FC Gaitcha goes in search of an unlikely debut finals appearance when it takes on Lupe Ole Soaga of Samoa at 4:30pm, before hosts Ba look to confirm their place in the knockout phase against AS Pirae of Tahiti.
New Caledonian outfit Gaitcha will have their calculators out post-match as they look to the permutations which might see them advance to the last four.
But all Kevin Coma’s team can do is beat Lupe, and beat them well, and hope other results go in their favour.
They certainly are confident, fresh from Tuesday’s 5-2 thrashing of Pirae which hauled them from the bottom of the group and into contention.
The result gives Gaitcha an even goal difference and they will be looking to increase that column even further to give themselves a shout.
In Bertrand Kai, Marius Bako and Jean Christ Wajoka they have a trio at the top of the park capable of troubling the scorers, it’s just a matter of whether or not they click.
A win would move them level with Ba on six points, with the Men In Black to play later that evening.
For Lupe player-coach Paul Ualesi, the match is about redemption following a scrappy and sometimes ill-tempered loss to Ba on Tuesday afternoon.
In the game, they received four yellow cards, including two to defender Suivai Ataga, and a straight red to substitute Oscar Amataga for dissent.
The pair will miss the match against Gaitcha as Ualesi looks to put aside the disappointment of elimination by recording a first win in the tournament.
In a similar vein, Pirae will approach their final tie of the tournament philosophically after being ruled out of a second straight semi-final appearance by Tuesday’s results.
Sam Garcia’s side squandered a two-goal lead against Lupe before conceding three in the opening half against Gaitcha.
Though they responded well and scored two consolation goals, the drubbing was enough to rule Pirae out of contention for their second straight appearance in the semi-finals.
Their attention will now turn to avoiding the dishonour of bottom spot in Group A, and victory against Ba would provide the ideal pick-me-up after a rough week for the Tahitian side.
Coach Sam Garcia has vowed to put behind him the disappointment of the campaign so far and leave behind ‘the best image’ of his side.
But the home team have been convincing in both of their games thus far and can seal top spot with a draw or better against Pirae.
National under-20 striker Saula Waqa’s hat trick was the headline for the 3-1 win over Lupe, but his was just one of many strong performances in a match which Ba could have won by more.
Waqa’s strike partner Keegan Linderboom toiled all evening without reward, Avisnesh Swamy and Malakai Tiwa dictated the tempo well from midfield and Alvin Singh and Remueru Tekiate looked relatively comfortable at the back, but for a horrible error which gifted Lupe an unlikely equaliser before half-time.
In all, Ba are looking ominous in Group A with as many goals to their name as points. They can wrap up the group with a draw or better against Ba.
Lupe’s match against Gaitcha kicks off at 4:30pm on Saturday, followed by Ba’s game against Pirae at 7pm. Both matches are played at Ba’s Govind Park.
FC Gaitcha v Lupe Ole Soaga
Govind Park
Ba, Fiji
Saturday 18 April 2015
Kick-off: 4:30pm
GAIvLUP
Referee: Nicholas WALDRON (NZL)
Assistant Referee 1: Folio MOEAKI (TGA)
Assistant Referee 2: Mark WHITEHEAD (NZL)
Fourth Official: Albert MARU (PNG)
Head to head: No previous meetings.
FC Gaitcha
The players: Emile Bearune and Jeremy Dokunengo will sit out the match due to suspension. Four of Kevin Coma’s side are also walking a tightrope after picking up yellow cards in their opening two games.
The vital statistics: The New Caledonians need to win, and win well, if they’re a chance to progress from Group A. Gaitcha also wiped out its negative goal difference with Tuesday’s 5-2 win against Pirae, which puts the side in a good position as a potential runner-up qualifier.
Coach quote: “It’s going to be a decisive match because if we win, we could secure the best second-place and possibly a place in the semi-final. We’re going to do everything we can to score as many goals as possible because it is the goal difference which could be the decider.”
Squad list: 1. Rocky NYIKEINE, 3. Leopold MAKALU, 4. Loic WAKANUMUNE, 5. Jean-Paul READ, 6. Cedric SANSOT, 8. Patrick DIAIKE, 9. Pierre WAJOKA, 10. Marius BAKO, 11. Bertrand KAI, 12. Jean-Christ WAJOKA, 13. Georges BEARUNE, 14. Jedidha SAIKO, 15. Patrick DRAWILO, 16. Mickael ULILE, 17. Jean-Louis TOTO, 18. David BEARUNE, 19. Christian LUEWADRIA, 20. Jim OUKA, 21. Yvanick PAWAWI, 22. Gerald QAEZE, 23. Pierre NYIKEINE
Suspended: 2. Jeremie DOKUNENGO, 7. Emile BEARUNE
Coach: Kevin KOMA (FRA)
Lupe Ole Soaga
The players: Suivai Ataga and Oscar Amataga will miss the match following their red cards against Ba.
The vital statistics: Lupe are mathematically eliminated from contention for the semi-finals and coach Paul Ualesi will be aiming to go all out for a victory in their last game in the tournament.
Coach quote: “We’ll never give up. We’re looking forward to our last game. We’ll learn from the mistakes of our second game and we’ll prepare well for Gaitcha on Saturday.”
Squad list: 1. Ted SIKOVI, 2. Vaalii FAALOGO, 3. Andrew SETEFANO, 4. Vito LALOATA, 6. Lionel TAYLOR, 7. Silao MALO, 8. Karetia SOAFA, 9. Lapalapa TONI, 10. Luki GOSCHE, 11. Ishmael TAULAI, 12. Faafua ATAGA LALOATA, 13. Scott GANNON, 14. John TE’O, 15. Victor LAPALAPA, 16. Soliai LETUTUSA, 17. Ikenasio GOSCHE, 19. Paul UALESI, 20. Apisaloma FAAFUA LEIATAUA, 21. Vaa TAUALAI, 22. Mataio TOETU
Suspended: 5. Suivai ATAGA, 18. Oscar AMATAGA
Coach: Paul UALESI (SAM)
AS Pirae v Ba FC
Govind Park
Ba, Fiji
Saturday 18 April 2015
Kick-off: 7pm
PIRvBA
Referee: Robinson BANGA (VAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Mahit CHLIIA (VAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Stephen Kole SENIGA (SOL)
Fourth Official: Albert MARU (PNG)
Head to head: No previous meetings.
AS Pirae
The players: An understrength Pirae have limped through the group stage to date but in Jay Warren, Teaonui Tehau, Roonui Tinirauarii and Heiarii Tavanae there is plenty of firepower within the squad.
The vital statistics: Pirae will need to better Lupe’s result in the earlier match if they are to avoid the wooden spoon in Group A.
Coach quote: “We’re taking this last match against Ba very seriously. What we want to do is finish strongly, and leave behind the best image of our club. Ba is an incredibly athletic team, we’ve been able to watch them twice now. They play in a way we see often from Fijian teams, a lot of long balls and a main target man who is powerful, with a lot of speed and commitment.”
Squad list: 2. Nicolas VALLAR, 3. Vincent SIMON, 4. Heimanu TAIARUI, 5. Edson LEMAIRE, 10. Tearii LABASTE, 11. Roonui TINIRAUARII, 12. Raimana DHALLUIN, 13. Roy KAYARA, 14. Heiarii TAVANAE, 15. Tainui LEHARTEL, 16. Efrain ARANEDA, 17. Marc VAKI, 18. Ariihau TERIITAU, 20. Jay WARREN, 21. Teaonui TEHAU, 32. Patrice FIRIAPU
Coach: Sam GARCIA (TAH)
Ba FC
The players: Just one point is required to guarantee the hosts a spot in the last four, though they could go through with a loss depending on the result of the earlier match. If that’s the case, it will be interesting to see if Shalen Lal opts to rest some of his starters ahead of the knockout phase.
The vital statistics: Discipline has been the key so far for Shalen Lal’s side. With a possible knockout run looming, Ba have only one player sitting on a yellow card – defender Remueru Tekiate.
Coach quote: “Ba plays every game like a final. Our next game is very important. We’ve got six points now, we just need a draw to advance, but we will come fully prepared because we know Pirae is a very good side.”
Squad list: 1. Misiwani NAIRUBE, 2. Avinesh SUWAMY, 3. Meli CODRO, 4. Manasa NAWAKULA, 5. Ronil KUMAR, 6. Jone VESIKULA, 7. Laisenia NAIOKO, 8. Jonetani BUKSH, 9. Abbu ZAHID, 10. Mavileko NAKAMA, 11. Alvin SINGH, 12. Remueru TEKIATE, 13. Kini VILIAME, 14. Shameel RAO, 15. Saula WAQA, 16. Malakai TIWA, 17. Narendra RAO, 18. Praneel NAIDU, 19. Josefata NEIBULI, 20. James HOYT, 21. Shaneel NAIDU, 22. Jone SOROLO, 23. Keegan LINDERBOOM
Coach: Shalen LAL (FIJ)
OFC and UNICEF join forces on the Pacific Cyclone Appeal
Tropical Cyclone Pam, a Category 5 cyclone has affected over 166,000 people on 22 islands, including 82,000 children. Schools, hospitals and care facilities have all been affected, leaving children vulnerable and without many basic services.
UNICEF currently has about 65 per cent of the funds required to deliver life-saving aid to thousands of children and their families in Vanuatu and other affected countries. An additional US$2 million is needed to provide access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, lifesaving health and nutrition interventions, education and protection until the end of 2015.
To donate please visit: www.supportunicef.org/cyclonedonate
For more information on the appeal please contact: Alice Clements at [email protected]
Sponsors
The OFC would like to acknowledge its sponsors Fiji Airways and Vodafone Fiji.