New Caledonia and New Zealand kick off proceedings in the top-of-the-table clash at 1:00pm before Papua New Guinea and Samoa square off at 3:00pm.
Here’s a look at the action that’s in store tomorrow.
New Caledonia vs. New Zealand – 1:00pm Thursday 12 April
New Caledonia secured an emphatic 5-1 victory over Samoa on Tuesday – their first ever win at the event – and will no doubt approach tomorrow’s game like a final. Auckland-based striker Kim Maguire showed why she is part of the senior set up with a well-taken hat-trick while striker partner Marie Heutro scored a double. Maguire will have valuable inside knowledge having played with some of the Junior Football Ferns at Mount Albert Grammar School as well as at club level. That insight could help Matthieu Delcroix’s side break through the New Zealand defence, just as their compatriots did during the U-17 qualifier today giving the Young Football Ferns a scare at 1-1 before suffering a heavy defeat to the defending champions. But Aaron McFarland’s charges were in fine form on day one blasting six past Papua New Guinea even without Football Ferns starter Hannah Wilkinson who is still recovering from ankle sprain. The hosts also put in a solid defensive effort led by Katie Bowen playing in the relatively unfamiliar role of centre back. Whatever the result, history will be made tomorrow as the two countries have never met at U-20 level.
In their own words
“We will give our full effort in this match and represent our country with pride. The most important thing will be to stay focused through the entire match.” – New Caledonia coach Matthieu Delcroix
“We want to step up the tempo again, especially with our passing and switching the ball from side to side. We’ll also look at improving how to break teams down when they play defensively.” – New Zealand coach Aaron McFarland
Papua New Guinea vs. Samoa – 3:00pm Thursday 12 April
Samoa will have fond memories of the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship in 2006 when they scored a famous 1-0 victory over Papua New Guinea to top their group. The hosts eventually went down 4-1 in the rematch for third place, which proved to be their final U-20 encounter before this week’s qualifier in New Zealand. Their inexperience showed on Tuesday going down 5-1 to New Caledonia but Phineas Young will be hoping his team can bounce back quickly. Samoa should win the physical stakes tomorrow but also have technically gifted players within their ranks like 16-year-old Sa Faapusi who controls the midfield. Papua New Guinea were forced to sit back in their opening loss to New Zealand and will see this game as an opportunity to attack. Sandra Birum could be their biggest threat having shown her class at last year’s Pacific Games to top score for the national team with five goals in six matches.
In their own words
“I think we will play different football all together against Samoa and New Caledonia, basically more attacking. They have height, they have big girls like New Zealand so we need to be careful.” – Papua New Guinea coach Max Foster
“We are going back to the drawing board and trying to put the last match behind us. I hope the team will be stronger on Thursday.” – Samoa coach Phineas Young
Match Details
New Caledonia vs. New Zealand
1:00pm Thursday 12 April
Mangere Centre Park
Auckland, New Zealand
Referee: Averii JACQUES (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Wanting YAGUM (PNG)
Assistant Referee 2: Philippe REVEL (TAH)
4th Official: Finau VULIVULI (FIJ)
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
New Zealand: 1. Erin NAYLER (GK), 2. Katie BOWEN, 3. Holly PATTERSON, 4. Tessa BERGER, 5. Kate CARLTON, 6. Lucy CARTER, 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 vs. Samoa
3:00pm Thursday 12 April
Mangere Centre Park
Auckland, New Zealand
Referee: Anna-Marie KEIGHLEY (NZL)
Assistant Referee 1: Lata TUIFUTUNA (TGA)
Assistant Referee 2: Nadia BROWNING (NZL)
4th Official: George TIME (SOL)
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
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