Federated States of Micronesia have ruled themselves out of contention with two very heavy losses. However their opponents are still in the running for the Pacific Games semi-final but will need to top Fiji’s 38-goal record to obtain a better goal average, as well as rely on a Tahitian victory in order to continue in the Pacific Games element of the competition. Vanuatu will be without Bong Kalo who is suspended for this match.
These two sides will kick off at the same time as another important decider; Solomon Islands versus Papua New Guinea. With two losses each, the only thing separating the sides right now is goal difference meaning for Solomon Islands it’s win, or go home.
Both sides have performed outstandingly so far with their performances against New Zealand of particular note. For Solomon Islands their strength is, as always, their ability to approach an opponent head on and without hesitation which offers them a level of confidence going into their final Group B encounter. However Papua New Guinea are equally comfortable using their skills to take players on no matter who they are. Now with the home crowd support and their Team PNG uniforms unpacked and ready to go, this side will mean business as they hope to qualify for both the Olympic and Pacific Games semi-finals.
Tahiti are sitting pretty comfortable after turning over Micronesia and Vanuatu in their opening two matches here in Port Moresby. The side has been sticking closely to their structure and approach to the match and we can expect the same determination from the side when they take on Fiji.
The Fijians may have secured a Pacific Games record with their 38-0 victory on Match Day 2, but they are still rueing their 1-1 draw with Vanuatu as it makes today’s encounter do-or-die. While comfortably through to the Olympic semi-final, they need to beat Tahiti to progress to the Pacific Games.
Two wins each for New Zealand and New Caledonia mean they are all but secure in progressing to the semi-finals of their respective competitions – the Olympic Qualifiers and the XV Pacific Games However it’s safe to assume that neither side will be lifting their foot off the pedal as bragging rights and national pride are still on the line.
There are no recent records of a New Caledonia youth side beating their Kiwi counterparts, but this is the country that knocked New Zealand out of contention at the OFC Nations Cup in 2012 and therefore not one to be underestimated. New Caledonia coach Thierry Sardo will be without captain Jorys Mene and striker Raphael Oiremoin after they picked up two cautions across two matches. New Zealand have a full contingent of players to choose from and no doubt Anthony Hudson will be taking advantage of the opportunity to rest some of his key players ahead of the semi-final.
Extra Information
Solomon Islands v Papua New Guinea
Bisini Field 1
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Tuesday 7 July 2015
Kick-off: 11am
SOLvPNG
Referee: Ravitesh BEHARI (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 1: Paul AHUPU (TAH)
Assistant Referee 2: Ravinesh KUMAR (FIJ)
Fourth Official: Norbert HAUATA (TAH)
Solomon Islands: 1. Phillip MANGO (GK), Fred BUAI, 3. Matson FENNY, 4. Dickson MOULI, 5. Allen PETER, 6. Fredrick DOLA, 7. Harrison MALA, 8. Jimmy RARAMANE, 9. Frank FOLI, 10. Tuti Zama TANITO, 11. Atana Junior FA’ARODO, 12. George LADOGA, 13. Jared RONGOSULIA, 14. Bonny PRIDE, 15. John ROFETA, 16. Fred BALA, 17. Timothy BAKALE, 18. Davidson TOME, 19. Simon DAOI, 20. Anthony TALO (GK), 21. Natanela BERO, 22. Kevin OBED, 23. James DO’ORO
Coach: Patrick MINITI (SOL)
Papua New Guinea: 1. Ismael POLE (GK), 2. Abel REDENUT, 3. Otto KUSUNAN, 4. Joshua TALAU, 5. John RAY, 6. Emmanuel AIREM, 7. Freddy STEVEN, 8. Sammy RUFUS, 9. Patrick AISA, 10. Rodney MOBIHA, 11. Emmanuel YAWI, 12. Darren STEVEN, 13. Tommy SEMMY, 14. Alwin KOMOLONG, 15. Vincent WORIO, 16. Felix KOMOLONG, 17. Jacob SABUA, 18. Basil JOFARI, 19. Pettyshen ELIJAH, 20. Charles LEPANI (GK), 21. Nathan JAMES, 22. Gimale ESSACU, 23. Papalau AWELE
Coach: Ricki HERBERT (NZL)
Vanuatu v Federated States of Micronesia
Bisini Field 3
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Tuesday 7July 2015
Kick-off: 11am
VANvFSM
Referee: Ichikawa POLOVILI (TGA))
Assistant Referee 1: Jeffrey SOLODIA (SOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Noel BERRY (SOL)
Fourth Official: Mairi NONI (PNG)
Vanuatu: 1. Seloni IARUEL (GK), 2. Channel OBED, 3. Remy KALSRAP, 4. Brian KALTACK, 5. Junia VAVA, 6. Raoul COULON, 7. Barry MANSALE, 8. Bill NICHOLLS, 9. Chris ANDREWS, 11. Jean KALTACK, 12. Zicka MANUHI, 13. Dalong DAMALIP, 14. Michel COULON, 15. Nilua NIKIAU, 16. Jacky RUBEN, 17. Nemany ROQUARA, 18. Abraham ROQARA, 19. Tony KALTACK, 20. Anthony TAIWIA (GK), 22. Jais MALSARANI, 23. Kaloran FIRIAM
Suspended: 10. Bong KALO
Coach: Richard IWAI (VAN)
Federated States of Micronesia: 1. Walter PENGELBEW (GK), 2. Kacy Alton OLMOS, 3. Mikson KUKA, 4. Jacob NAM, 5. Ioane KARITI, 6. Jonathan GARAYOG, 7. Javin KOGNANG, 8. Franson SIMEON, 9. Mark JONES, 10. Roger NAKASONE, 11. Benjamin GILMOON, 12. Scott RUDOLPH, 13. MacArthur JAMES, 14. Paulis JEIKEK, 16. Devon FIGIRMOW, 18. Dominic GADAD (GK), 20. Michael REYES, Aaran BAYOW
Coach: Stanley FOSTER (AUS)
New Caledonia v New Zealand
Bisini Field 1
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Tuesday 7 July 2015
Kick-off: 2pm
NCLvNZL
Referee: Kader ZITOUNI (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Phillipe REVEL (TAH)
Assistant Referee 2: Hilmon SESE (VAN)
Fourth Official: Robinson BANGA (VAN)
New Caledonia: 1. Thomas SCHMIDT (GK), 3. Aquilas WAHNAPO, 4. Jean-Brice WADRIAKO, 5. Jean-Luc DECOIRE, 6. David BEARUNE, 7. Leon WAHNAWE, 8. Shafi MANDAOUE, 9. Jim OUKA, 10. Cedric DECOIRE, 12. Yorick HNAUTRA, 13. Joseph TCHAKO, 14. Nathanael HMAEN, 15. Joseph ATHALE, 16. Jimmy WAHNAPO (GK), 17. Ben MALAKAI, 18. Pierre KAUMA, 19. Mickael PARTODIKROMO, 20. Johan IDRELE, 21. Jacques NYKEINE (GK), 22. Theo JALABERT, 23. Vince POITHILI
Suspended: 2. Jorys MENE, 11. Raphael OIREMOIN
Coach: Thierry SARDO (FRA)
New Zealand: 1. Oliver SAIL (GK), 2. Kip COLVEY, 3. Deklan WYNNE, 4. Sam BROTHERTON, 5. Alec SOLOMONS, 6. Bill TUILOMA, 7. Joel STEVENS, 8. Moses DYER, 9. Alex RUFER, 10. Clayton LEWIS, 11. Luka PRELEVIC, 12. Nikola TZANEV (GK), 13. Liam HIGGINS, 14. Luke ADAMS, 15. Storm ROUX, 16. Louis FENTON, 17. Andrew BLAKE, 18. Sam BURFOOT, 19. Monty PATTERSON, 20. Harshae RANIGA, 21. Max CROCOMBE (GK), 22. Te Atawhai HUDSON-WIHONGI, 23. Logan ROGERSON
Coach: Anthony HUDSON (ENG)
Tahiti v Fiji
Bisini Field 3
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Tuesday 7 July 2015
Kick-off: 2pm
TAHvFIJ
Referee: Gerald OIAKA (SOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Johnny Erick NIABO (SOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Bertrand BRIAL (NCL)
Fourth Official: George TIME (SOL)
Tahiti: 1. Tom TERIINOHOPUAITERAI (GK), 2. Tevaimoana MESLIEN, 3. Raimana TIPAHAEHAE, 4. Rainui AROITA, 5. Teheiarii TAUPOTINI, 6. Louis PETITGAS, 7. Tauatua LUCAS, 8. Manuarii HAUATA, 9. Fred TISSOT, 10. Yohann TIHONI, 11. Mauarii TEHINA, 12. Raiamanu TETAUIRA, 13. Raumatahi NOHO, 14. Tevairoa TEHURITAUA, 15. Ryan PETITGAS, 16. Remauiarii CROLAS (GK), 17. Tumarangi TIATOA, 18. Heremoana HOATA, 19. Tamatoa TETAUIRA, 20. Raimana DHALLUIN, 21. Thibaut PITO, 22. Michel MAIHI, 23. Vaiarii HALLIGAN
Coach: Patrice FLACCADORI (TAH)
Fiji: 1. Senirusi BOKINI (GK), 2. Ravinesh KUMAR DASS, 3. Praneel NAIDU, 4. Kolinio SIVOKI, 5. Jale DREOLA, 6. Saula WAQA, 7. Manasa NAWAKULA, 8. Atonio TUIVUNA, 9. Iosefo VEREVOU, 10. Rusiate MATAREREGA, 11. Christopher WASASALA, 12. Tevita WARANAIVALU, 13. Filipe BARAVILALA, 14. Garish PRASAD, 15.Napolioni QASEVAKATINI, 16. Sakaraia NAISUA, 17. Nickel CHAND, 18. Viliame BAWAI, 19. Ratu NAKALEVU, 20. Tevita KOROI (GK)
Coach: Carlos BUZZETTI (AUS)