Cook Islands National Men’s team selected for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Oceania Qualifiers after weeks of preparation.
Eight Rarotonga based footballers, along with other selected squad members based in New Zealand, Australia and London, have been in training since late December last year for the upcoming qualifiers in Doha, Qatar.
Cook Islands had been set to playoff against Tonga in a single-leg qualifying match on the 13thMarch to decide who will earn the right to contest Group A at the tournament, however due to the impact of the volcanic eruption and tsunami which struck Tonga last month, they withdrew from the tournament.
Therefore, the qualifying match will not take place, and Cook Islands have automatically gone through to the group stage for Group A joining Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu, who are teams ranked a lot higher than Cook Islands, with all matches to be played at the Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
Cook Islands will face Solomon Islands in their first match on 17thMarch, followed by Tahiti on the 19thof March and last match against Vanuatu on the 24thMarch.
The locally based squad members have been training under the helm of Coach Alan Taylor.
Taylor explains that “Due to players being so spread out and COVID restrictions, we have not been able to train or play as a squad, nor have I been able to visit any of the overseas based players to watch them play or train as well as assess their physical condition or readiness for the competition in Qatar”.
All players were informed earlier this year that they were being considered for the squad and to start their own training and preparation, which they have been doing according to Taylor. Most players are involved in a football club and have been using pre-season training for extra preparation for the trip but will have to wait till their arrival in Qatar to complete a full team training.
Therefore, Taylor has generally relied on players known to CIFA from previous National Men’s squad and age group team when selecting this squad and adds that, “That familiarity and experience will be vital in Qatar”.
The squad going will most likely be dubbed as the underdogs in their Group, but Alan Taylor has made it clear that although outside expectations might be low, he is confident that they will be focused and prepared for each challenge they will face in their upcoming matches, and there will be no excuses when going over.
“We will play with pride and passion and never stop trying” states Alan.
The locally based players are currently training three to four evenings per week and have had practice games in preparation for the qualifiers.
The team is scheduled to depart our shores on Saturday 6thMarch 2022 and will meet with the rest of the squad in Doha.
The squad consists of the following:
Rarotonga-based: Grover Harmon (Tupapa Maraerenga FC), Anthony Samuela (Tupapa Maraerenga FC), Avi Enoka (Tupapa Maraerenga FC), Tahiri Elikana (Nikao Sokattak FC), Toru Mateariki (Nikao Sokattak FC), Tamaiva Mateariki (Nikao Sokattak FC), Dwayne Tiputoa (Puaikura FC), Jarves Aperau (Puaikura FC); New Zealand-based: Daryl Areai, Lee Harmon, Ben Mata, Ishaq Nazeem, Maro Bonsu-Maro, Harlem Simiona, Orin Ruaine-Prattley, Emiel Burrows; Sydney-based: Kerim Kumsuz, Ismail Hadife, Taylor Saghabi; Melbourne-based: Thane Beal and London-based: Tyrrell Barringer-Tahiri
Management Team: Alan Taylor (Coach), Paul Farrell-Turepu (Manager), Teina Savage (Assistant Manager), Dr. Teariki Puni (Doctor) and Gareth O’Loughlin (Physio).
