The winner of the preliminary tournament will qualify for the OFC U-17 Championship, where they will meet Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu. The championship will be held in Vanuatu from April 17-27 and the winner will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013.

Here’s a look at the action that’s in store across the two matches on the second day of the preliminary.

Samoa vs. Tonga – 3pm Thursday 24 January
These two nations are traditional sporting foes and tomorrow’s meeting is likely to be as intense as ever as both sides must win after failing to do so on the opening day. Due to the round robin nature of the tournament, whoever emerges victorious this week will not have dropped many points and two matches without a win would be a fatal run of form. Samoa will approach the game with more confidence than their great rivals after showing good determination to come from behind on two occasions to earn a 2-2 draw with neighbours American Samoa while Tonga have to somehow pick themselves up after their 7-1 dismantling at the hands of Cook Islands. Hemaloto Polovili scored Tonga’s solitary goal in that game and will again be the man coach Timote Moleni looks to for attacking inspiration but Samoa have a dangerous marksman of their own in Filisi Keni, who struck twice – both times from dead ball situations – against American Samoa. Samoa coach Malo Vaga will have been pleased by his team’s never-say-die attitude during that match but will know an improvement in technique is necessary if the required three points are to be picked up.
In their own words

“We have gone back to our drawing board and we know we will have to get the boys pumped up so that they can move up to another level against Tonga. We haven’t seen much of Tonga but we know they will have some good players and are expecting a tough game.” – Samoa assistant coach Phineas Young

“It wasn’t easy for us to start the tournament against the Cook Islands because we know they are one of the best teams. But we did well in the second half, they had a lot of possession but weren’t able to score so easily. Playing Samoa is always a big match for us but we are here for the tournament as a whole, we didn’t just come here to play Samoa.” – Tonga coach Timote Moleni

Cook Islands vs. American Samoa – 5pm Thursday 24 January
There is no denying who is favoured to take the honours in this match as Cook Islands are very much the team of the moment after their 7-1 triumph over Tonga and coach Tuka Tisam will expect his charges to produce another commanding display. But he will be aware of the threat posed by American Samoa, who were unlucky not to start with a victory against Samoa after taking the lead twice. Coach Junior Mikaele, who suffered personal tragedy just days before the tournament with the passing away of his wife, will hope his side can cut out the defensive lapses that let the potential victory slip from their grasp and has an attacking weapon of considerable talent at the other end in winger Kaleopa Siligi. The skilful wideman scored his country’s opening goal of the campaign and troubled the Samoan defence all afternoon with his deft touches and intelligent runs and he is the player that Tisam will most aware of the need to shut down. Cook Islands captain Pekay Edwards hobbled off the field shortly after scoring against Tonga and his ability and leadership qualities will be a big loss if he is not fit enough to play.
In their own words

“We’re not used to the humidity here because it’s not like that back home and I think that showed in the second half against Tonga. I had a chance to watch American Samoa the other day and I thought they played well, they look like quite a good side. We’ve started the tournament in a positive way and we hope that it continues but we will just be taking it game by game.” – Cook Islands coach Tuka Tisam

“We need to make sure we win this match because we didn’t manage to do that on the first day. I thought we played well and tried our best but Samoa are a good side. We could have had a good win and we will need to now because our goal was to do well at this tournament. But we know it will not be easy because the Cook Islands are a very good team.” – American Samoa coach Junior Mikaele

OFC U-17 Championship Preliminary – Match Day 2 Preview
Samoa vs. Tonga
3pm local time, Thursday 24 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa

Referee: Pari OITO [TAH]
Assistant Referee 1: Paul AHUPU [TAH]
Assistant Referee 2: Hillary ANI [PNG]
4th Official: Robinson BANGA [VAN]
Samoa: 1. Raymond TAFEAGA [GK], 2. Tuli FILIGA, 3. Vito LALOATA, 4. Johnwesley TEO, 5. Billy MAKA, 6. Pago TUNUPOPO, 7. Esekielu LAUSSEN, 8. Bernard ULUGIA, 9. Malo FELAGAI, 10. Paulo SCANLAN, 11. Junior SIA, 12. Key VILIAMU, 13. Filisi KENI, 14. Sue PELESA, 15. Livigisitone TALOTO, 16. Steven ALAPATI, 17. Soliai LETUTUSA, 18. Petaia FAIMASASA, 19. Samuelu MALO, 20. Faalavelave MATAGI [GK]
Coach: Malo VAGA [SAM]
Tonga: 1. Paula FOLAU [GK], 2. Uasi TALANOA, 3. Fakaanga TAUFA, 4. Mateo PAHULU, 6. Soane FAUPULA, 7. Mikaele PAHULU, 8. Taniela VAKA’UTA, 9. Maletino HALAPIO, 10. Hemaloto POLOVILI, 11. Soakai VEA, 12. Kepueli FEKE, 13. Ofa LATU, 14. Soane LAVELUA, 15. Paea TOLU, 16. Tevita FAKAVA, 17. Sateki MATAKAIONGO, 18. Uate FOSTER
Coach: Timote MOLENI [TGA]
Cook Islands vs. American Samoa
5pm local time, Thursday 24 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa

Referee: Matt CONGER [NZL]
Assistant Referee 1: Simon LOUNT [NZL]
Assistant Referee 2: John Erick NIABO [SOL]
4th Official: Gerald OIAKA [SOL]

Cook Islands: 1. Keegan INIA [GK], 2. Sunai JOSEPH, 3. Torea TANGATA, 4. Cahjun WILLIS, 5. Ford HENRY, 6. Takuina TARARO, 7. Dwayne TIPUTOA, 8. Kimiora SAMUELA, 9. Pekay EDWARDS, 10. Thane BEAL, 11. Maro BONSU-MARO, 12. Wiremu TEMATA, 13. Jarves APERAU, 14. Terei GEORGE, 15. Morgan WICHMAN, 16. Te Ava WICHMAN, 17. Louison ATETU, 20. Antonio TUAITI [GK]
Coach: Tuka TISAM [COK]
American Samoa: 1. Frederick MAIAVA [GK], 2. Neemia KALEOPA, 3. Rueben LUVU, 4. Johnny SIONE, 6. Puni SAMUELU, 7. Sam KOME, 8. Paia IPINUI, 9. Sinisa TUA, 10. Lotupo LAMETA, 11. Henry LAMETA, 12. Palepoi MAUGA, 13. Paul COLLINS, 14. Sefo ULUGIA, 15. Ricky PETAIA, 16. Scott MANNING, 17. Kaleopa SILIGI, 23. Leuatea SIATU’U [GK]
Coach: Junior MIKAELE [ASA]