The third round of Stage 3 took place on Friday 12 October with New Caledonia earning a 6-2 win over Solomon Islands and New Zealand continuing their unbeaten run with a 2-0 triumph against Tahiti.
Here’s a look at the action that’s in store across the two matches on the fourth day.
New Zealand vs. Tahiti – 7.35pm Tuesday 16 October
The Toa Aito from Tahiti enjoyed the most memorable moment of the country’s modest footballing history just several months ago by becoming Oceania champions with an unexpected title triumph at the OFC Nations Cup. That resulted in a historic first ever qualification for the Confederations Cup and appeared to set Eddy Etaeta’s men on a path to further success. But that route has been anything but smooth sailing since and the Toa Aito now find themselves rock bottom of the Stage 3 table as the only side without a win from the three rounds played so far. Quite why Tahiti have failed to follow up their Nations Cup glory with further strong performances is somewhat of a mystery as Eteata has largely the same set of players at his disposal. But he will have to find an answer quickly as a trip to New Zealand to face the All Whites is arguably the toughest assignment in Stage 3 on current form. The Toa Aito fell 2-0 to New Zealand just a few days ago on home soil and the task is likely to be even more challenging in Christchurch, the footballing fraternity of which is likely to turn up in healthy numbers to witness All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen’s first ever match for his country in his home town. Ominously for Etaeta, New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert was without Nelsen and Winston Reid – widely regarded as the side’s most important players – for the win in Papeete and their return will make life difficult for the likes of strikers Alvin Tehau and Axel Williams. Midfielder Tim Payne is suspended for the All Whites while, as expected, former France U-21 striker Marama Vahirua has withdrawn from the Tahiti squad and been replaced by defender Hiro Poroiae. New Zealand goalkeeper Mark Paston gave up his place to Glen Moss in Papeete after suffering a foot infection but is being assessed by the All Whites’ medical staff and the identity of tomorrow’s gloveman is therefore still to be settled.
In their own words
“I thought the boys were very professional the other night, Mossy didn’t have much to do in goal and we got a couple of goals which keeps us top of the group. There’s still a long way to go but we have a couple of home games to play now and we still have the job to do.” – New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert
“We now have to play New Zealand again and it will be very hard. Our hopes of qualifying are mostly finished but these next matches are still important as we will use them to prepare for the Confederations Cup.” – Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta
New Caledonia vs. Solomon Islands – 7.30pm Tuesday 16 October
Like Tahiti, the Solomon Islands now face an uphill battle after the emergence of New Zealand and New Caledonia as the major contenders for top spot in Stage 3. Unlike Tahiti however, the Bonitos’ three points mean they do still have some sort of chance and will be unwilling to give up hope but another loss in Noumea would deal a fatal blow to their Brazil 2014 chances. In contrast, Les Cagous of New Caledonia are still very much in the running to appear on the world’s biggest stage and will be expecting to back up their impressive 6-2 victory away over the Solomons on Friday with another dominant performance tomorrow. Coach Alain Moizan’s first priority will obviously be to secure the win but, if victory can be ensured early, he is likely to then urge his players forward to find the net as many times as possible. Both New Caledonia and New Zealand have not struggled in front of goal lately – Les Cagous have struck ten in their last two Stage 3 matches and hammered Saint-Pierre and Miquelon 16-1 to sign off at the recent French Overseas Territories Cup – and goal difference could prove crucial at the business end of the tournament. If the match does prove to be a high-scoring affair, Georges Gope-Fenepej is sure to be in the heart of the action after striking a hat-trick in Honiara. But the Bonitos have plenty of attacking talent in their own arsenal and could still throw a spanner in the Stage 3 works. Any side containing the likes of Benjamin Totori, Henry Fa’arodo and Joses Nawo is going to create its fair share of chances but plugging the gaps at the other end is likely to be more of an issue as the Solomons have shipped 12 goals in their two previous outings. Bonitos coach Jacob Moli has a full squad to select from but Moizan will be without suspended defender Dominique Wacalie.
In their own words
“We are going to rest a lot before the game to make sure we will be ready. We need to be very respectful towards the Solomon Islands team because we know they will be keen to beat us after losing in the last game.” – New Caledonia coach Alain Moizan
“We’ll try to take as many positives as we can from the loss and I think we can bounce back. We still have a chance to walk away with our heads held high and hopefully we will be able to reverse the result. This is football and anything can happen. We’re still looking to win our remaining games and all three of those are must win for us now.” – Solomon Islands captain Henry Fa’arodo
Match Details
New Zealand vs. Tahiti
7.35pm local time, Tuesday 16 October
AMI Stadium
Christchurch, New Zealand
Referee: Gerald OIAKA [SOL]
Assistant Referee 1: Tevita MAKASINI [TON]
Assistant Referee 2: Jackson NAMO [SOL]
4th Official: Isidore ASSIENE-AMBASSA [NCL]
New Zealand: 1. Mark PASTON [GK], 2. Winston REID, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Ben SIGMUND, 5. Tommy SMITH, 6. Ryan NELSEN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Michael McGLINCHEY, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 10. Chris KILLEN, 11, Marco ROJAS, 12. Glen MOSS [GK], 13. Daniel KEAT, 14. Ivan VICELICH, 15. Jeremy BROCKIE, 16. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 19. Chris WOOD
Coach: Ricki HERBERT
Tahiti: 1. Gilbert MERIEL [GK], 2. Alvin TEHAU, 3. Tauraa MARMOUYET, 4. Teheivarii LUDIVION, 5. Tamatoa WAGEMANN, 6. Lorenzo TEHAU, 7. Pierre KUGOGNE, 8. Angelo TCHEN, 9. Teaonui TEHAU, 10. Nicholas VALLAR, 11. Stanley ATANI, 12. Sébastien LABAYEN, 13. Steevy CHONG HUE, 14. Rainui AROITA, 15. Axel WILLIAMS, 16. Efrain ARANEDA, 17. Jonathan TEHAU, 18. Pierre KOHUMOETINI, 19. Vincent SIMON, 20. Yannik VERO, 21. Hiro POROIAE, 22. Mikael ROCHE [GK], 23. Xavier SAMIN [GK]
Coach: Eddy ETAETA
New Caledonia vs. Solomon Islands
7.30pm local time, Tuesday 16 October
Stade Numa Daly
Noumea, New Caledonia
Referee: Kader ZITOUNI [TAH]
Assistant Referee 1: Paul AHUPU [TAH]
Assistant Referee 2: Terry PIRI [COK]
4th Official: Rakesh VARMAN [FIJ]
New Caledonia: 1. Rocky NYIKEINE [GK], 2. Jeremie DOKUNENGO, 4. Georges BEARUNE, 5. Kalaje GNIPATE, 6. Olivier DOKUNENGO, 8. Miguel KAYARA, 9. Jacques HAEKO, 10. Cesar LOLOHEA, 11. Bertrand KAI, 12. Roy KAYARA, 13. Noel KAUDRE, 14. Jean-Patrick WAKANUMUNE, 15. Dick KAUMA, 16. Iamel KABEU, 17. Joel WAKANUMUNE, 18. Yohann MERCIER, 19. Georges GOPE-FENEPEJ, 20. Steeve IXOEE [GK], 21. Luther WAHNYAMALLA, 22. Marc OUNEMOA [GK], 23. Pierre NYIKEINE
Coach: Alain MOIZAN
Solomon Islands: 1. Samson KOTI [GK], 2. Hardies AENGARI, 3. Nelson SALE, 4. Tome FAISI, 5. Freddie KINI, 6. Leslie NATE, 7. Henry FA’ARODO, 8. Emmanuel POILA, 9. Benjamin TOTORI, 10. Joe LUWI, 11. Ian PAIA, 12. Gagame FENI, 13. Joachim WAROI, 14. Joses NAWO, 15. Mostyn BEUI, 16. Himson TELEDA, 17. Paul HIRI, 18. Seni NGAVA, 19. Loni GARABA, 20. Leon FOX [GK], 21. Tutizama TANITO, 22. Willie LAMANI
Coach: Jacob MOLI