a trip to Chile to their highlights. While New Zealand are clear favourites to take out the group, with former OFC Champions League coaches Yogendra Dutt (Ba FC) and Kamal Swamy (Nadi FC) joining forces to lead the Fijian side they’re in good hands. Preparations have been ongoing during 2014, with efforts stepped up over the past three months as the countdown to kick-off got underway.
Under new coach Jose Figuera New Zealand are hoping to continue their dominant form at this level and secure tickets to their sixth FIFA U-17 World Cup. Much of the side have spent latter part of 2014 and early 2015 competing with the Wanderers SC side in the ASB Premiership. The remainder have also been taking part in New Zealand’s premier men’s club competition with various teams. Confident the side has bonded well and is adjusting to the conditions, Figuera believes New Zealand are on track for the successful defence of their title.

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Extra Information:
OFC U-17 Championship – MATCH DAY 1 PREVIEW

Samoa v New Caledonia
2.00pm local time, Tuesday 13 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
SAMvNCL
Referee: Averii JACQUES [TAH]
Assistant Referee 1: Lemusa ALATASI [ASA]
Assistant Referee 2: Himon SESE [VAN]
4th Official: Gerald OIAKA [SOL]
Samoa
Vital Statistics: As well as utilising the players coming through domestic development programmes, a scouting tour has also enabled the squad to include players from Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
The Players: David Wensley may have travelled from Canada to compete for Samoa but he’s no stranger to the nation having spent some time there during his childhood. He’s said to be well developed technically, and with his height is expected to play a crucial role within the squad.
Coach Quote: “We’ve been training together for a month and we are well prepared for our first game tomorrow. We know that New Caledonia have good skills but we will do our best.”
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. Maaushammah TAUASA, 21. Salvation SATUALA, 22. Taase HUNT [GK], 23. Tusitala VITO [GK]
Coach: Desmond FAAI’UASO [SAM]
New Caledonia
Vital Statistics: The entire squad is made up of players from four Noumea-based clubs; AS Wetr, OMS Paita, AS Magenta and AS Mont-Dore. New Caledonia have finished runners-up in this competition twice previously.
The Players: If the names Kai, Kaudre and Nyikeine look familiar they should, with Bertrand, Noel and Rocky having been members of the senior squad for some time. This time it’s the youthful Nelson, Jean-Marc and Patrick following in the footsteps of the senior family members and by all accounts, footballing ability in New Caledonia is genetic.
Coach Quote: “On paper the match looks winnable, it seems like our match but it also seems like a dangerous match because they have the home crowd behind them. I wouldn’t want my team, or anyone, to think it will be easy for us.”
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 v Papua New Guinea
4.30pm local time, Tuesday 13 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
COKvPNG
Referee: Ichikawa POLOVILI [TGA]
Assistant Referee 1: Sione TEU [TGA]
Assistant Referee 2: Ravinesh KUMAR [FIJ]
4th Official: Robinson BANGA [VAN]
Cook Islands
Vital Statistics: The side is 100 per cent compiled of players based full-time in the Cook Islands. Cook Islands qualified for the previous edition after winning through the Preliminary stage where they failed to record a single win from five matches.
The Players: Defender Sunai Joseph made his U-17 debut as a 14-year-old in Luganville in 2013. This time he’s one of the senior members lending his experience to his teammates as they attempt to navigate the pressure-cooker of international competition.
Coach Quote: “All we’ve got about Papua New Guinea is what happened at the last tournament the team qualified for. Cook Islands played Papua New Guinea and from what I saw it was a very even game but our team tended to push up too much which is one thing we don’t want to do. We’ve got a system and that’s to stay nice and compact and we’ll just see what the team we’re playing throws at us.”
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]
Papua New Guinea
Vital Statistics: Papua New Guinea’s best finish at an OFC U-17 event was third in 2001 after finishing best runner-up in the group stage to Australia.
The Players: Freddy Tupani’s first taste of international football came under OFC Player of the Century Wynton Rufer’s watch. Rufer easily iden
tified Tupani as a player on the rise, including him in his U-20 squad for the OFC event in 2014.
Coach Quote: “We’re looking forward to the game. For us it’s all about getting the little things right. We’ve been together for about two months and the boys are gelling together and bonding and everybody is enjoying themselves at the moment.”
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 v New Zealand
7.00pm local time, Tuesday 13 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
FIJvNZL
Referee: Kader ZITOUNI [TAH]
Assistant Referee 1: Mahit CHILIA [VAN]
Assistant Referee 2: Lemusa ALATASI [ASA]
Fourth Official: Gerald OIAKA [SOL]
Fiji

Vital Statistics: Fiji have earned the silver just once previously at an OFC U-17 event, in 1999.
The Players: Fazeem Khan earns his keep as a member of the Wellington Phoenix Football Academy in Wellington. While he holds down the fort in a central defense role with them, he’ll be out to score playing front and centre for Fiji.
Coach Quote: “The excitement is there, but also we have to keep in mind that New Zealand are the defending champions so we have to give respect to their side, while trying to play football the way we want.”
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, 14. Afraz ALI, 15. France CATAROGO, 16. Lino ROSERU, 17. Timoci DOVI, 18. Savneel DEO, 19. Rusiate QIO, 20. Waisake RAVUIWASA [GK]
Co-Coaches: Yogendra DUTT [FIJ] and Kamal SWAMY [FIJ]
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: Wellington Phoenix forward James McGarry and WaiBop United striker Connor Probert are of fine pedigree, they’re the sons of former All Whites Michael McGarry and Paul Probert.
Coach Quote: “We don’t know a lot about our opponent but I think that’s always the case with the opening game. Anything can happen and Fiji are always athletic, powerful and physical, but the message is the same regardless of the opponent. We have to stick to our game, treat every opponent with respect and make sure we do the job properly.”
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]