The winner of the preliminary tournament will qualify for the OFC U-17 Championship, where they will meet Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu. The championship will be held in Vanuatu from April 17-27 and the winner will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013.
Here’s a look at the action that’s in store across the two matches on the opening day of the preliminary.
Samoa vs. American Samoa – 3pm Tuesday 22 January
The local derby between Samoa and American Samoa is always fiercely contested and tomorrow’s meeting is likely to be no different as both sides will be aware of the need to get off to a good start. The hosts have had their preparations hampered by Cyclone Evan but coach Malo Vaga says that has not had a major impact on the team and feels his players are well enough prepared to meet the challenge. As hosts, the onus will be on them to make the running in front of a sure-to-be-vocal home crowd but American Samoa will not lack motivation after enduring a testing time during their last taste of U-17 action at the OFC championship in 2011, where they lost all four matches and scored just one goal. Coach Junior Mikaele has been charged with creating some fonder memories in this age group and is able to call on two survivors from that forgettable 2011 campaign in midfield pair Rueben Luvu and Kaleopa Siligi. Samoa did not take part in those championships two years ago and haven’t been sighted in this age group since 2003 so do not have any playing experience to draw on. Significantly though, they defeated American Samoa 3-1 during that last appearance and a similar scoreline tomorrow would be the perfect way for Vaga’s charges to lay the foundations for a title challenge.
In their own words
“We can’t use the cyclone as an excuse because we have been building up for a long time and our training was only interrupted for a week. We have trained hard and our boys are very focused. We know we have to play well because we are at home and need to give our people something to cheer about. It’s a big game for us because we are playing our brothers from American Samoa, they are our neighbours and we know how much they will want to win.” – Samoa coach Malo Vaga
“I think we have prepared well and the players are looking forward to it. Our goal is to win the tournament because we want to be a part of the second stage but we know that is the aim of the other teams as well so it won’t be easy. It will be a big challenge because Samoa will have the home crowd behind them but we need to beat them because it is important to start with a win.” – American Samoa technical advisor Ruben Luvu
Tonga vs. Cook Islands – 5pm Tuesday 22 January
This is an intriguing match-up as the Cook Islands are the favourites for the title while Tonga have the most experienced squad on show this week. Due to each side playing only three matches, it is vital to begin well and this meeting is therefore likely to prove telling in the battle to qualify for the next stage of the OFC U-17 Championship. As well as having experience on their side, Tonga also have the benefit of a coach who is familiar with a higher level of the international game. Timote Moleni coached the country’s U-23 outfit at the Oceania qualifiers for the Olympic Games last year and will be hoping to have more success than he managed on that occasion, when his side lost both of its matches. Tonga also struggled in their last outing at U-17 level, failing to post a win at the OFC championship in 2011 and scoring just two goals in four games. The Cook Islands likewise performed poorly at that event under the tutelage of Tisam but did manage one victory, a resounding 6-2 triumph over Tonga. Revenge will therefore be on the minds of the Tongans but they will have to contend with a Cook Islands outfit boosted by a handful of players based in New Zealand and Australia, including the key figures of goalkeeper Keegan Inia and striker Maro Bonsu-Maro. Tonga have three returnees from 2011 in defender Mikaele Pahulu, midfielder Taniela Vaka’uta and striker Hemaloto Polovili and they are likely to form the spine of the team.
In their own words
“We have a few players who are experienced and we will be trusting them, I need them to set the example for the other boys to follow. How they perform will be very important to our team. This will be a hard game for us but I am trying to emphasise to the boys the need to keep it simple and follow instructions. I have heard the Cook Islands headed to Australia to prepare and we know they will be ready.” – Tonga coach Timote Moleni
“We had a development tour to Australia and the rest of our build up has been really good as well. We’ve been able to include four overseas-based players which has been a real boost to the team, they will be key players for us. I don’t know if we’re favourites because we haven’t played these teams for a long time so will have to wait and see – it will be tough. I think Samoa are probably the favourites because they are the host country.” – Cook Islands coach Tuka Tisam
OFC U-17 Championship Preliminary – Match Day 1 Preview
Samoa vs. American Samoa
3pm local time, Tuesday 22 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
Referee: Rakesh VARMAN [FIJ]
Assistant Referee 1: Phul SINGH [FIJ]
Assistant Referee 2: Simon LOUNT [NZ]
4th Official: Matt CONGER [NZ]
Samoa: 1. Raymond TAFEAGA [GK], 2. Tuli FILIGA, 3. Vito LALOATA, 4. Johnwesley TEO, 5. Billy MAKA, 6. Pago TUNUPOPO, 7. Esekielu LAUSSEN, 8. Bernard ULUGIA, 9. Malo FELAGAI, 10. Paulo SCANLAN, 11. Junior SIA, 12. Key VILIAMU, 13. Filisi KENI, 14. Sue PELESA, 15. Livigisitone TALOTO, 16. Steven ALAPATI, 17. Soliai LETUTUSA, 18. Petaia FAIMASASA, 19. Samuelu MALO, 20. Faalavelave MATAGI [GK]
Coach: Malo VAGA [SAM]
American Samoa: 1. Frederick MAIAVA [GK], 2. Neemia KALEOPA, 3. Rueben LUVU, 4. Johnny SIONE, 6. Puni SAMUELU, 7. Sam KOME, 8. Paia IPINUI, 9. Sinisa TUA, 10. Lotupo LAMETA, 11. Henry LAMETA, 12. Palepoi MAUGA, 13. Paul COLLINS, 14. Sefo ULUGIA, 15. Ricky PETAIA, 16. Scott MANNING, 17. Kaleopa SILIGI, 23. Leuatea SIATU’U [GK]
Coach: Junior MIKAELE [ASA]
Tonga vs. Cook Islands
5pm local time, Tuesday 22 January
J.S. Blatter Football Complex
Apia, Samoa
Referee: Robinson BANGA [VAN]
Assistant Referee 1: Hilmon SESE [VAN]
Assistant Referee 2: Paul AHUPU [TAH]
4th Official: Pari OITO [TAH]
Tonga: 1. Paula FOLAU [GK], 2. Uasi TALANOA, 3. Fakaanga TAUFA, 4. Mateo PAHULU, 6. Soane FAUPULA, 7. Mikaele PAHULU, 8. Taniela VAKA’UTA, 9. Maletino HALAPIO, 10. Hemaloto POLOVILI, 11. Soakai VEA, 12. Kepueli FEKE, 13. Ofa LATU, 14. Soane LAVELUA, 15. Paea TOLU, 16. Tevita FAKAVA, 17. Sateki MATAKAIONGO, 18. Uate FOSTER
Coach: Timote MOLENI [TGA]
Cook Islands: 1. Keegan INIA [GK], 2. Sunai JOSEPH, 3. Torea TANGATA, 4. Cahjun WILLIS, 5. Ford HENRY, 6. Takuina TARARO, 7. Dwayne TIPUTOA, 8. Kimiora SAMUELA, 9. Pekay EDWARDS, 10. Thane BEAL, 11. Maro BONSU-MARO, 12. Wiremu TEMATA, 13. Jarves APERAU, 14. Terei GEORGE, 15. Morgan WICHMAN, 16. Te Ava WICHMAN, 17. Louison ATETU, 20. Antonio TUAITI [GK]
Coach: Tuka TISAM [COK]