Promising midfielder Matthew Garbett has already been through two of the biggest games in his young life in recent days but faces an even more important one tomorrow when New Zealand take on Tahiti in the semi-finals of the OFC U-16 Championship.

On offer to the winner is a place at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, meaning the stakes are extremely high for all involved and the ability to handle the nerves brought on by that is sure to play a prominent part.

Garbett is quickly getting used to such pressurised situations though after featuring in one of the biggest matches on the domestic football calendar and then making his international debut just a few days later.

The talented teen started for Western Suburbs in their loss to Birkenhead United in the ISPS Handa Chatham Cup final – a rare achievement in itself at just 16-years-old – and was soon on a plane bound for the Solomon Islands, where he joined up with his New Zealand team mates in a hot and humid Honiara.

He then received somewhat of a rude introduction to international football, coming off the bench at half-time as the Kiwis felt the full force of an inspired display from the Solomon Islands. The Melanesians ran out as 5-0 winners – just New Zealand’s fourth loss to a Pacific Island nation at U-17 level – but Garbett and his team mates bounced back promptly to defeat Papua New Guinea and book themselves a place in the semi-finals.

“It was hard when I first came in because I was quite knackered from playing in the Chatham Cup final,” he admits.

“It’s really hot over here so it was hard to acclimatise and it was tough against the Solomon Islands, they were a really good side. But I thought I did all right and when we played Papua New Guinea it was a bit better because I was more used to the conditions,” he adds.

“It was still probably one of the toughest games I’ve ever played in because of the heat and humidity but I thought the lads did well and I was quite happy with my first start in international football.”

While a significant blow at the time, Garbett says the heavy nature of that defeat to the Solomons could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

“Personally, it was a tough game for my debut but it was good for us in a way because now we’ve experienced everything. We know what it’s like to lose by a lot and take that sort of setback,” he says.

“But we came back stronger and we did dominate Papua New Guinea. We played well, we just need to finish our chances. We’re feeling good and the training has been positive so I think we’re ready to take on Tahiti.”

Aside from the intense heat, a major factor of playing in the Solomon Islands is the atmosphere created by the football-mad locals, who regularly flock to Lawson Tama Stadium in their thousands. They were out in numbers and in full voice for the Group A clash with New Zealand and Garbett says being at the centre of that cauldron was a unique experience.

“The crowd was insane against the Solomons, every time they got a fast break they would go crazy,” he says.

“But the Solomons fans do tend to like the New Zealand boys, they’re always polite and cheer for us when the Solomons aren’t playing. They even cheer for us sometimes when the Solomons are playing! It was the biggest crowd I’ve played in front of so far in my career and hopefully there will be another big one against Tahiti.”

The French Polynesians will take plenty of confidence into the semi-finals after topping Group B with a perfect record, scoring 10 goals and conceding just twice across their three matches. New Zealand finished second in their pool and top scorer Henry Hamilton has provided four of their 12 goals.

“They’re not an easy team and it’s going to be tough,” Garbett says.

“They’ll be used to the heat as well because it’s quite hot over in Tahiti. But it should be a good game and it will be unreal if we get to the World Cup.”

Match Details

Tahiti vs New Zealand
OFC U-16 Championship Semi-Final
Wednesday 19 September, 3pm (4pm NZT)
Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara
Live streaming available at www.oceaniafootball.com

New Zealand: 1. Alex Paulsen (GK), 2. Max Drake, 3. Kris Naicker, 4. Adam Hillis, 5. Ryan Verney, 6. Campbell Strong (c), 7. Marko Stamenic, 8. Jackson Manuel, 9. Henry Hamilton, 10. Joseph Lee, 11. Matthew Garbett, 12. Luca Taylor (GK), 13. Finn O’Connor, 14. Oskar Van Hattum, 15. Bradley Wilson, 16. Sean Bright, 17. Nathan Lobo, 18. Benjamin Old, 19. Hayden Aish, 20. Harry Bark
Coach: Jose Figueira

Article added: Tuesday 18 September 2018