Hosts Pago Youth are taking on Tonga’s club champions Lotoha’apai United in a showdown which will determine the order at the bottom.
After finishing runners-up in the 2012 edition Lotoha’apai won’t be keen to drop to the bottom this time around. Their showing against Kiwi on Match Day 2 proved they have the ability to challenge the toughest of sides and they will be looking to do just that come kick-off.
Three consecutive losses in the 2012 Preliminary saw Pago Youth sitting without a single point – and they do not want to see history repeat. They took an early lead against Tupapa Maraerenga yesterday but eventually fell to a heavy 11-1 defeat so an outright win is their only option.
Coach Ailao Tualaulelei would also like to reward their loyal fans, who remained behind the side right to the bitter end on Thursday, with a victory.
In the day’s headline encounter Kiwi from Samoa have found themselves in the same position as Pago Youth. Anything other than a victory over Tupapa Maraerenga is unacceptable if they want to continue on their journey to the OFC Champions League group stage in Fiji in April.
The Cook Islands club champions have scored 13 goals to Kiwi’s six. This means if the two sides remain inseparable after 90 minutes, Tupapa will progress thanks to their superior goal difference.
The author of four goals against Pago Youth on Thursday, Tupapa’s Sam Margetts says the side is here to win and to earn that final spot in the Champions League – with anything less than that a failure on their part.
EXTRA INFORMATION
Pago Youth vs. Lotoha’apai United
Pago Youth vs. Lotoha’apai United
Pago Park Soccer Stadium, Pago Pago
Saturday, 19 October 2013
Kickoff: 12pm (local)
Referee: Salesh CHAND (FIJ)
Pago Youth
The players: Ailao TUALAULELEI JNR. returns to the side after serving his suspension on Match Day 2. The side will be without three other key players with Ryan SAMUELU, Johnny SIONE and Rueben LUVU all suspended.
The vital statistics: A loss will see Pago Youth finish bottom of the table for the second consecutive year. Gun KANG scored one of the fastest goals in tournament history when he scored in 30 seconds into the match against Tupapa Maraerenga on Thursday.
Squad list: 1. Taufaiula MAVAEGA [GK], 2. Gene NEEMIA, 3. Ailao TUALAULELEI JR., 4.Alatina VAIALII, 5. Matt TRICK, 6. Kaleopa SILIGI, 7. Nissan TUPAI, 10. Sam TUALAULELEI, 12. Neemia KALEOPA, 13. Abraham FATA, 14. Ulufanua MALIKO, 15. Sinisa TUA, 16. Gun KANG, 23. BJ SAMUELU [GK]
Coach: Ailao TUALAULELEI (ASA)
Coach Quote: “We need to win this game. To our fans, just come on Saturday and support us. We’re going to try our best to win this game.”
Lotoha’apai United
The players: Tupou UHATAHI and Sione UHATAHI will both miss the final match due to suspension.
The vital statistics: Player-coach Lui MUAVESI played 64 minutes of Lotoha’apai’s match against Kiwi making him one of the oldest players to participate in this tournament at 47 years old.
Squad list: 1. Brady LAUTI [GK], 4. Samisoni MAFI, 5. Michael UHATAHI, 6. Soane Tatafu FAUPULA, 7. Matana PAONGO, 8. Ilalio LEAKONA, 9. Lafaele MOALA, 10. Mark UHATAHI, 11. Valu KOLOFALE, 12. Oliveti VAI, 15. Sione TAHITU’A 16. Lui MUAVESI, 17. Fakamalinga SEMISI, 18. Soane Motekiai FAUPULA [GK]
Coach: Lui MUAVESI (FIJ)
Coach Quote: “No game is easy, it will always be a hard game. Pago will want to win, to get a win in their home ground and our Lotoha’apai team also wants to take one win back home. We don’t really depend on anyone. You have red, you go so at least we have extra players to fill that gap.”
Tupapa Maraerenga vs. Kiwi
Tupapa Maraerenga vs. Kiwi
Pago Park Soccer Stadium, Pago Pago
Saturday, 19 October 2013
Kickoff: 3pm (local)
Referee: Matt CONGER (NZL)
Tupapa Maraerenga
The players: Sam MARGETTS scored four goals in one match – the most by any one player so far in this year’s tournament. He is one of three players in the running for the Golden Boot.
The vital statistics: Eight different players have made it on the scoreboard for this side over the past two match days. The 11-1 victory over Pago Youth marks the highest scoring game in the history of the Preliminary.
Squad list: 1. Liam LITTLE [GK], 2. Mii JOSEPH, 3.Hone FOWLER, 4. Allan BOERE, 5. Branden TUREPU, 6. Byron PAULUS, 7. Grover HARMON, 8. Rhys RUKA, 9. Sam MARGETTS, 10. Campbell BEST, 11. Geoffrey STRICKLAND, 12. Ronnie SAKAI, 13. Ant SAMUELA, 14. Terii FRAMHEIN, 15. Sunai JOSEPH, 16. Twin TIRO
Coach: Delaney YAQONA (FIJ)
Coach Quote: “I think it’s the game everyone is waiting to see. Both sides look pretty even – experience is there on both sides, speed is there on both sides, there some good ball players on both sides and we’ve got some good goalkeepers on both sides. I guess it’s the team that’s going to want it – the team that’s going to fight tooth and nail to win the game – is going to win it in the end. We want this bad.”
Kiwi
The players: Barry LEWIS is suspended after picking up consecutive yellow cards on Match Days 1 and 2. Kiwi will also be without former All White Andy Barron who has to return home ahead of kick-off.
The vital statistics: Two Kiwi players could go home with the Golden Boot if they can find the back of the net tomorrow. Both Joseph GAUGHAN and Adam COWAN are sitting on four a-piece. Mike SAOFAIGA was one of the second-highest goal scorers in 2012 but is yet to register in this edition.
Squad list: 1. Filipo ASIATA [GK], 2. Shaun EASTHOPE, 3. Patrick ASIATA, 4. Andrew SETEFANO, 7. Jarrell SALE, 9. Max HOEFLICH, 10.Albert BELL, 11. Tamoto FENIKA, 13. Lionel TAYLOR, 15. Adam COWAN, 16. Martin PACKER, 17. Jamie MASON, 19. Lafi IOANE, 20. Joseph GAUGHAN, 21. Masi TOETU [GK], 22. Mike SAOFAIGA
Coach: Martin TAMASESE (SAM)
Coach Quote: “Cook Islands is not an easy team, but we know what mistakes we have made and will train and practice for our last game. They are all experienced players but we will study their game plan and prepare in that way.”
Watch the coaches share their thoughts on tomorrow’s matches here