The women’s team missed out on the coveted prize on home soil four years ago and will want to inflict that same pain on this year’s hosts.
However it won’t be easy. New Caledonia showed their weaknesses at the back against a powerful Samoa side, and if coach PNG Gary Philips watched that encounter it will have given him some food for thought.
That said, the Caledonians have one of the strongest midfields on display here, led by captain Celine Xolawawa, while Christelle Wahnawe has picked up where she left off in Noumea scoring ten goals to date, two short of the 12 she scored in 2011.
They work hard, and crucially, work as a team which will make them a hard side to break down.
Papua New Guinea have not earned the moniker of ‘queens of the Pacific’ for nothing. They have come closest to rivalling New Zealand’s Football Ferns and with Philips in charge have gained a strong understanding of the game and a structure that has seen them perform solidly in each of their matches.
What they are struggling with is scoring. Despite the numerous occasions they’ve been offered throughout their matches, the finishing touch can go missing at times. Meagen Gunemba has been their best finisher, and Georgina Kaikas, Marie Kaipu, and Lucy Maino have been incredibly creative which bodes well for the future of this side.
Fidelma Watpore has done well with the challenges she’s faced thus far, but hasn’t been tested by a front-pack like that of New Caledonia’s. Fortunately she has veteran defender and captain Deslyn Siniu sitting in front of her which has boded well thus far.
In the chase for the Bronze Medal are Cook Islands and Samoa. Cook Islands have done well to get this far with a small but determined squad. Numbers are dwindling for coach Tuka Tisam with a concussion and a sprained ankle further reducing his options. The OFC B Licence coach has shown himself a strong tactician and his ability to motivate his side when they’re down was proven when they nicked a late goal against the Caledonians in the semi-finals.
Samoa have also been a bright light at this competition. There are some good players on the ball and they’re combining well as a team. This side is an excellent mix of home-grown talent and expatriates, and the manner in which they’ve blended together is a strong indication of the premium that coach Tala Salamasina has put on the team bond. Young Hana Malo was handed the armband here in Port Moresby and she has risen to the occasion, with guidance from Rosei Leota.
Both these sides have pride at stake and neither wants to go home wondering what might have been meaning this afternoon’s bronze medal match has the makings of a highly entertaining encounter.
Extra Information
Pacific Games Bronze Medal Match
Cook Islands vs. Samoa
Sir Hubert Murray Stadium
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Thursday 16 July 2015
Kick-off: 3pm
COKvSAM
Referee: Mel KNIGHT (NZL)
Assistant Referee 1: Wanting YAGUM (PNG)
Assistant Referee 2: Charlotte PELLETIER (NCL)
Fourth Official: Tapita LELENGA (TGA)
Cook Islands: 1. Marjorie TORU (GK), 2. Helena NGAUORA, 3. Josephine TUREPU, 4. Moeroa HARMON, 5. Tepaeru TOKA, 6. Tekura URARII, 7. Elise MAMANU-GRAY, 8. Jennifer AKAVI, 9. Upokotea NOOVAO, 10. Tuakana NOOVAO, 11. Tekura KAUKURA, 12. Elizabeth HARMON, 13. Marissa IROA, 14. Maeva CARR, 15. Mii PIRI, 16. Lee MAOATE-COX
Coach: Tuka TISAM (COK)
Samoa: 1. Faanunu ROPETI (GK), 2. Faagi TALOSIA LIMA, 3. Josephine ANE, 4. Shontelle STEVENS, 5. Kelsey KAPISI, 6. Chelsea STRICKLAND, 7. Rosei LEOTA, 8. Monique FISCHER, 9. Hazel PELETI, 10. Hana MALO, 11. Yvonne ANE, 12. Lelava LAUPEPA, 14. Lusia IAONE, 15. Lagmaina AKARI, 16. Jullyn GASIO, 17. Olga SAGATU, 21. Hilder HELLESOE (GK)
Coach: Tala SALAMASINA (SAM)
Pacific Games Final
New Caledonia vs. Papua New Guinea
Sir Hubert Murray Stadium
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Thursday 16 July 2015
Kick-off: 7pm
NCLvPNG
Referee: George TIME (SOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Nadia BROWNING (NZL)
Assistant Referee 2: Maria TAMALELAGI (SAM)
Fourth Official: Norbert HAUATA (TAH)
New Caledonia: 1. Honorine POUIDJA (GK), 2. Christelle NIGOTE, 3. Brenda KENON, 4. Marie-Deborah WANAKAIJA, 5. Marielle HAOCAS, 6. Aurelie LALIE, 7. Myranda RABAH, 8. Josiane AYAWA, 9. Christelle WAHNAWE, 10. Celine XOLAWAWA, 11. Helene WAENGENE, 12. Noe VALEFAKAAGA, 13. Lyndsay NYIPIE, 14. Louise HUMUNI, 15. Sidney GATHA, 16. Julia PAUL, 17. Kim MAGUIRE, 18. Joyce WAUNIE, 19. Isabelle HACE, 20. Jessica RIES, 21. Glenda JAINE, 22. Bernadette EURIBEARI, 23. Karine XOZAME (GK)
Coach: Kamali FITIALEATA (NCL)
Papua New Guinea: 1. Fidelma WATPORE (GK), 2. Aida GEROTA, 3. Jenisa ULENGIT, 4. Judith GUNEMBA, 5. Carolyn OBI, 6. Yvonne GABONG, 7. Nicolla NIAMAN, 8. Fatima RAMA, 9. Marie KAIPU, 10. Sandra BIRUM, 11. Georgina KAIKAS, 12. Meagen GUNEMBA, 13. Ramona PADIO, 14. Kesai KOTOME, 15. Dorcas SESEVO, 16. Lucy MAINO, 17. Grace STEVEN, 18. Lace KUNEI (GK), 19. Joelyn AIMI, 20. Belinda GIADA, 21. Deslyn SINIU, 22. Barbara MUTU
Coach: Gary PHILIPS (AUS)