Soccer: Giants from the islands pose a challenge for NZ Under 17s

Steve Cain's Under 17 team are up against some physical opposition in Vanuatu. Photo / Rotorua Daily Post

It did not take long for New Zealand coach Steve Cain to confirm what he was sure he already knew when he turned up at North Harbour Stadium for the opening day of the Oceania Under-17 Championship on Saturday.

Cain quickly realised that his team - the tournament favourites - would definitely be up against it physically from the time they run out at the outer oval for their opening match against Vanuatu this afternoon.

A quick look at the tournament opener between Fiji and, in particular, American Samoa showed that even as 16-year-olds there are some very big boys in the island teams.

"We are never the biggest team at these tournaments," said Cain as he watched Fiji score two goals late in the first half and then pull away with seven more unanswered goals in the second. "That does not intimidate us. The biggest worry is injury as sometimes these big lads can be unintentionally reckless which can cause problems."

Cain is confident his team are ready to play in a tournament which offers the winners a trip to the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Mexico in June-July.

"We have had longer to prepare this time than two years ago. We have had three or four months to get ready and I'm confident we have done all we could. We are probably stronger defensively this time. That could be the key as we always back ourselves to score goals."

With games every second day, all teams will be tested, particularly if the heat of the first day becomes the norm.

"With such a tough schedule the depth of squads will be really tested."

With that first day bye - warmly favoured Vanuatu scored a goal in each half to beat Papua New Guinea in the second group A match on the opening day - New Zealand will play every second day with today's tester against Vanuatu followed on Wednesday with their game against Fiji.

"These tournaments always throw up quality players. George Suri is one who springs to mind. This tournament will be no different. You can only prepare as best you can and be ready."

While Cain will not reveal his starting XI for the match against Vanuatu until just before the 4pm kick-off, he did say that two of the three 15-year-olds in the squad are likely to start. Papua New Guinea play Fiji in today's early (1.30pm) game.

In yesterday's group B matches the Solomon Islands and favoured Tahiti scored first-round wins. Tevairoa Tehuritaua led the charge for Tahiti, runners-up to New Zealand in the last two tournaments, with two goals in each half as they romped to 8-0 over Tonga.

The earlier match was keenly contested with the Solomon Islands breaking the halftime deadlock to beat New Caledonia 2-1.