Vanuatu impressed on Match Day 2 when their second half efforts kept the Papua New Guinea strike force at bay restricting them to just four first half goals. While it’s been a tough classroom, these quick learning young players are absorbing the lessons being taught by their more experienced opponents and applying it to their game and tactics. With a solid backline and rising confidence this side could well notch their opening win.
But they face a Tongan side full of dogged determination as evidenced by their stunning performance against the highly ranked Junior Football Ferns. Tonga changed tactics following their opening 4-0 loss to Papua New Guinea, positioning themselves into a tight defensive unit. While there were moments of weakness, considering the last encounter between these two countries resulted in an 11-0 defeat, for Tonga a 3-1 loss is considered something of a victory. They’ll now look to build on these foundations in order to go home with a win.
With a ticket to FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada riding on it, the final match of the competition is the one everyone has been building up to. The two sides have recorded decent wins on the road to this showdown, and while they have impressed along the way, have struggled to convert the myriad of chances they’ve been presented with.
Papua New Guinea looked comfortable in their wins against both Tonga and Vanuatu. While they didn’t knock as many goals past Vanautu as New Zealand did, they remain the only side to retain a clean sheet so far in the competition.
New Zealand eased past Vanuatu with the only thing preventing a much higher goal difference being their difficulty finishing. While Tonga’s deep-block defence proved hard to break down, the Junior Football Ferns once again let themselves down in front of goal missing a number of clear opportunities to extend their lead.
Both sides will need to be more effective if they want to come out on top and snag that remaining berth to join the world’s top U-20 women’s sides in Canada come August.
EXTRA INFORMATION:
Vanuatu vs. Tonga
Mangere Centre Park, Auckland
Saturday, 22 February 2014
Kickoff: 1pm
Referee: Anna-Marie KEIGHLEY (NZL)
Vanuatu
The players: Priscilla Charley was excellent in defence and on the counter-attack creating the most chances for her side against Papua New Guinea. Mary-Estella Rory’s work rate is to be admired.
The vital statistics: Vanuatu have had just two shots on goal during this tournament, one against Papua New Guinea, and one against New Zealand.
Squad list: 1. Samantha PAUL (GK), 2. Lutricia WILBUR, 3. Priscilla CHARLEY, 4. Nadine KILETEIR, 5. Melissa WAKARET, 6. Jane ALATOA, 7. Eva BOE, 8. Emilia TARAVAKI, 9. Jasmina TAKARO, 10. Maximilienne BIHU, 11. Paulieana MANWO, 12. Delisa YEOYER, 13. Marie-Estella RORY, 14. Junane ISHMAEL, 15. Louisa KALPRAM, 16. Synia WANEMUT, 17. Leiwia KALTAPIRI, 18. Diana WAYANE, 19. Monica MELTEVIEL, 20. Melody TATE (GK)
Coach: Tom MCDONALD (AUS)
Coach Quote: “We both lost 4-0 to PNG so I’m feeling good. I think it’s a good chance for us to win a game which would be nice, or even just score a goal.”
Tonga
The players: Goalkeeper Tangimausia Ma’afu was outstanding between the sticks against New Zealand and one of the key factors in preventing a heavier defeat. Wendy Feke again stood out making key blocks at key moments. Meleseini Tufui and Malia Leone did well to step into the breach after injury prevented key defender Ofaloto La’akulu from taking to the field.
The vital statistics: Tonga had no shots on goal during their encounter with New Zealand which they lost 3-1. The last time these two sides met at the same competition in 2010 Tonga were defeated 11-0. Coach Penateti Feke was a member of that 2010 squad.
Squad list: 1. Sina LUTUA (GK), 2. Malia LEONE, 3. Meleseini TUFUI, 4. Vea FUNAKI, 5. Tolini KOFUTU’A, 6. Ofa LA’AKULU, 7. Malia TONGIA, 8. Wendy FEKE, 9. Unaloto TAHITU’A, 10. Heilala MOALA, 11. Seini LUTU, 12. Ilisapeti MALEKAMU, 13. Lilian KAITAPU, 14. Nelma ONGOLEA, 15. Hala’unga TAHOLO, 16. Manusiu LATAVAO, 17. Tupou TOPUI, 18. Meliame LUITAI, 19. Kailata TIMANI (GK), 20. Tangimausia MA’AFU (GK)
Coach: Penateti FEKE (TGA)
Coach Quote: “Against New Zealand we were more on our defensive side, but against Vanuatu maybe we will be able to play out more to the front, attack, and score some goals and try to win the game.
Papua New Guinea vs. New Zealand
Papua New Guinea vs. New Zealand
Mangere Centre Park, Auckland
Saturday, 22 February 2014
Kickoff: 4pm
Referee: Robinson BANGA (VAN)
Papua New Guinea
The players: A hat-trick for Meagan Gunemba within the first 16 minutes sees her fall into second in the Golden Boot race. Georgina Kaikas made an immediate impact as a substitute while Rumona Morris was once again a key playmaker.
The vital statistics: Papua New Guinea are the only side yet to concede a goal at this competition.
Squad list: 1. Lace KUNEI (GK), 2. Bridget KADU, 3. Talitha IRAKAU, 4. Dinah DABINYABA, 5. Carolyn OBI, 6. Dinna AWELE, 7. Rumona MORRIS, 8. Grace STEVEN, 9. Yvonne GABONG, 10. Vali AIPI, 11. Natasha KASKI, 12. Meagen GUNEMBA, 13. Nicolla NIAMAN, 14. Georgina KAIKAS, 15. Gloria LAELI, 16. Marie KAIPU, 17. Karen ROMO, 18. Grace JESSEM, 19. Joy TSUGA, 20. Lavina HOLA
Coach: Rachel WADUNAH (PNG)
Coach Quote: “We know we can’t beat New Zealand but I have girls that are very experienced that have played for U-17 and U-20 against New Zealand so they should be the ones who will be showing good leadership for the younger ones.
“We could hold them, but we could also beat them with the girls that have experience.”
New Zealand
The players: Daisy Cleverley opened the scoring against Tonga, and also wiped her side’s clean sheet with an own goal, but her determination and skills saw her shine in the centre. Meikayla Moore looked sharp in command of the back line.
The vital statistics: Against Tonga the Junior Football Ferns had 37 shots at goal. In the first half ten were on target (including two goals) and nine off-target. In the second, nine were on-target (one goal) and nine were off-target.
Squad list: 1. Lily ALFELD (GK), 2. Catherine BOTT, 3. Laura MERRIN, 4. Daisy CLEVERLEY, 5. Emily JENSEN, 6. Meikayla MOORE, 7. Geneva GROSS, 8. Lauren DABNER, 9. Martine PUKETAPU, 10. Emma ROLSTON, 11. Briar PALMER, 12. Megan ROBERTSON, 13. Isabella COOMBES, 14. Elizabeth ANTON, 15. Emily STOTTER, 16. Belinda VAN NOORDEN, 17. Jasmine PEREIRA, 18. Chloe KNOTT, 19.Tayla O’BRIEN, 20. Corina BROWN (GK)
Coach: Aaron MCFARLAND (NZL)
Coach Quote: “It will be another tough match because the tournament is riding on it so psychologically it will be hard for both teams. It may depend on how Papua New Guinea come out and defend that one, to what that match will be.
“They may learn some things from Tonga and defend deep, but once again we’re focusing on the things we want to develop long-term and a little more of an individual focus as we look to develop future Football Ferns.”

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