Francophone derby could decide top spot

The day’s second Group C match has Kiwi FC of Samoa and Nadi FA from Fiji chasing their first respective victories in this competition as they hope to stay in the race for semi-final qualification.
Magenta are renowned slow starters in this competition with their campaign in 2014 derailed by an opening loss to Ba. This time around coach Alain Moizan was keen for a better start and while they looked to struggle at times against the determined Samoa outfit, managed to earn the three points.
Moizan’s belief is that his side can be much more efficient in front of goal and his expectation will be for them to finish the chances that come their way because as the competition progress those opportunities will be few and far between.
“With three days to recuperate and rest I think we will come back tomorrow ready to do well,” Moizan says.
“There were a couple of injuries in the first game but we have depth and competitions can be like that, when there’s a problem you have to do your best to rectify it.”
AS Tefana, like Magenta, have struggled to find their footing in this competition in the recent past however with a comprehensive opening victory under their belt their confidence is blooming.
“We have quantity and quality with us here for this competition so we are confident that we can continue to do well in this competition.”
In the day’s second match a similar performance from Kiwi FC as their opening match could see them take the advantage over Nadi. The Samoans passed well and at times looked slightly more cohesive than their New Caledonian opponents, however fitness definitely played a part in latter stages of the match.
“We brought in 21 players so we believe in our other palyers that they can step up,” Young says.
“We have some injuries, we have three players that have some problems with calf muscles and knees but we have other players who can step into those spots.”
Nadi will be disappointed with their first match in which they failed to make an impact despite having several opportunities. They had a few chances to apply pressure and though it didn’t pay of as expected.
“The pressure we talked about paid off in the sense that it led to the own goal but we need to do more,” Swamy says.
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Extra Information

The players: Jean-Christ Wajoka’s ability to pop up at any point on the field makes him a dangerous player for opponents to counter. He’s strong on the ball but also makes decisive runs that draw defenders and open space for his teammates to capitalise on.

The vital statistics: Only half of Magenta’s 12 shots were on target in their first match against Kiwi FC.

Coach quote: “I know Tefana reasonably well because there’s a number of them that were in the national team when I was New Caledonia coach, and Magenta has also met them before. We know Tahitian teams play in a similar style to us so we will have to compose our team to match them.”

Squad list: 1. Jelen IXOEE (GK), 2. Jean-Christ WAJOKA, 3. Georges BEARUNE, 4. Loic WAKANUMUNE, 5. Jean Brice WADRIAKO, 6. Cedric SANSOT, 7. Noel KAUDRE, 8. Marius BAKO, 9. Marek AUCHER, 10. Pierre WAJOKA, 11. Mickael TIAOU, 12. Joel WAKANAMUNE, 13. Patrick DIAKE, 14. Kevin NEMIA, 15. Pierrot JELEWED, 16. Leopold MAKALU, 17. Gregory TARAMOIN, 18. Joris GORENDIAWE, 19. Jeremy DOKUNENGO, 20. Bill NICHOLLS, 21. Noarii FORTEZ, 29. Leon IXOEE (GK), 30. Victor MESSEAUD (GK)
Coach: Alain MOIZAN (FRA)

AS Tefana

The players: Heimano Bourebare had an outstanding opening match strong in defence while also making some decent penetrating runs which caused havoc for the Nadi midfield and defence.

The vital statistics: Tefana enjoyed 68 per cent of possession against Nadi FA and were able to get 19 shots off.

Coach quote: “We know Magenta a bit and our ambition is to play our style against each opponent that we face.”

Squad list: 1. Stevens HIRIGA (GK), 2. Yoann LE FOLL, 3. Taumihau TIATIA, 5. Tauatua LUCAS, 6. Tunoa TEVAEARAI, 7. Temarii TINORUA, 8. Heremoana HOATA, 9. Tauhiti KECK, 10. Steevy CHONG HUE, 11. Tehina TEMORERE, 12. Alvin TEHAU, 13. Stanley ATANI, 14. Jonathan TEHAU, 15. Jean Claude CHANG KOEI CHANG, 16. Manutea TAAE, 17. Manutahi TEREMATE, 18. Kaena ONUU, 19. Heimano BOUREBARE, 20. Olivier LEE, 21. Angelo TCHEN, 22. Nicolas VALLAR, 23. Xavier SAMIN (GK), 29. Mikael ROCHE (GK)

Coach: Sebastian LABAYEN (TAH)

Kiwi FC v Nadi FA
QBE Stadium
Auckland, New Zealand
Monday 11 April, 2016
Kick-off: 3.30pm
KIWvNAD OCL
Referee: George TIME (SOL)
Assistant Referee 1: Glen LOCHRIE (NZL)
Assistant Referee 2: Hilmon SESE (VAN)
Fourth Official: Mederic LACOUR (NZL)

The players: Barry Lewis is commanding at the centre of defence with a brutish style that sees him throw his body on the line. Mike Saofaiga made some great runs up the flank but he needs support in order for his pace to really become a threat.

The vital statistics: While they enjoyed 45 per cent of possession, Kiwi FC were unable to make anything of it with only two shots taken, neither of them on target.

Coach quote: “Nadi are a good team. Samoa was down in the bottom four, and our club too. Some of these clubs are provincial so they’re even higher than our club. But I said to our players that the teams we are playing are not machines, they’re not robots they’re human just like us.”

Squad list: 1. Faalavelave MATAGI (GK), 2. Henry PUPI, 3. Michael BURETA, 4. Lapalapa TONI, 5. Lawrie LETUTUSA, 6. Beato APANAI, 7. Jarrell SALE, 8. Thomas HEROWAI, 9. Barry LEWIS, 10. Desmond FAAUIASO, 11. Paulo SCANLAN, 12. Mike SAOFAIGA, 13. Lionel TAYLOR, 14. Penitito TUMUA, 15. Tomas MOSQUERA, 16. Luki GOSCHE, 17. Isaia FEALOFANI, 18. Lafi IOANE (GK), 19. Fenika TAMOTO, 20. Silao MALO, 22. Faafua ATAGA (GK)

Coach: Phineas YOUNG (SAM)

Nadi FA

The players: As expected Napolioni Qasevakatini’s power was a crucial cog for Nadi. The side will be without Ilimotama Jese who is suspended after receiving picking up two yellow cards in the first match.

The vital statistics: Nadi enjoyed just 32 per cent of possession and from four shots only one was on target. They did have four corner kicks but were unable to capitalise on them.

Coach quote: “It’s tough for our team because we didn’t train a lot in the lead up to this competition but over the past few days we’ve been working to improve.”

Squad list: 1. Samuela TAMANISAU, 2. Luke RAWADAMU, 3. Rahul KRISHNA, 4. Alfred NAICKER, 5. Waisake TABACAVA, 6. Anish KHEM, 7. William VALENTINE, 8. Munit KRISHNA, 9. Vuniuci TIKOMAIMEREKE, 10. Evander NAVOSA, 12. Ame VOTONIU, 13. Lekima GONERAU, 14. Mataiasi TOMA, 15. Napolioni QASEVAKATINI, 16. Eliki RAVOSAI, 17. Afraz ALI, 23. Vereti DICKSON (GK)
Suspended: 11. Ilimotama JESE
Absent: 18. Atonio TUIVUNA

Coach: Kamal SWAMY (FIJ)