Match Day 5 Preview

With Match Day 5 looming Papua New Guinea will have a tough task trying to keep pace with the group leaders as they face powerhouses New Zealand in the 4.30pm match. New Caledonia will take on Fiji at 2pm in an encounter that will either bring Fiji back into contention, or help the Caledonians closer to their goal. The final match of the day will see group hosts Samoa take on Cook Islands in a must win for both sides.
New Caledonia have proven themselves a side packed with talent and plenty of speed and will be difficult for Fiji to contain. Fiji to their credit have played with heart and have at times looked a real threat to their opponents, but remain unable to score. New Caledonia on the other hand have had no trouble finding the back of the net.
New Zealand are another side which has had little difficulty scoring and will be out to continue their march to the top of Group A against Papua New Guinea. Having switched out nine of their 11 starters from their first match for their second one, New Zealand have an almost full quota of well rested players ready for the next challenge. Papua New Guinea have been building for this match and despite not being as thorough as they would have liked against Fiji, have a chance to redeem themselves against one of the region’s best.
The final encounter gives Cook Islands and Samoa a chance to post some points on the board, something both teams are eager to do. They scored against their more favoured opponents in their previous matches showing they have the ability, but they will need all their on-field wiles to take the advantage they both seek.
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Extra Information:
OFC U-17 Championship – MATCH DAY 5 PREVIEW

New Caledonia v Fiji
2.00pm local time, Saturday 17 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
NCLvFIJ
Referee: Kader ZITOUNI [TAH]
Assistant Referee 1: Mahit CHILIA [VAN]
Assistant Referee 2: Sione TEU [TGA]
4th Official: Ichikawa POLOVILI [TGA]
New Caledonia
Vital Statistics: In 2013 New Caledonia triumphed 3-0 over this opponent. Before that, their last meeting was in 2007 when they drew 1-1. Henri Boucheron joins Renzo Wejieme on one caution.
The Players: Henri Boucheron and Joris Kenon know how to score goals, and score them well. Not only did they earn a brace apiece against Cook Islands but they were four absolute stunners.
Coach Quote: “I wanted to see the real value of Fiji and Papua New Guinea. Thursday they showed me a little bit of what they know how to do, they have similar capabilities and skills and we’ll try and put something in place. I think physically we are ready, we are here and we’re expecting a difficult match.”
Squad List: 1. Jacques WAZIZ (GK), 2. Lucas BITAUD, 3. Jean-Marc KAUDRE, 4. Jimmy GUSEAL, 5. Sam TIAOU, 6. Renzo WEJIEME, 7. Marino AKAPO, 8. Joseph HNAGONE, 9. Henri BOUCHERON, 10. Joris KENON, 11. Armand HARPER, 12. Valerian MICHALAK, 13. Takiave TEIHOTAATA, 14. Maxime BETOULLE, 15. Brandon STREETER, 16. Nelson KAI, 17. Ernest AKON, 18. Etienne POANOUI, 19. Nelson KAKUE, 20. Patrick NYIKEINE [GK]
Coach: Kamali FITIALEATA [NCL]
Fiji
Vital Statistics: Fiji are yet to score a goal here in Apia, Samoa at the 16th edition of the OFC U-17 Championship
The Players: Afraz Ali returns but Fiji will still have one man suspended after defender Shavneel Deo picked up his second caution. Goalkeeper Waisake Ravuiwasa is joined on one yellow by France Catarogo. Fazeem Khan came on as a substitute and immediately started creating chances, needs to work on his finishing but proved an excellent impact player.
Coach Quote: “We haven’t seen them play a lot, we hope to watch Thursday’s match and will decide from there how we approach the game.”
Squad List: 1. Biuvanua JOELA [GK], 2. Manumanubai ARAMI, 3. Shalit REDDY, 4. Mkeimi RALULU, 5. Shoel KHAN, 6. Adeel ALI, 7. Fazeem KHAN, 8. Shamron PRASAD, 9. Patrick JOSEPH, 10. Kartik KUMAR, 11. Simeli BATIRATU, 12. Amena BOLAITAMANA, 13. Alvish NAIDU, 14. Afraz ALI, 15. France CATAROGO, 16. Lino ROSERU, 17. Timoci DOVI, 19. Rusiate QIO, 20. Waisake RAVUIWASA [GK]
Suspended: 18. Savneel DEO
Co-Coaches: Yogendra DUTT [FIJ] and Kamal SWAMY [FIJ]
Papua New Guinea v New Zealand
4.30pm local time, Saturday 17 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
PNGvNZL
Referee: Robinson BANGA [VAN]
Assistant Referee 1: Ravinesh KUMAR [FIJ]
Assistant Referee 2: Lemusa ALATASI [ASA]
4th Official: Nelson SOGO [SOL]
Papua New Guinea
Vital Statistics: Papua New Guinea seem to have been able to keep New Zealand in relative check on previous occasions with their last two matches finishing 3-0 and 4-0 in the Kiwis favour in 2011 and 2013 respectively. Freddy Tupani joins Misty Laksam on one yellow card. Stahl Gubag was mistakenly credited with receiving a yellow card in the first match, but in fact it was teammate Laksam giving Gubag a clean sheet.
The Players: Cleave Roy and Oswald Bade both proved wily attackers against Fiji while Brendon Kambula continued to play a role through the middle.
Coach Quote: “We’ll approach the game as we have always done. We take it one game at a time and will prepare for this one in the same way. Definitely they are a good team. We just have to stick to our game plan and do the little things, the basics, to contain them.”
Squad List: 1. Kusuga KOMOLONG [GK], 2. Nickson PURARI, 3. Robin LIVAI, 4. Kenneth PILAILO, 5. Jacob AKUS, 6. Bruno KELENA, 7. Oswald BADE, 8. Gregory TOGUBAI, 9. Roy CLEAVE, 10. Brendon KAMBUAL, 11. Gary POKAS, 12. Clive SAMLAL, 13. Tanaka SIGAMATA, 14. Freddy TUPANI, 15. Stahl GUBAG, 16. Misty JULIAN, 17. Larsen PASUM, 18. Sylvester AGAT, 19. Martin TOKWAKWASI, 20. Jerry SERIBA [GK]
Coach: Harrison KAMAKE [PNG]
New Zealand
Vital Statistics: Only two players has started both matches for New Zealand in Samoa, captain Louie Mills and James McGarry. The other 18 players have all had starting stints on the bench.
The Players: James McGarry’s work rate, even in unfamiliar and trying conditions, is impressive. He moves with ease and does the job from whatever position he’s taken up on the park.
Coach Quote: “Every game is a new game and we just concentrate on the following match which happens to be PNG. We just watched them earlier, very well organised and well coached so it’s certainly not going to be easy for us.”
Squad List: 1. Michael WOUD [GK], 2. Jack-Henry SINCLAIR, 3. Luke JOHNSON, 4. Billy JONES, 5. Sione FA’APOI, 6. Liam WILLIAMS, 7. Oliver CECI, 8. Sarpreet SINGH, 9. Jack ANDERSON, 10. Logan ROGERSON, 11. Louie MILLS, 12. Reuben CLARK [GK], 13. Sean SKEENS, 14. James McGARRY, 15. Connor PROBERT, 16. Jamie WOODLOCK, 17. Ben KIORE, 18. Daniel LOUGH, 19. Sam WILSON, 20. Ben MATA
Coach: Jose FIGUIERA [ENG]
Cook Islands v Samoa
7.00pm local time, Saturday 17 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
COKvSAM
Referee: Gerald OIAKA [SOL]
Assistant Referee 1: Douglas METE [SOL]
Assistant Referee 2: Himon SESE [VAN]
Fourth Official: Ichikawa POLOVILI [TGA]
Cook Islands
Vital Statistics: Cook Islands have now gone seven games without a win at this level. Their last goal was against Vanuatu in April 2013.
The Players: Sunai Joseph is a rock in defence and still manages to venture into different positions on the park wh
ere he proves equally useful. His prowess in set pieces is also of great benefit.
Coach Quote: “I think the most important thing is that Samoa is actually a very good side. I think most people don’t give them enough credit. I’ve watched them, I’m really impressed with how they’ve improved and it will be a big fight for us.”
Squad List: 1. Chrismagne ELIKANA [GK], 2. Melbourne MATAKINO, 3. Rechimaer RAIROA, 5. Rouru RAIROA, 6. Owenne MATAPO, 7. Will NAPA, 8. Varu VARU, 9. Tamaiva MATEARIKI, 10. Sunai JOSEPH, 11. Peter PUREAU, 12. Sam TATUAVA, 13. Kristian YOUNG, 14. Sam KOIATU, 15. Daniel TAOKIA, 16. Michael WOOD, 17. Albert TARU, 18. Maru MIRO, 19/20. Atera MAROROA [GK]
Coach: Delaney YAQONA [FIJ]
Samoa
Vital Statistics: Samoa were beaten just 2-1 by the Cook Islands during the 2013 OFC U-17 Preliminary.
The Players: Captain Frank Mariner was an everywhere man against New Zealand and really gave the Kiwis a run for their money.
Coach Quote: “I’m expecting a good game against the Cook Islands. My boys want to win this game.”
Squad List: 1. Faafouina IOLE [GK], 2. Tauati TANOAI, 3. Peter HUNT, 4. Bronson LOTU-I’IGA, 5. Lafoga LAFOGA PUPULA, 6. Poasa EPA, 7. Seli FUIMAONO, 8. Samuelu MALO, 9. Willie SAUILUMA, 10. Frank MARINER, 11. David WENSLEY, 12. Vaa TAUALAI, 13. Mose SOFALA, 14. Timote HALAHINGANO, 15. Osa SAVELIO, 16. Iosefo TOMA, 17. Henry SMITH, 18. Slade OMERI, 19. Felix-Dominique IULIO, 20. Maaushammah TAUASA, 21. Salvation SATUALA, 22. Taase HUNT [GK], 23. Tusitala VITO [GK]
Coach: Desmond FAAI’UASO [SAM]