The winner of the round-robin competition, held in conjunction with the U-17 qualifier, will earn the right to represent OFC at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan from 18 August – 8 September.
First up it will be New Caledonia vs. Samoa at 1:00pm before the Junior Football Ferns meet Papua New Guinea at 3:00pm.
Here’s a look at the action that’s in store tomorrow.
New Caledonia vs. Samoa – 1:00pm Tuesday 10 April
New Caledonia and Samoa are both appearing in their first OFC U-20 Women’s Championship since 2006. As hosts on that occasion, Samoa beat ‘Les Cagous’ 3-0 during pool play en route to a 4th place finish. Coach Phineas Young will be hoping for the same result tomorrow and look to the experience of seven squad members who took part in the stage one OFC Women’s Olympic Qualifier in Tonga last month. Included in that bunch is Lanuola Mulipola who is expected to be a strong attacking threat while Tanya Bryce leads the backline well. New Caledonia meanwhile have five players from the senior team that won silver at the 2011 Pacific Games. Kim Maguire may be familiar to some having grown up in New Zealand with stints at Lynn Avon and Metro clubs in Auckland. The attacker could be one to watch after catching the eye as an impact player off the bench at the Pacific Games including scoring the winner in a memorable group stage win over eventual champions Papua New Guinea.
In their own words
“We don’t know much about this team so we are going into the unknown. We want to show the best image of New Caledonia women’s football. I hope the players really enjoy the experience and learn a lot during the tournament.” – New Caledonia coach Matthieu Delcroix
“We’re looking forward to a big game against New Caledonia. They will be a good side after their performances at the Pacific Games. I’m expecting our seven players who went to the Olympic qualifiers to stand up make a difference by leading the younger players.” – Samoa coach Phineas Young
New Zealand vs. Papua New Guinea – 3:00pm Tuesday 10 April
Papua New Guinea have traditionally posed the biggest threat to New Zealand’s dominance in women’s football at all levels within Oceania. Surprisingly, they missed the previous OFC U-20 Women’s Championship and will be somewhat of an unknown team in 2012. Midfielder Sandra Birum is the only well established player with three senior tournaments under her belt including the OFC Women’s Nations Cup, Pacific Games and more recently the Olympic qualifiers. Captain Miriam Louma has also featured for the national team and will be a key figure on defence. But the calibre of players they are up against make it a difficult task for Max Foster’s side. The Junior Football Ferns have a wealth of experience not only at regional tournaments but also FIFA events. Most notably Rosie White, Hannah Wilkinson, Erin Naylor and Katie Bowen all travelled with the Football Ferns to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany last year. Midfielder Holly Patterson has also experienced an astronomical rise to the top and will be hoping to boost her chances for Olympic selection later this year. Aaron McFarland, who took over the coaching reigns in January, says it has been challenging to pick a starting XI due to the quality within the squad.
In their own words
“I’m making some assumptions based on the first team and how they play. I think they’ll be well organised defensively and probably drop deep and try to frustrate us so we’re looking to be quite patient in our approach. For us I think numbers one through 20 could all provide something in this tournament.” – New Zealand coach Aaron McFarland
“New Zealand are a very strong team so this is a tough match to start with. We need to defend well and stay focused for the 90 minutes. Hopefully our fitness is good enough to keep up with them and make it a competitive match.” – Papua New Guinea coach Max Foster
Match Details
New Caledonia vs. Samoa
1:00pm Tuesday 10 April
Mangere Centre Park
Auckland, New Zealand
Referee: Finau VULIVULI (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 1: Wanting YAGUM (PNG)
Assistant Referee 2: Sergine POIDA (VAN)
4th Official: Robert SAVAGE (COK)
New Caledonia: 1. Aurore HNAWIA (GK), 2. Sene BAFUE, 3. Valentine HALUATR, 4. Claire KAEMO, 5. Charlotte PELLETIER, 6. Audrey SINEM, 7. Marielle HAOCAS, 8. Angela FRANK, 9. Marie HEUTRO, 10. Kim MAGUIRE, 11. Aurelie LALIE, 12. Marie-Ange VANDEGOU, 13. Deborah KAMADRANE, 14. Elizabeth POUEDA, 15. Geraldine CIMUTRU, 16. Morgane AUSU, 17. Samantha TIDIJINE, 18. Marie-Ange WAPITA (GK)
Coach: Matthieu DELCROIX
Samoa: 1. Faalau ULUULU (GK), 2. Tanya BRYCE, 3. Rosemarry ALAUNI, 4. Faanunu ROPETI, 5. Arieta ROPETI, 6. Selau FAU, 7. Hana VAGA, 8. Lanuola MULIPOLA, 9. Autaele TAAVAO, 10. Aliialofaifaleupolu MOATAA, 11. Faasega OKCEFFE, 12. Taavale TAVITA, 13. Fiataua SIKOTI-PIULA, 14. Sa FAAPUSI, 15. Chrisaria FAIMASASA, 16. Marina TAPASA, 17. Lotofoa LOKENI, 18. Ana MENE, 19. Vaelua FAUTUA
Coach: Phineas YOUNG
New Zealand vs. Papua New Guinea
3:00pm Tuesday 10 April
Mangere Centre Park
Auckland, New Zealand
Referee: Averii JACQUES (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Philippe REVEL (TAH)
Assistant Referee 2: Lata TUIFUTUNA (TGA)
4th Official: Gerald OIAKA (SOL)
New Zealand: 1. Erin NAYLER (GK), 2. Katie BOWEN, 3. Holly PATTERSON, 4. Tessa BERGER, 5. Kate CARLTON, 6. Lucy CARTER, 7. Rebecca BURROWS, 8. Olivia CHANCE, 9. Georgia BROWN, 10. Kate LOYE, 11. Katie ROOD, 12. Stephanie SKILTON, 13. Ashleigh WARD, 14. Caitlin SMALLFIELD, 15. Rachel HEAD, 16. Evie MILLYNN, 17. Hannah WILKINSON, 18. Rosie WHITE, 19. Nadia PEARL, 20. Corina BROWN (GK)
Coach: Aaron McFARLAND
Papua New Guinea: 1. Daisy ISAAC (GK), 2. Miriam LOUMA, 3. Judith GUNEMBA, 4. Stephanie GANI, 5. Dinah DABINYABA, 6. Delma AMBRIAS, 7. Descintha DANAS, 8. Gira CHUNG, 9. Concintah LALO, 10. Meagan GUNEMBA, 11. Sandra BIRUM, 12. Lydia KOSE, 13. Elizabeth HUGO, 14. Serah ARAJO, 15. Domitila WAIPO, 16. Esther KENATSI, 17. Joan AIDABOE, 18. Roselyn NAMBAN, 19. Lakele SIMION, 20. Dephne FLINDERS (GK)
Coach: Max FOSTER

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