Solomon Islands and New Zealand will meet at 11am local time (one hour earlier than the group stage matches) in the battle for third before Tahiti and New Caledonia fight for the trophy – and a place at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup – in the final at 3pm local time.

Here’s a look at the action that’s in store.

Solomon Islands vs New Zealand – 11:00am Sunday 10 June
This is not the match either of these sides wanted to take part in tomorrow as both had pinned their hopes on being in the final. Each had good reason to be confident of getting there – the All Whites are defending champions while the Bonitos have had home advantage – but saw those hopes scuppered at the semi-final stage yesterday. The Solomon Islands became the latest of undefeated Tahiti’s victims with a 1-0 loss before the biggest shock of the tournament arrived when New Zealand were upset 2-0 by New Caledonia. Coach Ricki Herbert and his men have coped a fair amount of flak back home for their failure to make the final and a second consecutive loss against a Pacific Islands nation would not go down well. Herbert has already hinted however that he will use the match to provide some valuable game time to the younger members of his squad, a decision that Solomon Islands counterpart Jacob Moli is likely to feel will open the door on his side’s chances of finishing on a high. The Bonitos pushed New Zealand all the way in the teams’ 1-1 draw in pool play and will be aiming to go one better to secure bronze. Both sides have had to makes changes in the goalkeeping department, injured All Whites custodian Mark Paston being replaced in the squad by Michael O’Keeffe prior to the semi-final while Felix Ray Jnr was forced off early yesterday and the Bonitos are likely to instead start with Shadrack Ramoni in goal.

In their own words

“We have improved step-by-step during the tournament but that stopped in the semi-final. Like New Zealand, we are very disappointed but we will learn from our result yesterday. It has now been proved that it’s possible to beat New Zealand and that is good for the Oceania region. It’s better to have four teams at the same level than one above everybody else.” – Solomon Islands technical advisor Laurent Papillon

“We’ll certainly be looking to put our best foot forward but I think our full concentration now is what’s going to happen in stage three of the World Cup qualifiers. From our point of view, it’s been a really disappointing tournament and I think that’s the only way we can reflect on it because we came here to win.” – New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert

Tahiti vs. New Caledonia – 3:00pm Sunday 10 June

Clashes between these traditional rivals are always feisty encounters and, with so much riding on the outcome, tomorrow’s meeting is sure to be an all-action affair. That was certainly the case during the group stages when the sides fought out one of the tournament’s most entertaining matches, Tahiti eventually prevailing 4-3 against a Les Cagous outfit reduced to nine men. Jean Patrick Wakanumune – who returns for the final after serving his two-match suspension – and Georges Gope-Fenepej received their marching orders on that occasion and whoever keeps their cool best in the pressure cooker of the final will be a key aspect in deciding who lifts the trophy. A favourite is hard to pick as Tahiti are the only undefeated side in the tournament but New Caledonia are the Pacific Games champions and have proven themselves to be a lethal attacking force. With the likes of Gope-Fenepej, Bertrand Kai and Jacques Haeko in the ranks, Les Cagous will always pose a goal threat but the same can be said of Tahiti, for whom the Tehau brothers – Lorenzo, Alvin and Jonathan – have been in exceptional form. Some potential vulnerabilities were exposed in that earlier loss to Les Cagous though as Eddy Etaeta’s charges somehow conceded three goals against a team two men down. There is plenty at stake tomorrow as the victor will book a spot at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
In their own words

“It is a bit of a surprise to be facing New Caledonia but it is good for us both because it means one of the French regions will represent Oceania at the Confederations Cup. We played against them during the group stage and I’m sure it’s going to be a tough game again.” – Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta

“The match against New Zealand was a bit like a final but I don’t want the players to think we have already played our most important game. I think ourselves and Tahiti are on about the same level and there is a brotherhood between us but we are also great rivals.” – New Caledonia coach Alain Moizan

Match Details

Solomon Islands vs. New Zealand
11:00am, Sunday 10 June
Lawson Tama Stadium
Honiara, Solomon Islands

Referee: Kader ZITOUNI [TAH]
Assistant Referee 1: Tevita MAKASINI [TGA]
Assistant Referee 2: Terry PIRI [COK]
4th Official: Bruce GEORGE [VAN]

Solomon Islands: 1. Shadrack RAMONI [GK], 2. Hardies AENGARI, 3. Mostyn BEUI, 4. Jeffery BULE, 5. Henry FA’ARODO, 6. Tome FAISI, 7. Abraham INIGA, 8. Timothy JOE, 9. Freddie KINI, 10. Joe LUWI, 11. Nicholas MURI, 12. James NAKA, 13. Leslie NATE, 14. Joses NAWO, 15. Seni NGAVA, 16. Loni QARABA, 17. Nelson Sale KILIFA, 18. Himson TELEDA, 19. Benjamin TOTORI, 21. Joshua TUASULIA, 22. Jack WETNEY, 23. Aleck WICKHAM
Coach: Jacob MOLI

New Zealand: 1. Michael O’KEEFFE [GK], 2. Tim MYERS, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Ben SIGMUND, 5. Tommy SMITH, 6. Ian HOGG, 8. Michael McGLINCHEY, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 10. Chris KILLEN, 11. Marco ROJAS, 12. Glen MOSS [GK], 13. Jake GLEESON [GK], 14. Rory FALLON, 15. Ivan VICELICH, 16. Jeremy BROCKIE, 17. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 18. Aaron CLAPHAM, 19. Michael BOXALL, 20. Chris WOOD, 21. Cameron HOWIESON, 22. Tim PAYNE, 23. Adam McGEORGE
Coach: Ricki HERBERT
Tahiti vs. New Caledonia
3:00pm, Sunday 10 June
Lawson Tama Stadium
Honiara, Solomon Islands

Referee: Peter O’LEARY [NZL]
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Hendrik HINTZ [NZL]
Assistant Referee 2: Ravinesh KUMAR [FIJ]
4th Official: George OIAKA [SOL]

Tahiti: 1. Mikael ROCHE [GK], 2. Alvin TEHAU, 3. Tamatoa WAGEMANN, 4. Teheivarii LUDIVION, 6. Lorenzo TEHAU, 7. Henri CAROINE, 8. Angelo TCHEN, 9. Teaonui TEHAU, 10. Nicolas VALLAR, 11. Manaraii PORLIER, 12. Hiro POROIAE, 13. Steevy CHONG HUE, 14. Roihau DEGAGE, 15. Heimano BOUREBARE, 16. Pierre KOHUMOETINI, 17. Jonathan TEHAU, 18. Edson LEMAIRE, 19. Vincent SIMON, 21. Xavier SAMIN [GK]
Coach: Eddy ETAETA
New Caledonia: 1. Rocky NYIKEINE [GK], 2. Judikael IXOEE, 3. Emile BEARUNE, 4. Georges BEARUNE, 5. Kalaje GNIPATE, 6. Olivier DOKUNENGO, 7. Dominique WACALIE, 8. Miguel KAYARA, 9. Jacques HAEKO, 10. Marius BAKO, 11. Bertrand KAI, 12. Roy KAYARA, 13. Noel KAUDRE, 14. Dick KAUMA, 15. Jean Patrick WAKANUMUNE, 16. Iamel KABEU, 17. Joel WAKANUMUNE, 18. Jonathan KAKOU, 19. Georges GOPE-FENEPEJ, 20. Marc OUNEMOA [GK]
Coach: Alain MOIZAN