Women's Olympic Qualifying/South Pacific Games Stage One - Teams

American Samoa
The XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007 will be the first time American Samoa has competed at international level in women’s football and it will be difficult to gauge what to expect from Oceania’s newest competitors.

Expectations will not be high with this tournament regarded as an opportunity to gain much needed experience rather than medals.

Cook Islands
Cook Islands will be one of the minnows at Samoa – 2007 but could cause an upset in a Pool featuring one other relatively inexperienced nation – Solomon Islands – and another completely new to the world stage, American Samoa.

Cook Islands should be too good to finish bottom of the group but it will be considered a minor upset if they can overcome Solomon Islands and finish there or thereabouts.

Fiji
Farouk Janeman will coach Fiji’s women’s team with a preparation programme completed and must be regarded as a realistic medal shot. Fijian football is currently on a high but women’s football has yet to enjoy any of the limelight.

Janeman and his team will be hoping Samoa 2007 will be a chance to shine a light on Fiji women’s football.

New Caledonia
Not much is known about New Caledonia women’s football or its strength with the team new to competition at this level. A recent upsurge in interest in women’s football could mean New Caledonia spring a surprise and push the more highly fancied Tonga all the way.

Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea will be overwhelming favourites to secure XIII South Pacific Games gold and an Olympic Games playoff with New Zealand after securing their highest ever finish in an OFC Women’s Championship earlier this year.

Coached by Marcos Gusmao, Papua New Guinea defeated Solomon Islands and Tonga on their way to a final day showdown against New Zealand. Sadly for Papua New Guinea they were unable to contain the athleticism and skill of the Kiwis but can be proud of their runners-up finish.

Star players for Papua New Guinea were Daisy Winas, Jacqueline Chalau and Deslyn Siniu.

Samoa
The host nation have a strong squad to select from with players drawn into the mix from clubs in New Zealand as well as locally. With Toleafoa J.S.Blatter Playing Field providing the backdrop for Samoa’s endeavours expectations of a medal shot for Manumea’s women’s team must be high.

Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands women’s football has taken small steps toward achieving credibility on the Oceania stage with star player Laydah Samani the brightest jewel in the crown.

Solomon Islands struggled to compete at the OFC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers – Papua New Guinea 2007 finishing last. However, they enjoyed their moments with Prudence Fula and Diane Justus turning in respectable performances.

Tahiti
Women’s football in Tahiti has not enjoyed the same participation rate that is reflected in the men’s game and it is difficult to know what sort of impact the French-Polynesians will have on this tournament.

Famed for technical proficiency and flair, Tahiti will have to make up for their lack of experience quickly in a group featuring the battle-hardened Tonga, French-speaking rivals New Caledonia and the rugged experience of host nation Samoa.

Tonga
Tonga’s hard working team will be a real medal prospect with the sister-act of Vasi and Penateti Feke taking responsibility for scoring goals. Goalkeeper Mele Likiliki was a star performer in Papua New Guinea winning acclaim from media, fans and opponents alike and will view Samoa as the ideal opportunity to showcase her undoubted talents between the sticks.