16 Aug 2018

Sport: U20 World Cup spots on the line in OFC semis

12:11 pm on 16 August 2018

Qualification for the FIFA Under 20 Men's World Cup is on the line in today's OFC Under 19 Championship semi finals.

Group A winners New Zealand face New Caledonia in the first semi final as they chase a fifth straight World Cup appearance.

The defending Oceania champions have gone through pool play unbeaten and coach Des Buckingham said they are ready to go.

"From our end we've got control of what we have, everyone is available in terms of suspensions and everyone is fit and healthy," he said.

"We've been to all their games and we've been really impressed with the individuals they have and how they then come together as a collective. They've got some real threats across the pitch.

"We're as prepared as we can be so we'll see how the game goes."

New Caledonia and Solomon Islands are one game away from qualifying for the FIFA Under 20 Men's World Cup.

New Caledonia and Solomon Islands are one game away from qualifying for the FIFA Under 20 Men's World Cup. Photo: OFC via Phototek

The New Caledonia squad includes a number of players who took part in last year's Under 17 World Cup in India and coach Felix Tagawa believes both teams would be worthy of another appearance on the global stage.

"We know that we need to expect another difficult match because that's the rivalry that exists between the Melanesian and Polynesian countries," he said.

"We've spent our time recuperating and working on preparing for this next match."

Group B victors Solomon Islands, who also have a perfect record from their three matches, take on Tahiti in the night match at Stade Pater.

Coach Batrum Suri is expecting a tricky encounter against the hosts.

"We know Tahiti are playing at home which gives them an advantage. It will be a different challenge for us compared to what we have experienced in the group stage," he said.

"The team is ready, we are all looking forward to the game as the atmosphere in the camp is in high spirit.

"As coach I have confidence in the boys to deliver us the result we want. We need to keep our concentration high at all times and focus on what we need to do against Tahiti."

New Zealand and Tahiti are looking to seal their spot in Poland.

New Zealand and Tahiti are looking to seal their spot in Poland. Photo: OFC via Phototek

Tahiti coach Bruno Tehaamoana said the game could go either way.

"It'll be 50-50 against the Solomons. It's an incredibly good team, very technical, very quick," he said.

"We're trying to put in place a tactical plan to try and thwart them."

The two semi final winners will book their spot at next year's World Cup in Poland and set up a grand final showdown in Papeete this weekend.