The side must first get past Tonga, Cook Islands and hosts Papua New Guinea, three nations who have been working hard over the past few months in an effort to secure a first regional title of their own.
Ranked 19th in the world the Football Ferns had 11 games in the first half of the year, but their first training in Kokopo on Friday morning saw the side come together for the first time since June. For coach Tony Readings having his side spread out around the world presents a logistical issue, but the regularity in which they still manage to meet far outweighs that of their opponents here in Kokopo.
With the majority of his team based in professional environments, Readings will be weary of the effects jet lag and the hot, humid conditions on the ground in Kokopo, will have on his players. But with many of the side making their third or fourth visit to Papua New Guinea it’s something they expected and have learned to adapt to.
Expect Readings to field a full strength side as they attempt to get their campaign off to a winning start against Tonga.
Meanwhile for their opening opponent, a month spent in camp in Australia, including several sessions under the tutelage of former Socceroos coach Rale Rasic, has not only helped them acclimatise, but also forged the strong bonds that are the key to any team’s success.
Aware that local competition couldn’t provide the competitiveness required to set his side up to challenge Papua New Guinea and Cook Islands, coach Kilifi Uele says the tour provided the necessary exposure to high level football his players needed.
And it is with cautious optimism that they are approaching their first match against the defending champions. In the ten editions of this competition Tonga and New Zealand have met only once before, with the Kiwis earning a 6-1 victory in 2007.
Newly appointed Papua New Guinea coach Gary Phillips wishes his challenges were the same as those faced by Readings. New Zealand may have been apart over the past six months, but Phillips says his side hasn’t met in three years. Nor have they played an international outside of a tournament.
With the clock ticking down to the crucial period the excitement within the team, as well as the belief, is growing.
Having spent three solid weeks in camp in both Australia and at home in Papua New Guinea, Phillips believes he has seen some solid improvement in the young squad, which includes a number of U-20 players alongside several senior, experienced members.
Another nation with a young side contesting for the title is the Cook Islands. The challenges for this side are a mix of geography and population with players spread between the island nation and New Zealand.
Coach Jimmy Katoa acknowledges that putting together a competitive squad is difficult, but says that is part of the challenge every team in Oceania faces at this level.
The coaching staff has done the best it can to get preparations right and now it is up to the players to turn that hard work into results on the field against their opening opponent Papua New Guinea.
EXTRA INFORMATION
New Zealand vs. Tonga
Kalabond Oval, Kokopo
Saturday 25 October 2014
Kickoff: 11.00am
Referee: Tupou PATIA [COK]
New Zealand
The players: Gearing up to become the first ever New Zealander to earn 100 caps for her country is defender and captain Abby ERCEG. At the other end of the scale are Daisy CLEVERLEY and Jasmine PEREIRA who hope to make their Football Ferns debuts against Tonga.
The vital statistics: New Zealand are aiming for their third consecutive Oceania title and their fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification. In the 34 matches the Football Ferns have played over the course of this competition they have won 30 of them.
Squad list: 1. Erin NAYLER (GK), 2. Ria PERCIVAL, 4. Katie HOYLE, 5. Abby ERCEG, 6. Rebekah STOTT, 7. Ali RILEY, 8. Hayley BOWDEN, 9. Amber HEARN, 10. Sarah GREGORIUS, 12. Betsy HASSETT, 13. Rosie WHITE, 15. Meikayla MOORE, 16. Annalie LONGO, 18. Daisy CLEVERLEY, 19. Evie MILLYNN, 20. Helen COLLINS, 21. Rebecca ROLLS (GK), 24. Jasmine PEREIRA
Coach: Tony READINGS [ENG]
Coach Quote: “It’s something we’re really looking forward to, we’re used to playing quite regularly together but haven’t played for a while. We’ve had some good battles against Tonga at 17s, 20s and senior level and we’re just looking forward to the game and can’t wait to get on the pitch.”
Tonga
The players: Captain Penateti FEKE will be the driver of this side with both her leadership and playing qualities. Rebecca KILMARTIN has joined the squad from her base in the USA and is sure to lend a welcome level of experience to the squad.
The vital statistics: Tonga have appeared twice before in this competition; 2007 and 2010. Their best result was a third-place finish in 2007. In six matches at the OFC Women’s Nations they have won just once, 2-1 against Fiji in 2010.
Squad list: 1. Lupe LIKILIKI (GK), 2. Ilisapeti MALEKAMU, 3. Heilala LOTO’ANIU, 4. Vea FUNAKI, 5. Salome VA’ENUKU, 6. Toliniko KOFUTUA, 7. Eseta VI, 8. Ofaloto LA’AKULU, 9. Sofia FILO, 10. Hala’unga TAHOLO, 11. Unaloto TAHITU’A, 12. Rebecca KILMARTIN, 13. Tupou TOPUI, 14. Mele AKOLO, 15. Pauline TONGA, 16. Penateti FEKE, 17. Atelaite MANU, 22. Suliana UTA’ATU (GK)
Coach: Kilifi UELE [TGA]
Coach Quote: “We can’t wait to go and do battle with New Zealand. It’s our first match but that’s what we’ve been preparing for. Whatever comes, we’ll take it.”
Papua New Guinea vs. Cook Islands
Kalabond Oval, Kokopo
Saturday 25 October 2014
Kickoff: 2.00pm
Referee: George TIME [SOL]
Papua New Guinea
The players: Deslyn SINUI, Sandra BIRUM and Daisy WINAS bring experience to the squad. 2014 OFC U-20 Championship Golden Ball winner Meagen GUNEMBA will add youthful exuberance and talent as will fellow U-20 reps Rumona MORRIS, Georgina KAIKAS and Carolyn OBI.
The vital statistics: Papua New Guinea are yet to break through to the top spot in this competition. The side has four third placings and two runners-up medals from seven appearances in this competition.
Squad list: 1. Fidelma WATPORE (GK), 2. Michealla KURABI, 3. Yvonne GABONG, 4. Judith GUNEMBA, 5. Carolyn OBI, 6. Grace STEVEN, 7. Barbara MUTA, 8. Fatima RAMA, 9. Deslyn SINIU, 10. Sandra BIRUM, 11. Georgina KAIKAS, 12. Meagen GUNEMBA, 13. Daisy WINAS, 14. Dorcas SESEVO, 15. Zeen LIMBAI, 16. Cathy SAMSON, 17. Marie KAIPU, 18. Rumona MORRIS, 19. Talitha IRAKAU, 20. Lace KUNEI (GK)
Coach: Gary PHILLIPS [AUS]
Coach Quote: “As far as Papua New Guinea is concerned I don’t think the draw has done us any favours. We’ve got a really tough game first up and obviously it’s a chance for our next opponents to see us. About 70 per cent of the squad is U-20 and it is very much in a building phase.”
Cook Islands
The players: Midfielders Mama HENRY and Tayla HETHERINGTON have spent the season playing in Auckland’s Premier Women’s League and will bring a level of control to the centre of the pitch. The team’s youngest player Moeroa HARMON (14) will bring youth to the side.
The statistics: The Cook Islands debuted in this competition in 2003 and finished bottom of the five participating teams in the standings. They returned in 2010 where they finished second in Group A behind New Zealand and earned the third-place spot and their best ever finish after defeating Solomon Islands 2-0.
Squad list: 1. Imelda VAKAI (GK), 2. Linade UNUKA, 3. Moeroa HARMON, 4. Rai NGANU, 5. Edwina MATENGA, 6. Jennifer AKAVI, 7. Lee MAOATE-COX, 8. Marissa IROA, 9. Liz HARMON, 10. Mama HENRY, 11. Dayna NAPA, 12. Tepaeru TOKA, 13. Marcelle TIAORE, 14. Tayla HETHERINGTON, 17. Tekura URARII, 18. Mii PIRI
Coach: Jimmy KATOA [COK]
Coach Quote: “If they play their second 11 we’d be pretty happy but I know Gary won’t. It’s going to be a challenge
, I know it’s always been good to play against PNG as the girls always give good games. Our main aim for tomorrow is to get out there and just try to do our best.”

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