Avatiu tackles Sokattak

Today’s main soccer match will be between Avatiu and Nikao Sokattak.

Avatiu has some promising young talents who have proven their worth by continually attacking their opponents when they lose ball possession and that is a good sign that they can do well this season.

This is one team to watch when the game moves into the next round with the return of their regulars into the fold.

This young team was put together a few weeks ago before the start of the 2010 season but has continued to show improvement by utilising their promising young players to their advantage. Avatiu’s players to watch are Tahiri Elikana and Aberahama Tangi at the back, young utility players Marcelo Rairoa and Marcus Toru up front with the sneaky Mana Mokoroa.

Young Mokoroa will need quality ball to feet to score against the formidable Sokattak back line. This young team is quick and unpredictable so if Sokattak wants to keep their slate clean they will need to absorb pressure from Avatiu and at every opportunity, deny them quality ball up front.

Last week, these boys from the swamp showed their supporters what it takes and that they were no pushovers when it comes to village honour.

Their familiarity with the field, their youth and the strong will to resist are their assets that should contain the runaway Nikao Sokattak outfit which demolished the Arorangi side two weeks ago. In the Nikao Sokattak camp, they will still miss the services of their regulars but they are fortunate to have the services of their stalwarts in key places up front, in the midfield and at the back.

The key to their big win two weeks ago was their formidable five in the midfield and on the attack in the likes of the Tisam brothers Tuka and Anonga, Steve Carters, James Nan and Dawn Tare.

The combination of these talented players caused a lot of problems for Arorangi two weeks ago so Avatiu will need to be cautious.

With the strong support from ‘Mr Reliable’ Steve Willis and the hardworking Androman, Nikao will be hard to beat.

For soccer fans including visitors on the island, this is the game to watch at the CIFA complex so come and watch football at its best.

In the senior women’s match, Nikao will want to keep their slate clean.

They drew with last year’s round cup winners Arorangi in the dying stages of the game.

This season they have shown that they can live up to their men’s reputation, but Avatiu has a number of national talents in their lineup which could put a dent in Nikao’s books.

Both teams are reasonably matched, but silly mistakes could lead to a likely win or loss situation for both teams.

In today’s other match Matavera will play Arorangi at the Matavera field so come to the field and support your team. Good luck to all teams.