Match Day 7 Preview

New Caledonia and New Zealand are on course to qualify for the next stage of this competition however their encounter tomorrow could prove to be the undoing for one of them.
The current Group A leaders will open Match Day 7 action at J.S. Blatter Football Complex at 2pm. It will be the New Caledonian’s third match at this early hour but for the Kiwis it will be the first and the potential conditions are likely to heavily influence the way coach Jose Figuiera lines up his squad, and the approach he employs.
Very little divides these two teams on paper as they both sit comfortably on nine points, ahead of Papua New Guinea on four. What does separate them however is goal difference with New Zealand on 18 for, 1 against comparing slightly better than their counterparts 16 for, 2 against.
New Zealand is a near complete package with power up front and reliability at the back. But as witnessed by the goal they conceded against Samoa, and the near misses from the feet of Papua New Guinea, 90 minutes of full concentration is no easy task. The same goes for New Caledonia. While they dominated from the outset against Fiji, a lapse in concentration saw their opponent get an early upper hand.
These kind of errors will not go unpunished by either of these teams and both will have to remain as vigilant as possible throughout the duration of the game.
Fiji and Cook Islands take up the mid-day mantle with both sides hurting from respective 5-1 defeats on Saturday. Both have shown they have the ability to score, and have threatened to do so on more than a few occasions, but at times disorganisation has crept in and they have shown themselves hard pressed to shut down quick, organised counter-attacks from opponents.
With pride on the line expect these two sides to throw everything at this encounter. Tired, sore bodies and previous results will have to be pushed from the players’ minds as lifting themselves off the bottom rung of the Group A ladder takes precedence.
The final encounter sees a buoyant Samoa take on Papua New Guinea in another must win for both teams. Only with a comprehensive victory can Papua New Guinea even look at threatening for that second Group A berth in the semi-finals. But Samoa have just as much on the line as they look set to earn their best ever finish at this event following their 5-1 drubbing of Cook Islands.
Once again pride will be a factor for these sides but how they manage their fourth high-intensity 90+ minute match will also come into the mix. There is little doubt these players will be unused to the intensity of matches at this level and having so many games in such a short space of time will also be a new experience for many of the players.
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Extra Information:
OFC U-17 Championship – MATCH DAY 7 PREVIEW

New Zealand v New Caledonia
2.00pm local time, Monday 19 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
NZLvNCL
Referee: Gerald OIAKA [SOL]
Assistant Referee 1: Mahit CHILIA [VAN]
Assistant Referee 2: Douglas METE [SOL]
4th Official: Robinson BANGA [VAN]
New Zealand
Vital Statistics: New Zealand has won all three matches played against New Caledonia at this level; 4-0 in 2007, 2-0 in 2009 and 4-0 in 2013. William Jones’ red card following his second yellow against Papua New Guinea sees him suspended for tomorrow’s match.
The Players: Liam Williams’ work rate is immense as he pops up in front before racing back to defend. Sarpeet Singh is yet to score but has been heavily involved in a number of New Zealand’s 18 goals so far. Between them, Logan Rogerson and Jack Anderson have eight goals.
Coach Quote: “It’s looking like it could be the decider. I’ve been watching them all week and they’re a very, very talented group of players and for sure we won’t be taking them lightly.”
Squad List: 1. Michael WOUD [GK], 2. Jack-Henry SINCLAIR, 3. Luke JOHNSON, 5. Sione FA’APOI, 6. Liam WILLIAMS, 7. Oliver CECI, 8. Sarpreet SINGH, 9. Jack ANDERSON, 10. Logan ROGERSON, 11. Louie MILLS, 12. Reuben CLARK [GK], 13. Sean SKEENS, 14. James McGARRY, 15. Connor PROBERT, 16. Jamie WOODLOCK, 17. Ben KIORE, 18. Daniel LOUGH, 19. Sam WILSON, 20. Ben MATA
Suspended: 4. Billy JONES
Coach: Jose FIGUIERA [ENG]
New Caledonia
Vital Statistics: New Caledonia are yet to score against New Zealand at this level of competition.
The Players: Between them Henri Boucheron and Joris Kenon have six goals from three games. Kenon remains one to watch for the sheer ability he has to dart around a series of defenders and lay-off or shoot.
Coach Quote: “We are going to address the match like any other group match, a match for qualifying. We’ll take it seriously and we have a strategy we’ll put in place. We’ll keep working with the boys and see what comes but one thing is certain, we won’t give in easily.”
Squad List: 1. Jacques WAZIZ (GK), 2. Lucas BITAUD, 3. Jean-Marc KAUDRE, 4. Jimmy GUSEAL, 5. Sam TIAOU, 6. Renzo WEJIEME, 7. Marino AKAPO, 8. Joseph HNAGONE, 9. Henri BOUCHERON, 10. Joris KENON, 11. Armand HARPER, 12. Valerian MICHALAK, 13. Takiave TEIHOTAATA, 14. Maxime BETOULLE, 15. Brandon STREETER, 16. Nelson KAI, 17. Ernest AKON, 18. Etienne POANOUI, 19. Nelson KAKUE, 20. Patrick NYIKEINE [GK]
Coach: Kamali FITIALEATA [NCL]
Fiji vs. Cook Islands
4.30pm local time, Monday 19 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
FIJvCOK
Referee: Nelson SOGO [SOL]
Assistant Referee 1: Lemusa ALATASI [ASA]
Assistant Referee 2: Douglas METE [SOL]
4th Official: Kader ZITOUNI [TAH]
Fiji
Vital Statistics: Fiji got their first goal of the tournament against New Caledonia. This is the second of four matches here in which the coaches have a full squad of players to choose from with no suspensions looming.
The Players: France Catarogo proved he can hussle chasing any ball down from the head of the Fiji pack while also creating chances for his teammates.
Coach Quote: “Every team has prepared well so we are just going to go and play our football, possession football, and see what happens.”
Squad List: 1. Biuvanua JOELA [GK], 2. Manumanubai ARAMI, 3. Shalit REDDY, 4. Mkeimi RALULU, 5. Shoel KHAN, 6. Adeel ALI, 7. Fazeem KHAN, 8. Shamron PRASAD, 9. Patrick JOSEPH, 10. Kartik KUMAR, 11. Simeli BATIRATU, 12. Amena BOLAITAMANA, 13. Alvish NAIDU, 14. Afraz ALI, 15. France CATAROGO, 16. Lino ROSERU, 17. Timoci DOVI, 18. Savneel DEO, 19. Rusiate QIO, 20. Waisake RAVUIWASA [GK]
Co-Coaches: Yogendra DUTT [FIJ] and Kamal SWAMY [FIJ]
Cook Islands
Vital Statistics: The Cook Islands goal against Samoa was their second in this tournament. Cook Islands have now gone eight games without a win at this level.
The Players: Sunai Joseph continues to lead by example at the centre of the defence. Up front Rouruina Mariri is a constant threat with the speed to chase a ball and the strength to stay upright in most challenges.
Coach Quote: “Actually we’re quite happy about the next match. No disrespect to the country where I come from but they haven’t been having a good tournament. They had a result like us on Saturday which makes it fair game on Monday.”
Squad List: 1. Chrismagne ELIKANA [GK], 2. Melbourne MATAKINO, 3. Rechimaer RAIROA, 5. Rouru RAIROA, 6. Owenne MATAPO, 7. Will NAPA, 8. Varu VARU, 9. Tamaiva MATEARIKI, 10. Sunai JOSEPH, 11. Peter PUREAU, 12. Sam
TATUAVA, 13. Kristian YOUNG, 14. Sam KOIATU, 15. Daniel TAOKIA, 16. Michael WOOD, 17. Albert TARU, 18. Maru MIRO, 19/20. Atera MAROROA [GK]
Coach: Delaney YAQONA [FIJ]
Samoa vs. Papua New Guinea
7.00pm local time, Monday 19 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
SAMvPNG
Referee: Ichikawa POLOVILI [TGA]
Assistant Referee 1: Ravinesh KUMAR [FIJ]
Assistant Referee 2: Sione TEU [TGA]
Fourth Official: Robinson BANGA [VAN]
Samoa
Vital Statistics: Samoa’s 5-1 win over Cook Islands is the most goals they’ve scored in a match at this level. Their previous best was a 4-0 win over Tonga in 1999. Frank Mariner picked up his second yellow of the tournament against Cook Islands and receives a one-match suspension.
The Players: Bronson Lotu-i’iga twice cleared off the line to keep his side in the running against Cook Islands and will be a key player against the speedy lads from PNG. Vaa Taualai, Mose Sofala and David Wensley are all threatening on attack and unafraid to drop back and lend a helping hand.
Coach Quote: “We treat every game as a final and it’s very hard because for my boys this is there first time playing for their country. But the game against PNG will bring us something.”
Squad List: 1. Faafouina IOLE [GK], 2. Tauati TANOAI, 3. Peter HUNT, 4. Bronson LOTU-I’IGA, 5. Lafoga LAFOGA PUPULA, 6. Poasa EPA, 7. Seli FUIMAONO, 8. Samuelu MALO, 9. Willie SAUILUMA, 10. Frank MARINER, 11. David WENSLEY, 12. Vaa TAUALAI, 13. Mose SOFALA, 14. Timote HALAHINGANO, 15. Osa SAVELIO, 16. Iosefo TOMA, 17. Henry SMITH, 18. Slade OMERI, 19. Felix-Dominique IULIO, 20. Maaushammah TAUASA, 21. Salvation SATUALA, 22. Taase HUNT [GK], 23. Tusitala VITO [GK]
Coach: Desmond FAAI’UASO [SAM]
Papua New Guinea
Vital Statistics: Papua New Guinea have never lost to Samoa at U-17 level.
The Players: Kenneth Pilailo did his job against New Zealand, interrupting their runs and shutting down attacks swiftly and smartly. Oswald Bade and Cleave Roy were brilliant on attack creating chances from very little but their finishing let them down.
Coach Quote: “We are expecting points from them because we need to get points from them.”
Squad List: 1. Kusuga KOMOLONG [GK], 2. Nickson PURARI, 3. Robin LIVAI, 4. Kenneth PILAILO, 5. Jacob AKUS, 6. Bruno KELENA, 7. Oswald BADE, 8. Gregory TOGUBAI, 9. Roy CLEAVE, 10. Brendon KAMBUAL, 11. Gary POKAS, 12. Clive SAMLAL, 13. Tanaka SIGAMATA, 14. Freddy TUPANI, 15. Stahl GUBAG, 16. Misty JULIAN, 17. Larsen PASUM, 18. Sylvester AGAT, 19. Martin TOKWAKWASI, 20. Jerry SERIBA [GK]
Coach: Harrison KAMAKE [PNG]