The games will be played simultaneously at 2pm local time at two different venues.
Tonga vs. New Zealand is being held at Takitumu School in Matavera and Samoa vs. New Caledonia at the CIFA Academy.
Tonga face a monumental task in order to qualify for the next round, needing to either beat defending champions New Zealand, or at the very least keep a low losing margin and hope New Caledonia lose their clash with Samoa.
New Zealand are yet to concede a goal in the tournament, and at the other end have netted a tournament-high 23 of their own.
Their participation in the next round is almost guaranteed even if they lose, given they sit at the top of the ladder with a +23 goal difference.
Coach Gareth Turnbull says he is happy with how his side is building with each game, and isn’t planning too many changes for the Tonga match.
“I think we will be trying to do more of the same. The more we play as a group the more cohesive we become, so I am excited for where we can get to in a few weeks.”
Tonga had their first win at OFC U-17 Women’s Championship level on Match Day 3, which keeps them in the race to play past the group stage.
Coach Christian Koaneti says his team will go into the game without any pressure on them.
“We know our chances of making the next stage are pretty slim, so we will go all out,” Koaneti says.
“New Zealand are a pretty fit team and technically they are well equipped. But we will go hard and play our island style and make sure we match them physically.”
For New Caledonia any result against Samoa could potentially get Matthieu Delcroix’s side through, but they will also have to be wary of their -5 goal difference compared to Tonga’s -2.
Impressive in a first-up 5-0 victory over Tonga, New Caledonia defended well for periods against New Zealand but eventually fell to a heavy 12-0 loss.
Delcroix says the last couple of days have been about helping the team to leave past results out of their minds and dedicating full attention to Samoa.
“We have been focusing on our recuperation, because in this type of tournament that is important,” Delcroix says.
“We have been working on lifting the girls’ heads after the defeat to New Zealand and focussing solely on Samoa and getting past them to qualify for the semi-finals.”
Samoa have experienced a tough tournament so far, and join Cook Islands as the only teams without a win to date.
While they sit on no points with little hope of qualifying past the group stage, Samoa coach Nadia Malifa says it is important they put in a strong showing.
“We have had a look at what went wrong in the first two games and have prepared well for this one,” Malifa says.
“We have a few players still out injured, so we will wait until late to decide on them.”
Additional Information:
Tonga vs. New Zealand
Takitumu School
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Monday 18 January 2016
Kick-off: 2pm (local)
TGAvNZL U17W
Referee: Tupou PATIA (COK)
Assistant Referee 1: John PAREANGA (COK)
Assistant Referee 2: Stephanie MINAN (PNG)
Fourth Official: Finau VULIVULI (FIJ)
Tonga
Vital Statistics: Tonga had their first win at an OFC U-17 Women’s Championship on Match Day 3, beating Samoa 4-1.
The Players: Midfielder Seini Lutu was a key player in Tonga’s last match, setting up the opening goal before scoring one herself. Goalkeeper Mele Akolo continues to impress with her bravery and safe hands.
Tonga: 1. Luseane VIVILI (GK), 2. Sosefina HAVEA, 3. Manu LATU, 4. Heilala MOALA, 5. Kalolaine TALIAULI, 6. Ana POLOVILI, 7. Carmel UHILA, 8. Seini LUTU, 9. Meleseini TUFUI (C), 10. Mele KAFA, 11. Alexandra FIFITA, 12. Monika LEFAI, 13. Virginia TUIPULOTU, 14. Ofa FISI, 16. Taipaleti VAI, 17. Losa TUAPAUU, 18. Patricia LIKILIKI, 19. Siunipa TALASINGA, 21. Mele AKOLO (GK), 22. Adrienne TAHITUA (GK)
Coach: Christian KOANETI (TGA)
New Zealand
Vital Statistics: New Zealand’s goal tally of 23 is more than double that of the rest of the Group A teams combined. Between them Tonga, New Caledonia and Samoa have scored 10 goals.
The Players: Forwards Hannah Blake and Jacqui Hand have been in fine form so far, scoring six and four goals respectively. Limiting the opportunities both these players receive is vital if you are to do well against New Zealand.
New Zealand: 1. Anna LEAT (GK), 2. Claudia BUNGE, 3. Amber PHILLIPS, 4. Ally TOAILOA, 5. Michaela FOSTER, 6. Nicole METTAM, 7. Hannah BLAKE, 8. Malia STEINMETZ, 9. Samantha TAWHARU, 10. Sarah KRYSTMAN, 11. Jacqueline HAND, 12. Nadia OLLA (GK), 13. Kate WILLIAMS, 14. Rebecca LAKE 15. Francesca GRANGE, 16. Alosi BLOOMFIELD, 17. Emma MAIN, 18. Gabrielle JILLINGS, 19. Margaret JENKINS
Coach: Gareth TURNBULL (NZL)
Samoa vs. New Caledonia
CIFA Academy
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Monday 16 January 2016
Kick-off: 2pm (local)
SAMvNCL U17W
Referee: Robinson BANGA (VAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Himon SESE (VAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Terry PIRI (COK)
Fourth Official: Nelson SOGO (SOL)
Samoa
Vital Statistics: Samoa are the only team in Group A without a victory so far, and have conceded the most goals in the group with 15.
The Players: Captain Shalom Fiso is a composed midfielder with good footwork, and creates much of the good work Samoa do.
Samoa: 1. Adriann ESENE (GK), 2. Siatuvai IONATANA, 3. Mariecamilla AH KI, 4. Veteronnica TAFITO, 5. Sophia AVEAU, 6. Rosie SCHUSTER, 7. Austiner TAUALAPINI, 8. Shalom FISO (C), 9. Talaisea MULITALO, 10. Sivanila PEREIRA, 11. Madeleen AH KI, 12. Melesete AIA, 13. Kalia KAPISI, 14. Angela VON HEIDERBRANDT, 15. Vineta FALEAANA, 16. Conzuella VATU, 17. Mata TALIU, 18. Alisha NAOLAVOA, 19. Mole SAOFAIGA, 20. Atonina TANUVASA, 21. Jecky TOMA (GK)
Coach: Nadia MALIFA (SAM)
New Caledonia
Vital Statistics: With five goals at the tournament so far, New Caledonia have already surpassed their tally from the entire 2012 edition of the OFC U-17 Women’s Championship. That year they scored one goal in three matches.
The Players: Striker Jackie Pahoa has stood out with her ability to carry the ball at speed, and she brings some x-factor to the contest for New Caledonia. Fellow forward Shaya Ihmeling is another threat on goal.
New Caledonia: 1. Karine XOZAME (GK), 2. Darnelle HACE, 3. Flaureen AUSU, 4. Mune BAKO, 5. Ami-Nata AJAPUHNYA, 6. Isabelle ILENGO, 7. Elise LALIE, 8. Jackie PAHOA, 9. Shaya IHMELING, 10. Marie-Laure PALENE, 11. Cassidy CAWA, 12. Lucinda KOINDREDI, 13. Océane ZASINA, 14. Yvonne XOWI, 15. Justine MALAXAN, 16. Jessica ALI SAÏD, 17. Nancy NYADOUN, 18. Katinka TAKAMATSU, 19. Joelle LEME, 20. Kathleen WAUNIE (GK)
Coach: Matthieu DELCROIX (FRA)

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