Both Vanuatu and Samoa will look to earn their first win when they meet at 12:00pm local time before traditional rivals Tahiti and New Caledonia battle it out at 3:00pm local time.
Here’s a look at the action that’s in store.
Vanuatu vs. Samoa – 12:00pm Sunday 3 June
These sides both suffered disappointing defeats on the opening day and need to bounce back from those setbacks tomorrow afternoon to have any chance of keeping their semi-final hopes alive. Those hopes are already somewhat of a lofty dream for Samoa after the gap in class between themselves and the region’s more established sides was underlined in emphatic fashion on day one, Tahiti tearing the Samoan defence apart to the tune of 10-1. The underdogs’ consolation was notched by midfielder Silao Malo and he will again be a figure coach Malo Vaga turns to as a goal threat. There are potentially some more goals in the Samoan line-up with the likes of Luki Gosche and Mike Saofaiga around but they will find it tough against a Vanuatu rearguard well-marshalled by the hugely promising Brian Kaltack. The technically-gifted Vanuatu are an attacking side and have every reason to unleash their full arsenal on Samoa as goal difference could prove crucial at the business end of the tournament.
In their own words
“We will do our best to score as many times as possible because we will need to after Tahiti earned such a big win against Samoa. We have two games remaining and they are like two finals for us now. The key will be to keep our concentration because we need to make sure we win this game comfortably.” – Vanuatu coach Percy Avock
“This tournament is a big step up from what we are used to and I thought the players tried hard in the first match but Tahiti were very good. We are not going to go down without a fight and will look to come back strongly against Vanuatu. We will work on our defence because we were not solid enough yesterday.” – Samoa coach Malo Vaga
Tahiti vs. New Caledonia – 3:00pm Sunday 3 June
The Pacific’s francophone derby is always a fixture of great significance no matter the circumstances and tomorrow’s clash is sure to bring the usual degree of passion and physicality. That this is a vital match in the scheme of the group will add even more bite to proceedings as each outfit looks to capitalise on day one wins and take a major step in their respective paths towards the semi-finals. It could be argued that New Caledonia are in the stronger position as they have already beaten Vanuatu, the group’s other genuine top-four contender, and have just Samoa to play after negotiating the Tahiti hurdle. Their opponents are therefore in greater need of a win as they have already played Samoa, who appear to be the group’s weakest team by some distance, and still have Vanuatu to come. The Tehau brothers, Lorenzo, Jonathan and Alvin, featured heavily on the scoresheet against Samoa and are likely to be important figures again while Tahiti’s central-defensive pairing of Nicolas Vallar and Tamatoa Wagemann will need to be on top form to keep out Georges Gope-Fenepej and Bertrand Kai, the latter catching the eye in particular with a hat-trick against Vanuatu.
In their own words
“We put in a good performance in the first game which is what we wanted but the next match will be more important. We need to get another good result and have a score to settle with New Caledonia after losing to them in the semi-finals of the Pacific Games.” – Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta
“It will be a very tough game, as all matches between Tahiti and New Caledonia are. There is a big rivalry between the two teams and I would say that we have the advantage at the moment but we need to make sure we keep it by winning this game.” – New Caledonia coach Alain Moizan
Match Details
Vanuatu vs. Samoa
12:00pm, Sunday 3 June
Lawson Tama Stadium
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Referee: John SAOHU [SOL]
Assistant Referee 1: Jackson NAMO [SOL]
Assistant Referee 2: Simon LOUNT [NZL]
4th Official: Gerald OIAKA [SOL]
Vanuatu: 1. Enest BONG [GK], 2. Kevin SHEM, 3. Young PAUL, 4. Selwin SESE ALA, 5. Robert TOM, 6. Fredy VAVA, 7. Jean Robert YELOU, 8. Sailas NAMATAK, 9. Derek MALAS, 10. Jean KALTACK, 11. Robert TASSO, 12. Joseph NAMARIAU, 13. Francois SAKAMA, 14. Kensi TANGIS, 15. Alphonse BONGNAIM, 16. Seiloni IARUEL [GK], 17. Jean NAPRAPOL, 18. Michell KALTAK, 19. Roddy LENGA, 20. Lucien HINGE, 21. Dominique FRED, 22. Brian KALTACK, 23. Simon TOUSI [GK]
Coach: Percy AVOCK
Samoa: 1. Aukusitino AITUPE [GK], 2. Andrew SETEFANO, 3. Peni KITIONA, 4. Vaalii FAALOGO, 5. Tamato FENIKA, 6. Silao MALO, 7. Jarrel SALE, 8. Joseph HOEFLICH, 9. Max HOEFLICH, 10. Luki GOSCHE, 11. Suivai ATAGA, 12. Mike SAOFAIGA, 13. Sapati UMUTAUA, 14. Sopo FAKAUA, 15. Patrick ASIATA, 16. Amilale ESAROMA, 17. Spencer KELI, 18. Masei AMOSA, 19. Ethan ELISAIA [GK], 20. Motu HAFOKA [GK]
Coach: Malo VAGA
Tahiti vs. New Caledonia
3:00pm, Sunday 3 June
Lawson Tama Stadium
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Referee: Chris KERR [NZL]
Assistant Referee 1: Mark RULE [NZL]
Assistant Referee 2: Ravinesh KUMAR [FIJ]
4th Official: Peter O’LEARY [NZL]
Tahiti: 1. Mikael ROCHE [GK], 2. Alvin TEHAU, 3. Tamatoa WAGEMANN, 4. Teheivarii LUDIVION, 6. Lorenzo TEHAU, 7. Henri CAROINE, 8. Angelo TCHEN, 9. Teaonui TEHAU, 10. Nicolas VALLAR, 11. Manaraii PORLIER, 12. Hiro POROIAE, 13. Steevy CHONG HUE, 14. Roihau DEGAGE, 15. Heimano BOUREBARE, 16. Pierre KOHUMOETINI, 17. Jonathan TEHAU, 18. Edson LEMAIRE, 19. Vincent SIMON, 21. Xavier SAMIN [GK]
Coach: Eddy ETAETA
New Caledonia: 1. Rocky NYIKEINE [GK], 2. Judikael IXOEE, 3. Emile BEARUNE, 4. Georges BEARUNE, 5. Kalaje GNIPATE, 6. Olivier DOKUNENGO, 7. Dominique WACALIE, 8. Miguel KAYARA, 9. Jacques HAEKO, 10. Marius BAKO, 11. Bertrand KAI, 12. Roy KAYARA, 13. Noel KAUDRE, 14. Dick KAUMA, 15. Jean Patrick WAKANUMUNE, 16. Iamel KABEU, 17. Joel WAKANUMUNE, 18. Jonathan KAKOU, 19. Georges GOPE-FENEPEJ, 20. Marc OUNEMOA [GK]
Coach: Alain MOIZAN