Co-hosts American Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Tonga are all in action but it’s the co-hosts coached by Uinifareti Aliva who take on Vanuatu at 1pm local time at Pago Park Soccer Stadium in Pago Pago in the first match.
American Samoa’s best performances at this level have been saved for the Preliminary round competition and include a 3-0 win over Cook Islands and 2-2 draw with Samoa in 2013. At the tournament-proper, they drew 0-0 with Cook Islands in 2003.
By contrast, Vanuatu are one of the top five teams in Oceania at this level. They finished third in 2013 under coach Etienne Mermer who wants his team to qualify for the semi-finals again this year.
In the day’s other match, Solomon Islands re-enters this age-group bracket for the first time in four years. Consistent performers at this level, the Solomon Islands has notched four third-place finishes and were runners-up in 1993.
Coach Jacob Moli knows his team has a reputation for individual flair and skill but wants his them to play with a more collective approach in American Samoa and believes his side is capable of reaching the knock-out stages.
Solomon Islands face a Tonga team that missed out on qualifying from the Preliminary tournament at the last OFC U-17 championship two years ago after they managed just one win from their three matches.
Tahiti is bye for match day 2.
Live text updates will be available at www.oceaniafootball.com , while updates and social media comment are on Twitter : @OFCfootball and the official Oceania Football Confederation : Facebook page
Extra Information:
OFC U-17 Championship – MATCH DAY 2 PREVIEW
This is the official preview of Match Day 2. Please note squads are subject to change.
American Samoa v Vanuatu
1.00pm local time, Tuesday 13 January
Pago Park Soccer Stadium
Pago Pago, American Samoa
ASAvVAN
Referee: Anna-Marie KEIGHLEY [NZL]
Assistant Referee 1: Lata KAUMATULE [TGA]
Assistant Referee 2: Maria TAMALELAGI [SAM]
4th Official: Hillary ANY [PNG]
American Samoa
Vital Statistics: The American Samoa squad is composed with players coming all from the local schools.
The Players: Gabriel Tauma is the youngest player of the squad at the age of 12 year-old.
Coach Quote: “Vanuatu is a tough team who prepares for a long time. We will try our best to hold them. We are hoping to make a good start in front of our crowd.’’
Squad List: 1. Kinikinilau POULI [GK], 2. Sione MOEAKI, 3. Royce PAO, 4. Uelinitone TUALAULELEI, 5. Sione LATU, 6. Tokilupe AFU, 7. Zachary MANA’O, 8. Tauamo FE’A. 9. Joseph PURCELL, 10. Tord-Lawrence MANA’O, 11. Ferrin MANULELEUA, 12. Willie MALELE, 13. Gabriel TAUMA, 14. Ene AH SAM, 15. Aliva NAUTU, 16. Sinaleeteva MAUGA, 17. Tevita MOALA, 18. Pulenuu FONO, 19. Nelson MOALA, 20. Pilimilose FAUOLO [GK].
Coach: Uinifareti ALIVA [ASA]
Vanuatu
Vital Statistics: The entire squad is made up of players from the Vanuatu Football Academy. The best performance of Vanuatu is a second place in 2005.
Coach Quote: “We respect our opponent. We will see what happens on the field in this first game.”
Squad List: Dick WILLIE RICKY [GK], Andreas DUCH [GK], Gregory PATRICK, Obed NICKY, Tasso JEFFREY, Barnabe TALIBAN, Joseph IARUEL, John JOHN, Jayson TIMATUA, Frederick MASSING, Abednigo SAU, William EDISON, Max UGUNA, Ronaldo WILKINS, Simeon JOSHUA,
Xavier JOHNNY, Sylvain WORWORBU, Jonathan SPOKEYJACK, Derek BULE
Coach: Etienne Mermer [VAN]
Solomon Islands v Tonga
3.30pm local time, Tuesday 13 January
Pago Park Soccer Stadium
Pago Pago, American Samoa
SOLvTGA
Referee: Salesh CHAND [FIJ]
Assistant Referee 1: Ujwaal MUDLIAR [FIJ]
Assistant Referee 2: Lonisa DILIONI [FIJ]
4th Official: Hillary ANY [PNG]
Solomon Islands
Vital Statistics: Solomon Islands re-enters this age-group bracket for the first time in four years.
The Players: All the players from the squad are from the local clubs in the Solomon Islands.
Coach Quote: ‘’The first game is always the hardest. It won’t be a walk over game and we have to fight for every point.’’
Squad List: 1. Oxson BUKA [GK], 2. Javin PITAWAO, 3. Casper TAUTIKA, 4. Kaliz ATU, 5. Eric BUGA, 6. Philip MAETA, 7. Sammy WILSON, 8. Junior HOU, 9. Larry ZAMA, 10. Benjimin TOATA, 11. John OGE, 12. Richard RARAMO, 13. Lance SURA’AU, 14. Malcom KABINI, 15. Raynick LAETE, 16. Gershom FAGA-TOTORI, 17. Robert RAMONI, 18. Carlton BEUKA, 19. Hendrick JIRAH, 20. Selwyn NUNUKWAI [GK].
Coach: Jacob Moli [SOL]
Tonga
Vital Statistics: Tonga have recorded their first win in 2013 at the OFC U-17 Championship Preliminaries after beating American Samoa 3-2.
The Players: All the players are from the local clubs in Tonga. The youngest player is Ofaloto KITE who is 14 year-old.
Coach Quotes: ‘’Solomom Islands had good results in the past tournaments. They have very skilled players. We have well prepared this competition and we will do our best.’’
Squad List: 1. Mahe MALAFU [GK], 2. Teufolau TOKAI, 3. Ofaloto KITE, 4. Sione TUIFANGALOKA, 5. Kilifitoni VEA, 6. Sateki MATAKAIONGO, 7. Soakai VEA, 8. Aisea MULI, 9. Anthony LIKILIKI, 10. Mataitini FEFE, 11. Fisi’ihoi PALU, 12. Sefana PAONGO, 13. Kapeliele MALAFU, 14. Esafe TOKAI, 15. Longani TAUNAHOLO, 16. Folauhola MESUI, 17. Anitelu MATAKAIONGO, 18. Kelepi MATAELE, 19. Lachman ATOA, 20. Semesi OTUKOLO [GK].
Coach: Timote MOLENI [TGA]