Four teams will get their campaign for Tahiti 2017 underway in Samoa today (Monday) and despite the two day delay to kick-off at the OFC U-17 Championship Preliminary each side remains as determined as ever to continue on this journey.
American Samoa, Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga are bidding for a place in the 2017 OFC U-17 Championship and as the results of last month’s U-20 Preliminary showed, it’s no easy run for any team.
Cook Islands have history on their side at this level having made it through qualifying to take part in the 2013 OFC U-17 Championship in Vanuatu, and the nation will be buoyant after the success of the U-20 team.
However this is a new year and a new team and coach Richard Anderson is hopeful the ground work has been laid for his side to achieve their objective.
“We’re very excited to be here for this tournament as the boys have worked hard,” Anderson says.
“For most of them it’s the first time that they’ve been out of the country, never mind playing in an international tournament, so it brings with it a great developmental opportunity for all the boys.”
Cook Islands opening opponent in Samoa will be Tonga and with the nation working hard on getting things right, developmentally, at grassroots and youth level, the Cook Islands can expect a strong challenge.
Tonga’s build-up to this event has been comprehensive and included a stop-over in New Zealand where they took on several club age-group sides. The results were mixed but coach Timote Moleni says the focus was the process rather than the scores.
He says difficult matches against experienced sides was an opportunity for Tonga’s young players to get a taste of what this week would be like, with every match providing them with valuable learning and areas to work on.
“When we look at the Cook Islands squad there’s a number of overseas-based players but that’s not a problem for us,” he explains.
“They are very competitive – all of the teams are – but so are we and I think we can challenge them.”
The evening’s proceedings will get underway with the hosts Samoa taking on neighbours American Samoa in what is guaranteed to be a tightly contested encounter between the long-time rivals.
American Samoa’s squad includes a number of players who also turned out for the national U-20 squad in Tonga just over a week ago. While those players gained essential experience at that event, it also proved disrupting to preparations for the U-17 squad.
But coach Frederick Maiava is looking at it from a positive perspective, while also drawing on his own recent knowledge to aid his charges.
Maiava was a member of the American Samoa squad which came within a match of progressing to the OFC U-17 Championship in 2013, also here in Samoa. He was also the goalkeeper when the nation made history at the 2014 OFC U-20 Championship with a 1-1 draw against Papua New Guinea securing their first-ever points at that level.
Young and untested as a national coach Maiava has a lot to prove, but he’s confident the team is ready.
“We tied with Samoa back then but we had a chance to be champions in that tournament. Now as coach my feeling is that we can win.
“It’s been a long time since we have beaten Samoa and I think it’s time. I am here to serve the players and develop the game and these players have the capacity to go on and win.”
Facing down the hosts won’t be without its challenges as the Samoan side, under the guidance of coach Desmond Faaiuaso is keen to prove itself on home soil.
Like their opponents, Samoa was also in the running to progress to Vanuatu and the OFC U-17 Championship three years ago. When the nation went on to host a group of the 2015 edition, another strong side was put forward with Faaiuaso in charge and although Samoa didn’t progress the memory of playing in front of friends and family remains a strong driving force for the team – and their coach.
“They boys and our team are ready for the first game,” Faaiuaso says.
“For a lot of the players, they’re new to this kind of competition so it’s going to be tough for them.
“It’s a good feeling for the players to go on the field and show their talent in front of their family and friends.”