With Tahiti red-hot favourites to earn another healthy win when they take on Tonga, neither Solomon Islands or Vanuatu can afford a slip up.
Tonga’s campaign has been marked by strong starts but they have fallen away badly in the second half of their matches. History favours the Tahitians with Ludovic Graugnard’s team with Tonga’s best result against their next opponents a 4-1 defeat achieved in 2003.
For Tahiti the objective is to score as many goals as possible as Group B’s playoff picture starts to take shape. Striker Michel Maihi bagged five of his side’s 11 goals but Graugnard will be without captain and defender Vaianui Drollet who is suspended after picking up two cautions and a red card in the win over American Samoa.
Vanuatu coach Etienne Mermer will be delighted with his side’s 13-0 and 9-0 victories but cannot afford any complacency as his team goes in search of a decisive result against the Solomon Islands.
Solomon Islands won their first match 10-1 over Tonga with perhaps their only deficiency the early goal conceded against the run of play in that game. Coach Jacob Moli’s players have shown their intentions in the first game after winning 10-1 against Tonga. The Solomon Islanders start the match as slight underdogs having not competed at this level since 2011.
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Extra Information:
OFC U-17 Championship – MATCH DAY 6 PREVIEW
This is the official preview of Match Day 6. Please note squads are subject to change.
Tonga v Tahiti
1pm local time, Saturday 17 January
Pago Park Soccer Stadium
Pago Pago, American Samoa
TGAvTAH
Referee: Salesh CHAND [FIJ]
Assistant Referee 1: Ujwaal MUDLIAR [FIJ]
Assistant Referee 2: Maria TAMALELAGI [SAM]
4th Official: Anna-Marie KEIGHLEY [NZL]
Tonga
Vital Statistics: Tonga have played Tahiti twice in the OFCU-17 Championship and scored one goal back in 2003.
The Players: Striker Soakai Vea and defender Sione Tuifangaloka will try to make a difference against Tahiti. We will prepare well for this match.’’
Coach Quotes: ‘’Tahiti are one of the best team in the tournament, it is almost the same as Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
Squad List: 1. Mahe MALAFU [GK], 2. Teufolau TOKAI, 3. Ofaloto KITE, 4. Sione TUIFANGALOKA, 5. Kilifitoni VEA, 6. Sateki MATAKAIONGO, 7. Soakai VEA, 8. Aisea MULI, 9. Anthony LIKILIKI, 10. Mataitini FEFE, 11. Fisi’ihoi PALU, 12. Sefana PAONGO, 13. Kapeliele MALAFU, 14. Esafe TOKAI, 15. Longani TAUNAHOLO, 16. Folauhola MESUI, 17. Anitelu MATAKAIONGO, 18. Kelepi MATAELE, 19. Lachman ATOA, 20. Semesi OTUKOLO [GK].
Coach: Timote MOLENI [TGA]
Tahiti
Vital Statistics: Tahiti have played Tonga twice in 2003 and 2011 and they won both games respectively 4-1 and 8-0.
The Players: Michel Maihi scored five of the 11 goals of his and all in the first half.
Coach Quote: “We have a lot of respect for Tonga. if the players stay serious and disciplined I think we could win that game.’’
Squad List: 1. Vaiarii HALLIGAN [GK], 2. Heimana TAVERE, 3. Brandon AUTAI, 4. Vaianui DROLLET, 5. Joachim TENUANUA, 6. Rayan PETITGAS, 7. Keali WONG, 8. Roonui TEHAU. 9. Ariinui TIATOA, 10. Michel MAIHI, 11. Heirauarii SALEM, 12. Kitin MARO, 13. Etienne TETARIA, 14. Rainui NORDMAN, 15. Marc SIEJIDR, 16. Moana PITO [GK], 17. Kaena ONUU, 18. Mauri HEITAA, 19. Honoarii KOHUMOETINI, 20. Romain COURTADE, 21. Hauragi HURI, 22. Roy VONGEY.
Coach: Ludovic GRAUGNARD [TAH]
Vanuatu v Solomon Islands
3.30pm local time, Saturday 17 January
Pago Park Soccer Stadium
Pago Pago, American Samoa
VANvSOL
Referee: Averii JACQUES [TAH]
Assistant Referee 1: Lata KAUMATULE [TGA]
Assistant Referee 2: Lonisa DILIONI [FIJ]
4th Official: Hillary ANI [PNG]
Vanuatu
Vital Statistics: Vanuatu’s 13-0 win against American Samoa is the largest win of the team in this category of age.
The Players: Sylvain Worworbu and Abednigo Sau are the two best scorers of the Vanuatu squad as they both scored respectively seven and six goals for their team.
Coach Quote: “Solomon Islands are a good side. We need to be more consistent in our game.’’ (Assistant coach john PHILEMON)
Squad List: 1. Dick WILLIE RICKY [GK], 2. Joseph IARUEL, 3. Nicky OBED, 4. Jeffrey TASSO, 5. John JOHN, 6. William EDISON, 7. Frederick MASSING, 8. Jonathan SPOKEYJACK, 9. Sylvain WORWORBU, 10. Ronaldo WILKINS,11. Abednigo SAU, 12. Barnabe TALIBAN, 13. Xavier JIMMY, 14. Max UGUNA, 15. Simeon JOSHUA, 16. Gregory PATRICK, 17. Jayson TIMATUA, 18. Derek BULE, 20. Andreas DUCH [GK]
Coach: Etienne MERMER [VAN]
Solomon Islands
Vital Statistics: Solomon Islands’s last win against Vanuatu at the OFC U-17 Championship was in 2011. A 2-0 success to claim the third spot.
The Players: Larry Zama is the top scorer of the team after scoring four goals against Tonga on Match Day 2.
Coach Quote: ‘’Vanuatu is a good side. We have to work on our defence after the slow start against Tonga.’’
Squad List: 1. Oxson BUKA [GK], 2. Javin PITAWAO, 3. Casper TAUTIKA, 4. Kaliz ATU, 5. Eric BUGA, 6. Philip MAETA, 7. Sammy WILSON, 8. Junior HOU, 9. Larry ZAMA, 10. Benjimin TOATA, 11. John OGE, 12. Richard RARAMO, 13. Lance SURA’AU, 14. Malcom KABINI, 15. Raynick LAETE, 16. Gershom FAGA-TOTORI, 17. Robert RAMONI, 18. Carlton BEUKA, 19. Hendrick JIRAH, 20. Selwyn NUNUKWAI [GK].
Coach: Jacob Moli [SOL]