OFC News

AUCKLAND: Ryan Griffiths' late equaliser which earned the Olyroos a 1-1 draw against New Zealand at North Harbour Stadium last night, was enough to book Australia's ticket to Athens courtesy of a 3-1 aggregate.

It was a flattering draw for the Olyroos who went into this deciding leg of the OFC Men's Olympic Qualifiers with a two goal advantage after easily beating their New Zealand counterparts, the OlyWhites in the first leg match in Sydney.

But it was a different storyline this time. New Zealand was desperately unlucky not to win a game they fully deserved to take out, judging by the numerous scoring opportunities they created.

Coach Ricki Herbert had obviously done his homework from the Sydney encounter and had the boys fired up from the start. This time, they had the Australian defence stretched with a more varied attacking approach moving the ball quickly to their forwards and penetrating more on the flanks.

It was a far cry from the conservative effort on Monday when they were content to send forward long balls all day which the organised Olyroos gobbled up with ease.

It seemed a matter time before the OlyWhites would score after the numerous chances created in the first half. And their persistence was rewarded after half-time in the 51st minute when Shane Smeltz scored after a scorching run down the right flank by Leo Bertos, arguably New Zealand's best player on the night.

Bertos had shaken off Olyroo defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff after receiving a pass then spun around and sped off down towards the right corner flag before crossing in to Smeltz who was wonderfully positioned by the far post to slot the ball past Australian goalkeeper Eugen Josip Galekovic. Olyroos coach Frank Farina reacted by subbing off striker Brett Holman for Dylan Macallistar.

With half and hour remaining the Olywhites had the Australians reeling and had a golden chance to put the nail in. New Zealand should have scored their second goal which would have sent the game into extra-time after Bertos and Brent Fisher combined beautifully to cross into the lanky Neil Jones who was open from five yards out. But his downward header hit the ground and bounced over the beaten Galekovic and over the cross-bar. The Olyroos breathed again.

But after holding the Australians to a scoreless first half, creating more shots on goal and with their heads high after Smeltz's goal, a touch of brilliance in the 71st minute against the run of play caught the New Zealand defence napping for a brief moment and within seconds the game was effectively killed off.

Ahmad Elrich who had been anonymous on the right side for Australia for much of the game delivered a perfect through ball to a flying Griffiths who had earlier come on for brilliant left wing Alex Brosque just after the break. He outpaced Olywhites defender Rupesh Puna and slotted the ball past the outstretched Glen Moss who was sluggish in reacting to the pass. The outplayed Australians suddenly came to life celebrating the crucial away goal and from there they seemed to rediscover their touch.

At 1-1, the heads began to sink in the New Zealand camp but the near 3,000 spectators refused to concede defeat and urged on the home side even though the task was almost insurmountable needing three goals with just minutes remaining. But stuck to the task the Olywhites did.

Timothy Brown, replacement striker Allan Pearce and Brent Fisher came close in the dying moments in the game but their shots on goal were inaccurate and wide of the mark. Australia almost snatched victory at the end when they broke free on a counter attacking run after a New Zealand corner. However, Dylan Macallistar `s flying header did not do justice to Carle's sweet cross from the right side, and it flew harmlessly over the cross-bar.

Seconds later, Fijian referee Leone Rakaroi called time. The Australian bench erupted in celebration as they realised their goal to qualify for the Athens Olympics in August had finally been realised.

For New Zealand, they put up a brave fight and could feel hard done by to walk away with only a draw to reflect their dominance. While the statistics were even, New Zealand had the more clear-cut chances but they failed to finish them off. They had thrown everything at the Australians after succumbing 2-0 in the first leg in Sydney and gave the spectators their moneys worth with their positive attitude.

The central defence pairing of captain, Steven Old and Andrew Boyens were superb in Auckland and they effectively shut out the dangerous Nick Carle and Brett Holman in the first stanza. Carle gave New Zealand some nervous moments in the early moments of the first half but once the home side had settled he was kept quiet, as was Australian danger man Alex Brosque. Puna did a good job to deny him any quality ball. Brosque showed just how highly regarded he is with the few chances he did get when his solo run in the 30th minute almost gave Australia the lead. But his attempt was wide and no threat to Moss. He was subbed off shortly after Smeltz' goal.

Leo Bertos was a constant threat to the Australians every time he touched the ball and he combined well with his front men of Smeltz, Jones and Fisher, as did David Mulligan on the left wing. The front three had plenty of chances but their shots on goal were mostly wide of the mark. Often crosses and passes were astray ruining other scoring chances. But by and large, it was a much more positive effort and a marked improvement from the first leg. Several players would have done their chances of an All Whites call-up for the upcoming OFC Nations Cup/World Cup qualifiers a world of good.

Australia finished the game confidently and was in control during the latter stages of the match after Griffiths' goal.

It was the second consecutive time Australia had turned the game with a goal from a replacement. Jon McKain came on for injured captain Ljubo Milicevic in the first leg match to score the vital goal which led to an Australian victory and Griffiths did likewise to quieten the New Zealanders.

The tone of the game was tough and uncompromising, which was expected with a place in Athens at stake, but largely played in good spirits aside from a flare up of players in the second half which saw Olyroos captain, Luke Wilkshire and Timothy Brown dished out yellow cards, just moments after Jones' missed header.

Afterwards, a calm, composed Australian coach Frank Farina entered the press conference room with a subdued, tired looking Griffiths - a scene in contrast to the joyous echoes from the Australian changing room audible through the corridor outside the entrance.

"We did the job we came here to do," he said.

"I felt confident we could score a goal which we did and we should have won it at the end."

Farina was not ready to make predictions on how the team would go in Athens but he did pay tribute to his players for showing character to come back after admitting they had "panicked" for much of the game due to the pressure of the occasion.

Herbert was pleased at the effort from his charges but singled out the missed goal by Jones as an opportunity missed for his team and the turning moment of the game.

(ends)

2004 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament

Second leg Play off/30 January

Full-time: 1-1

Half-time: 0-0

Venue: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland / Time: 7:40pm (NZT)

Weather: Overcast, humid

Crowd attendance: 3,000

Scorers: NZ - (11) Shane Smeltz 51'; Aus - (8) Ryan Griffiths 71'

Cautions: NZ - (14) Timothy Brown 69'; AUS - (10) Luke Wilkshire 69'; AUS - (1) Eugen Josip Galekovic 78'

Expulsions: none

Match Officials:

Referee: Leone Rakaroi (Fiji)

Assistant Referee 1: Michel Angot (Tahiti)

Assistant Referee 2: Michael Mouauri (Cook Is)

Fourth Official: Charles Ariiotima (Tahiti)

Match Commissioner: Lee Harmon (Cook Is)

Referee Inspector: Johnny Tinsley Lulu (Vanuatu)

Result: Australia wins on aggregate goals 3-1 and qualifies as OFC Champion to represent Oceania at the Athens Olympics in August 2004.

NEW ZEALAND

1. Glen Moss (gk)

2. Rupesh Puna

3. Tony Lochhead

5. Steven Old

6. Andrew Boyens

7. Leo Bertos (-85')

8. David Mulligan

10. Brent Fisher

14. Timothy Brown

11. Shane Smeltz (-66')

17. Neil Jones (-82')

Subs

20. Tamati Williams (rgk)

4. Steven Turner

9. Tariq Iman

15. James Pritchett (+85')

12. Matthew Adams

13. Matthew Wilson

16. Allan Pearce (+66')

18. Jarrod Smith (+82')

19. Jason Hayne

Coach: Ricki Herbert

AUSTRALIA

1. Eugene Galekovic (gk)

2. Jade North

3. Shane Cansdell-Sherriff

5. Jon McKain

6. David Tarka

9. Brett Holman (-52')

10. Luke Wilkshire (c)

11. Alex Brosque (-59')

14. Ahmad Elrich (-79')

15. Carl Valeri

19. Nicholas Carle

Subs

7. Matt McKay

8. Ryan Griffiths (+59')

12. Dylan Macallister (+52')

13. Michael Beauchamp

16. Michael Thwaite

17. Anthony Pelikan

18. Michael Turnbull (rgk)

20. Spase Dilevski (+79')

Coach: Frank Farina

SYDNEY: Australia has beaten New Zealand 2-0 in the first OFC Olympic qualifying play off at Parramatta Stadium in Sydney tonight.

The home side were in control of the match from the opening whistle and finished off the gallant kiwis in the latter stages of the second half through goals to replacement John McKain and Ahmad Elrich.

New Zealand competed well in the opening exchanges and were organised on defence for the first half hour. The Oly-Whites held Australia to a scoreless first half, though the home side came close to scoring on several occasions before the break. New Zealand goalkeeper Glen Moss was equal to the task when called upon.

New Zealand had at least two genuine scoring chances in the first half through striker Brent Fisher who recieved the ball in the box but his shot went wide and the other when Leo Bertos found David Mulligan but his shot was also off the mark.

Chances in the second half for the kiwis were few and far between unfortunately as the Australians poured more pressure on the New Zealand defence - their speed and attacking variation causing the visitors all sorts of problems. The absence of captain Ljubo Milicevic through injury in the first half did not seem to have an effect on the Australians.

With the New Zealand defence continuing to hold after the break Frank Farina played an ace card with the injection of fresh legs in the form of Nick Carle. Immediately his presence was felt and his speed caused the kiwis problems.

Moss was made to pull of a fine series of saves but the inevitable goal came quarter of an hour after Carle's entry into the game. From a corner, McKain followed up Brett Holman's shot to score Australia's first goal.

Elrich finishes off the tiring New Zealanders just minutes later as that man Carle sets him up with a sitter of a pass on the corner of the box which gave Moss no chance.

New Zealand rallied in the final moments to gain a vital away goal to take into the second play off this Friday at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, but to no avail.

Australia deserved their victory and were easily the better side in all departments. Australian goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic was hardly called upon as Australia overwhelmingly dominated on attack forcing a number of corners to none for New Zealand. The Australians also had far more shots on goal. New Zealand showed little creativity or adventure on attack as their approach was more conservative to their opponents. They looked dangerous as expected from set pieces but never really threatened the Australians and they will need a mammoth effort to turn the tables for the final play off match.

2004 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying - Play off 1

Result: Australia 2-0 New Zealand

half-time: 0-0

Venue: Parramatta Stadium, Sydney

Scorers: (Aus) 5.John McKain 77'; (AUs) 14.Ahmad Elrich 84'

Cautions: (NZ) 7.Leo Bertos 60'; (NZ) 17.Neil Jones 73'; (Aus) 9.Brett

Holman 67'

Weather: fine, mild temperatures

Team Line-ups:

New Zealand (& subs)

1. Glen Moss (gk)

2. Rupesh Puna

3. Tony Lochhead

5. Steven Old

6. Andrew Boyens

7. Leo Bertos

8. David Mulligan

10. Brent Fisher

14. Timothy Brown

15. James Pritchett

17. Neil Jones (-78')

Substitutes from

20. Tamati Williams (rgk)

4. Steven Turner

9. Tariq Iman

11. Shane Smeltz (+78')

12. Matthew Adams

13. Matthew Wilson

16. Allan Pearce

18. Jarrod Smith

19. Jason Hayne

Coach: Ricki Herbert

Australia (& subs)

1. Eugene Galekovic (gk)

2. Jade North

3. Shane Cansdell-Sherriff

4. Ljubo Milicevic (c) (-16')

6. David Tarka

14. Ahmad Elrich

15. Carl Valeri

10. Luke Wilkshire

11. Alex Brosque

12. Dylan Macallister

9. Brett Holman

Substitutes from

18. Michael Turnbull (rgk)

13. Michael Beauchamp

5. Jon McKain (+16')

8. Ryan Griffiths

16. Michael Thwaite

20. Spase Dilevski

19. Nick Carle

7. Matt McKay

17. Anthony Pelikan

Coach: Frank Farina

FOR FULL COVERAGE OF THE 2004 OFC MEN'S OLYMPIC QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT, PLEASE VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE LINKED TO THE OFC WEBSITE HOMEPAGE BY CLICKING ON THE ICON LOCATED TO THE RIGHT

OFC, Auckland: The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) announced today the match officials for the 2004 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying play-offs to be contested by Australia and New Zealand on 26 & 30 January.

Tahitian referee Charles Ariiotima will be in control of the first play off match on Monday, 26 January at Sydney's Parramatta Stadium. The match will be televised live to both New Zealand and Australia audiences with coverage starting at 6.45pm (NZT) on Sky Sports 1 and 4:45pm (AEST) on ABC TV.

Fiji's Leone Rakaroi gets the whistle for the second play off at North Harbour Stadium in Albany, Auckland on Friday, 30 January. That match will kick-off at 7:30pm (NZT - 5:30pm AEST) and will be televised live to New Zealand audiences on ESPN. Delayed coverage on Sky Sports 1 is at 11:00pm. Australian audiences will receive coverage at 11:20pm (AEST) with a replay at 2pm the following day on Saturday, 31 January.

Mr Lee Harmon of the Cook Islands has been appointed the match commissioner for both play off matches which will decide the Oceania Champion and representative of OFC at the 2004 Olympic Games men's football tournament in Athens, Greece in August. It is the first time that the Oceania region has been given direct entry (in football/soccer) to the Olympic Games.

The full match official appointments for the play offs are as follows:

Play-off 1: Australia vs New Zealand

Date: Monday, 26 January 2004

Venue: Parramatta Stadium, Sydney

Time: 4:50pm kick-off (AEST)

Referee: Charles Ariiotima (Tahiti)

Assistant Referee 1: Michel Angot (Tahiti)

Assistant Referee 2: Michael Mouauri (Cook Islands)

Fourth Official: Ron Wilbur (Vanuatu)

Match Commissioner: Lee Harmon (Cook Islands)

Referee Inspector: tba

Play-off 2: New Zealand vs Australia

Date: Friday, 30 January 2004

Venue: North Harbour Stadium, Auckland

Time: 7:30pm kick-off (NZT)

Referee: Leone Rakaroi (Fiji)

Assistant Referee 1: Hillary Ani (Papua New Guinea)

Assistant Referee 2: Neil Poloso (Solomon Islands)

Fourth Official: Gidas Bayung (Papua New Guinea)

Match Commissioner: Lee Harmon (Cook Islands)

Referee Inspector: tba

22 JAN: New Zealand and Australia will meet in a home and away playoff to decide the Oceania representative to the Athens Olympic Games men's football tournament in August.

In a highly entertaining finale to the group stages, New Zealand recovered from a 0-2 deficit in the first half to beat Vanuatu 3-2 in the Group B decider at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland tonight, while over in Sydney, Australia were too good for Fiji taking out Group A with a 6-0 win at Marconi Stadium.

In the earlier games, Samoa capped off a their campaign with a 4-4 draw against leading Papua New Guinea 4-3 with minutes remaining. However, the solitary point put Samoa was enough to put them ahead of Solomon Islands on the Group A points table and third place behind Australia and Fiji, easily Samoa's best result ever in international football since becoming a FIFA member in 1986. PNG picked up their first points against Samoa.

Cook Islands defeated American Samoa 3-2 at North Harbour, securing their first win and goals of the 2004 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Tonga, who had the bye came in third place behind New Zealand and Vanuatu with two wins in a successful campaign by their expectations.

The first playoff will be played in Sydney on Monday, 26 January at Parramatta Stadium. The second playoff will be played next Friday, 30 January at North Harbour Stadium.

The winner will be decided on aggregate points over the two playoff matches and advance straight to Athens. It is the first time the OFC has been granted direct entry to the Olympics.

Results overview:

Group A - Marconi Stadium, Sydney:

5:00pm - Samoa 4-4 PNG (ht: 1-2 PNG)

7:30pm - Australia 6-0 Fiji (ht: 2-0 Australia)

Group B - North Harbour Stadium, Auckland:

5:00pm - Cook Islands 3-2 American Samoa (ht: 2-0 Cook Islands)

7:30pm - New Zealand 3-2 Vanuatu (ht: 1-2 Vanuatu)

FULL MATCH REPORTS TO FOLLOW

FOR LATEST REPORTS, RESULTS AND NEWS FROM THE 2004 OFC MEN'S OLYMPIC QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT, PLEASE VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE LINKED TO THE OFC WEBSITE HOMEPAGE BY CLICKING ON THE ICON LOCATED TO THE RIGHT

OFC: It will be the ultimate moment of truth for four teams heading into the tomorrow evening's final round of the group qualifying stages at the 2004 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Sydney and Auckland.

Sydney's Marconi Stadium will play host to what promises to be, a bruising and much anticipated battle between Australia and Fiji, to decide the Group A winner. Australia requires only a draw to advance to the final playoff but the imposing Fijians will be a stern test for the overwhelming tournament favourites.

Over in Auckland, all eyes are on the weather as the heavens opened over North Harbour Stadium in round four last Tuesday. The weather has cleared today, but whether it holds up for tomorrow evening is out of the hands of both New Zealand and Vanuatu, who face-off to decide the winner of Group B. Vanuatu needs only a draw, but the hosts hold home advantage and will also be more suited to the wet conditions if the current weather patterns hold up.

The deciding games are not as clear cut as many were made to believe prior to the opening games. Fiji has been clinical and impressive while Australia has rattled in the goals despite feeling they have not yet hit their straps. Vanuatu has been impressive but will face their first real test when they play New Zealand, looking to bounce back after their disappointing display against Tonga. The kiwis have been threatening but their execution has not been the best despite easily winning all their games thus far.

Two styles will clash when the four teams meet. The island flair and individual skill against the technical effeciency and experience of the two Antipodean teams.

With a ticket to Athens within reach, the intensity of both matches is bound to be red-hot.

For the other four teams playing also for final placings, it will be doubly important for them to finish on a high note. Papua New Guinea have been disappointing by their own standards and will be out to douse the flames of the on-fire Samoans who caused the upset of the tournament by beating the Solomon islands.

American Samoa and the Cook Islands will also go at it hammer and tongs as both teams seek their first win of the tournament. Pride will be on the line fo all four bottom placed teams.

FOR LATEST REPORTS, RESULTS AND NEWS FROM THE 2004 OFC MEN'S OLYMPIC QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT, PLEASE VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE LINKED TO THE OFC WEBSITE HOMEPAGE BY CLICKING ON THE ICON LOCATED TO THE RIGHT

OFC: The 2004 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament reached its halfway point with an intriguing night of football at both match venues in round three action on Sunday.

Over in Sydney, Group A produced the first upset of the tournament when Samoa stunned the highly rated Solomon Islands 1-0 at Marconi Stadium, while in Auckland, New Zealand were held scoreless in the second half en route to a lacklustre 2-0 win over the gallant Tongans.

For both Samoa and Tonga, it was arguably one of their best performances in international football. Samoa's historic win over the Solomon Islands is certainly the tiny island nation's best ever result since becoming a FIFA member in 1986.

Round four action action on Tuesday will see Australia return from a bye to take on the Solomon Islands while Samoa faces Fiji without their star striker Richmond Des Faaiuaso who is suspended after recieving his second yellow card of the tournament. Fiji is out to improve their goal difference and will provide the superb Samoan defence with their greatest test thus far.

New Zealand has the bye for round four in Group B with Tonga taking on the Cook Islands and Vanuatu up against American Samoa. Vanuatu will look to overtake New Zealand on goal difference in their match which will likely set the scene for an epic battle between the two teams to decide the group in the final round on Thursday.

Group A host Australia will play Fiji in what should be the deciding game for that group in the final round. The two group winners will play off home and away on 26 and 30 January 2004.

FOR LATEST REPORTS, RESULT AND NEWS FROM THE 2004 OFC MEN'S OLYMPIC QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT, PLEASE VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE LINKED TO THE OFC WEBSITE HOMEPAGE BY CLICKING ON THE ICON LOCATED TO THE RIGHT

OFC: The 2004 OFC Men's Olympic Men's Qualifying Tournament kicked off with four exciting matches being played in Sydney and Auckland in first round fixture last Wednesday.

Ground and weather conditions at North Harbour Stadium were near perfect as Group B opened with Tonga making hard work of its 3-0 win over American Samoa while New Zealand overcame early nerves to cruise past the Cook Islands 9-0.

Warm and overcast with light showers were the order of the day over in Sydney for the opening match of Group A which saw Solomon Islands proving too good for plucky Papua New Guinea. In the other match, Australia found out Samoa was not the walkover many in the local media had predicted winning by a flattering 6-0 margin.

The Samoans could well have gone into the half on level terms at 1-1 had Michael Toleafoa's shot kept a little lower. But a questionable penalty awarded to the Aussies and a man sent off for Samoa gave the hosts the edge at the break. The second half was elementary with Australia's superior experience proving too much for a gutsy ten man Samoa team.

Both groups enter round two tonight with Fiji and Vanuatu playing their first games in Group A and Group B respectively. The game of the round promises to be Fiji playing Melanesian rivals, the Solomon Islands.

OFC Executive Committee meeting

Auckland, New Zealand

Date: 5/6 January

2004 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament

Group A - Marconi Stadium, Sydney, Australia

Group B - North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand

Dates: 14-22 January 2004

Playoff dates: 26 & 30 January 2004

* Winner to represent the Oceania region at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games men's football tournament in August.

OFC Auckland: Just who will qualify to represent the Oceania region in football (soccer) at the Athens Olympic Games in August will be decided at the 2004 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which kicks off with first round fixtures tonight.

Group A kicks off at Marconi Stadium in Sydney, Australia with a Melanesian derby between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands at 5:00pm (AEST). The following match will see the hosts Australia play Samoa.

Group B kicks off at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand with another island showdown between American Samoa and Tonga at 5:00pm (NZT). Group B hosts New Zealand take on the Cook Islands in the following match.

Fiji has a bye in the first round in Group A while Vanuatu has the bye for the first round over in Group B.

Both group tournaments will conclude on 22 January 2004 with the winner of Group A playing the winner of Group B in a home and away playoff decider on 26 and 30 January 2004. The winner of the playoff will be declared the Oceania champion and receive direct entry to the Athens Olympics.

The latest results and a full match schedule can be found on the official 2004 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament website which is linked on the homepage of the Oceania Football Confederation website at www.oceaniafootball.com . Click on the icon to view the latest results and news.