New Caledonia take on Tahiti in the first match at 4:30pm local time before Vanuatu face off with New Zealand at 6:30pm and Tuvalu clash with Fiji at 8:30pm (Please note: These kick off times are different to the previously reported schedule and will remain in place for the rest of the tournament).
All matches will be streamed LIVE online via Oceaniafootball.com
Here’s a look at how the teams are looking ahead of the third round of matches:
New Caledonia vs Tahiti
Both these sides scored four goals yesterday but only one was celebrating after the final whistle. Tahiti will go in full of confidence after getting their campaign back on track with a 4-0 win over Tuvalu but New Caledonia will feel somewhat deflated after coming out on the wrong end of a nine-goal thriller in unfortunate fashion. They pushed Vanuatu all the way but still came up empty-handed when a penalty two minutes from time led to a 5-4 defeat. They have now lost both their matches and will be keen to earn their first points and start climbing the ladder. Tahiti will be going for their second win in a row but are unlikely to underestimate their opponents. Coach Heitapu Hunter’s side will be mindful of the fact that New Caledonia’s losses have come against Solomon Islands, heavy favourites to take the title, and Vanuatu, another side expected to finish around the top three. New Caledonia also have a real goal-scoring threat for Tahiti to worry about – forward Cedrick Humuni has four goals already. The ability of the Tahitians is a lot closer to their own and New Caledonia will see this must-win game as a great opportunity to get some points on the board. But Tahiti will want to get a winning run going so both teams have everything to play for.
Vanuatu vs New Zealand
This match-up should be the highlight of the day’s action. Vanuatu are undefeated and have had no trouble finding the back of the net, scoring seven in their opener against Tuvalu and five yesterday against New Caledonia. New Zealand began their campaign last night – they had the bye on day one – by losing 8-4 to Solomon Islands but will be encouraged by their performance. They actually led the defending champions 3-2 at the break and only let the game slip when their tired legs couldn’t cope with the class of the Kurukuru in the second spell. Big striker Miroslav Malivuk scored a hat-trick against the Solomons and his mixture of skill and physical presence will be a real handful for the Vanuatu defence. But Vanuatu have plenty of talent themselves and possess two players, Ben Hungai and Jack Vira Ala, who have found their range quickly in front of goal. Hungai hit a hat-trick on the opening day while Vira Ala notched a brace in the 5-4 win over New Caledonia last night. Captain Louis Dominique is also in fine form and has been at the centre of most of his side’s attacks. But they will struggle to keep their high-scoring going against a Futsal Whites defence well-marshalled by skipper Marvin Eakins. This one is too close to call and both sides will fancy their chances of winning it.
Tuvalu vs Fiji
Taking on the hosts is a huge challenge for the largely inexperienced Tuvalu side. As expected, the underdogs are yet to pick up their first points and have only scored one goal – Easter Tekafa’s strike in the 7-1 loss to Vanuatu. They conceded another four against Tahiti yesterday and the likes of Roy Krishna and Kamal Hassan, Fiji’s star duo, will be licking their lips at the prospect of having a crack at the Tuvalu rearguard. They will also be eager to get back out on the court after having to sit out yesterday’s action due to the bye. The home fans will be pleased to see their team again and are likely to have plenty of goals to cheer about. Surprisingly, Fiji only struck two in their first match against Tahiti and will want to keep the scorers a lot more busy today. It will be hard for Tuvalu to stop them doing this but they have showed a lot of character so far and are not the sort of side to let their heads drop. They will need to show that same fighting spirit again or it could turn into a rather long night for coach Toakai Puapua and his team.
Solomon Islands will have a bye today.
Upcoming matches:
10/8/10 4:30pm New Caledonia vs Tahiti
10/8/10 6:30pm Vanuatu vs New Zealand
10/8/10 8:30pm Tuvalu vs Fiji
For full schedule and results click here
For official team lists click here