Joining the remaining seven OFC Member Associations in the OFC U-16 Championship in September is the prize on offer to Tonga, American Samoa, Cook Islands and Samoa when they kick off the Qualifier tomorrow.
Host nation Tonga has already seen their U-19 squad make history with passage to the final competition for the first time in May, but the slate is cleared for this competition.
All four countries have every chance of progressing, but first they face three match days at the Loto-Tonga Soka Centre where the competition for that one spot is expected to be fierce.
The action will get underway on Saturday at 11am when Samoa take on the Cook Islands before American Samoa meet the hosts at 2pm.
Samoa made their way to Tonga via New Zealand where they were able to continue their preparations they began at home, with several friendly matches.
Coach Martin Tamasese said the build-up has been positive and now the team are ready to get the tournament underway.
“Our preparations have been pretty good. We prepared from Samoa and also in New Zealand and we arrived here and have been doing good, all our boys are keen to play,” Tamasese said.
“Our aim is to win and play in the second stage. All the teams are well prepared so our first game is our main game to us. Then we can prepare for the second game and the third one.”
Cook Islands haven’t been idle either.
The side led is coached by Anthony Samuela who said the aim is Solomon Islands, but also progression amongst the squad.
“Our preparations for the boys was really very good, we have been together for six months back at home,” Samuela said.
“We have just been working as a team and trying to get better together. Samoa have a strong side for us, we need to play as a team, win as a team and that’s from my side looking at the other team.
“I think Samoa is a threat to us, but we’re looking forward to that game.”
The second encounter of the day will see the hosts come into action against American Samoa.
Like the two opening sides, American Samoa have been working hard at home to prepare for the tournament.
“The preparation is going well but it’s a little bit tough putting all the players together,” American Samoa coach Ruben Luvu said.
He said playing the home side first up is a challenging but exciting prospect for his young charges.
“We expect how they play because the home crowd is at the back of them, but as we said to the players, where we go play just like we are at home.
“Any host country always will be tough, especially in Tonga. They have two things, first they are the host and secondly their U-19 team already qualified for the second stage and that will boost this side.”
For Lafaele Moala the objective, like that of each of their opponents here in Tonga, is to progress to the next stage.
“Of course, my aim for this qualifying is to get through to the second stage but first we have to to knock down these three teams before we go on to the next stage,” Moale said.
“For now I trust the boys, only a few things to improve before the kick-off. We’re not looking down at any of our opponents, our boys look up to all these three teams.”
The OFC U-16 Championship Qualifier gets underway on Saturday 14 July with the remaining matches to be played on Tuesday 17 and Friday 20 July.
Ends
Additional Information
Samoa vs. Cook Islands
Saturday 14 July
Loto-Tonga Soka Centre
Nuku’alofa, Tonga
KO: 11:00
#OFCU16M #SAMCOK
Click here to view the live stream
Match Officials
Referee: Campbell-Kirk WAUGH (NZL)
Assistant Referee 1: Avinesh NARAYAN (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 2: Aswin RAJ (FIJ)
Fourth Official: Sione LELENGA (TGA)
Samoa: 1. Semu FAIMATA (GK), 2. Eli SATUALA, 3. Samu GALU TAUASA, 4. Tavita TO’O, 5. Fetuao BELCHER, 6. Kawasaki SAOFAIGA, 7. Lotial MANO, 8. Bitner TAFILI, 9. Falaniko NANUMEA, 10. John TUMUA LEO, 11. Jarvis FILIMALAE, 12. Tony AMITUANAI, 13. Stanley LEAVAI, 14. Isaako SIONE, 15. Alex FALELUA, 16. Denny CHESHIRE, 17. Alman KWAN, 21. Steve VAINALEPA (GK)
Coach: Martin TAMASESE (SAM)
Cook Islands: 1. Siana SHORT (GK), 2. Luke AREAI, 3. Temaruata TEARAITOA, 4. Tumatangi TUMATANGI, 5. Tereapii MATAMAKI, 6. Teariki PUMATI, 7. Okirua ELIU, 8. Ivan SMITH, 9. John KARIKA, 10. Brayden KAMANA, 11. Toru MATEARIKI, 12. Koizumi HENRY, 14. Daniel NGAMATA, 15. Kapi PURI, 16. Silas TREGO, 17. Logan LEAITY, 18. Tepa TUAPUTA, 20. Jireh VUNIBAKA (GK)
Coach: Anthony SAMUELA (COK)
American Samoa vs. Tonga
Saturday 14 July
Loto-Tonga Soka Centre
KO: 14:00
#OFCU16M #ASATGA
Click here to view the live stream
Match Officials
Referee: Joel HOPKEN (VAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Jeffery SOLODIA (SOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Hilmon SESE (VAN)
Fourth Official: Ben AUKWAI (SOL)
American Samoa: 1. Antonio NAUER (GK), 2. Walter PATI, 3. Milo TIATIA, 4. Joseph COLLINS, 5. Matthew TAGA’I, 6. James SETTLE, 7. Mark TAGA’I, 8. Richard TUIFAO, 9. Peter LAUVAO, 10. Ina VAIELI, 11. Gabriel TAUMUA, 12. Vaha TUA, 13. Fusi MALANI, 14. Ada SIONE, 15. William HOLLISTER, 16. Xavior LEATUALEVAO, 17. Henry NAUTU, 23. Hengihengi IKUVALU (GK)
Coach: Ruben LUVU (FIJ)
Tonga: 1. Nimilote MOALA (GK), 2. Felise VAKA’UTA, 3. Sitaleki TUALAU, 4. Nicolas VEA, 5. Sione AHO, 6. Timasi MAILANGI, 7. Joseph MUAVESI, 8. William SENITULI, 9. Bishop LIKILIKI, 10. Tevita KOLOA, 11. Sione VEAMATAHAU, 12. Henry TUIONO, 13. Kulisitofa KITE, 14. Michael FOTU, 15. Fifita SOAKAI, 16. Lisiate FEKE, 17. Christopher FAUONUKU, 18. Christopher KEFU, 19. Manamoui HALAHINGANO, 20. Viliami LUI (GK)
Coach : Lafaele MOALA (TGA)