Oceania Football Confederation Media Release Thursday 22 May OFC U-20 Championship Match Day 1 Preview The 20th edition of the OFC U-20 Championship gets underway at Suva’s ANZ Stadium on Friday 23 May when host nation Fiji take on tournament minnows American Samoa in the opening match. The first ever OFC U-20 Championship took place in 1974 when host nation Tahiti won the inaugural event but since then the competition has been dominated almost exclusively by former OFC members Australia and most recently by New Zealand. All that will change in Suva as six teams compete for Oceania’s second qualifying berth for the FIFA U-20 World Cup with New Zealand already qualified as the host nation. Fiji start the competition as favourites largely due to their status as host nation but also with the return of four key players from last year’s competition, skipper Jale Dreloa, defenders Antonio Tuivuna and Praneel Naidu and Narendra Rao. But Fiji FA Coaching Director, Carlos Buzzetti says any talk of taking a swag of goals off American Samoa on the first day of competition is disrespectful. “You must respect all opponents and concentrate on what your team is doing instead of watching what others do. We had a good preparation tour in New Zealand and played six games in 13 days so we feel ready and we are looking forward to Friday’s first match. “We also have an opportunity to see all the teams with their strongest teams on display which will give everyone a better idea of what to expect in this tournament,” he says. American Samoa, by contrast, compete at this level for just the third time in their history with Kumar’s opposite number, Rupeni Luvu, aiming to halt a run of six consecutive defeats that includes a record that saw the American territory lose 46 goals in just three games in 1998. Luvu has some cause for relative optimism with his team scoring two goals in their last appearance at this level in 2011, nevertheless the team from Pago Pago still finished bottom on the competition. American Samoa’s Head of Delegation, Tevita Taumua, says American Samoa’s participation in the OFC U-17 Championship Preliminary will hold the team in good stead for Suva’s challenges. “12 of our squad went to the OFC U-17 Championship last year in Samoa and for only four of our squad this is their first time travelling internationally to a top level competition. “This is also the first tournament where we’ve competed in Fiji so we carry the pride of our Member Association forward following the documentary “Next Goal Wins”. Our goal is to achieve the same level as what was achieved then. “I am confident our team will compete at this level. We are much more used to competing against sides like Tonga, Samoa and Cook Islands but they aren’t here in Fiji. We are going to face teams from a higher level in Oceania and that presents us with a big challenge,” he says. The second match of the day pits Vanuatu up against New Caledonia with the Etienne Mermer-coached kids from the Teouma Academy highly fancied to finish among the frontrunners in Suva. Defender Jaison Thomas, box-to-box midfielder Bong Kalo and attacking threats Jacky Ruben and Ruben Frank are key players as Vanuatu pursue their first ever appearance at a FIFA world event. Yet for Mermer, merely getting his squad together in one place was difficult enough, never mind contemplating his team’s long term prospects. “Our preparation was difficult from the start by getting all the boys together from the different islands in Vanuatu. We started our preparation in January and we were consistent. “We understand the rivalry from New Caledonia. We haven’t seen much of them, but we understand they have a good side. Our first game against New Caledonia will be very competitive and be very entertaining,” Mermer says. Their hopes of achieving their qualifying goal gained a massive confidence boost when they defeated OFC Champions League runners-up Amicale 3-2 in a midweek friendly last week. With the spotlight shining on the hosts and Vanuatu, New Caledonia have gone about their preparations in a low key fashion. Coach Kamali Fitialeata has assembled a strong side with Asia Pacific Football Academy graduate Mickael Partodikromo back from a season with Sheffield United’s youth setup. “The encounter against Vanuatu to open our tournament will definitely be key. It’s this match which will determine the rest of the competition for us, so to get a good result will certainly give us confidence,” Fitialeata says. Partodikromo and midfield accomplice Jim Ouka will create the supply line for striker Valentin Nykeine, a quick and agile striker with a knack for scoring important goals. Goalkeeper Thomas Schmidt forms a defensive triangle alongside Didier Simane and Theo Jalbert as the French speakers hope to shut down the threat posed by Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The opening day’s action concludes with a mouth-watering clash between Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea at 7.30pm. Coached by Oceania Player of the Century, Wynton Rufer, expectations of Papua New Guinea success are tempered somewhat by some disappointing friendly results in the build-up to Suva. Yet despite two defeats to New Zealand U-20 last week, Papua New Guinea has eye-catching talent in forward areas with Peter Dabinyaba and Randol Bongi both dangerous, while the creative trio of Maya Bob, Nigel Malagian and Steven Inia are capable of testing the most stubborn defences. Papua New Guinea’s highest placing in this event was third achieved in 1982. Rufer’s charges chances of emulating that achievement receive a stern examination from a Solomon Islands side rich with attacking flair. New Zealand-based strike duo Atkin Kaua and Obed Kevin will be relied upon for goals by coach Commins Menapi, while defender Simon Daoi was part of the Solomon Warriors side that competed well at the OFC Champions League group stages. Keep an eye out for midfielders Edmond Taevo and Brett Honisawa who have emerged from a futsal background. Ends Extra Information: OFC U-20 Championship - MATCH DAY 1 PREVIEW This is the official preview of Match Day 1. Please note squads are subject to change. American Samoa v Fiji 2.30pm local time, Friday 23 May ANZ Stadium Suva, Fiji #ASAvFIJ Referee: Albert MARU [PNG] Assistant Referee 1: Roger ADAMS [PNG] Assistant Referee 2: Paul AHUPU [TAH] 4th Official: George TIME [SOL] Fiji: 1. Nairube MISIWANI [GK], 2. Praneel NAIDU, 3. Ganish PRASAD, 4. Jale DRELOA, 5.Antonio TIVUNI, 6. Mohammed KHAN, 7. Nickel CHAND, 8. Setareki HUGHES, 9.Samuela NAIBENIA, 10. Junior RAO, 11. Josefa KOROI, 12. Ratu Tevita WARANAIVALU, 13. Mataisi TOMA, 14. Ravnit Shelvin CHAND, 15. Saula WAQA,16.Jonetana BUKSH, 17. Kolinio SIVOKI, 18. Al-Taaf Mansoor SAHIB, 19. Ashnil RAJU 20. Shaneel NAIDU [GK] Coach: Ravinesh KUMAR [FIJ] American Samoa: 1. Fred MAIVA [GK], 2. Johnny SIONE, 3. Neemia KALEOPA, 4. Paul COLLINS, 5. Paia IPINIU, 6. Sam KOME, 7. Rueben ROCHA, 9. Ryan PAAGA, 10. Sinisa TUA, 1. Falai KERISIANO, 12. Kaleopa SILIGI, 13. Fala LEVAULA, 14. Tokilupelekina AFU, 15. David ALO, 16. Lotupo LAMETA, 17. Henry LAMETA, 18. Tokoita VAIELI, 23. Sione Haisila MOEAKI [GK]. Coach: Rupeni LUVU [ASA] Vanuatu v New Caledonia 5pm local time, Friday 23 May ANZ Stadium Suva, Fiji #VANvNCL Referee: Nelson SOGO [SOL] Assistant Referee 1: Johnny NIABO [SOL] Assistant Referee 2: Folio MOEAKI [TGA] 4th Official: Averii JACQUES [TAH] Vanuatu: 1. Charlie WAIVUI [GK], 2. Jaison THOMAS, 3. Goshen DONA, 4. Alphonse LENCY, 5. Joseph IARUEL, 6. Remy KALSARAP, 7. Elie MELITE ROSSI, 8. Justin KOKA, 9. Tony KALTACK, 10. Bong KALO, 11. Alex SANIEL, 12. Andre BULE, 13. Ruben FRANK, 14. Kersom KALSONG, 15. Etienne NAIEU, 16. Jacky RUBEN, 17. Sam IWAI, 18. Kerry IAWAK, 19. Renold IWAI, 24. Ricky DICK [GK] Coach: Etienne MERMER [VAN] New Caledonia: 1. Yoran WAIMA [GK], 2. Brandon MEAOU, 3. Jordy KAUSUO, 4. Pierre KAUMA, 5. Theo JALABERT, 6. Jorys LALIE, 7. Jim OUKA, 8. Mickael PARTODIKROMO, 9. Raphael OIREMOIN, 10. Joseph ATHALE, 11. Valentin NYKEINE, 12. Didier SIMANE, 13. Eugene SAKILIA, 14. Frederic NEMIA, 15. Johan IDRELE, 16. Jacky WETEWEA, 17. Jacky WEINANE, 18. Marion WARU, 20. Thomas SCHMIDT [GK], 21. Josue WATHIEPEL. Coach: Kamali FITIALEATA [NCL] Solomon Islands v Papua New Guinea 7.30pm local time, Friday 23 May ANZ Stadium Suva, Fiji #SOLvPNG Referee: Ravitesh BEHARI [FIJ] Assistant Referee 1: Avinesh NARAYAN [FIJ] Assistant Referee 2: Terry PIRI [COK] 4th Official: Robinson BANGA [VAN] Solomon Islands: 1. Philip MANGO [GK], 2. Rollence MISITANA, 3. Simon DAOI, 4. Loea Erekona LEMIX, 5. Misitana SAMANI, 6. Alffie CHACHA, 7. Edmond TAEVO, 8. Joachim KAIRI, 9. Dunstan QUANAFIA JNR., 10. Jared RONGOSULIA, 11. Herrick LAUTALO, 12. Obed KEVIN, 13. Fred BALA, 14. Atkin KAUA, 15. Leslie RAMO, 16. Timothy BUNABO JNR., 17. Brett HONISAWA, 18. Allen PETER, 19. Timothy BAKALE, 20. James DO’ORO [GK] Coach: Commins MENAPI [SOL] Papua New Guinea: 1. Koniel VAGI [GK], 2. Abel REDENUT, 3. Jonel KAMBUAL, 4. Ayrton YAGAS, 5. Rodger SAKING, 6. Dirik KOMOLONG, 7. Issac LALO, 8. Joshua TALAU, 9. Papalau AWELE, 10. Steve INIA, 11. Peter DABINYABA, 12. Gibson JIMMY [GK], 13. Maya BOB, 14. Freddy TUPANI, 15. Nicky BENJAMIN, 16. Randol BONGI, 17. Ferdahlas NAMUESH, 18. Danny KEVIN, 19. Frederick SIMONGI, 20. Nigel MALAGIAN. Coach: Wynton RUFER [NZL] Ends This release is available at oceaniafootball
Posted on: Thu, 22 May 2014 02:34:49 +0000
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