New Caledonia will face Papua New Guinea at 1:00pm before New Zealand meet Samoa at 3:00pm, with the winner going on to represent Oceania at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan.
The hosts could be heading for a clean sweep after the Young Football Ferns took out the U-17 qualifier on Friday to book their ticket to Azerbaijan 2012.
Here’s a look at the action that’s in store tomorrow.
Papua New Guinea vs. New Caledonia – 1:00pm Saturday 14 April
New Caledonia could mathematically still finish top in the round-robin tournament but it would take a miracle for Les Cagous to notch up a massive win against Papua New Guinea and hope New Zealand lose heavily to Samoa in order to edge the hosts on goal difference. Nevertheless they will want to hold up their end of the bargain and secure six points following their day one win over Samoa. Coach Matthieu Delcroix has goal scorers to call on in the form of Kim Maguire and Marie Heutro who both have three strikes to their name, one behind golden boot leader Rosie White of New Zealand. But history is not on their side with Papua New Guinea winning 3-0 during the 2006 qualifier – their only previous encounter at the U-20 championship. The two sides also share a rivalry at senior level with the Papua New Guineans claiming gold at last year’s Pacific Games, beating the hosts 2-1 in a thrilling final. Max Foster will be hoping that dominance continues but admits his side has plenty to work on after an unconvincing performance against Samoa on Thursday when they settled for a 1-1 draw.
In their own words
“New Caledonia is a good team but they lost heavily in their last game to New Zealand so will want a much better result. They are similar to Samoa in that they are big and strong but it’s difficult to say what will happen. It has been a bit chilly these past few days and our players are not used to this climate but we must try to deal with it.” – Papua New Guinea coach Max Foster
“The game against New Zealand was very intense so we will need to recover well from that. We will prepare for the match with Papua New Guinea just like we have all the others.” – New Caledonia coach Matthieu Delcroix
Samoa vs. New Zealand – 3:00pm Saturday 14 April
The Junior Football Ferns are all but qualified for Japan 2012 but will no doubt want to finish the tournament in style. Three squad members – Nadia Peal, Katie Rood and Rosie White – are already based overseas while a number of others are set to take up university scholarships in the United States this year. Aaron McFarland will therefore be eager to shore up combinations in this final fixture while staying focused on picking up the win first and foremost. Standing in their way is a Samoa team who, despite lacking experience, has shown a steely determination in their first U-20 appearance since hosting the event 2006. The underdogs surprised Papua New Guinea on Thursday to draw 1-1 thanks in large part to an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Vaelua Fautua. The 17-year-old has started both matches and will need to be at the top of her game tomorrow to keep out a formidable Ferns forward line.
In their own words
“We’re looking forward to it because it’s a big game for us. We are going to have to pray for inner strength because it will be hard for us to compete against the Kiwis. Our game plan will be based on defending well because we know they scored 10 goals against New Caledonia.” Samoa coach Phineas Young
“We’ll approach the game in exactly the same way we have been doing, we’ll look to dominate possession and dictate the nature of the game. Samoa provide a different sort of challenge but we’re more concerned with ourselves than the opposition.” – New Zealand coach Aaron McFarland
Match Details
Papua New Guinea vs. New Caledonia
1:00pm Saturday April
Mangere Centre Park
Auckland, New Zealand
Referee: Anna-Marie KEIGHLEY (NZL)
Assistant Referee 1: Nadia BROWNING (NZL)
Assistant Referee 2: Folio MOEAKI (TGA)
4th Official: Robinson BANGA (VAN)
Papua New Guinea: 1. Daisy ISAAC (GK), 2. Miriam LOUMA, 3. Judith GUNEMBA, 4. Stephanie GANI, 5. Dinah DABINYABA, 6. Delma AMBRIAS, 7. Descintha DANAS, 8. Gira CHUNG, 9. Concintah LALO, 10. Meagan GUNEMBA, 11. Sandra BIRUM, 12. Lydia KOSE, 13. Elizabeth HUGO, 14. Serah ARAJO, 15. Domitila WAIPO, 16. Esther KENATSI, 17. Joan AIDABOE, 18. Roselyn NAMBAN, 19. Lakele SIMION, 20. Dephne FLINDERS (GK)
Coach: Max FOSTER
New Caledonia: 1. Aurore HNAWIA (GK), 2. Sene BAFUE, 3. Valentine HALUATR, 4. Claire KAEMO, 5. Charlotte PELLETIER, 6. Audrey SINEM, 7. Marielle HAOCAS, 8. Angela FRANK, 9. Marie HEUTRO, 10. Kim MAGUIRE, 11. Aurelie LALIE, 12. Marie-Ange VANDEGOU, 13. Deborah KAMADRANE, 14. Elizabeth POUEDA, 15. Geraldine CIMUTRU, 16. Morgane AUSU, 17. Samantha TIDIJINE, 18. Marie-Ange WAPITA (GK)
Coach: Matthieu DELCROIX
Samoa vs. New Zealand
3:00pm Saturday 14 April
Mangere Centre Park
Auckland, New Zealand
Referee: Averii JACQUES (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Lata TUIFUTUNA (TGA)
Assistant Referee 2: Wanting YAGUM (PNG)
4th Official: Finau VULIVULI (FIJ)
Samoa: 1. Faalau ULUULU (GK), 2. Tanya BRYCE, 3. Rosemarry ALAUNI, 4. Faanunu ROPETI, 5. Arieta ROPETI, 6. Selau FAU, 7. Hana VAGA, 8. Lanuola MULIPOLA, 9. Autaele TAAVAO, 10. Aliialofaifaleupolu MOATAA, 11. Faasega OKCEFFE, 12. Taavale TAVITA, 13. Fiataua SIKOTI-PIULA, 14. Sa FAAPUSI, 15. Chrisaria FAIMASASA, 16. Marina TAPASA, 17. Lotofoa LOKENI, 18. Ana MENE, 19. Vaelua FAUTUA
Coach: Phineas YOUNG
New Zealand: 1. Erin NAYLER (GK), 2. Katie BOWEN, 3. Holly PATTERSON, 4. Tessa BERGER, 5. Kate CARLTON, 6. Lucy CARTER, 8. Olivia CHANCE, 9. Georgia BROWN, 10. Kate LOYE, 11. Katie ROOD, 12. Stephanie SKILTON, 13. Ashleigh WARD, 14. Caitlin SMALLFIELD, 15. Rachel HEAD, 16. Evie MILLYNN, 17. Hannah WILKINSON, 18. Rosie WHITE, 19. Nadia PEARL, 20. Corina BROWN (GK)
Coach: Aaron McFARLAND

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