The Matavera-Ngatangiia senior women are set to play Avatiu today at 5pm in the first of the senior women’s knock out matches. Matavera surprised Avatiu just last week in their final round match only falling to the side by one goal.
Matavera will likely aim to better that result in their match today and will hope to get some goals to hopefully move forward to the semi-finals.
Avatiu senior women’s coach Uriia Ngatoko is happy with his team’s performance throughout the season and say’s his side is edging to get back out on the field for the knockouts. “Our Avatiu senior women have played some great football all season and now we are so excited for the knockouts. We have prepared well for the game against Matavera but Matavera has also improved their game in the past round, however despite this we are positive that we can overcome them.”
The Avatiu premier men are expected to give Titikaveka a good run for their money in their match tomorrow at 5pm.
Avatiu finished their season on a high taking down Matavera in the final round giving them a boost heading into the knock out rounds. The Avatiu premier men, like the Matavera senior women haven’t had the best of luck this season up until the final round of games in which they managed to pick up some points for themselves and give their opponents a good run.
Avatiu’s Victor Elikana and Aturangi Putere are likely to take charge of their side into tomorrow’s match and will need to guide their younger players throughout the match to give themselves a good shot at moving through to the semifinals.
Titikaveka head coach, Theresa Tatuava explained her sides preparation building up to this match saying “We will do our best to prepare ourselves both mentally and tactically. Our preparation will depend on each and every one of our playing believing in themselves and their ability. And I think that they have to find the connection that had in the first round which they have somehow lost and struggled to find again. If they are able to do that against Avatiu then they should be able to advance to the next round.”
Fixtures:
Thursday 5thDecember, 2019 at the CIFA complex, Matavera
4.00pm Under 14 Boys Avatiu FC vs Matavera FC
Ref: Kura Smith Assist: Lai Gukisuva, Tehainnah Tatuava
5.00pm Senior Women Avatiu FC vs Matavera FC
Ref: Lai Gukisuva Assist:Tehainnah Tatuava, Kura Smith
Friday 6thDecember, 2019 at the CIFA complex, Matavera
4.00pm Under 14 Girls Tupapa Maraerenga FC vs Titikaveka FC
Ref: Robert Savage Assist:Maara Kaukura, Pierce Iripa
5.00pm Premier Men Titikaveka FC vs Avatiu FC
Ref: John Pareanga Assist: Robert Savage, Maara Kaukura
