OFC U-17 Championship Programme 2017

11-24 FEBRUARY 2017 STADE PATER / STADE MAHINA, PAPEETE TAHITI

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE There are few more inspiring ways to open the yearly competition calendar than by witnessing the young talent of our Member Associations in action.

T

h e OFC U-17 Championship has become a benchmark for the development of football in Oceania and it is a great pleasure to see the tournament being hosted in Tahiti.

Two years ago, it was the French Polynesian side pushing New Zealand to their limits in the final, which gives great hope to local fans for the prospects of this year’s recruits.

Across the region we have witnessed a lot of time, effort and expertise going into youth development which is sure to make this year’s tournament an exciting one.

We saw with the qualifying event in Samoa last year, just how well the four participating nations of Tonga, American Samoa, Cook Islands and Samoa have come. Any of the four nations could have qualified, but Samoa triumphed and now have the opportunity to test their developing talents against their peers.

tending to the holistic needs of the studentathletes by promoting an environment where self-awareness and personal analysis become the key to success.

Last year the inaugural intake attended One Tree Hill College in Auckland, New Zealand and I am delighted that we will see five of the seven student-athletes turning out for their national sides here in Tahiti.

It will be a great experience for them, as well as each and every one of the players taking part.

I wish each team all the very best in their bid for glory.

Yours in football,

From the Development Centres to Centres of Excellence and Member Association Academy programmes, building the skills and technique to be great footballers is a priority across Oceania.

The Oceania Football Confederation is also playing a part in this development with the OFC Education Centre.

The programme aims to improve football knowledge and understanding while also

David Chung OFC President

HISTORY OF THE OFC U-17 CHAMPIONSHIP

The OFC U-17 Championship was first played in 1983 as the Oceania Football Confederation sought a qualifier for the 1985 FIFA U-16 World Championship.

Australia, New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, New Caledonia, Fiji and Tahiti played in the inaugural round-robin tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, from 3-10 December.

Australia progressed through the regional competition undefeated and continued on to top their pool at the 1985 FIFA U-16 World Championship. Their campaign ended in the quarter-finals when they lost 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out against Guinea.

Australia dominated the competition in its early years, winning six consecutive titles until New Zealand’s victory in 1997. The U-17 title was returned to Australia in 1999 and successfully defended until FFA exited the OFC in 2006, making room for New Zealand at the top.

Just three nations, Australia, Fiji and New Zealand, competed in the fourth edition of the competition in 1991, a round-robin tournament hosted in Napier, New Zealand from 11-21 January.

Upon their debut in 1993, Solomon Islands battled their way to the final where they then lost to regional heavyweights Australia.

Six years later, with New Zealand not entered in the tournament due to their automatic qualification to the World Cup as hosts, Fiji became the second Melanesian team to make the final, but were also bettered by Australia.

That year OFC went on to earn their highest placing in a FIFA U-17 World Cup courtesy of Australia. The side fought their way to a penalty

shoot-out in the final against Brazil, but the CONMEBOL side claimed the title with a very close 8-7 result. Hosts New Zealand placed third in the group stage, two points short of continuing through to the knockout stage.

The 2003 OFC U-17 Championship saw the first Francophone nation through to the final after New Caledonia topped their group. Although New Caledonia were undefeated in their Group A matches, Australia dominated the two-legged final with 3-1 and 4-0 wins.

Two years later it was Vanuatu’s turn to take on Australia in the final. In what was the first and only appearance in the final for the nation, Vanuatu just missed out on glory after going down 1-0.

Tahiti were consecutive runners-up in the tournament from 2007 to 2011, failing to claim the title from New Zealand in all three campaigns. Due to the decreased size of the tournament, both the 2007 and 2009 editions were played in the competition’s original roundrobin format.

It wasn’t until the final round was brought back to the competition format in 2011 that Tahiti really looked to threaten the Kiwis’ reign.

The Polynesians finished top of their group undefeated and lost 2-0 to New Zealand in a close final at North Harbour Stadium in New Zealand.

Due to the game developing at different rates across the region, a preliminary round was introduced in 2013 to determine which Member Association would join New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and Papua New Guinea in the final tournament.

After defeating Samoa and Tonga, the Cook Islands earned their tickets to Santo in Vanuatu for the final event.

One group of six nations was hosted in Samoa while the remaining five nations were hosted by American Samoa - the crossing of datelines a first for the competition.

By 2015 it had become compulsory for all 11 Member Associations to participate in the OFC U-17 Championship.

While it proved a highly competitive tournament, it was eventually New Zealand who claimed their fifth straight regional title after winning the penalty-shootout against Tahiti in the final.

Moving into the present day, Tahiti 2017 will be an historic occasion as Oceania gets set to send two qualifying nations on to the world cup for the first time in its history.

CHAMPIONS BOARD OFC U-17 2015

Champion: New Zealand / Runner-up: Tahiti / Third: Vanuatu

2013 2011

Champion: New Zealand / Runner-up: Tahiti / Third: Solomon Islands

2009 2007

Champion: Australia / Runner-up: Solomon Islands / Third: New Zealand

Champion: Australia / Runner-up: New Zealand / Third: Chinese Taipei

1986 1983

Champion: New Zealand / Runner-up: Australia / Third: Solomon Islands

Champion: Australia / Runner-up: New Zealand / Third: Vanuatu

1993 1989

Champion: Australia / Runner-up: New Zealand / Third: Papua New Guinea

Champion: Australia / Runner-up: Fiji / Third: Solomon Islands

1997 1995

Champion: Australia / Runner-up: Vanuatu / Third: Solomon Islands

Champion: Australia / Runner-up: New Caledonia / Third: Vanuatu

2001 1999

Champion: New Zealand / Runner-up: Tahiti / Third: New Caledonia

Champion: New Zealand / Runner-up: Tahiti / Third: Vanuatu

2005 2003

Champion: New Zealand / Runner-up: New Caledonia / Third: Vanuatu

Champion: Australia / Runner-up: New Zealand / Third: Chinese Taipei

Champion: Australia / Runner-up: New Zealand / Third: Chinese Taipei

TAHITI White sand beaches, endless blue seas, lanky coconut trees - just a few of the things that spring to mind when you think of Tahiti.

But French Polynesia is about more than just holiday life, as the eight contingents are set to discover when they arrive in Papeete for the OFC U-17 Championship.

Tahiti is the largest island of the 118 islands and atolls that comprise the archipelago of French Polynesia.

The capital city, and administrative centre, is Papeete. A once sleepy town it is now a bustling port welcoming cargo freighters, copra ships, luxury liners and ocean-going yachts.

While the sidewalk cafes and shops bear a strong French influence, this sits neatly alongside the Polynesian culture and all that it

offers.

There are plenty of things to see and do in Papeete. Le Marché is a large two-storey market place where a range of wares, including Tahiti’s famous Monoi oil can be found.

The Pointe Venus Lighthouse is a popular spot as is the Arahoho Blowhole on the northern coast of Tahiti.

For a more cultural experience there is the Tomb of King Pomare the Ffth which harkens back to Tahiti’s time as a monarchy, the Arahurahu Marae and the Guguin Museum located in the magical setting of the Motu Ovini.

FIJI Fiji’s profile as a footballing nation has been rising steadily since they qualified for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup. With the goal of following in the footsteps of their peers, this young side has spent almost 12 months preparing for the task ahead.

Coach Shalen Lal has been working closely with the side who have already shown themselves to be a close-knit unit during preparation matches in New Zealand during the lead up to the competition.

Fit and athletic, the side are strong defensively while also showing great bursts of speed on the counter to really challenge their opponents. Captain Mohammed Naizal spent the end of 2016 in the OFC Education Centre and has proven himself to be the kind of leader this side needs as they challenge for the title.

1

Mohammed ALAM GK

13

Waisake SOGA FW

2

Kishan SAMI MF

14

Shivam NAIDU MF

3

Paula TUINASERAU DF

15

Iliesa RAKUKA FW

4

Simione NABENU DF

16

Ratu DAU

5

Jovilisi MULOCA FW

17

Jone SUKULU DF

6

Mohammed NAIZAL MF

18

Romit NARAYAN DF

7

Semi MATALAU FW

19

Mohammed JAMIL DF

8

Shaneel NARAYAN MF

20

Asaeli BATIKASA GK

9

Shaheel GOUNDER MF

10

Navau TIKORUKU FW

11

Fardean HUSSEIN MF

12

Kemueli ULUIKAVORO DF

FW

Coach: Shalen LAL (FIJ)

NEW CALÉDONIA Little is known of this young side assembled by coach Michel Clarque, but it should be noted there are a couple of familiar family names in the line-up.

Two years ago the natural talent possessed by New Caledonia’s young players was evident and the match up with New Zealand in the group stage was one of the games of the tournament. That team was largely unknown and if this side shows the same talent, resolve and passion for the game they will be a force to be reckoned with.

Cyril Nyipie was a member of the U-20 squad, earning himself two caps as his side progressed to the semi-finals before losing out to New Zealand. His international experience could prove crucial to an otherwise inexperienced squad.

1

Germain ITA

GK

13 Raoul WENISSO FW

2

Josuah HLEMU

DF

14 Japhet QAEZE

3

Titouan RICHARD MF

15 Ezeckiel TAOUAVAMA FW

4

Kiam WANESSE DF

16 Pierre BAKO

5

Cameron WADENGES DF

17 Jean-Pierre ENOKA DF

6

Abiezer JENO

18 Robert CAIHE

DF

7

Raymond LUEWADRIA FW

19 Henry KAPOERI

DF

8

Cyril NYIPIE

20 Unë KECINE

9

Vital LONGUE

MF MF

MF

GK

FW

10 Lionel THAHNAENA MF 11 Paul GOPE-FENEPEJ MF 12 Bernard IWA

MF

DF

Coach: Michel CLARQUE (NCL)

NEW ZEALAND As the sole nation to take out this competition, along with former members Australia, the odds are very clearly in New Zealand’s favour once again.

Youth development has a key role in New Zealand Football’s strong development programme and coach Danny Hay has proven his ability to shape talented young players.

The former All White led the U-17 side at the last FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile where they

emerged from the group stage and put the pressure on Brazil. T hree members of the squad are with the Wellington Phoenix Academy side, incuding the Winston Reid-backed Max Mata, while Oliver Duncan joins the team from the Brisbane Roar.

Packed with talent this side will be out to set the bar for their opponents as they chase yet another regional U-17 title.

1 Dylan BENNETT GK 2 Jordan SPAIN FW

13 Matthew JONES

DF

14 Kingsley SINCLAIR

MF

3 Josh ROGERSON DF 4 Liberato CACACE DF

15 Ben DEELEY DF

5 Leon VAN DEN HOVEN DF 6 Jake WILLIAMS MF

17 Matthew PALMER FW

16 Oliver WHYTE MF 18 Charles SPRAGG FW

7 Elijah JUST MF 8 Oliver DUNCAN MF 9 Max MATA FW 10 Willem EBBINGE MF 11 Matthew CONROY FW 12 Zac JONES

GK

Coach: Danny HAY (NZL)

PAPUA NEW GUINEAe Led by Papua New Guinea’s only OFC B Licence-accredited coach Harrison Kamake, this side possesses raw talent that has been tamed to form a formidable squad.

The side’s strength lies in the control they have in midfield and their ability to quickly counter attack.

They’ve been working hard on their defensive structure and up-front have have only to convert some of the myriad of chances they create in order to become a force to be reckoned with on the field.

Emmanuel Simongi is one of the side’s key players, the game understanding he developed during his stint in the OFC Education Centre has only progressed his talents.

Charley NINGIKAU GK 1 Milton BIWA 2 Kimson KAPAI 3

DF

DF

Sylvester LUKE DF 4 Freeman GIWI 5

MF

Samuel DETNOM FW 6 Emmanuel SIMONGI MF 7 Aben PUKUE 8

FW

13 Thomas KONGRAGLE DF 14 Emmanuel YOPIYOPI MF 15 Dunstan JEFFEREY FW MF 16 Jonathan ALLEN DF 17 Dopson NOI 18 Wolfram GREGORY MF MF 19 Abraham ALLEN 20 Graham BERIGAMI GK

Barthy KEROBIN MF 9 Oberth SIMON 10

MF

Yagi YASASA 11

MF

Ricky WADUNAH 12

MF

Coach: Harrison KAMAKI (PNG)

19.00 TAH v.

VAN

19.00 TAH v.

NCL

16.00 SAM v.

NZL 19.00 FIJ v.

SOL

GROUPE A

GROUPE B

TAHITI (TAH)

NELLE ZÉLANDE (NZL)

VANUATU (VAN)

SAMOA (SAM)

NELLE CALÉDONIE (NCL) PAPOUASIE N

ELLE

GUINÉE (PNG)

FIJI (FIJ)

ILES SALOMON (SOL)

16.00 NZL v.

SOL 19.00 FIJ v.

SAM

Jeudi 16 Février

Mercredi 15 Février

Mardi 14 Février

Lundi 13 Février

16.00 PNG v.

VAN

REPOS

STADE PATER

16.00 NCL v.

PNG

REPOS

STADE DE MAHINA

Dimanche 12 Février

Samedi 11 Février

CALENDRIER

16.00 VAN v.

NCL 16.00 Demi Finale 1

19.00 PNG v.

TAH 19.00 Demi Finale 2

19.00 NZL v.

FIJ

REPOS

REPOS

16.00 SOL v.

SAM

Vendredi 24 Février

Jeudi 23 Février

Mercredi 22 Février

Mardi 21 Février

Lundi 20 Février

Dimanche 19 Février

Samedi 18 Février

Vendredi 17 Février

DES MATCHES

16.00 3è / 4è place

19.00

Finale

SAMOA The qualifying competition which Samoa topped in 2016 to earn their place in this round of the OFC U-17 Championship was closely fought. However, it doesn’t mean the side weren’t deserving winners.

Desmond Faaiuaso’s side were determined and poised as they made their way through their opponents and they’ll need to draw on those skills when they make the step up.

also prone to making penetrating attacks.

Midfielder and captain Willie Sauiluma is one of the most experienced members of the squad.

He made his first appearance for Samoa’s U-17 squad in 2015 and has only improved his awareness and leadership skills since then.

The side has added reinforcements since the qualifier and should be a strong competitor come competition time.

Defender Osa Savelio is solid at the back and is

13 Dilo TUMUA

1

Pele FATU

2

Kitiona NAUER

3

Harlen RUSSELL DF

15 Jay POPESE

DF

4

Joseph MAMEA-HIND DF

16 Osa SAVELIO

DF

5

Solomon GRANGER DF

17 Julius DUFFY

6

Stanley MAMEA

18 Jenuem KEPU

FW

7

Willie SAUILUMA MF

19 Elijah THEODOR

DF

8

Jackson NAUTU MF

20 Talita HAFOKA

GK

Darcy KNIGHT

GK DF

DF

MF

14 Jefferson FAAMATAU MF

FW

MF

9 10 Falaniko MAMUMEA FW 11 Dauntae MARINER FW 12 Lotial MANO

MF

Coach: Desmond FAAIUASO (SAM)

Since its establishment in 1985 as the FIFA U-16 World Championship, right through to the current incarnation, the FIFA U-17 World Cup has been a highlight on the youth football calendar.

From 1985 to 2005 there were 16 teams in the competition, divided into four groups of four teams each in the group stage.

In a first for the country, India was awarded hosting rights for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

In 2007 the tournament expanded to 24 teams, split into six groups of four teams each where the top two places in each group alongside the four best third-placed teams advanced to the knockout phase.

A cricket-obsessed nation, India has been labelled the “sleeping giants” of football.

FIFA’s decision to award the competition to India in 2013, provides an opportunity to tap into that vast potential.

The first edition was held in China, and since then the tournament has been played every two years.

The seventh largest country in the world has never participated in the final tournament, but as the host country automatically qualifies for the 2017 finals

The most recent edition was hosted by Chile, with Nigeria claiming the title. The reigning champions are now the most successful nation in the tournament’s history with five titles and three runners-up finishes.

Brazil is the second most successful country with three titles and two runners-up positions. Ghana and Mexico have won the tournament twice.

India gets a chance at hosting and competing in their first FIFA tournament at the same time, and the nation is eager to welcome the world’s best.

SOLOMON ISLANDS One thing we can always come to expect from any Solomon Islands side is a wealth of talent with an air of unpredictability which still seems to catch opponents unaware.

After seeing the Solomon Islands U-20 side make an impressive run for the title in last year’s championship this side will be out to better the achievements of their peers.

And with a similar quality of players littered throughout Marlon Houkarawa’s side they shouldn’t be ruled out of contention too early.

Warm-up matches have been played against S-League clubs domestically, and they will travel to Tahiti via Australia where they hope to pick up a few more preparation matches.

1

Joel NANAGO

2

John AETA DF

GK

3

Aengari GAGAME DF

4

Junior ASHLEY

5

Raymond DAUABU DF

6

Bobby RAMO

MF

7

Junior KAONI

FW

8

Simon JEDZINI

MF

9

Don KEANA

DF

FW

10 Elis JEFF MF 11 Ali MEKAWIR FW

12 John BROWN 13 Stanley RYNIKER

GK DF

14 Danny OFENI 15 Alfred ELVIS

DF

16 John MANA 17 Michael LALO

MF

DF MF

18 Steward TOATA FW 19 Richmond HATARAU FW 20 Junior ALLEN

FW

Coach: Marlon HOUKARAWA (SOL)

TAHITI Two years ago it was a talented and determined Tahitian side which enjoyed a near perfect run through the OFC U-17 Championship.

squad in late-2016 making him the team’s most experienced squad member - with big boots to fill.

After making the final they looked far from out of place against New Zealand, taking the defending champions down to the wire and forcing a penalty shootout in which they were narrowly beaten by their opponents.

Having enjoyed regular matches competing against the senior clubs in Tahiti’s Ligue 1, the side is game-hardened and physically prepared.

This time around it’s an almost completely new squad - excluding goalkeeper Moana Pito who also turned out for the national U-20

They will be competing in front of the home crowd which can add extra pressure, but also gives them the benefit of being well acquainted with the local pitches.

1 Tevaearai TAMATAI GK

12 Bryand TETUANUI DF

2 Ariimana TAAROAMEA DF

13 Herearii KOHUMOETINI DF

3 Taumihau TEHAAMOANA DF

14 Tautu HEITARAURI DF

4 Tohivea HARING

15 Kalahani BEAUMERT MF

DF

5 Giovanni BOOENE DF

16 Moana PITO

6 Kavai’ei MORGANT MF

17 Terai BREMOND

7 Ryann BOUKROUMA MF

18 Moana LAI

8 Eddy KASPARD

19 Diego ARANEDA

MF

9 Tutehau TUFARIUA FW

GK MF

FW MF

20 Nohoani GARBUT MF

10 Yann VIVI MF 11 Hitiora HANERE

MF

Coach: Patrice FLACCADORI (FRA)

VANUATU After qualifying for their first FIFA tournament on home soil last year courtesy of the U-20 squad and their runners-up finish at the OFC U-20 Championship, the dream run could yet continue for Vanuatu.

Abert Vanva’s attacking prowess is well known thanks to his stint in the OFC Education Centre and with the likes of Jean Claude Batick, Jason Tari and Andre Damelip also in the squad, Vanuatu are sure to be in the running for a top two finish in their group.

Kaison Maki was an assistant coach with that squad and will have plenty of learnings and experience to lend to his team as they take on the region’s best.

1

Joshua WILLIE

GK

2

Tarilolo HINGE

DF

3

Zidane MAGUEKON DF

4

Glendon TARI

5

Jean Claude BATICK DF

6

Nelsin RAWOR

7

Jason TARI

8

Lensly TOMMY

MF

9

Rhydley NAPAU

MF

10 Abert VANVA

DF DF

MF

13 Julio TEVANU DF 14 Semmy IATI MF 16 Dylan NGWELE 17 Presley ALICK

FW FW

18 Tyson GERE MF DF 19 Jack WILLIE 20 Dgen LEO GK GK 22 Jordy TIUTIU

FW

11 Fred CHRSTION FW 12 Andre DAMELIP FW

Coach: Kaison MAKI (VAN)

MATCH OFFICIALS Referees

Assistant Referees

Salesh CHAND FIJ

John PAREANGA

COK

Médéric LACOUR NCL

Noah KUSUNAN

PNG

Matt CONGER NZL

Tevita MAKASINI

TGA

Nelson SOGO SOL

Folio MOEAKI

TGA

Hamilton SIAU SOL

Sione TEU TGA

George TIME SOL

Marc SINYEUE

Norbert HAUATA TAH

Gareth SHEEHAN

NZL

Kader ZITOUNI TAH

Wase BAFINU

PNG

Roger ADAMS PNG

Malaetala SOFE

SAM

Arnold TARI VAN

Denson SALE

VAN

Referee Assessors

Fitness Trainer

Salen KUMAR

FIJ

Yvonnick FAATAU

TAH

Kevin STOLTENKAMP

NZL

Neil POLOSO

SOL

Patteson LUSI

SOL

Tevita LATU

NCL

TGA