New Caledonia topped Group A and will now face Cook Islands who edged their way into the final ahead Fiji after holding Papua New Guinea to just a two goal victory.
The effort they put into qualifying showed the determination ingrained in this small, but tight knit group. Captain Liz Harmon says with new coach Tuka Tisam the team spent time preparing, but have also spent a lot of time bonding. They showed they’re not playing as individuals but for the team and the pride of the country.
To make the semi-finals of this competition for the first time is a fantastic achievement for the developing nation and they will once again want to present a strong case for themselves here. Defensively, they are tight. Lee Maoate-Cox is a rock and with Jennifer Akavi at her side they constantly put their bodies on the line to protect their goal. In the middle, Harmon controls what comes and goes with a cool head, but it’s up front that Cook Islands are struggling.
When they win ball they find themselves with a lack of attacking options, and when the ball is hoofed forward they quickly find themselves back on the defensive as their opponents counter attack. They’ll need to work hard on avoiding that against New Caledonia which is a side that will punish them.
The Francophones have shown their stamina and talent while here. They slipped up against Samoa when a lack of concentration at the back and the loss of their normally lethal final touch let them down. They came back strong against Tonga, proving themselves worthy of the top spot in the group, but they won’t be content until they get their hands on gold.
Papua New Guinea also topped their group and that means they’ll be taking on another side making their maiden Pacific Games semi-final appearance. The hosts have presented a strong case so far in the tournament with coach Gary Philips having assembled a well-structured side with a good mix of experience and youth.
Dorcas Sesevo and Deslyn Siniu have run the back line and against Cook Islands their cover meant keeper Fidelma Watpore had very little to do. But it’s on attack that this side really shines. In Ramona Padio and Lucy Maino Philips has found some incredible talent, Meagen Gunemba and Georgina Kaikas are lethal and will make a team pay should they be given any room.
But room is not something Samoa will be wanting to give their opponents. The Tala Salamasina coached side has been structured and clear in their strategy. It worked against Tonga and New Caledonia and it wasn’t until their third match when the bodies were starting to tire that Solomon Islands made them look truly uncomfortable.
This is a powerful side which will make things difficult for Papua New Guinea. Well timed challenges and being strong in the air make them a hard beat, and keeper Faanunu Ropeti has also been having the tournament of her life. Hana Malo was great against Solomon Islands and put a good case forward for herself as she tidied up at the back while also constantly pressing her side forward looking for goals.
Extra Information
New Caledonia vs. Cook Islands
Bisini Field 3
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Monday 13 July 2015
Kick-off: 11am
NCLvCOK
Referee: Ichikawa POLOVILI (TGA)
Assistant Referee 1: Nagarita JIMMY (SOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Noel BERRY (SOL)
Fourth Official: George TIME (SOL)
New Caledonia: 1. Honorine POUIDJA (GK), 2. Christelle NIGOTE, 3. Brenda KENON, 4. Marie-Deborah WANAKAIJA, 5. Marielle HAOCAS, 6. Aurelie LALIE, 7. Myranda RABAH, 8. Josiane AYAWA, 9. Christelle WAHNAWE, 10. Celine XOLAWAWA, 11. Helene WAENGENE, 12. Noe VALEFAKAAGA, 13. Lyndsay NYIPIE, 14. Louise HUMUNI, 15. Sidney GATHA, 16. Julia PAUL, 17. Kim MAGUIRE, 18. Joyce WAUNIE, 19. Isabelle HACE, 20. Jessica RIES, 21. Glenda JAINE, 22. Bernadette EURIBEARI, 23. Karine XOZAME (GK)
Coach: Kamali FITIALEATA (NCL)
Cook Islands: 1. Marjorie TORU (GK), 2. Helena NGAUORA, 3. Josephine TUREPU, 4. Moeroa HARMON, 5. Tepaeru TOKA, 6. Tekura URARII, 7. Elise MAMANU-GRAY, 8. Jennifer AKAVI, 9. Upokotea NOOVAO, 10. Tuakana NOOVAO, 11. Tekura KAUKURA, 12. Elizabeth HARMON, 13. Marissa IROA, 14. Maeva CARR, 15. Mii PIRI, 16. Lee MAOATE-COX
Coach: Tuka TISAM (COK)
Papua New Guinea vs. Samoa
Bisini Field 1
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Monday 13 July 2015
Kick-off: 2.30pm
PNGvSOL
Referee: Gerald OIAKA (SOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Nadia BROWNING (NZL))
Assistant Referee 2: Phul SINGH (FIJ)
Fourth Official: Mel KNIGHT (NZL)
Papua New Guinea: 1. Fidelma WATPORE (GK), 2. Aida GEROTA, 3. Jenisa ULENGIT, 4. Judith GUNEMBA, 5. Carolyn OBI, 6. Yvonne GABONG, 7. Nicolla NIAMAN, 8. Fatima RAMA, 9. Marie KAIPU, 10. Sandra BIRUM, 11. Georgina KAIKAS, 12. Meagen GUNEMBA, 13. Ramona PADIO, 14. Kesai KOTOME, 15. Dorcas SESEVO, 16. Lucy MAINO, 17. Grace STEVEN, 18. Lace KUNEI (GK), 19. Joelyn AIMI, 20. Belinda GIADA, 21. Deslyn SINIU, 22. Barbara MUTU
Coach: Gary PHILIPS (AUS)
Samoa: 1. Faanunu ROPETI (GK), 2. Faagi TALOSIA LIMA, 3. Josephine ANE, 4. Shontelle STEVENS, 5. Kelsey KAPISI, 6. Chelsea STRICKLAND, 7. Rosei LEOTA, 8. Monique FISCHER, 9. Hazel PELETI, 10. Hana MALO, 11. Yvonne ANE, 12. Lelava LAUPEPA, 14. Lusia IAONE, 15. Lagmaina AKARI, 16. Jullyn GASIO, 17. Olga SAGATU, 21. Hilder HELLESOE (GK)
Coach: Tala SALAMASINA (SAM)