Pacific pride at stake on day 2

After a resounding 15-0 defeat of Tonga on Match Day 1, New Zealand will be looking to maintain that momentum against New Caledonia, who were right in the game against Vanuatu before falling apart in the second half and losing 4-0.
Playing a team who sat deep for much of the match New Zealand were able to dominate possession in the middle of the park, showing patience with the ball after a patchy first 15 minutes.
The defending champions arrived in Nuku’alofa with an experienced squad, and against Tonga it was 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup squad members Emma Rolston, Daisy Cleverley and Jasmine Pereira who stood out, all netting hat tricks.
School exams affected New Caledonia coach Kamali Fitialeata’s final squad selections, and as a result his side managed only a handful of training sessions together before taking the field against Vanuatu yesterday.
While they created plenty of scoring chances, they lacked class in their finishing and failed to convert any opportunities at the Loto-Tonga Soka Centre.
At the other end of the park New Caledonia defended well for much of the match, led by the efforts of Coralie Brandao, but were found wanting when it came to physical contests for the ball.
These two nations have met only once before at U-20 level, with New Zealand winning 10-1 back in 2012, which was the last time New Caledonia competed at this tournament.
The second match of the afternoon sees Tonga taking on neighbours Samoa, who will be playing their first game of the tournament after having the bye on Match Day 1.
Tonga coach Penateti Feke took a conservative, defence-based formation into the match against New Zealand, but has said her side will look to put more emphasis on attack against Samoa.
After repelling a number of New Zealand raids through the opening 15 minutes, managing to keep play in the middle of the park where they were strongest defensively, Tonga fell away from their plan and never recovered.
The Samoa team is among the least experienced at the tournament, while they also have a coach in Leti Tamasese who is making her debut at this level.
With a mix of local talent and players now living in New Zealand and Australia, the squad got together for a two-week camp in Samoa recently and shouldn’t have any trouble gelling on the field.
This will be the first time Tonga and Samoa have met at U-20 women’s level since 2006, with Tonga having tasted victory in both of their prior meetings.
Vanuatu will sit out Match Day 2 with a bye.
Extra information:
New Zealand v New Caledonia
Loto-Tonga Soka Centre
Saturday 3 October, 2015
Kick-off: 13h
NZLvNCL

New Zealand

The players: Emma Rolston appeared in fine scoring touch on the opening day. The Golden Boot at this tournament last year, she is a player who punishes you for errors at the back. Midfielder Daisy Cleverley is another key, acting as the middle link for Rolston and captain Jasmine Pereira up front.

The vital statistics: New Zealand’s 15-goal tally against Tonga equalled their highest ever tally in an OFC U-20 Women’s Championship game.

Coach quote: “The intent was really good in our last game, but just maybe the execution, the weight of pass, the accuracy of the pass, I think if we can tidy up around that then our go forward will be more efficient.”

Squad list: 1. Tessa NICOL (GK), 2. Sarah MORTON, 3. Geena GROSS, 4. Elizabeth ANTON, 5. Eileish HAYES, 7. Isabella COOMBES, 8. Jasmine PEREIRA, 10. Daisy CLEVERLEY, 11. Emma ROLSTON, 12. Sophie STEWART-HOBBS, 13. Paige SATCHELL, 14. Isabella RICHARDS, 15. Michaela ROBERTSON, 16. Jade PARRIS, 15. Samantha MURRELL, 18. Emma MAIN, 19. Amber PHILLIPS, 20. Grace JALE, 21. Una FOYLE (GK)

Coach: Leon Birnie (NZL)

New Caledonia

The players: Coralie Brandao was among New Caledonia’s best players against Vanuatu, reading play well and making a number of crucial interventions which disrupted the opposing attack. Midfielders Noe Valefakaaga and Yali Hace go looking for the ball and are threats with space.

The vital statistics: New Caledonia are one of just four nations who have ever scored a goal against New Zealand at the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship. The others are Tonga, Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Coach quote: “Our next match is against New Zealand and we’ve seen what they can do. It’s going to be even more difficult in our second match and we’ll have to find a tactic that might help us.”

Squad list:1. Emma IE (GK), 2. Christy ARU, 3. Noe VALEFAKAAGA, 4. Marie-Luce TCHACKO, 5. Coralie BRANDAO, 6. Dominique NEXON, 7. Yali HACE, 8. Isabelle HACE, 9. Lyndsay NYIPIE, 10. Josiane AYAWA, 11. Marlory ONIARY, 12. Julie DJAOUA, 14. Cythia POAPEDA, 15. Christiane WHAAP, 16. Dolores KECINE, 20. Noemie TROJANIE (GK)

Coach: Kamali FITIALEATA (NCL)

Tonga v Samoa
Saturday 3 October, 2015
Kick-off: 15h30
TGAvSAM

Tonga

The players: One positive to come out of the heavy defeat to New Zealand was the emergence of goalkeeper Mele Akolo, who saved the scoreline from being blown out even further with a number of quality saves. Defender Heilala Moala has a high work rate and tackles efficiently.

The vital statistics: Aside from New Zealand, Tonga have appeared at more OFC U-20 Women’s Championships than any of the teams competing in 2015. Tonga are competing at the tournament for the fifth time, while New Zealand have appeared on six occasions.

Coach quote: “Definitely we need to work more on our attacking systems. We had a deep defending strategy because it was against New Zealand, the toughest game of them all, but for the next three games we will work more on our attack.”

Squad list: Heleni TAHITUA (GK), 2. Ofaloto LAAKULU, 3. Heilala MOALA, 4. Katalina Taliauli, 5. Manusiu Latavao, 6. Vea Funaki, 7. Seini Lutu, 8. Halaunga TAHOLO, 9. Liliani KAITAPU, 10. Malia TONGIA, 11. Alexandra FIFITA, 12. Siunipa TALASINGA, 13. Manu LATU, 14. Meleseini TUFUI, 15. Taylor PARKER, 16. Sosefina HAVEA, 21. Mele AKOLO (GK), 22. Fipe KAUVVAKA (GK)

Coach: Penateti Feke (TGA)

Samoa

The players: In a side lacking experience defender Lagmaina Akari will be crucial to the hopes of Samoa. A member of the senior team at the recent Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea, Akari will look to lead with her actions from the back of the field.

The vital statistics: The last time Samoa competed at the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship in 2012 they conceded more goals than any other team, leaking 18 and scoring just two at the other end.

Coach quote: “Preparations have been good so far. I don’t know how Tonga play, but up first we are going to go with a defensive formation and will work from there. From there we can rearrange during the game.”

Squad list: 1. Katarina AH SUI (GK), 2. Renee ATONIO, 3. Clementina IASIA, 4. Moreva MAMEA, 5. Lagmaina AKARI, 6. Hope SCHUSTER, 7. Shalom FISO, 8 Atonina TANUVASA, 9. Siatuvai IONATANA, 10. Vaaipu MOATAA, Marcella NIELSEN, 12. Liz AH-LAM, 13. Matalena DANIELLS, 14. Epi TAFILI, 15. Matalena FAASAVALU, 16. Melesete AIA, 17. Rosie SCHUSTER, 18. Mariecamilla AH KI, 19. Madeleen AH KI, 20. Kolotita SABINE (GK)

Coach: Leti TAMASESE (SAM)