Defending champions New Zealand take on Fiji at 12:00pm local time before the hosts square off against Papua New Guinea at 3:00pm local time.
Here’s a look at the action that’s in store.
Fiji vs. New Zealand – 12:00pm Saturday 2 June
These nations have a history of keenly-fought encounters and reigning champions New Zealand do not need to have long memories to be fully aware of how difficult an opponent Fiji can prove. The All Whites fell to a 2-0 loss the last time the sides met in World Cup qualifying, a defeat that proved to be the only blip in New Zealand’s entire 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign, although coach Ricki Herbert and his men had already qualified for South Africa by that stage so there was little riding on the outcome. And even more recently, the nation’s U-23 side struggled to get past Fiji in the final of the OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifier in March, eventually triumphing 1-0 after overcoming their opponents’ physical approach. Several members of that camp are in Honiara – Olympic coach Neil Emblen is on Herbert’s staff while Tim Myers, Ian Hogg, Adam McGeorge and Jake Gleeson are in the squad – so there is likely to be little complacency on the All Whites’ part. Fiji coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti is without two key figures – Malakai Tiwa dropped out of the travelling party due to injury while Olympic skipper Esava Naqeleca did not make himself available. There is still plenty of talent to worry Herbert though, particularly the threat posed by Roy Krishna, who the All Whites defence will know all about due to his exploits with Waitakere United.
In their own words
“It’s a very difficult start for us because of the team that New Zealand have. They were the only team at the last World Cup to not lose a game and have some of those players here. They have also had some very good preparation with two good results in the United States. We need to be realistic, we have had a lot of problems in Fiji recently due to the flooding and that has really disrupted our preparations.” – Fiji coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti
“The first match is always hard because there is always some uncertainty. The trip to America was good but our biggest problem is that the players haven’t been in competition for a long time so I think this tournament is going to be very demanding physically. It’s a very young side and a couple of the key players aren’t here. Ryan Nelsen and Winston Reid will be big losses for us.” – New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert
Solomon Islands vs. Papua New Guinea – 3:00pm Saturday 2 June
Supporters of the Bonitos – as the Solomon Islands are known to their fanatical fans – will have been immensely looking forward to their beloved team’s opening fixture since Honiara was announced as hosts of the Nations Cup and Lawson Tama is sure to be packed come kick off. That backing will be a big boost to the home side but will also bring with it a great deal of expectation and how the Bonitos handle that pressure will be a key factor in their chances of success. Disappointingly for the fans, skilful midfielder Alick Maemae – a firm favourite in these parts – is not in the squad and the likes of Henry Fa’arodo and Benjamin Totori will instead be expected to get the crowd on their feet. Their chances of doing so are reduced by the fact that former Australia coach Frank Farina is in charge of Papua New Guinea. The ex-Socceroo will have ensured his charges are defensively well organised but their prospects could hinge on their ability to find the net at the other end. This was a problem for Farina in his previous campaign with Papua New Guinea at the Olympic qualifiers but he did not have the services of Reginald Davani and Kema Jack in that U-23 outfit and will be hoping the strike duo resolves that issue.
In their own words
“The atmosphere among the players is good and all of them are ready to start what is a very important event for the nation. I don’t like the term pressure because these games are just like any other and I have explained to the players that there is plenty of pressure on the teams that play against us as well.” – Solomon Islands technical advisor Laurent Papillon
“Our preparations have been as ideal as they could be. We had three weeks together in Papua New Guinea after the national league finished and those were pretty similar conditions to what we will experience here. Then we had 12 days in Australia on the Gold Coast with several games. It’s the first time we have participated at this level in a while because we didn’t take part in the last two World Cup campaigns. So it will be something new for the players and we’re hoping to put up a good front.” – Papua New Guinea coach Frank Farina
Match Details
Fiji vs. New Zealand
12:00pm, Saturday 2 June
Lawson Tama Stadium
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Referee: Isidore ASSIENE-AMBASSA [NCL]
Assistant Referee 1: Michael JOSEPH [VAN]
Assistant Referee 2: Terry PIRI [COK]
4th Official: Bruce GEORGE [VAN]
Fiji: 1. Simione TAMANISAU [GK], 2. Avinesh SUWAMY, 3. Paulo POSIANO, 4. Samuela VULA, 5. Taniela WAQA, 6. Alvin SINGH, 7. Pita BOLAITOGA, 8. Osea VAKATALESAU, 9. Alvin AVINESH, 10. Roy KRISHNA, 11. Remueru TEKIATE, 12. Laitia TUILAU, 13. Maciu DUNADAMU, 14. Samuela KAUTOGA, 15. Apisai SMITH, 16. Archie WATKINS, 17. Peni LESUBULAMAILEPANONI, 18. Ilisoni TUINAWAIVUVU, 19. Misaele DRAUNIBAKA, 20. Beniaminio MOJITO [GK]
Coach: Juan Carlos BUZZETTI
New Zealand: 1. Mark PASTON [GK], 2. Tim MYERS, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Ben SIGMUND, 5. Tommy SMITH, 6. Ian HOGG, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Michael McGLINCHEY, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 10. Chris KILLEN, 11. Marco ROJAS, 12. Glen MOSS [GK], 13. Jake GLEESON [GK], 14. Rory FALLON, 15. Ivan VICELICH, 16. Jeremy BROCKIE, 17. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 18. Aaron CLAPHAM, 19. Michael BOXALL, 20. Chris WOOD, 21. Cameron HOWIESON, 22. Tim PAYNE, 23. Adam McGEORGE
Coach: Ricki HERBERT
Solomon Islands vs. Papua New Guinea
3:00pm, Saturday 2 June
Lawson Tama Stadium
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Referee: Norbert HAUATA [TAH]
Assistant Referee 1: Tevita MAKASINI [TGA]
Assistant Referee 2: Paul AHUPU [TAH]
4th Official: Kader ZITOUNI [TAH]
Solomon Islands: 1. Shadrack RAMONI [GK], 2. Hardies AENGARI, 3. Mostyn BEUI, 4. Jeffery BULE, 5. Henry FA’ARODO, 6. Tome FAISI, 7. Abraham INIGA, 8. Timothy JOE, 9. Freddie KINI, 10. Joe LUWI, 11. Nicholas MURI, 12. James NAKA, 13. Leslie NATE, 14. Joses NAWO, 15. Seni NGAVA, 16. Loni QARABA, 17. Nelson Sale KILIFA, 18. Himson TELEDA, 19. Benjamin TOTORI, 20. Felix RAY JR [GK], 21. Joshua TUASULIA, 22. Jack WETNEY, 23. Aleck WICKHAM
Coach: Jacob MOLI
Papua New Guinea: 1. Leslie KALAI [GK], 2. Kila IARAVAI, 3. Valentine NELSON, 4. Daniel JOE, 5. Kelly JAMPU, 6. Samuel KINI, 7. Raymond GUNEMBA, 8. Michael FOSTER, 9. Kema JACK, 10. Reginald DAVANI, 11. Felix BONDALUKE, 12. David MUTA, 13. Andrew LEPANI, 14. Neil HANS, 15. Jamal SEETO, 16. Jeremy YASASA, 17. Maurie WASI, 18. Ericson KOMENG, 19. Koriak UPAIGA, 20. Godfrey BANIAU [GK], 21. Ronald CONN, 22. Wira WAMA, 23. Paul KAWIK [GK]
Coach: Frank FARINA