U-20 women’s quartet eager to get underway

Tonga is making their first appearance at this level since 2010 and are keen to open with a strong victory. Papua New Guinea, who finished runners-up in 2012, are also on the hunt for a first-up win putting the two sides in good stead to produce some captivating on-field action.

Tonga will be relying on captain Vea Funaki to lead by example. Funaki in turn will be hoping for strong on-field performances and leadership support from fellow senior internationals Wendy Feke, Ofa La’akulu and Tangimausia Ma’afu.

Papua New Guinea has brought a relatively experienced squad to Auckland as they look to wrestle the champion’s trophy off reigning champions New Zealand.

Captain Rumona Morris, Georgina Kaikas and Meagan Gunemba all possess the technical skills and attacking prowess that could easily cause an upset, and they’ll be looking to get their campaign underway with a comprehensive opening victory over Tonga.

The second match on the opening day sees New Zealand take on virtual newcomers to the international women’s stage Vanuatu.

Aaron McFarland has a wealth of experienced young players at his fingertips and has called the best of the best into his squad as the side looks to make their fifth consecutive FIFA U-20 World Cup appearance.

Just two players remain from the victorious 2012 U-20 side, but over half the squad is made up of players who took out the OFC U-17 Championship that same year.

While the Junior Football Ferns are facing an unknown entity in their tournament opener against Vanuatu, he’ll be advising his players not to let their guard down or underestimate their opponent.

Vanuatu on the other hand are well aware of the mountain they’ll have to climb in order to overcome the defending champions.
With the youngest squad at this tournament and with the least experience to their name Vanuatu are well and truly underdogs but their excitement to be competing outweighs their nervousness.

Coach Tom McDonald will be sticking to the game plan the side has been working on for over a year, and encouraging his side to take any attacking opportunities that come their way in order to steal a goal.

EXTRA INFORMATION:

The players: Captain Vea Funaki leads a small group of experienced players in Wendy Feke, Ofa La’akulu and Tangimausia Ma’afu – all four of whom appeared at the 2012 Women’s Olympic qualifiers for Tonga. One to watch will be 13-year-old Seini Lutu whose impressive skills caught the eyes of the coaching staff and warranted her inclusion in this tournament featuring much older opposition.

The vital statistics: Tonga finished third in the inaugural tournament in 2002 behind Australia and New Zealand but their best finish was as runners-up to New Zealand in 2006.
Squad list: 1. Sina LUTUA (GK), 2. Malia LEONE, 3. Meleseini TUFUI, 4. Vea FUNAKI, 5. Tolini KOFUTU’A, 6. Ofa LA’AKULU, 7. Malia TONGIA, 8. Wendy FEKE, 9. Unaloto TAHITU’A, 10. Heilala MOALA, 11. Seini LUTU, 12. Ilisapeti MALEKAMU, 13. Lilian KAITAPU, 14. Nelma ONGOLEA, 15. Hala’unga TAHOLO, 16. Manusiu LATAVAO, 17. Tupou TOPUI, 18. Meliame LUITAI, 19. Kailata TIMANI (GK), 20. Tangimausia MA’AFU (GK)
Coach: Penateti FEKE (TGA)
Coach Quote: “Not only are we opening the tournament but we’re facing Papua New Guinea. They have the second highest ranking in Oceania and in our history we’ve never won a game against them. We’re expecting a tough and challenging encounter.”
Papua New Guinea

The players: The most experienced group in this side includes captain Rumona Morris, Georgina Kaikas who in 2012 were members of both the U-17 team, while Dinah Dabinyaba and Meagan Gunemba were in the U-20 squad. All four were included in the 2012 Papua New Guinea Olympic Qualifiers team. Morris and Kaikas were standout players during the OFC U-17 Championship two years ago and both are sure to once again express their technical prowess. Gunemba played every minute of every match at the previous U-20 Women’s Championship and has been described as being confident to take players on, and possessing a high work rate.

The vital statistics: Twelve members of this squad have experience at a previous OFC tournament. The last encounter between Tonga and Papua New Guinea women’s sides was at the Olympic Qualifiers in 2012. They played twice, with Papua New Guinea prevailing twice by two goals to nil.

Squad list: 1. Lace KUNEI (GK), 2. Bridget KADU, 3. Talitha IRAKAU, 4. Dinah DABINYABA, 5. Carolyn OBI, 6. Dinna AWELE, 7. Rumona MORRIS, 8. Grace STEVEN, 9. Yvonne GABONG, 10. Vali AIPI, 11. Natasha KASKI, 12. Meagen GUNEMBA, 13. Nicolla NIAMAN, 14. Georgina KAIKAS, 15. Gloria LAELI, 16. Marie KAIPU, 17. Karen ROMO, 18. Grace JESSEM, 19. Joy TSUGA, 20. Lavina HOLA (GK)

Coach: Rachel WADUNAH (PNG)

Coach Quote: “My girls are looking forward to playing Tonga. We don’t know much about them, just that they are here to win. But my girls are here to win too.”

New Zealand vs. Vanuatu

The players: Meikayla Moore, Catherine (CJ) Bott and Emily Jensen have just returned from senior international duty with the Football Ferns. A further five players – Elizabeth Anton, Daisy Cleverley, Isabella Gross, Geena Gross and Martine Puketapu – are making the step up from the U-17 squad, which recently returned from the USA. Corina Brown and Tayla O’Brien are the only two players to remain from the 2012 New Zealand U-20 squad.

The vital statistics: New Zealand have won every edition of this tournament held since Australia left the Confederation in 2006. The U-20 Women’s squad have attended four FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cups, and claimed their first win on the world stage with a 4-3 victory over hosts Chile in 2008.

Squad list: 1. Lily ALFELD (GK), 2. Catherine BOTT, 3. Laura MERRIN, 4. Daisy CLEVERLEY, 5. Emily JENSEN, 6. Meikayla MOORE, 7. Geneva GROSS, 8. Lauren DABNER, 9. Martine PUKETAPU, 10. Emma ROLSTON, 11. Briar PALMER, 12. Megan ROBERTSON, 13. Isabella COOMBES, 14. Elizabeth ANTON, 15. Emily STOTTER, 16. Belinda VAN NOORDEN, 17. Jasmine PEREIRA, 18. Chloe KNOTT, 19.Tayla O’BRIEN, 20. Corina BROWN (GK)

Coach: Aaron MCFARLAND (NZL)

Coach Quote: “There is an element of the unknown as we haven’t played Vanuatu at this or U-17 level for some time. Our focus will remain on the way we do things.”
Vanuatu

The players: It’s a young squad that hasn’t seen any international action but the players to watch are said to be central defender Monica Meltrciel who has been described as a player with great skill and aggression. Also on the radar is midfielder Junane Ishmael who has good tactical understanding and “Zidane-like vision”.

The vital statistics: The average age of this side is 15.8 years old.

Squad list: 1. Samantha PAUL (GK), 2. Lutricia WILBUR, 3. Priscilla CHARLEY, 4. Nadine KILETEIR, 5. Melissa WAKARET, 6. Jane ALATOA, 7. Eva BOE, 8. Emilia TARAVAKI, 9. Jasmina TAKARO, 10. Maximilienne BIHU, 11. Paulieana MANWO, 12. Delisa YEOYER, 13. Marie-Estella RORY, 14. Junane ISHMAEL, 15. Louisa KALPRAM, 16. Synia WANEMUT, 17. Leiwia KALTAPIRI, 18. Diana WAYANE, 19. Monica MELTEVIEL, 20. Melody TATE (GK)

Coach: Tom MCDONALD (AUS)

Coach Quote: “Our first match against New Zealand is daunting, but we’re looking forward to competing against such high class players, to share the field with top quality players is always something
to be cherished and enjoyed.”