A struggling Puaikura side will be hosting the unbeaten Tupapa Maraerenga FC in the feature match of round three in the Rarotonga football competition this afternoon.

In the Tower Insurance premier men’s division, Puaikura’s wild west warriors will be looking to sneak their way through with an upset win against the highflying Tupapa FC.

Puaikura’s Dwayne Tiputoa will be spearheading Puaikura’s attack hoping to lead his forwards through the Tupapa wall to get the much-needed goals.

However Tupapa will have the likes of midfield general Grover Harmon and Kadecz Tatuava standing in Puaikura’s way and they will no doubt make it hard for them to come close to their goal area.

Tupapa’s Men in Black, structured and experienced haven’t tasted disappointment in the 2022 football season yet, and will want to maintain that for as long as they can.

But Puaikura have proven to be their nemesis in the past and with experienced players like Paul Luiz Van Eijk and Dwayne Tiputoa leading the Arorangi side, there is no doubt that they will bring the heat to this fixture.

Both Puaikura and Tupapa aren’t teams to be taken lightly as any mistake can prove costly in this highly anticipated clash.

Playing before the men’s will be the Islander senior women’s game. Puaikura and Tupapa have always been toughest teams and arch rivals in the women’s division.

After the first two rounds, Tupapa’s Ladies in Black lead the points table with six points while Puaikura, after losing once, have three points to their name.

The Ladies in Black have brought a few young talents into their squad and they have proven themselves worth of a spot in the starting eleven.

Tupapa’s Tatiana Areai and Kayleena Kermode will be their key players as they have proven hard for defenders to handle, but Puaikura’s western ladies especially with the likes of Natasha Dean and Pekarau Mataio in defence will be doing their best to keep them at bay.

Today’s fixtures will get underway with the BSP U15 Boys at 11.15am, so don’t miss what is set out to be a day of glorious football at CIFA Complex.

• CIFA MEDIA

Fixtures

CIFA, Matavera – 11.15am Under 15 Boys. Tupapa Maraerenga FC vs Puaikura FC (Ref: Lai Gukisuva, Assist: Matilda Auua, Teupoko Tuariki), 12.15pm Under 15 Girls. Tupapa Maraerenga FC vs Puaikura FC (Ref: Ua Savage, Assist: TeupokoTuariki, Matilda Auua), 1.15pm Under 18 Men. Tupapa Maraerenga FC vs Puaikura FC (Ref: Terry Piri, Assist: Robert Savage, Junior Savage), 2.40pm Senior Women. Tupapa Maraerenga FC vs Puaikura FC (Ref: Lai Gukisuva, Assist: Ua Savage, Poko Manuela), 4.15pm Premier Men. Tupapa Maraerenga FC vs Puaikura FC (Ref: Terry Piri, Assist: Junior Savage, Robert Savage). Takitumu school, Matavera – 12.30pm Under 15 Girls. Matavera FC vs Titikaveka FC (Ref: Mata Iroa, Assist: Ratai Kaukura, Noovao Blake), 1.30pm Under 15 Boys. Matavera FC vs Titikaveka FC (Ref: Maara Kaukura, Assist: Tailei Blake, Carl Fredrick), 2.40pm Senior Women. Matavera FC vs Titikaveka FC (Ref: Mata Iroa, Assist: Merian Noovao, Theressa Kaukura), 4.15pm Premier Men. Matavera FC vs Titikaveka FC (Ref: Maara Kaukura, Assist: Penina Katuke, Kimberly Uini).