Fiji kick things off when they take on Papua New Guinea at 9.30am before New Caledonia meet Cook Islands at 12.30pm while hosts Vanuatu will face defending champions New Zealand at 3.30pm.
The winner of the tournament will qualify for the FIFA U-17World Cup, which is set to take place in United Arab Emirates from October 17 to November 8.
Here’s a look at the action that’s in store across the three matches on the second day of the OFC U-17 Championship.
Fiji vs. Papua New Guinea – 9.30am Sunday 21 April
Fiji fought hard for their 1-1 draw with hosts Vanuatu on Friday and coach Kamal Swamy says the improvements the side made between days one and two need to continue into tomorrow’s match against Papua New Guinea. Captain Iosefo Verevou has been solid in the midfield for Fiji, making attacking runs as well as dropping back to help the defence and will likely prove instrumental to the game plan during this encounter too. After being held to a thrilling 1-1 draw by Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea appeared subdued on day two against a wounded Cook Islands side managing to find the goal just once to secure their win. Captain John Ray is resolute in the middle of the defence stopping strikers in their tracks while also managing to make the occasional charge forward himself. Steven Inia and Nicky Benjamin have both made it on the score sheet and will be looking to punish the Fiji defence in any way they can.
In their own words
“We are still looking at exactly how we will prepare for this match. I think we need to look at our midfield wing and our defence and how on the breakdowns we need to go and attack quickly and provide support.” – Fiji coach Kamal Swamy
“We are prepared to play Fiji and we came to the tournament to compete well, not just participate. We are happy to challenge any country because we may be small people in stature but we have big hearts. I know we will give Fiji a good run for their money.” – Papua New Guinea coach Bobby Morris
New Caledonia vs. Cook Islands – 12.30pm Sunday 21 April
After comfortably downing Fiji 3-0 in their opening match New Caledonia were faced with the imposing New Zealand side on day two. When they brought the ball down and strung passes together they looked an impressive and cohesive side. Captain Mickael Partodikromo was heavily marked by the Kiwis but was still able to turn playmaker for the Caledonians, a role he will again need to adopt in this encounter. Cook Islands cannot be underestimated by any side after proving they have the mental capacity and skill to cause trouble in this tournament. The team bounced back from a heavy 9-0 defeat on day one to concede just one goal against Papua New Guinea. Not only did the side tighten the leaks in defence, but Pekay Edwards was presented with a number of opportunities to get his side on the scoreboard. If they can continue their rapid improvement Cook Islands could easily cause an upset against this Caledonian side.
In their own words
“The Cook Islands are a chance for us to play to our game plan. We will change several players as we have a few injuries, but we will also need to respect our adversary. We saw them playing on Friday and they have developed an excellent defensive football style and they were a problem for Papua New Guinea so we will have to be ready.” – New Caledonia coach Kamali Fitialata
“I think New Caledonia are a really good side but all the teams here are so it was always going to be hard for us. I think we need to improve on the attacking side of our game because we have to create more going forward but it’s hard to do that at this level. We came here to fight all the way to the end so we will do that.” – Cook Islands coach Tuka Tisam
Vanuatu vs. New Zealand – 3.30pm Sunday 21 April
Hosts Vanuatu will have their work cut out for them as they take on favourites and defending champions New Zealand. Vanuatu could easily be leading the table at this point if they had managed to convert even half of the chances they’ve been presented with into goals. Ruben Frank and Alex Saniel carved up the defences of both Papua New Guinea and Fiji, looking lethal on attack but their inability to finish has proven very costly to Vanuatu’s championship title bid with too many shots going astray. Gregory Rouard has come off the bench in both matches to add to the pressure but has also struggled to find the back of the net despite having numerous opportunities. On the other hand New Zealand’s 13 goals in two games, combined with a clean sheet in defence, has demonstrated the quality possessed by this side. Monty Patterson is in contention for the Golden Boot so will no doubt be looking to add to his tally here. Meanwhile Alex Rufer’s display in midfield showed he is a cut-above and will need to be shut-down before he can launch into one of his swift, individual runs through the centre if Vanuatu are to have any chance of keeping the Kiwis scoreless.
In their own words
“We won’t be changing anything in our approach. We’ve been practicing our game plan for the past few months so we are quite happy with the way we are going, we just need to improve our finishing.” – Vanuatu manager Antony Pisano
“The next match is another big game, it was always the one that we looked at and thought would be tough. There’s going to be a big crowd and it will be a really exciting game for the boys to play in. We have to make sure that we get up to do it again because we’ve won two games but have earned nothing so far. We saw Vanuatu on the first day and I thought they were unlucky not to win the game, it’s tough for them because they’re at home and have a lot of expectations on them but I think they’re a very good team.” – New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley
OFC U-17 Championship – MATCH DAY 3 PREVIEW
This is the official preview of Match Day 3. Please note squads are subject to change.
Fiji vs.Papua New Guinea
9.30am local time, Sunday 21 April
Luganville Soccer City Stadium
Luganville, Vanuatu
Referee: Bruce GEORGE [VAN]
Assistant Referee 1: Folio MOEAKI [TGA]
Assistant Referee 2: Philippe REVEL [TAH]
4th Official: Nelson SOGO [SOL]
Fiji: 1. Ratu YAVALA [GK], 2. Rupeni RABICI, 3. Joseva KOROI, 4. Suliano TAWANANAKORO, 5. Iliesa SMITH, 6. Maikeli KETEWAI, 7. Ravnit CHAND, 8. Kelvin NAIDU, 9. Shalvin SHARMA, 10. Iosefo VEREVOU, 11. Vishwa SHARMA, 12. Prashant SHARMA, 13. Raees RAFIQ, 14. Anusheel SINGH, 15. Seremaia KOROI, 16. Mohammed MOBEEN, 17. Mataiasi TOMA, 18. Jonetani BUKSH, 19. Sekove FINAU, 20. Misiwani NAIRUBE [GK]
Coach: Kamal SWAMY [FIJ]
Papua New Guinea: 1. Peter PITOR [GK], 2. Jonel KAMBUAL, 3. Felix KOMOLONG, 4. Nigel MALAGIAN, 5. John RAY (c), 6. Kepas KAMEN, 7. Joshua TALAU, 8. David MINGAI, 9. Joshua WADUNAH, 10. Steven INIA, 11. Abraham MANDAWALI, 12. Glenn KAMBUKA, 13. Nicky BENJAMIN, 14. Peter DABINYABA, 15. Dallas NAMUESH, 16. Maya BOB, 17. Stanley STEVEN, 18. Randoll BONGI, 20. Vagi KONIEL [GK], 23. Andrew AOPI [GK]
Coach: Bob MORRIS [PNG]
New Caledonia vs. Cook Islands
12.30pm local time, Sunday 21 April
Luganville Soccer City Stadium
Luganville, Vanuatu
Referee: Ravitesh BEHARI [FIJ]
Assistant Referee 1: Glen LOCHRIE [NZL]
Assistant Referee 2:Douglas METE [SOL]
4th Official: Albert MARU [PNG]
New Caledonia: 1. Thomas SCHMIDT [GK], 2. Pierre BOANEMOA, 3. Yorick WAINEBENGO, 4. Jean-Luc DECOIRE, 5. Didier SIMANE, 6. Jim OUKA, 7. Roberto NEOERE, 8. Antony KAI, 9. Valentin NYKEINE [GK], 10. Mickael PARTODIKROMO, 11. Ben WAMOWE, 12. Theo JALABERT, 13. Brandon MEAOU, 14. Eugene SAKILIA, 15. Jacky WETEWEA, 16. Emmanuel CASE, 17. Raymond XANATRE, 18. Erwan AUSSU, 19. Macinou WAMAI, 20. Jimmy WAHNAPO [GK]
Coach: Kamali FITIALEATA
Cook Islands: 1. Keegan INIA [GK], 2. Sunai JOSEPH, 4. Cahjun WILLIS, 5. Ford HENRY, 6. Takuina TARARO, 7. Dwayne TIPUTOA, 8. Kimiora SAMU
ELA, 9. Pekay EDWARDS, 10. Thane BEAL, 11. Maro BONSU-MARO, 12. Wiremu TEMATA, 13. Jarves APERAU, 14. Terei GEORGE, 15. Morgan WICHMAN, 16. Te-Ava WICHMAN, 17.
Samuel MAOATE-COX, 20. Antonio TUAITI [GK]
Coach: Tuka TISAM [COK]
Vanuatu vs. New Zealand
3.30pm local time, Sunday 21 April
Luganville Soccer City Stadium
Luganville, Vanuatu
Referee: John SAOHU [SOL]
Assistant Referee 1: Avinesh NARAYAN [FIJ]
Assistant Referee 2: Paavo MUSTONEN [COK]
4th Official: Averii JACQUES [TAH]
Vanuatu: 1. Charlie WAIVUI [GK], 2. Jaison THOMAS, 3. Goshen DONNA, 4. Elie MELTE ROSSI, 5. Remy KALSRAP, 6. Douglas PATRICK, 7. Etienne NAIEU, 8. Alphonse TOA, 9. Gregory ROUARD, 10. Bong KALO, 11. Alex SANIEL, 12. Jacky RUBEN, 13. Justin KOKA, 14. Andre BULE, 15. Andrew VANVA, 16. Ruben FRANK, 17. Kerry IAWAK, 18. Renold IWAI, 19. Joe NAKO, 20. Samuel LOLI [GK]
Coach: Etienne MERMER [VAN]
New Zealand: 1. Zac SPEEDY [GK], 2. Riley KELLIHER, 3. Cory BROWN, 4. Nick FORRESTER, 5. Adam MITCHELL, 6. Alex PALEZEVIC, 7. Andrew BLAKE, 8. Michael DEN HEIJER, 9. Elijah NEBLETT, 10. Matthew RIDENTON, 11. Monty PATTERSON, 12. Sam COPP [GK], 13. Spiros AGATHOS, 14. Andre DE JONG, 15. Thomas PROBERT, 16. Meysum SHAFAHI, 17. Nick SUGDEN, 18. Stuart HOLTHUSEN, 19. Alex RUFER, 20. Tamupiwa DIMAIRO
Coach: Darren BAZELEY [ENG]