While it is the tenth edition of this competition, it is just the second time the Invitational moniker has been applied, allowing organisers to extend an invite to be extended to teams from the Asian Football Confederation.
After making their debut in Oceania at last year’s event, Malaysia will once again be eyeing the ultimate regional futsal prize after finishing runners up in 2013. The guests will be facing some tough opposition from the Pacific’s rising futsal nations like first up opponent New Zealand who have been working hard behind the scenes since their historic third-place finish in Auckland last year.
Coach Scott Gilligan has been in charge since February 2012 and the results of his hard work with a number of these players is starting to show.
“We’re expecting a very tough game, as it was last year,” he says of the opening encounter.
“We know that all the Asian teams are a lot better than the Oceania teams at the moment but I think the four countries that are here from Oceania will certainly put their best foot forward and try and give Malaysia a good game.
“We’re the first game off the rank and hopefully we can prove to not just Malaysia, but the rest of Oceania that we do have the team to compete.
Gilligan’s Futsal Whites consists of the vast majority of the side that beat Tahiti 1-0 to claim a podium finish in 2013, Gilligan is confident he has a strong core that can continue improving to challenge for Oceania’s FIFA Futsal World Cup berth next year.
“Obviously the first two years I was in charge we chopped and changed quite a lot as we were looking for the right players.
It’s only a year now until the next tournament, and that’s the World Cup qualifiers, so pretty much from this year we selected a core of 24 players and they’re the 24 who will work through to the final 12 next year.”
Captain Marvin Eakins will be key to controlling the pace of the game on the pitch, while the inclusion of the skilful Lucas Cordeiro Osorio Da Silva will surely bring some added flair alongside 2013 Golden Boot winner Dylan Manickum.
Gilligan’s Malaysian counterpart Maizal Hairi Marzuki remains optimistic about his side’s chances in New Caledonia.
The team earned their runners-up medals with consistently sleek performances which showcased their technical and tactical superiority, as well as their pace and power on and off the ball.
Marzuki returns with a largely unchanged squad as he too looks towards the AFC qualifiers for the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016.
“I’ve brought in three players and I hope they will play well,” Marzuki says.
“I don’t remember the score from when we played New Zealand last year but I remember the game. New Zealand have some good players and I hope my team will rise to the challenge, play well and win this first match – which is a very important one.”
Nizam Mohd Ali is one of the returning players who is sure to play a crucial role in helping Malaysia in their search for the gold medal.
The second match of the evening pits Tahiti against Vanuatu in what is sure to be another enthralling display of futsal prowess.
Tahiti have expressed their desire to translate futsal’s popularity into regional, and potentially worldwide, success.
“We are definitely expecting to have to work hard,” says coach Heitapu Hunter.
“It’s taken a lot of preparations and we’re excited to be playing in this OFC tournament. Last year we played Vanuatu and it was very difficult, this time we want to start the competition well with a win in this match.”
Fitness trainer turned key player as an injury replacement in 2013, Jacob Tutavae has proven his worth to Hunter. His clear leadership qualities has earned him the captain’s armband while his technical and tactical knowledge is undoubtable.
The technical skills of Smith Tino are sure to once again play a role in Tahiti’s attacking qualities, while everyone is on the edge of their seats anticipating what Teaonui Tehau will bring to the game.
For Vanuatu’s Louis Dominique this tournament is another opportunity to test his young side against some more experienced opponents.
With futsal starting to take off in Vanuatu, some good performances from the national team can play a part in the future development and participation in the game.
“Last year was a tough match against Tahiti and we will try to do better and use our opportunities better,” he says.
“The boys were very young last year, many new to international competition, so I think this time we will do a lot better. It’s a mostly the same boys and we’ve been working on our mistakes from last year and hope to do much better.”
Vanuatu will be relying on the knowledge and experience of captain Ben Hungai to lead by example. Pakoa Rakom’s movement on and off the ball will be key, while the experience and talent of Jacky John and Donald Avock will also surely be of benefit.
To see the video interviews with the coaches click here
To view the match programme click here.
Extra Information:
OFC U-20 Championship – MATCH DAY 1 PREVIEW
This is the official preview of Match Day 1. Please note squads are subject to change.
Malaysia v New Zealand
18h local time, Tuesday 12 August
Arene du Sud
Paita, New Calédonia
MASvNZL
Match officials:
Referee: Rex KAMUSU [SOL]
Second Referee: Francis RONI [SOL]
Third Referee: Philip MANA [SOL]
Timekeeper: Jainut DEAN [FIJ]
Malaysia: 1. Firdaus RAZALI (GK), 2. Asmie ZAHARI, 3. Fadzwin CHE HALIM, 4. Shamsul ZAMRI, 5. Muhamad Fitri YATIM, 6. Muhammad Fariq MOHAMMAD, 7. Mohammad Shahmi ABDULLAH SANI, 8. Mohd Azwann ISMAIL, 9. Qaiser ABDUL KADIR, 10. Mohd Ridzwan BAKRI, 11. Mohd Firdaus AMBIAH, 13. Nizam MOHD ALI, 15. Saiful Aula AHMAD, 20. Mohd Rahimi AB SHATAR (GK)
Coach: Maizal Hairu MARZUKI [MAS]
New Zealand: 1. Atta ELAYYAN (GK), 3. Dylan MANICKUM, 6. Kareem OSMAN, 7. Marvin EAKINS, 8. Daniel BURNS, 9. Jakub SINKORA, 10. Jan FISCHER, 11. Lucas CORDEIRO OSORIO DA SILVA, 12. Mohamed Hicham KAMRI, 14. James VAUGHAN, 15. Ouadhah RAGUED, 18. Elias BILLEH (GK)
Coach: Scott GILLIGAN [AUS]
Vanuatu v Tahiti
20h local time, Tuesday 12 August
Arene du Sud
Paita, New Calédonia
VANvTAH
Match officials:
Referee: Daniel KAUSUO [NCL]
Second Referee: Stephane UPA [NCL]
Third Referee: Amitesh BEHARI [FIJ]
Timekeeper: Chris SINCLAIR [NZL]
Vanuatu: 1. Glendon MASAI (GK), 2. Terry MALAPA, 3. Ricky TUIGALOA, 4. Dudley DOMINIQUE, 5. Jacky JOHN, 6. Joseph HANGHANGKON, 7. Ben HUNGAI, 8. Pakoa JEREMY, 9. Donald AVOCK, 10. Albert THO, 11. George MAHIT, 12. Ivano PHILIP (GK)
Coach: Louis DOMINIQUE [VAN]
Tahiti: 1. Hauarii HIOE (GK), 2. Steeven TINO, 3. Steeve WONG, 4. Junior CAO, 5. Jacob TUTAVAE, 6. Alexis TOOFA, 7. Gabriel KAVERA, 8. Teivarii KAIHA, 9. Anderson TINO, 10. Teaonui TEHAU, 12. Smith TINO, 17. Gerard TETAUIRA (GK)
Coach: Heitapu HUNTER [TAH]