As the results of each match will affect the outcome of the tournament, the games will both kick-off at 3pm on different fields. This is a change from the original schedule where the matches were due to kick off at 3pm and 5pm respectively on the same field.
The winner of the preliminary tournament will qualify for the OFC U-17 Championship, where they will meet Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu. The championship will be held in Vanuatu from April 17-27 and the winner will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013.
Here’s a look at the action that’s in store across the two matches on the final day of the preliminary.
Cook Islands vs. Samoa – 3pm Saturday 26 January
The Cook Islands were pre-tournament favourites and justified that reputation with a big win over Tonga on the opening day but now find themselves dark horses for the title after their shock loss to American Samoa yesterday. As they are only one point behind American Samoa and Samoa, Tuka Tisam’s team do still have a chance but they must beat Samoa and hope that American Samoa slip up against winless Tonga. Tisam will want to see more determination from his players after being disappointed with their commitment in Thursday’s loss but they will also need to make better use of their possession. American Samoa were largely untroubled in defending their lead and, with so much at stake, Cook Islands need to become a far more potent attacking force this time. Samoa have suffered a blow in their own attack as top scorer Paulo Scanlan, who hit a hat-trick against Tonga, is suspended and his leadership qualities as captain will also be missed. Losing Scanlan’s ability to find the net is a major blow as, if American Samoa beat Tonga as expected in the other match, Samoa will need to not only defeat Cook Islands but put enough strikes away to better American Samoa’s superior goal difference, which is currently higher by two.
In their own words
“I think the main area we need to improve on is our attack, we need to be more penetrating in the wing areas. We also need to keep it nice and solid defensively and make sure we don’t concede from free kicks or corners. The boys have made it hard for themselves so there’s a lot of pressure on them now. Samoa are very solid and aggressive and they will come out firing like the American Samoa guys did.” – Cook Islands coach Tuka Tisam
“Paulo is our captain and we knew he was going to score goals so it will be hard without him. But we believe in our boys and there are other players in the squad that can do the job. The Cook Islands have some players from overseas and were favourites to win the tournament so we know it will not be easy.” – Samoa assistant coach Phineas Young
American Samoa vs. Tonga – 3pm Saturday 26 January
After their shock win against Cook Islands, American Samoa are now in the box seat to take the title and, due to their superior goal difference over Samoa, a win here should be enough to see them claim the crown. American Samoa and Samoa are both locked on four points but Cook Islands are just one behind and are also still in the running so American Samoa coach Junior Mikaele knows three points are likely to be a must. Goalkeeper Frederick Maiava has offered a very safe pair of hands so far and the defence in front of him, well marshalled by captain Rueben Luvu, has also been in no mood to let anything past. Mikaele will hope that continues tomorrow and will turn to the likes of playmaker Keleopa Siligi, arguably the most technically gifted player on show this week, and striker Sinisa Tua to provide the necessary goals to take his team to the title. Tua is tied in a three-way race for the golden boot with Samoa’s Scanlan, who cannot add to his tally due to his suspension, and Tonga’s Hemaloto Polovili. The chance for Polovili to finish top of the charts is about all Tonga have to play for as their two losses have put them out of title contention. But they will be desperate not to leave Apia with nothing and coach Timote Moleni will therefore make sure his charges have the motivation to rain on American Samoa’s potential parade.
In their own words
“We know Tonga haven’t won a game yet but we still count them as a good team. They are well organised and like to play the ball around, I think it is has just been mistakes that have cost them. We are now in a position where we can win the tournament so there is pressure on us to win but that has been the case from the first day.” – American Samoa technical adviser Ruben Luvu
“We have improved a lot since our first match but we need to be more clinical in our finishing because we missed some good chances against Samoa. We are aiming to finish with a win because we do not want to go home without winning. I haven’t seen a lot of American Samoa but I think they are on a similar level to the other teams and we know it will be a tough match.” – Tonga coach Timote Moleni
OFC U-17 Championship Preliminary – Match Day 3 Preview
Cook Islands vs. Samoa
3pm local time, Saturday 26 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
Referee: Rakesh VARMAN [FIJ]
Assistant Referee 1: Hilmon SESE [VAN]
Assistant Referee 2: Phul SINGH [FIJ]
4th Official: Pari OITO [TAH]
Cook Islands: 1. Keegan INIA [GK], 2. Sunai JOSEPH, 3. Torea TANGATA, 4. Cahjun WILLIS, 5. Ford HENRY, 6. Takuina TARARO, 7. Dwayne TIPUTOA, 8. Kimiora SAMUELA, 9. Pekay EDWARDS, 10. Thane BEAL, 11. Maro BONSU-MARO, 12. Wiremu TEMATA, 13. Jarves APERAU, 14. Terei GEORGE, 15. Morgan WICHMAN, 16. Te Ava WICHMAN, 17. Louison ATETU, 20. Antonio TUAITI [GK]
Coach: Tuka TISAM [COK]
Samoa: 1. Raymond TAFEAGA [GK], 2. Tuli FILIGA, 3. Vito LALOATA, 4. Johnwesley TEO, 5. Billy MAKA, 6. Pago TUNUPOPO, 7. Esekielu LAUSSEN, 8. Bernard ULUGIA, 9. Malo FELAGAI, 11. Junior SIA, 12. Key VILIAMU, 13. Filisi KENI, 14. Sue PELESA, 15. Livigisitone TALOTO, 16. Steven ALAPATI, 17. Soliai LETUTUSA, 18. Petaia FAIMASASA, 19. Samuelu MALO, 20. Faalavelave MATAGI [GK]
Coach: Malo VAGA [SAM]
American Samoa vs. Tonga
3pm local time, Saturday 26 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
Referee: Gerald OIAKA [SOL]
Assistant Referee 1: Hillary ANI [SOL]
Assistant Referee 2: Johnny NIABO [SOL]
4th Official: Robinson BANGA [VAN]
American Samoa: 1. Frederick MAIAVA [GK], 2. Neemia KALEOPA, 3. Rueben LUVU, 4. Johnny SIONE, 6. Puni SAMUELU, 7. Sam KOME, 8. Paia IPINUI, 9. Sinisa TUA, 10. Lotupo LAMETA, 11. Henry LAMETA, 12. Palepoi MAUGA, 13. Paul COLLINS, 14. Sefo ULUGIA, 15. Ricky PETAIA, 16. Scott MANNING, 17. Kaleopa SILIGI, 23. Leuatea SIATU’U [GK]
Coach: Junior MIKAELE [ASA]
Tonga: 1. Paula FOLAU [GK], 2. Uasi TALANOA, 3. Fakaanga TAUFA, 6. Soane FAUPULA, 7. Mikaele PAHULU, 8. Taniela VAKA’UTA, 9. Maletino HALAPIO, 10. Hemaloto POLOVILI, 11. Soakai VEA, 12. Kepueli FEKE, 13. Ofa LATU, 14. Soane LAVELUA, 15. Paea TOLU, 16. Tevita FAKAVA, 17. Sateki MATAKAIONGO, 18. Uate FOSTER
Coach: Timote MOLENI [TGA]