The 2019 CIFA Knock-out cup elimination rounds are here they will kick off today. The U7 and U9 matches will be played at the CIFA complex while the U11 matches are held at the Takitumu school grounds.
In the U17 men’s division Puaikura will play Matavera-Ngatangiia at 4:45pm the CIFA complex.
Puaikura U17 men’s coach Tavake Karika says his team has learned valuable lessons from their round cup title loss stating “We understand that we just needed to re-group ourselves and go back to the basics. Having a game with the National U16 squad on our BYE week actually gave us an opportunity to make some adjustments and tidy up our structure and I was happy with the outcome. The focus now is to play game by game without thinking about the final yet, so we are not taking Matavera lightly as its anyone’s game. Today, Puaikura is well prepared and has moved on from what they have missed and can’t wait to take the field.”
His Matavera-Ngatangiia counterpart Alan Taylor said his side is aware of what is at stake and that they will give their all against Puaikura. “Wednesday’s game is a knockout so the boys will give everything to make sure it is not the last game of the season. This is a one-off game so previous results and form don’t count for anything. Puaikura is a strong side but the boys are ready for the challenge.”
Playing at the Takitumu school grounds at 4:45pm will be the Nikao Sokattak and Avatiu U17 men.
Nikao Sokattak U17 men’s coach, Alex Napa, had a few comments to make pre-match saying “Avatiu in my opinion has underperformed in the main season thus far. However, when they have their full team together they are a handful for any team including Nikao. We have our own performance level to lift as well, with various exams and players school commitments on over the last weeks we haven’t being able to prepare well as a team finish our season as strongly as we would have liked. We hope to get back to our normal preparation program and really give it one more push for the knock outs.”
FIXTURES:
Wednesday 4thDecember, 2019 at the CIFA complex, Matavera.
CIFA Field 1: Under 7 Mix
4.15pm Field 1: Puaikura FC vs Titikaveka FC
Ref: Teretia Teinaki, Tailei Blake
4.15pm Field 2: Avatiu FC vs Matavera FC
Ref:Eitiare Tangirere, Robert Savage
CIFA Field 1: Under 9 Mix
4.15pm Field 1: Puaikura FC vs Matavera FC
Ref: Junior Savage, Lai Gukisuva
4.15pm Field 2: Tupapa Maraerenga FC vs Titikaveka FC
Ref: Angelina Mitchell, Tahiri Elikana
Takitumu School: Under 11 Mix
4.15pm Field 1: Puaikura FC vs Matavera FC
Ref: Tehainnah Tatuava
4.15pm Field 2: Nikao Sokattak FC vs Tupapa Maraerenga FC
Ref: Kura Smith, Nicky Smith
Under 17 Men
4.45pm CIFA Field 1: Puaikura FC vs Matavera FC
Ref: John Pareanga Assist: Teretia Teinaki, Lai Gukisuva
4.45pm Takitumu School: Nikao Sokattak FC vs Avatiu FC
Ref: Maara Kaukura Assist:Tehainnah Tatuava, Kura Smith
