The tournament will bring together the top age-level players from Tonga, Vanuatu, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with the Pacific Island sides all hoping to knock New Zealand from their perch at the top.
Junior Football Ferns coach Aaron McFarland has named a youthful, but experienced, squad as he looks to guide the team to their fifth consecutive FIFA U-20 World Cup. Over half the players were members of the squad which won through the Oceania qualifiers to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2012.
Both Daisy Cleverley and Martine Puketapu are likely inclusions in the Young Football Ferns U-17 Women’s World Cup squad, while defender Emily Jensen received a call up to the senior Football Ferns squad currently competing in the four team Youngchuan International Women’s Invitational Tournament in China, along with teammates Meikayla Moore and CJ Bott.
While his side has plenty of experience, McFarland will be expecting a strong challenge for the title to come from the Kiwi’s Oceania neighbours.
Like the Kiwis, Papua New Guinea are also bringing a number of experienced internationals to New Zealand. 2012 U-17 captain Rumona Morris will again be one key players for the side, as will her attacking partner Georgina Kaikas. Coach Rachel Wadunah will be keen to see the side improve on their performance of 2012 which saw the U-20 side a second place finish with a win, a draw and a loss.
Tonga are another side with a reasonable history in this event. As hosts of the inaugural tournament in 2002 they finished a credible third behind Australia and New Zealand, topping that four years later when they came second behind New Zealand. The side hasn’t been active at this level since 2010, but with plenty of development opportunities back home they are keen to prove the hard work is paying off.
The team played a friendly against a pre-season Papatoetoe Premier Women’s side on Wednesday evening and despite losing 3-0 showed determination and some good technique. The team will play a second friendly on Saturday against New Zealand’s World Cup bound U-17 side, though the real test will be when the competition proper kicks off on Tuesday.
The 2014 OFC U-20 Women’s Championship will be Vanuatu’s second appearance at this level of competition. Coach Tom McDonald is bringing a very young side with him, the majority of which would more likely be found in an U-17 side. Their participation is expected to bring these girls international experience which in the long run will be priceless to their development should they wish to one day progress to the senior national side.
The OFC U-20 Women’s Championship 2014 is being held at Mangere Centre Park in Auckland, New Zealand from the 18-22 February. Two games will be played each match day with kick offs at 1pm and 4pm. The match days will be broken up by two rest days.
The winner of the tournament will qualify for the 2014 FIFA U-20 World Cup which is being held in Canada in August, with the Oceania representative taking the final available berth.

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