Vanuatu will need a win or draw to be any chance of jumping past Samoa into second position on the table, and even then it may come down to whether or not they can improve their goal difference, which sits at -14 compared to Samoa’s +4.
Through the first half of their 3-3 draw with Samoa on Match Day 4 Vanuatu played their best football of the tournament, dominating possession with their physical approach in the midfield.
They created a number of good opportunities through their talented attacking group and scored two goals, but couldn’t carry that effort into the second half, being outscored three goals to one including a last-minute equaliser off a free kick.
On Saturday they will face a Tonga side who have plenty to play for, with anything less than a victory condemning them to last place.
Coach Penateti Feke’s team had the better of the chances through the first 20 minutes of their 3-2 loss to New Caledonia, but weren’t able to convert them into goals.
Lapses in concentration and periods of poor defensive play have dogged the hosts all tournament, and limiting those will be their number one priority on Match Day 5.
Tonga have never lost to Vanuatu at this tournament, winning games against them in 2006 and 2014.
In the final game of the competition Samoa will look to put a dampener on New Zealand’s celebrations after they secured qualification to the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup on Thursday.
Samoa can guarantee themselves second place with a victory, while a draw could also be enough depending on the result in the earlier match.
How Samoa defend will be crucial to their chances of causing an upset result, and they will need to pay extra attention to the likes of Daisy Cleverley, Jasmine Pereira and Emma Rolston, who create and score a large proportion of New Zealand’s goals.
Regardless of the result on Saturday New Zealand will leave Tonga having broken a number of OFC U-20 Women’s Championship records, but they will be eager to finish on a high nonetheless.
The personal battle in the midfield between Football Fern Cleverley and Samoa captain Matalena Daniells shapes as an intriguing one, with the pair being among the best performers at the tournament so far.
New Zealand have comfortably won their two previous meetings with Samoa at U-20 level, beating them 10-0 in 2002 and 12-0 in 2012.
After winning their final game of the 2015 OFC U-20 Women’s Championship on Thursday, New Caledonia sit out Match Day 5 with the bye.
Extra information:
Vanuatu v Tonga
Loto-Tonga Soka Centre
Saturday 10 October, 2015
Kick-off: 13h
VANvTGA
Match Officials
Referee: Finau VULIVULI (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 1: Avinesh NARAYAN (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 2: Ujwaal MUDLIAR (FIJ)
Fourth Official: Salesh CHAND (FIJ)
Vanuatu
The players: Monica Melteviel scored a double against Samoa with two well-placed shots, and she is a threat from range if given time on the ball. Left winger Priscilla Charley possesses good footwork and featured heavily in attack on Match Day 4, scoring Vanuatu’s second.
The vital statistics: Vanuatu have been able to score at least three goals in two of their three games so far, with New Zealand the only side able to completely limit their attack.
Coach quote: “We need to stay focussed to make sure we achieve our objective of finishing in second place in the competition. We will try and keep the same effort we put in against Samoa and see what happens against Tonga.”
Squad list: 1. Melody TATE (GK), 2. Daina KALOPONG, 3. Monica MELTEVIEL, 4. Jasmina TAKARO, 5. Louisa KALPRAM, 6. Nadine KILETEIR, 7. Brenda ANIS, 8. Emilia TARAVAKI, 9. Priscilla CHARLEY, 10. Paulieana MANWO, 12. Dilisa YEOYER, 13. Cllemontine SENIS, 14. Keren COULON, 15. Rina BATICK, 16. Eva BOE, 17. Julie-Rose NASSE, 18. Johnita WILLIE, 19. Delphine KALMET, 20. Noela BAKOKOTO (GK), 21. Elmah AIJIBI
Coach: Joel RARUA (VAN)
Tonga
The players: Ofaloto Laakulu took full advantage of her chances late in the match against New Caledonia, showcasing great pace and evasion off the ball. Goalkeeper Mele Akolo continues to be a bright spark in her first tournament playing in the positon, making a handful of great reaction saves on Match Day 4.
The vital statistics: Tonga are now the only team remaining without a victory at the 2015 OFC U-20 Women’s Championship.
Coach quote: “It would be nice if we could get one victory in this tournament and we are aiming to get that in our last match against Vanuatu. Some of the young girls from the 2014 tournament are still progressing so that is a positive.”
Squad list: 1. Heleni TAHITUA (GK), 2. Ofaloto LAAKULU, 3. Heilala MOALA, 4. Katalina TALIAULI, 5. Manusiu LATAVAO, 6. Vea FUNAKI, 7. Seini LUTU, 8. Halaunga TAHOLO, 9. Liliani KAITAPU, 10. Malia TONGIA, 11. Alexandra FIFITA, 12. Siunipa TALASINGA, 13. Manu LATU, 14. Meleseini TUFUI, 15. Taylor PARKER, 16. Sosefina HAVEA, 21. Mele AKOLO (GK), 22. Fipe KAUVVAKA (GK)
Coach: Penateti FEKE (TGA)
Samoa v New Zealand
Saturday 10 October, 2015
Kick-off: 15h30
SAMvNZL
Match Officials
Referee: George TIME (SOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Nagarita JIMMY (SOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Wanting YAGUM (PNG)
Fourth Official: Amos ANIO (PNG)
Samoa
The players: Matalena Daniells was pivotal in Samoa’s draw on Match Day 4, scoring two goals directly from free kicks and providing a calm presence on the ball in the middle of the field. Prior to the Vanuatu game Renee Atonio had been used as a defender, but showcased some great footwork and ability to beat her marker when moved up to the left wing.
The vital statistics: Samoa are the only side other than New Zealand who have conceded less than 20 goals in the tournament. Heading into Saturday’s game Samoa have a goal difference of +4.
Coach Quote: “New Zealand are the number one team now and we are going to go strong against them on Saturday. But we will have to improve our defensive line and our passing if we are to compete with them.”
Squad list: 1. Katarina AH SUI (GK), 2. Renee ATONIO, 3. Clementina IASIA, 4. Moreva MAMEA, 5. Lagmaina AKARI, 6. Hope SCHUSTER, 7. Shalom FISO, 8 Atonina TANUVASA, 9. Siatuvai IONATANA, 10. Vaaipu MOATAA, Marcella NIELSEN, 12. Liz AH-LAM, 13. Matalena DANIELLS, 14. Epi TAFILI, 15. Matalena FAASAVALU, 16. Melesete AIA, 17. Rosie SCHUSTER, 18. Mariecamilla AH KI, 19. Madeleen AH KI, 20. Kolotita SABINE (GK)
Coach: Leti TAMASESE (SAM)
New Zealand
The players: Jasmine Pereira’s contribution at the tournament has been somewhat overshadowed by the achievements of her striking partner Emma Rolston, but have been just as valuable to her side. Combining good pace and strength, Pereira has scored 15 goals and set up several others. Grace Jale is a consistent presence in the midfield and another to watch out for.
The vital statistics: New Zealand’s 59 goals is the highest tally ever by a team at the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship. Still with a game to play, New Zealand have easily surpassed the previous record held by Australia when they scored 45 goals in the 2002 edition of the tournament.
Coach Quote: “We want to see the girls produce the same sort of performance that they produced in the first three games. We need to execute what we have been working on, which is our ability in possession, and if we do that hopefully we put on another good performance for everyone.”
Squad list: Tessa NICOL (GK), 2. Sarah MORTON, 3. Geena GROSS, 4. Elizabeth ANTON, 5. Eileish HAYES, 7. Isabella COOMBES, 8. Jasmine PEREIRA, 10. Daisy CLEVERLEY, 11. Emma ROLSTON, 12. Sophie STEWART-HOBBS, 13. Paige SATCHELL, 14. Isabella RICHARDS, 15. Michaela ROBERTSON, 16. Jade PARRIS, 15. Samantha MURRELL, 18. Emma MAIN, 19. Amber PHILLIPS, 20. Grace JALE, 21. Una FOYLE (GK)
Coach: Leon BIRNIE (NZL)

Share