Soccer: U-20 qualifiers kick off with NZ side as favourite

Six island nations are ready to put their reputations and aspirations on the line in challenging hosts New Zealand for the top spot in Oceania and a ticket to Fifa's Under-20 World Cup, when they go head-to-head in the qualifying tournament which kicks off at Mangere's Centre Park today.

The Chris Milicich-coached Junior All Whites start as favourites but the visiting teams are keen to beat the odds.

Coached by Noel Wagapu, the Solomon Islands Mamulas have a wealth of experience with most of their players honing their skills with clubs such as Kossa in the recently established Telekom S-League.

"All the teams in this competition have prepared well and nobody will be there to lose," said Wagapu.

The Solomons, who play New Caledonia in the opening round in group B this afternoon, face their biggest test against New Zealand on Saturday.

The New Caledonians might not be as well prepared after changes in team personnel this year. "The group has been remodelled slightly since our first selection in January," said New Caledonia coach Stephane Drahusak.

After their opener against the Solomons today, the Noumea-based team meet New Zealand in their final pool match on Monday.

The biggest challenge for Milicich has been blending his players, with half the team based abroad.

The professionals in the team such as Marco Rojas, Luke Rowe, James Musa and Stefan Marinovich will hold the key, but Milicich has plenty of confidence in his home-based players.

"I think it is a strong squad," said Milicich. "I expect there will be a game-breaker in there, a player like a Roy Krishna or Benji Totori who have come out of these tournaments in the past."

In a late change to the New Zealand team, Waitakere United's Ryan de Vries has been replaced by Central United defender Nikko Boxall after Fifa rejected de Vries' application to play, despite being accorded New Zealand citizenship.

Group A will be contested by Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and American Samoa with Fiji favoured ahead of Vanuatu.

Today, Vanuatu will play American Samoa (10.30am) and Fiji meet PNG (3.30pm). In group B, New Caledonia meet the Solomon Islands at 1pm tomorrow.