To open proceedings at Bisini Sports Complex at 11am, Tahiti will take on the hosts Papua New Guinea in what will no doubt be an interesting match-up.
Tahiti topped Group A with two wins capped with a draw against Fiji and while they are a strong side, they will be without their captain Manuarii Hauata and Thibaut Pito both of whom are suspended after picking up two yellows in that final match against the Fijians.
While it will be a set-back for coach Patrice Flaccadori, he still has a strong squad to pick from and he’ll need them against the well organised hosts. Fred Tissot will be one to watch, as will youngster Michel Maihi. What will give Tahiti an edge is there height, if they can find a way to use it to their advantage.
Papua New Guinea have proven themselves a worthy opponent with their most impressive performance coming against New Zealand in the group stage. Buoyed by the support of the home crowd they scraped through to the semi-finals of both the Olympic Qualifier and the Pacific Games. The devastation etched on the players’ faces following the Olympic semi said it all, and will only make them more determined than to progress this time around.
Coach Ricki Herbert will be relying on middle-man Alwin Komolong to lead by example once again and will need strikers Tommy Semmy, Papalau Awele and Emmanuel Airem to be on point with their finishing if this side wants to claim that finals berth.
In the afternoon encounter New Caledonia will play-off against Rio-bound Fiji for a spot in the gold medal match.
Fiji have proven themselves a more than worthy opponent with qualification for their second ever FIFA tournament coming just two days ago. Coach Carlos Buzzetti has proven his strategic prowess with his side reshaping and adjusting to suit their opponent and he will no doubt have a plan for this encounter.
Strikers Napolioni Qasevakatini and Chris Wasasala have proven their worth, while at the back Jale Dreloa continues to organise his teammates with finesse making this a side that is hard to break down.
New Caledonia did enough to get themselves through to the Pacific Games semi-finals with a game in hand, earning 1-0 victories over Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands before being outclassed by New Zealand. They’ve had time to regroup and prepare for tomorrow’s big match and know that it will take more than an adequate performance to outclass Fiji.
This side has a tough task to live up to with the senior team picking up gold four years ago. To defend that title means a lot to these young Cagous and they’ll be putting their all into a successful result. They will be without Jean-Luc Decoire, but with players like Mickael Partodikromo, Raphael Oiremoin and Joseph Athale in the squad Thierry Sardo will be confident he has the depth and talent to contest.
Extra Information
Pacific Games Semi-Final 1
Tahiti vs. Papua New Guinea
Bisini Field 1
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Wednesday 15 July 2015
Kick-off: 11am
TAHvPNG
Referee: Ravitesh BEHARI (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 1: Johnny Erick NIABO (SOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Jeffrey SOLODIA (SOL)
Fourth Official: Norbert HAUATA (TAH)
Tahiti: 1. Tom TERIINOHOPUAITERAI (GK), 2. Tevaimoana MESLIEN, 3. Raimana TIPAHAEHAE, 4. Rainui AROITA, 5. Teheiarii TAUPOTINI, 6. Louis PETITGAS, 7. Tauatua LUCAS, 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, 22. Michel MAIHI, 23. Vaiarii HALLIGAN
Suspended: 8. Manuarii HAUATA, 21. Thibaut PITO
Coach: Patrice FLACCADORI (TAH)
Papua New Guinea
Squad list: 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)
Pacific Games Semi-Final 2
New Caledonia vs. Fiji
Bisini Field 1
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Wednesday 15 July 2015
Kick-off: 2.30pm
NCLvFIJ
Referee: Kader ZITOUNI (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 1: Mahit CHILIA (VAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Hilmon SESE (VAN)
Fourth Official: Gerald OIAKA (SOL)
New Caledonia: 1. Thomas SCHMIDT (GK), 2. Jorys MENE, 3. Aquilas WAHNAPO, 4. Jean-Brice WADRIAKO, 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
Suspended: 5. Jean-Luc DECOIRE
Coach: Thierry SARDO (FRA)
Fiji: 1. Senirusi BOKINI (GK), 2. Ravinesh KUMAR DASS, 3. Praneel NAIDU, 4. Kolinio SIVOKI, 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)
Coach: Carlos BUZZETTI (AUS)