Squads are gathering in Fiji for the start of the OFC U-17 Championship which will decide the two countries to qualify for November’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru.
New Zealand and eight other Oceania nations will play in the tournament that starts on Wednesday, when New Zealand meets New Caledonia in their opening group game (4pm, NZT).
Main photo: The New Zealand squad on arrival in Fiji. Photo: NZ Football social media.
New Zealand
Head coach Martin Bullock has named the following 23-player New Zealand U-17 squad:
Adam Watson (Stoke City FC, England)
Anaru Cassidy (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Anton Isaako (Sydney FC, Australia)
Bronson Brown (Auckland United FC, New Zealand)
Dylan Gardiner (Hamilton Wanderers FC, New Zealand)
Eamonn McCarron (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Eric Imachi Sugahara (Cashmere Technical, New Zealand)
Gabriel Sloane Rodrigues (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Harrison Tisch (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Harry Huxford (Havelock North Wanderers AFC, New Zealand)
Jackson Cole (Christchurch United FC, New Zealand)
James Ray (Auckland United FC, New Zealand)
Jesper Edwards (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Joshua Brown (Western Suburbs, New Zealand)
Konstantino Gorgiovski (FK Makedonija G.P., North Macedonia)
Luka Coveny (Western United FC, Australia)
Luke Supyk (Wellington Phoenix FC, New Zealand)
Marley Leuluai (Manchester City, England)
Matt D’Hotman (Melville United AFC, New Zealand)
Matt Foord (Cashmere Technical, New Zealand)
Nicholas Murphy (Christchurch United FC, New Zealand)
Niko Bruce (Western Suburbs, New Zealand)
Ryan Lee (North Wellington AFC, New Zealand)
More information
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Fiji
Home nation Fiji see the tournament as their best possible chance of reaching the age group World Cup tournament.
Head coach Sunil Kumar told The Fiji Times:
“The boys have gelled well together as we have been in camp for the last few months and giving their best in training,” said Kumar. “The boys have sacrificed a lot and have taken the challenges as they were also doing their studies while in camp.
“We have three players from New Zealand and one player from Australia and they have been doing well and adopted our style of playing and training.”
Fiji squad
Savenaca NABATI, Waisea NAGONELEVU, Sahil DEO, Aron NAICKER, Isimeli GAVIDI, Luke VAKAVOTU, Prashant KUMAR, Richard SWAMI, Sailimone RAVONOKULA, Ibraheem AFAZAL, Delon SHANKAR, Watisoni BATIREREGA, Peni MISIPOPI, Vilikesa VOSAGAGA, Neeraj SHARMA, William KHAN, Jacob SENINAWANAWA, Petero MAIVALENISAU, Nirav Nihal KUMAR, Vinayak RAO, Kartik SHARMA, Ilisoni KORO, Areya Khrish PRASAD.
Head coach: Sunil KUMAR
Cook Islands
Cook Islands coach Tahiri Elikana said: “We have a good mix of talent and experience from both domestic and international games, and we look to capitalise on this.
“The hard work is still ongoing and if we want to succeed further, we need to discipline ourselves and play together as a team, especially in our opening match against Tahiti.”
The squad includes one New Zealand-based player in Auckland United’s Jeremiah Williams.
Cook Islands squad
Paulo Allsworth (Nikao Sokattak FC), Ioane Brogan (Matavera-Ngatangiia FC), Terepai Karan (Aitutaki), Timi Kiriau (Avatiu FC), Dwayne Matapo (Nikao Sokattak FC), Jordan Matapo (Nikao Sokattak FC), Tione Nand (Avatiu FC), Teina Ngametua (Tupapa Maraerenga FC), Christpher Pita (Avatiu FC), Te Ariki RIngi (Matavera-Ngatangiia FC), Tepare Rongo-Kea (Nikao Sokattak FC), Juleo Tauu (Tupapa Maraerenga FC), Akai Tuakeu (Aitutaki), Stanley Tutai (Avatiu FC), Shane Tuteru (Tupapa Maraerenga FC), Jeremiah Williams (Auckland United FC), Robert Savage (Avatiu FC), Hyrum Numanga (Matavera-Ngatangiia FC), Iaveta Remuera (Nikao Sokattak FC) and Tamuera Newnham (Matavera-Ngatangiia FC).
Team Officials are: Tahiri Elikana (Coach), Nathan Tisam (A.Coach), Pauline Dean (Manager), Lai Gukisuva (A.Manager) and Ana Baukitoga (Physio).
New Caledonia
New Zealand meet group opponents New Caledonia in their opening game on Wednesday January 11 (4pm NZT).
New Caledonia squad
Claude TIAOUNIANE (Hienghène Sport), Maximilian DABOME (Js Baco), Ronald NGANYANE (Païta Fc), Maël RABAN GRANGIER (As Mont Dore), Grégory DIKO (As Lössi), Wadria HANYE (Qanono Sport), Iwatro HMUINE (As Wetr), Timotei ZETER (Païta Fc), Doryan ETIENNE (As Mont Dore), Joseph HNAISSILIN (As Lössi), Anthony LEVY (As Mont Dore), Jyhrim UPA (As Lössi), Simon UE (As Mont Dore), Bayron GOHOUPE (Hienghène Sport), Sipane QAEZE (Asc Gaïca), Yazid WAJOKA (As Magenta), Kilian WIAKO (As Magenta), Amin BELGHECHAM (As Mont Dore), David CAHMA (As Lössi), Nolhann ALEBATE (Hienghène Sport), Jean Phillipe ANGEXETINE (Drehu Athletico Club), Jean Yves SAÏKO (As Lössi).
Head coach: Léonardo LOPEZ. Other staff: Johan SIDANER (assistant coach), Antoine MARSAUD (goalkeeper coach), Lucas BITAUD (video analyst), Thierry MARMONT (team manager), Jean Marie SABOT (doctor).
American Samoa
New Zealand meet American Samoa in their group match on Saturday January 14 (4pm, NZT).
American Samoa squad
August Grey (Green Bay), Samu Emani (PanSa), Pedro Kuresa (Black Roses), Pela Scanlan (Pago Youth), Robert Coulter (Ilaoa & To’omata), Dylan Salapu (Pago Youth), Malotou Leatualevao (Ilaoa & To’omata), Ben Tofeaono (Ilaoa & To’omata), Johnica Collins (Pago Youth), Elson Utoaluga (Royal Puma FC), Fiamatai Itamua (PanSa), Richard Niko (Green Bay), Daniel Lee (Royal FC), Stidolph Maile (Lion Heart), Setefano Tuailemafua (Black Roses), Edward Loke (PanSa), Ajaion Fuimaono (Royal Puma FC), Alexander Mae’e (Tafuna Jets)
Head coach: Ruben Luvu.
Samoa
Samoa squad
Kirk AUVELE, Aukuso AH FAR, Setefano KAMILO, Faapaia ASIA, Mitchell MCILRAITH, Isaiah AFAMASAGA, Mike SALANOA, Tomoteo LESATELE, Rory TANUVASA, Ethelbert EDWARD, Kingston VAITUSI, Ariyon HAKAI, Lomitusi SCANLAN, Jason GOBLE-LOTE, Pita TIATIA, Ornan TAMASESE, Alex MALAUULU, Cayden STEFFENER, Pharrell TRAINOR, Malakye PATERSON, Laveaina SAKAIO, Talalelei TAITUUGA.
Head coach: Desmond EDWARD.
Tahiti
Tahiti squad
Keahi TENANIA, Manua BRILLANT, Hitimoana TEUIRA, Keanu LECOUTRE, Ariiheivarau TAMA, Tuarii ROTA, Tahiarii TERIITEMATAUA, Turerearii VONBALOU, Titouan GUILLEMANT, Tiahiti COLOMBANI, Noarii CUNEO, Dylan HUTIA, Vaitea SEGUY, Thibaut GENY, Hikutini TAMARII, Niuhau FIRIAPU, Kanoa BARSINAS, Eden CADOUSTEAU, Keanan FAURE, Teriitaumatatini MARTIN, Argan CLODIC-BOUCHER.
Head coach: Raiarii GOLHEN.
Tonga
Tonga squad
Siosiua MOIMOI, Nikolasi VAKATAPU, Viliami MOLI, Sione TALIA’ULI, Isimoto VAIHU, Tevita FALEPAPALANGI, Va’inga TEU, Ulafala SONASI, Vilikisepi TAI, Viliami FINAU, Alexander HOLA, Puluno KAFOA, Penisimani TOKELAU, Atieli ‘AHO, Maloni MANU’OLEVAO, Sione TAUFA, Siosiua ‘ETEAKI, Sione TU’UNGAFASI, Sione LATU, Malakai SILI, Senituli FAKAHAU, Tevita PALE, Sione KAITAPU.
Head coach: Lui MUAVESI.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu squad
Joseph NAKOU, Timothy ARUKESA, Albert TIMOTHY, Junierno LOLI, Jean Patriano NATOU, Aron KALOTANG, Simon TAKONAVAKALO, Paul TAKARO, Augustine CHILIA, Yan CHILIA, Joseph CARLOT, Ciciniho TASSO, Johnathan KAKOR, Brian TOMKOR, Joseph ANGANABOE, Damien TARI, Renox TATALAE, Jeffe WILLY, Delickson JUDAH, Jimmy MOSO, Romain LUAKE, Jim PETER, Jeremy TASSO MASSO, Jesse KAPALA.
Head coach: Emerson ALCANTARA.
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