Micronesia were without coach Stanley Foster for their first match and hopefully his late arrival will help the team move on from their forgettable first match. A lack of international experience shone through in the side’s performance, during which they rarely troubled their opponents. They’ve had a day to regroup and will no doubt now be looking to improve their performance, and reduce that deficit.
For Fiji coach Carlos Buzzetti having only gleaned one point from their first up encounter against Vanuatu, this match is their chance to play catch up in their pursuit of the top spot in Group A. Buzzetti will be without defender Kolinio Sivoki who will serve a one match suspension for collecting to cautions, but still has a strong, reliable line-up to choose from. One thing he isn’t focusing too hard on however, is the score-line.
“We need to think about the semi-finals and the final and trying to score 30 goals I think will be difficult. Their [Micronesia’s] coach just arrived in the country and so they will have a different mentality, and probably different tactics, against us,” Buzzetti says.
The next match on the agenda will see New Caledonia, buoyed by a victory against hosts Papua New Guinea, take on a wounded Solomon Islands. The Caledonians performed valiantly against the host side, in front of a largely local crowd, with a set-piece goal proving the difference. At times they were exposed at the back against the speed of the Papua New Guinea attack and will need to work hard to tighten up against the Solomon Islands who are an equally swift counter-attacking side.
The Solomon Islands will lick their wounds and approach the match with winning in their sights. Captain Tuti Zama Tanito was a workhorse against the New Zealanders, creating chances up front and dropping in the middle to provide support. He will once again be key as his side goes in search of their first points in this competition.
New Caledonia coach Thierry Sardo believes the Solomon Islanders are an opponent that should not be taken lightly.
“It’s a team that plays well. We need to take the match seriously and perform well ourselves. Our objective is the Pacific Games and not the Olympic Games and if we can win this next match we will be through to the semi-finals.”
Solomon Islands coach Patrick Miniti believes New Caledonia will be a tough opponent.
“We have to regroup and perform well and win the next game. That’s the ultimate goal because you can’t lose another game in order to get to the semis.”
Fresh of the back of a record-equalling 30-0 win, Tahiti will have a much tougher challenge against Vanuatu. While they were able to ease into the competition they were barely challenged against Micronesia and therefore remain relatively untested.
Vanuatu on the other hand had to battle hard against Fiji and were rewarded with just one point despite dominating large periods of the match. Coach Richard Iwai will be far from happy with that result given his side were strong enough to hold out for a 1-0 victory in a pre-tournament match against Fiji. With pride and a Pacific Games semi-final berth on the line, Iwai’s charges will need to be on top of the game from the outset if they are to get the result they desire.
Rounding out Match Day 2 is the big one between Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. The supporters came out in their droves to support the home side as they opened their campaign, and while they were rewarded with an exciting match, they weren’t so lucky with the result. Against New Zealand it’s going to be far from easy for former All Whites coach Ricki Herbert and his new charges, but it’s one they’re ready to accept.
“I think from what I saw you’ve always got a chance, and we’ll be up for it. We’re going to make the group as competitive as possible,” Herbert says.
New Zealand always seemed more or less in control against the Solomon Islands, but there were moments when their opponents’ raw talent allowed them to get the better of the Kiwis. Coach Anthony Hudson has been clear in his objective of wanting to win every game, and this one will be no exception.
“We’ll approach this game in exactly the same way as we do all our games,” he states.
Extra Information
Federated States of Micronesia v Fiji
Bisini Field 3
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Sunday 5 July 2015
Kick-off: 10am
FSMvTAH
Referee: Hillary ANI (PNG)
Assistant Referee 1: David CHARLES (PNG)
Assistant Referee 2: Norman BAFINU (PNG)
Fourth Official: Mairi NONI (PNG)
Federated States of Micronesia: 1. Walter PENGELBEW (GK), 2. Kacy Alton OLMOS, 3. Mikson KUKA, 4. Jacob NAM, 5. Ioane KARITI, 6. Jonathan GARAYOG, 7. Javin KOGNANG, 8. Franson SIMEON, 9. Mark JONES, 10. Roger NAKASONE, 11. Benjamin GILMOON, 12. Scott RUDOLPH, 13. MacArthur JAMES, 14. Paulis JEIKEK, 16. Devon FIGIRMOW, 18. Dominic GADAD (GK), 20. Michael REYES, Aaran BAYOW
Coach: Stanley FOSTER (AUS)
Fiji: 1. Senirusi BOKINI (GK), 2. Ravinesh KUMAR DASS, 3. Praneel NAIDU, 5. Jale DREOLA, 6. Saula WAQA, 7. Manasa NAWAKULA, 8. Atonio TUIVUNA, 9. Iosefo VEREVOU, 10. Rusiate MATAREREGA, 11. Christopher WASASALA, 12. Tevita WARANAIVALU, 13. Filipe BARAVILALA, 14. Garish PRASAD, 15.Napolioni QASEVAKATINI, 16. Sakaraia NAISUA, 17. Nickel CHAND, 18. Viliame BAWAI, 19. Ratu NAKALEVU, 20. Tevita KOROI (GK)
Suspended: 4. Kolinio SIVOKI
Coach: Carlos BUZZETTI (AUS)
New Caledonia v Solomon Islands
Bisini Field 1
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Sunday 5 July 2015
Kick-off: 12pm
NCLvSOL
Referee: Kader ZITOUNI (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Philippe REVEL (TAH)
Assistant Referee 2: Phul SINGH (FIJ)
Fourth Official: Ichikawa POLOVILI (TGA)
New Caledonia: 1. Thomas SCHMIDT (GK), 2. Jorys MENE, 3. Aquilas WAHNAPO, 4. Jean-Brice WADRIAKO, 5. Jean-Luc DECOIRE, 6. David BEARUNE, 7. Leon WAHNAWE, 8. Shafi MANDAOUE, 9. Jim OUKA, 10. Cedric DECOIRE, 11. Raphael OIREMOIN, 12. Yorick HNAUTRA, 13. Joseph TCHAKO, 14. Nathanael HMAEN, 15. Joseph ATHALE, 16. Jimmy WAHNAPO (GK), 17. Ben MALAKAI, 18. Pierre KAUMA, 19. Mickael PARTODIKROMO, 20. Johan IDRELE, 21. Jacques NYKEINE (GK), 22. Theo JALABERT, 23. Vince POITHILI
Coach: Thierry SARDO (FRA)
Solomon Islands: 1. Phillip MANGO (GK), Fred BUAI, 3. Matson FENNY, 4. Dickson MOULI, 5. Allen PETER, 6. Fredrick DOLA, 7. Harrison MALA, 8. Jimmy RARAMANE, 9. Frank FOLI, 10. Tuti Zama TANITO, 11. Atana Junior FA’ARODO, 12. George LADOGA, 13. Jared RONGOSULIA, 14. Bonny PRIDE, 15. John ROFETA, 16. Fred BALA, 17. Timothy BAKALE, 18. Davidson TOME, 19. Simon DAOI, 20. Anthony TALO (GK), 21. Natanela BERO, 22. Kevin OBED, 23. James DO’ORO
Coach: Patrick MINITI (SOL)
Tahiti v Vanuatu
Bisini Field 3
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Sunday 5 July 2015
Kick-off: 2pm
TAHvVAN
Referee: George TIME (SOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Jeffery SOLODIA (SOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Bertrand BRIAL (NCL)
Fourth Official: Gerald OIAKA (SOL)
Tahiti: 1. Tom TERIINOHOPUAITERAI (GK), 2. Tevaimoana MESLIEN, 3. Raimana TIPAHAEHAE, 4. Rainui AROITA, 5. Teheiarii TAUPOTINI, 6. Louis PETITGAS, 7. Tauatua LUCAS, 8. Manuarii HAUATA, 9. Fred TISSOT, 10. Yohann TIHONI, 11. Mauarii TEHINA, 12. Raiamanu TETAUIRA, 13. Raumatahi NOHO, 14. Tevairoa TEHURITAUA, 15. Ryan PETITGAS, 16. Remauiarii CROLAS (GK), 17. Tumarangi TIATOA, 18. Heremoana HOATA, 19. Tamatoa TETAUIRA, 20. Raimana DHALLUIN, 21. Thibaut PITO, 22. Michel MAIHI, 23. Vaiarii HALLIGAN
Coach: Patrice FLACCADORI (TAH)
Vanuatu: 1. Seloni IARUEL (GK), 2. Channel OBED, 3. Remy KALSRAP, 4. Brian KALTACK, 5. Junia VAVA, 6. Raoul COULON, 7. Barry MANSALE, 8. Bill NICHOLLS, 9. Chris ANDREWS, 10. Bong KALO, 11. Jean KALTACK, 12. Zicka MANUHI, 13. Dalong DAMALIP, 14. Michel COULON, 15. Nilua NIKIAU, 16. Jacky RUBEN, 17. Nemany ROQUARA, 18. Abraham ROQARA, 19. Tony KALTACK, 20. Anth
ony TAIWIA (GK), 22. Jais MALSARANI, 23. Kaloran FIRIAM
Coach: Richard IWAI (VAN)
Papua New Guinea v New Zealand
Bisini Field 1
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Sunday 5 July 2015
Kick-off: 3pm
PNGvNZL
Referee: Norbert HAUATA (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Paul AHUPU (TAH)
Assistant Referee 2: Mahit CHILIA (VAN)
Fourth Official: Ravitesh BEHARI (VAN)
Papua New Guinea: 1. Ismael POLE (GK), 2. Abel REDENUT, 3. Otto KUSUNAN, 4. Joshua TALAU, 5. John RAY, 6. Emmanuel AIREM, 7. Freddy STEVEN, 8. Sammy RUFUS, 9. Patrick AISA, 10. Rodney MOBIHA, 11. Emmanuel YAWI, 12. Darren STEVEN, 13. Tommy SEMMY, 14. Alwin KOMOLONG, 15. Vincent WORIO, 16. Felix KOMOLONG, 17. Jacob SABUA, 18. Basil JOFARI, 19. Pettyshen ELIJAH, 20. Charles LEPANI (GK), 21. Nathan JAMES, 22. Gimale ESSACU, 23. Papalau AWELE
Coach: Ricki HERBERT (NZL)
New Zealand: 1. Oliver SAIL (GK), 2. Kip COLVEY, 3. Deklan WYNNE, 4. Sam BROTHERTON, 5. Alec SOLOMONS, 6. Bill TUILOMA, 7. Joel STEVENS, 8. Moses DYER, 9. Alex RUFER, 10. Clayton LEWIS, 11. Luka PRELEVIC, 12. Nikola TZANEV (GK), 13. Liam HIGGINS, 14. Luke ADAMS, 15. Storm ROUX, 16. Louis FENTON, 17. Andrew BLAKE, 18. Sam BURFOOT, 19. Monty PATTERSON, 20. Harshae RANIGA, 21. Max CROCOMBE (GK), 22. Te Atawhai HUDSON-WIHONGI, 23. Logan ROGERSON
Coach: Anthony HUDSON (ENG)