The Oceania Under 20 Women's Football Championship kicks off in Nuku'alofa today, with the winner to join Papua New Guinea at next year's World Cup.
PNG replaced South Africa as World Cup hosts in March, gifting them automatic qualification and a second berth for Oceania.
Hosts Tonga face a tough test in today's opening match against defending Oceania champions New Zealand, who have been on an unbeaten run since 2002.
Coach Penateti Feke was a part of the Tongan team at July's Pacific Games.
She's selected four of her teammates from that event, while nine have experience from last year's Under 20 tournament.
"They've already played against New Zealand so they know what it's like to play against the toughest team in the region so it's going to be the toughest game out of all the games. From last year we had one victory so this year we're looking to get more than that. If the girls have it to take us to the top then so be it".
Vanuatu take on New Caledonia in today's other clash with Samoa's first game not until Saturday.