Soccer: Tahitians' talent and coaching formidable combo for final, says NZ coach

Tahiti striker Tevairoa Tehuritaua sets off on a run that brought his first goal in their game against Tonga. Photo / Paul Estcourt

New Zealand coach Steve Cain is under no illusions. The Tahitian team his charges face this afternoon in the Oceania Under-17 Championship at North Harbour Stadium not only deserve their place in the final but are extremely talented and well-coached.

"They are at a different level altogether than other teams we have played in this tournament," said Cain.

"You have to remember it was Tahiti who knocked New Zealand out of the under-20s a few years ago."

The two teams are no strangers in meeting at the business end of these events.

Two years ago, under a different format, New Zealand beat the French Polynesians 2-0 in what was a virtual final to win through to the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria.

"In some ways it was easier last time," said Cain. "We played it as a league with only three games and more time between games which allowed us to virtually play what we considered our best team every time. We went into the last game needing to win as Tahiti had a better goal difference."

The Young All Whites won 2-0 to go through with a perfect record and without conceding a goal.

The only goal let in by New Zealand at this tournament came in their opening 5-1 win over Vanuatu - a game which showed the hosts at their best, and not so good.

After racing 4-0 ahead at halftime with perhaps their best 45 minutes of soccer, they conceded a sloppy goal early in the second half.

"With five games in 10 days, you have to box clever," said Cain. "We have chopped and changed in some games. I'm sure if we had put our best team out in every game you would have seen better."

Although Cain told his players the lineup last night, it will not be made public until just before kick-off. But he suggested yesterday there would not be many changes to the team who opened the tournament.

"In some ways selection is difficult as some players have stepped up when given their chances," said Cain who maintained the way the Tahitians play had not influenced his selection. "We have seen them play three times here and have videos of other games so we are aware of what to expect.

"It will be as hard as last time but let's hope this time we don't have a player sent off after half an hour for time-wasting, which was a joke."

New Zealand have built their record around an impressive defensive effort, with Luke Adams, Reece Lambert and goalkeepers Scott Basalaj and Scott Armistead showing out. Add in the flair shown by Tim Payne, Rhys Jordan and the mercurial Ken Yamamoto and the basis for what Cain hopes will be a winning team will be on show.

Tahiti, like New Zealand, won their four matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding two. NZ scored 13 and conceded one.

Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands will meet in the early game for third place.

OFC U-17 CHAMPS
FINAL

*New Zealand v Tahiti
*Today 4pm
Referee: Andrew Achari (Fiji)

3RD/4TH
*Vanuatu v Solomon Islands
*Today 1.30pm
*North Harbour Stadium