The Pacific Island is set to welcome eight of its regional counterparts to its shores from 9-23 January as they compete for the sole Oceania berth at the FIFA U-17 Women’s Championship in Jordan.
To prepare themselves for the challenge ahead, coach Tuka Tisam took his charges to Auckland, New Zealand for a short development tour.
Thirteen of the 14-16 year olds call Rarotonga home, while a further two players from Aitutaki also made the trip, they were joined by three New Zealand-based players for the week-long camp.
“The purpose of the trip was to scout new players based in Auckland, and to play three matches against Auckland opponents,” Tisam explains.
“We definitely deem the visit a success because we came together as a team and won all three matches.”
The side played matches against Ellerslie FC and Papatoetoe, and as Tisam says, secured three straight victories.
However Tisam says the results are just part of the process, with the team’s collective performance the more important outcome.
“They are young players and we were impressed with what they did in New Zealand. The team is working as a unit on different areas of the game. It was also positive to see the New Zealand-based players integrate into the group with ease.”
Cook Islands have been drawn alongside a tough line-up at the 2016 OFC U-17 Championship that includes Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Fiji and Tisam says with that in mind their preparations will continue on the ground in the Cook Islands right up until kick-off.
“Our plan will see us training three times a week and playing regular games against senior women’s club sides.”
The 2016 OFC U-17 Championship kicks-off on 9 January, with Cook Islands’ first game scheduled against Fiji on Thursday 14 January.
For more on Cook Islands football visit www.cookislandsfootball.com

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