The side hope to complete a whitewash of the the OFC Women’s Nations Cup with a comprehensive victory over the Cook Islands, who have objectives of their own for the encounter.
Meanwhile Papua New Guinea will be looking to earn a second victory for themselves when they take on Tonga in the final match of the competition.
New Zealand have been in fine form so far, happy to prove themselves worthy of the regional title and their top 20 world ranking. Untroubled by Tonga, the side were given a fright by hosts Papua New Guinea who held them to a 0-0 draw through the first half before a 59th minute goal from defender Rebekah Stott opened the Ferns account.
With two from two, the side will side will look to once again capitalise on the chances they get after struggling to do so against the hosts. But with that aspect of their game under Reading’s microscope we are sure to see improvements come tomorrow morning.
The Cook Islands have proven they can play. They troubled Papua New Guinea in a 4-1 loss that isn’t completely reflective of their on-field abilities. They then took Tonga right down to the wire, leading courtesy of a second half striker from Tepaeru Toka, only for Tonga to fire back in additional time.
With disappointment driving them they will want to test themselves against the Football Ferns, but it will be a tough ask with two members of their strike force, Dayna Napa and Linade Unuka, sidelined by injuries.
The brunt of the work will be done by the capable backline with Lee Maoate-Cox, Jennifer Avaki and captain Tekura Urarii in with a chance to test themselves against one of the most lethal strike forces in the region. While Tepaeru Toka will need to capitalise on any opportunities she can get if Cook Islands want to get one over their favoured opponents.
For Tonga it has been a mixed bag of results. They were thoroughly downed by the Kiwis who outplayed them in every aspect on their way to putting 16 past them. They then played their hearts out and despite the disappointment of a saved penalty, managed a late comeback to secure a 1-1 draw against Cook Islands.
While they proved they have the mettle to perform on the international stage, the side will go into their final match without coach Kilifi Uele on the bench. The Tonga Football Association technical director is heading to a conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia leaving the squad in the capable hands of assistant coach Siulolovao Taufa.
This leaves captain Penateti Feke to shoulder more of the on field responsibility, and her teammates will need her to bounce back strongly from the penalty miss if they want to achieve their pre-tournament objective of beating Papua New Guinea.
After a bruising encounter against New Zealand, Papua New Guinea will be keen to finish on a high note with a win over Tonga. But after leaving everything on the field against the Football Ferns as they played for their best result in recent times, coach Gary Phillips will need to work hard on player recovery as he prepares the side for one last match.
Expect to see a more attacking minded approach then what we saw against New Zealand as Papua New Guinea set out to capitalise on the wealth of talent within the squad. Players like Meagen Gunemba, Daisy Winas, Talitha Irakau and Deslyn Siniu will be looking for a chance to shine against Tonga, with an eye to scoring as many goal as possible.
EXTRA INFORMATION
Cook Islands vs. New Zealand
Kalabond Oval, Kokopo
Wednesday 29 October 2014
Kickoff: 11.00am
Referee: Finau VULIVULI [FIJ]
Cook Islands
The players: Firing up front is Tepaeru TOKA who has adapted well to the loss of Dayna Napa and now Linade Unuka – both out injured. Defenders Jennifer AKAVI and captain Tekura URARII were standout performers against Tonga and will be key to keeping the Kiwis at bay. Fourteen-year-old Moeroa HARMON made her senior international debut against Tonga and will be keen to get more playing time under her belt.
The statistics: Their first meeting in this competition was in 2003 when New Zealand won 9-0, the next saw the Cook Islands fall 10-0 in 2010. Both Rai NGANU and Tepaeru TOKA are sitting on a caution each.
Squad list: 1. Imelda VAKAI (GK), 2. Linade UNUKA, 3. Moeroa HARMON, 4. Rai NGANU, 5. Edwina MATENGA, 6. Jennifer AKAVI, 7. Lee MAOATE-COX, 8. Marissa IROA, 9. Liz HARMON, 10. Mama HENRY, 11. Dayna NAPA, 12. Tepaeru TOKA, 13. Marielle TIARE, 14. Tayla HETHERINGTON, 17. Tekura URARII, 18. Mii PIRI
Coach: Jimmy KATOA [COK]
Coach Quote: “New Zealand’s always going to be hard but we’re going to go in there and do our best against them. We’re falling down like flies, a couple more girls went down yesterday so we’ll see how we go. We have got to go out and play against the best team in Oceania so it’s good they brought all their pros, it will be good experience for the girls. We’re now pretty much equal with Tonga on points so we’ve got to try and score some and keep the score line down.”
New Zealand
The players: Ria PERCIVAL and Ali RILEY were the attacking drivers for New Zealand against Papua New Guinea, playing in cross after cross. If Annalie LONGO can perform in the same outstanding manner which saw her make effective penetrating runs through the centre, the Cook Islands will be in trouble.
The vital statistics: Annalie LONGO, Helen COLLINS, Sarah GREGORIUS and Amber HEARN are all in the running for the tournament’s Golden Boot award with three apiece.
Squad list: 1. Erin NAYLER (GK), 2. Ria PERCIVAL, 4. Katie HOYLE, 5. Abby ERCEG, 6. Rebekah STOTT, 7. Ali RILEY, 9. Amber HEARN, 10. Sarah GREGORIUS, 12. Betsy HASSETT, 13. Rosie WHITE, 15. Meikayla MOORE, 16. Annalie LONGO, 18. Daisy CLEVERLEY, 19. Evie MILLYNN, 20. Helen COLLINS, 21. Rebecca ROLLS (GK), 24. Jasmine PEREIRA
Coach: Tony READINGS [ENG]
Coach Quote: “We’re just going to do the same thing we’ve done in the two previous matches. We’ve learned a lot against Papua New Guinea, some things that worked well and some that didn’t work so well, and it was the same in the first game and we’ll learn from all that. We need every game to be better and better and so for us it’s going to be another opportunity to improve. We’re always searching for the perfect performance and yesterday wasn’t that. We’re always striving for that and the next game will be the same.”
Tonga vs. Papua New Guinea
Kalabond Oval, Kokopo
Wednesday 29 October 2014
Kickoff: 2.00pm
Referee: Tupou PATIA [COK]
Tonga
The players: Heilala LOTO’ANIU scored the equaliser against Cook Islands and will hope to add to her tally against Papua New Guinea. If fit, goalkeeper Lupe LIKILIKI will be key to keeping her side in the mix. Another inspired performance from defender Ofa LA’AKULU would be most welcome.
The vital statistics: Tonga first entered this competition in 2007 where they fell just 1-0 to Papua New Guinea. Their second encounter at an OFC Women’s Nations Cup saw Tonga go down 3-0.
Squad list: 1. Lupe LIKILIKI (GK), 2. Ilisapeti MALEKAMU, 3. Heilala LOTO’ANIU, 4. Vea FUNAKI, 5. Salome VA’ENUKU, 6. Toliniko KOFUTUA, 7. Eseta VI, 8. Ofaloto LA’AKULU, 10. Hala’unga TAHOLO, 11. Unaloto TAHITU’A, 12. Rebecca KILMARTIN, 13. Tupou TOPUI, 14. Mele AKOLO, 15. Pauline TONGA, 16. Penateti FEKE, 17. Atelaite MANU, 22. Suliana UTA’ATU (GK)
Coach: Kilifi UELE [TGA]
Coach Quote: “I think we prepared for three games in a row but it’s still the same game plan and what we have to follow. Even though it’s the host if the girls follow the instructions we’ve given we can beat this team. Our objective coming here was to get a win against Papua New Guinea and I still believe we can do that.”
Papua New Guinea
The players: Deslyn SINIU and her central defensive partner Dorcas SESEVO were outstanding in their roles against New Zealand. Keeper Fidelma WATPORE also played out of her ski
n to deny the Kiwis an easy victory.
The vital statistics: Maegen GUNEMBA is the only player outside of the Football Ferns currently sitting on three goals in this tournament. She is also the only PNG player to have picked up a caution against New Zealand. Also sitting on yellow cards after the first encounter are captain Deslyn SINIU and Fatima RAMA.
Squad list: 1. Fidelma WATPORE (GK), 2. Michealla KURABI, 3. Yvonne GABONG, 4. Judith GUNEMBA, 5. Carolyn OBI, 6. Grace STEVEN, 7. Barbara MUTA, 8. Fatima RAMA, 9. Deslyn SINIU, 10. Sandra BIRUM, 11. Georgina KAIKAS, 12. Meagen GUNEMBA, 13. Daisy WINAS, 14. Dorcas SESEVO, 15. Zeen LIMBAI, 16. Cathy SAMSON, 17. Marie KAIPU, 18. Rumona MORRIS, 19. Talitha IRAKAU, 20. Lace KUNEI (GK)
Coach: Gary PHILLIPS [AUS]
Coach Quote: “Yesterday the World Cup was on the line and the girls are really shattered, they’re bitterly disappointed right now. Maybe we’ll start thinking about Tonga soon. But there’s no doubt my job now is to get them up for Tonga and we need a good performance for them to finish off on. There’s some fresh legs that I need to see and a few fresh faces and hopefully we’ll finish on a winning note.”

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