OFC U20 Men's Youth Championship - Teams

FIJI

Fiji will rely upon the guile of national team coach Carlos Buzzetti to guide them through this campaign.

Buzzetti – who helped Vanuatu full international team to a shock 4-2 win over New Zealand during the last FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 qualifying campaign – will be asked to replicate the feat or something similar this time around.

Fiji 's performances at this level of international football have traditionally been strong with the country finishing runners-up at the 1999 and 2003 OFC U20 Men's Championship to Australia.

In the 2005 OFC U20 Men's Championship Fiji recorded a shock 1-0 win over New Zealand before missing out narrowly to Australia in the semi-finals in a pulsating encounter in Honiara by 3-2.

Fiji 's preparations for this tournament have been clouded in uncertainty because of political tensions back home but are expected to provide a good account of themselves.

Fiji

1. Ben Mateqaqara
2. Ratu Semi Dileqa
3. Solomoni Niulevu
4. Paulo Posiano
5. Krishna Sami
6. Daniel Krishneel
7. Alvin Singh
8. Malakai Waqa
9. Kelepi Qaqa
10. Risheel Dass
11. Roy Krishna
12. Esava Naqeleca
13. Malele Nakalavo
14. Meneusi Senibula
15. Eran Underwood
16. Netani Momoivalu
17. Samuela Kautoga
18. Epeli Deama
19. Rinal Prasad
20. Vereti Dickson

Head of Delegation Mohammed Yusuf
Head Coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti
Assistant Coach Saiyad Ali
Team Manager Allen Jesoni
Physio Reneshwar Lal

NEW CALEDONIA

New Caledonian football is famed for its tough physical and uncompromising approach but with a new and highly regarded coaching team in place there has been a paradigm shift to complement the rugged style of their domestic game with technical finesse for this tournament. The question will be whether or not the OFC U20 Men's Championship has loomed too early for the transition to take full effect.

Traditionally, New Caledonia has produced players of good quality many of whom have forged careers in Europe with Christian Karembeu the outstanding example along with Marc Kanyan, Charles Teambeuconi, and Jacques Zimako. New Caledonia has been eliminated at the first group stage of the OFC U20 Men's Championship on the past three occasions but gave New Zealand a fright in 2001 before the Kiwis prevailed 2-1 thanks to a Shane Smeltz goal.

New Caledonia

1. Jody Tevanou
2. Jeremy Dokunengo
3. Jean Christophe Xenie
4. Jean Xavier Wakanumune
5. Wilson Forest
6. Mark Waheo
7. Warren Saiko
8. Cesar Lolohea
9. Ulrich Bowen
10. Loic Caunes
11. Jason Sablan
12. Yoan Porou
13. Rodrigue Luewadria
14. Auguste Nike Yine
15. Gontran Bolo
16. Jean Wahnyamalla
17. Romy Atti
18. Jonathan Tidjine
19. Jonathan Kakou
20. Christopher Tavergeaux

Head of Delegation Christian Coruet
Head Coach Jean Paul Curfau
Assistant Coach Gregory Cremm
Responsible Didier C harmbaron
Intendant Lucien Viriamu

NEW ZEALAND

Stu Jacob's side features two senior New Zealand internationals in All Whites Chris James and Jeremy Brockie. James is a highly regarded midfielder who plays with Fulham in the FA Premiership in England. James was New Zealand's Young Player of the Year in 200just pipping his teammate Jeremy Brockie to the award. Brockie who enjoyed a superb debut season with the New Zealand Knights in the A-League in 2005-06 made the move across the Tasman to join Sydney FC last year.

The squad also features three Kiwis who are playing college football in the US; defender Kieran Purcell who plays for Evansville University, midfielder Dan Keat and attacking midfielder Craig Henderson who both play for Dartmouth University. The squad also includes the best young domestic talent in the New Zealand game most of whom are playing in the New Zealand Football Championship week in and week out.

New Zealand will be keen to make amends for the embarrassing performance in 2005 where they failed to advance from the group stages after losses to Fiji and hosts, the Solomon Islands.

New Zealand

1. Jacob Spoonley
2. Sam Peters
3. Ian Hogg
4. Cole Peverley
5. Jack Pelter
6. Phil Edginton
7. Craig Henderson
8. Chris James
9. Jeremy Brockie
10. Leo Shin
11. Sam Jenkins
12. Nick Roydhouse
13. Michael Cunningham
14. Michael Boxall
15. Daniel Keat
16. Rod Brown
17. Tim Schaeffers
18. Kayne Vincent
19. Kieran Purcell
20. Rhyss Keane

Head Coach Stu Jacobs
Assistant Coach Sean Douglas
Goalkeeper Coach Jonathon Gould
Team Physio Derek Young
Team Manager James Hogg
Sport Science Andrew Smith

SAMOA

Samoan preparation for this tournament has been limited at best with a short three match warm-up series against New Zealand club sides and Australia Schoolboys yielding mixed results. Samoa's display showed plenty of passion, pace, physicality and raw potential but the record suggests a difficult tournament lies ahead.

Waikato FC powerhouse and former Mount Albert Grammar graduate Damian Fonoti will be the player to watch following a string of impressive performances for the Hamilton-based club.

The cousin of Everton and Australia internationalist Tim Cahill, Fonoti himself has been used sparingly by a struggling Waikato FC during the 2006/07 NZFC season, but can point to a football education imparted by Kevin Fallon that illustrates his overall value to the Samoan cause.

Samoa

1. Tuula Puleaiga
2. Silao Malo
3. Lologapule Vaa
4. Fitu Gosche
5. Andrew Tauai
6. Elama Lino
7. Masei Amosa
8. Sapati Umutaua
9. Samuelu Taitai
10. Damien Fonoti
11. Pailate Amani
12. Dominiko Tokuma
13. Andrew Setefano
14. . Jerome Simi
15. Desma Liaina
16. Fenika Fenika
17. Talosaga Mikaele
18. Kennedy Faalavaau
19. Motu Hafoka
20. Ionatana Tino

Head of Delegation Faamanu Laulu
Manager Falefata Petaia
Assistant Manager Fong Chan Sau
Kit Manager Asovale Talaia
Head Coach Andy Ripley
Physio Tavau Misikau
Technical Advisor Malo Vaga

SOLOMON ISLANDS

The popularity of football in the Solomon Islands continues to ride the crest of a wave following the success of the Solomon Islands Beach Soccer Bilikiki Boys performances at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Rio de Janeiro 200

Add to that the memory of the senior international team at the last FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 qualifying section when they drew 2-2 with Australia and the performance of the Mamula at the last OFC U20 Men's Championship when they defeated New Zealand to reach the final, it is easy to see why the Solomon Islands are listed amongst the favourites for this tournament.

New Solomon Islands coach Airton Andrioli will be hoping his ‘Mamula' team can repeat their 2005 performance and will look to striker Judd Molea to score the goals that could send them to the finals in Canada. The squad is littered with exciting and skilful talent such as Gibson Daudau, Molis Gagame and Bently Nalanagu and may even conceal the next Batram Suri, Commins Menapi, or Henry Fa'arodo within its ranks.

Solomon Islands

1. Shedrack Ramoni
2. Gibson Daudau
3. Haddis Aengari
4. Arnold Keni
5. Welshman Houkarawa
6. Gibson Hosea Purasi
7. Joachim Rande
8. Molis Gagame
9. John Manebona
10. Judd Molea
11. Bently Nalanagu
12. Joachim Waroi
13. Francis Saemala
14. Patrick Miniti
15. Lenson Bisili
16. Rampton Lohe
17. Joses Nawo
18. Tony Otini
19. Leon Lekezoto
20. Moffat Deramoa

Head of Delegation Stanley Siapu
Head Coach Airton Andrioli
Assistant Coach Jacob Moli
Team Manager Toata Molea
Physio Chris Laore

TAHITI

This is Tahiti's first international appearance at this level of the game since 2001 when they were eliminated at the first group stage in Noumea, New Caledonia.

Tahiti is the only nation outside of Australia and New Zealand to win an OFC competition within this age-group when they won the inaugural competition in Papeete, Tahiti, in 1974. Tahiti – beaten 5-0 by New Zealand in the Group stage – experienced resurgence in the final and defeated New Zealand 2-0.

Since that performance 32 years ago, Tahiti finished runners-up to New Zealand in 1993 but has rarely looked like repeating that momentous effort within this age-group ever since. Hopes will be high that Tahiti's high technical ability will be enough to take them within touching distance of top honours once again.

Tahiti

1. Faahei Vaite
2. Piharii Tarahu
3. Alan Uparu
4. Tematahi Taero
5. Terautua Takaio
6. Cliff Ferrand
7. Alvin Tehau
8. Lorenzo Tehau
9. Ariihau Tereiitau
10. Fabrice Iotua
11. Jay Warren
12. Matahi Hauata
13. Rocky Teriihapuare
14. Ahiti Teriitaumihau
15. Tefai Faehau
16. Teiki Wan Phook
17. Roihau Degage
18. Wallen Teiri
19. Haunui Aitamai
20. Leon Chan

Head of Delegation Alphonse Greig
Head Coach Laurent Heinis
Assistant Coach Bernard Crolas
Official Roland Barff

VANUATU

Vanuatu 's participation in the OFC Men's U20 Championship has been anything but easy after three months of intensive training in Port Vila concluded with an encouraging 1-1 draw with senior international side.

The youngsters performed creditably against a team with much greater experience and coach Andrew Hobbs is confident his team will give opponents at Trust Stadium plenty to think about.

Players to keep an eye on include Francois Sakama and Fijian-based Joseph Namariau, a technically gifted striker. Utility player Jeffry Nimanian adds further options across the back and in midfield should the need for a reshuffle arise.

Hobbs says Vanuatu's build-up has been difficult given he has not seen any of the other teams play but added that Vanuatu Football Federation officials felt the side assembled was amongst the best the country had sent to a tournament for years.

Andrew Hobbs' team play their first match on Sunday 21st January at Trusts Stadium against Fiji.

Vanuatu

1. Yannick Merka
2. Joseph Obed
3. Hamly Sara
4. Nanua Natou
5. Michell Kaltak
6. Elten Boe
7. Duno Aru Tari
8. Simon Molbet
9. Jeffry Nimanian
10. Joseph Namariau
11. Tony Wayane
12. Apete Kara
13. Malcolm Maralau
14. Paul Graham
15. Brian Melar
16. Daniel Natou
17. Remy Kensey Avock
18. Young Paul
19. Francois Sakama
20. Altred Malas

Head Coach Andrew Hobbs
Assistant Coach Grahame Wick
Assistant Coach Philemon John
Physio Albert Iata