OFC News

FTF, Papeete: Tahitian club champion Pirae was defeated 0-3 by Manu Ura in a surprise upset in the third round of the Federal Championship playoffs.

Pirae were outplayed from the start and coach Gerard Kautai, who is close to selecting Tahiti's national team for the World Cup qualifiers in May, admitted his more fancied charges were given a technical lesson by Manu Ura.

Patrick Diaike and Ramon Djamali were the two best players for Manu Ura with Djamali bagging two goals. Tahitian national captain Tetahio Auraa also scored.

The win opens up the race for the 2003-04 championship which was expected to a one-horse race. In the other playoff result, Tefana beat Tamarii Faa'a 3-1 to also throw their hat into the race.

In the promotion relegation playoffs, AS Dragon thrashed Arue 9-0 while PTT managed an upset 1-0 win over Venus.

Championship Playoffs - Points Ladder

Teams Pts P W D L F A Diff

1. Manu Ura 9 3 2 0 1 8 2 +6

2. Tefana 9 3 2 0 1 4 2 +2

3. Pirae 9 3 2 0 1 5 4 +1

4. Tam. Faa'a 3 3 0 0 3 3 12 -9

Key: win 4 pts, draw 2 pts, defeat 1 pt

Round 4 draw:

Pirae-Tamarii Faa'a

Manu Ura-Tefana

OFC, By Benjamin Coonan: Vanuatu striker Richard Iwai sounded his arrival in the Queensland Premier League on Saturday night, by taking man of the match honours for Mitchelton in their 4-1 rout of local rivals Brisbane City.

Iwai's influential showing was best illustrated when the lanky marksman netted Mitchelton's third goal, showing off his gymnastic ability when celebrating.

The win puts Mitchelton into second place in the QPL, a remarkable achievement for just their first season in Queensland's top flight in their 84-year existence.

Whilst Iwai got through the entire ninety minutes, fellow countryman Etienne Mermer was not called upon due an injury sustained the previous week.

However, it is expected that the striker will be available for next Saturday's top of the table clash with Eastern Suburbs, who trail Mitchelton by goal difference only.

Also in the QPL, Papua New Guinean midfielder Alex Davani played a full game for Taringa Rovers, who went down 2-1 to bottom placed North Star on Saturday evening.

Davani, still at the tender age of 18, has been a permanent fixture in coach Allan Waller's plans for 2004 and will be hoping for a change in fortunes shortly.

Taringa's loss at the weekend has left the Brisbane club rooted to the bottom of the QPL ladder.

The Rovers take on Toowoomba Raiders at home next Sunday and will be looking to register their first win of their 2004 campaign.

Down south to Melbourne and Samoan goalkeeper Pasi Schwalger's Preston Lions were upset 2- 0 at home by Bulleen Zebras in the Victorian Premier League.

Over 2000 Preston faithful were on hand at Flying Lions Stadium to witness the loss, which has seen the Lions slip into fifth position after seven rounds, having led the competition coming into the match.

Schwalger did not have a night to remember, first bringing down a player to concede a penalty and then prematurely coming off his line to allow Zebra's striker Peter Kakos to walk in his second goal of the evening.

The Lions face sixth placed Frankston Pines away from home next week and will be hoping for a return to the winner's circle after suffering their first defeat of 2004.

SUVA: The current goal-scoring form of silky midfielder Salesh Kumar in the national league is good news for the Fijian selectors ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in May.

The Fijian representative followed up his hat-trick against Tavua last week to clinch the winner for Ba last weekend to lead his side to a 1-0 victory over previously undefeated Rewa. The win extends Ba's lead at the top of the points ladder after seven weeks of action.

At the National Stadium, Suva finally got back to winning ways thrashing Tavua 5-0. The score line could have been greater had Suva capitalized on its many good scoring opportunities. Suva scored three goals in the first half to Valerio Nawatu, Laisiasa Vosailagi and Thomas Vulivuli. Second half goals went to Apisalome Turuva and Vosailagi.

In other matches, Lautoka continued its winning streak beating Nasinu 2-0 while Navua surprised by holding Nadi to a nil all draw.

VFF, Port Vila: Vanuatu's top league, the Port Vila Football League, has kicked off its 2004 Championship program on Saturday 27 March, with the reigning champions Tafea Football Club winning their first match against Tupuji Imere.

Despite losing their top strikers, Richard Iwai and Etienne Mermer, to the Queensland Premier Division club Mitchelton SC in February, Tafea FC came from behind to beat a determined Tupuji side 2 - 1. Tupuji opened the score in the first 10 minustes, but Tafea equalised minutes later and managed to add on another goal before half time, leaving the game at 2 -1 for Tafea after the first spell.

Tupuji came back controlling the most part of the second half, but with one of Oceania's ranked players, Graham Demas, anchoring the Tafea defence and backed by former national defenders Joe Iautu and Tom Manses, life was not easy for the Tupuji forwards.

But Tupuji had the chance to equalise minutes before full time when former national Under 17 forward Fenedy Soromon trippled past the Tafea defence and set up for one of his wingers who placed the ball over an empty goal. Fenedy was back playing football again after disappearing from soccer since the 2001 Oceania U17 tournament in Port Vila. The stocky striker represented Vanuatu at the 2003 South Pacific Games with the national cricket team.

In the other PVFL Premier matches, Sia Raga beat new comers Melstone FC 5-0, Golden Star beat Amical 2-1 and Yatel FC beat Seveners United 3-2.

The 2004 PVFL Championship is sponsored by Victoria Bitter through its local agent, Au Bon Marche.

Results from Port Vila Futsal League Opening Knock Out Finals

Saturday 27 March 2004

Women's Division:

Third Place: Real Sea Side - 4 vs Sara United - 1

Grand Final: Tuskers - 1 vs Westam United - 0

Men's Division:

1st Division Final: Tupuji Magic - 3 vs Tasiriki - 1

Premier Division Final: Tupuji Magic - 4 vs Westam United (Golden Goal - 3-3 full time)

NOUMEA: Territorial champion JS Traput came close to an upset over division d'honneur side Mont Dore in the first round of the New Caledonia championship semi-final playoff series on the weekend.

Mont Dore were able to secure a come from behind 1-2 win over JS Traput but for large periods of the game were dominated by their less fancied opponents. In the other semi-final first round encounter, Magenta powered past JS Baco 5-2.

One other match was played between Olympique and USC to decide the relegated teams to first division/ The match ended in a 4-4 draw thus meaning Kouaoua and Olympique would be relegated from the division d'honneur to the first division for the 2004-05 season.

Division d'honneur Championship semi-finals

JS Traput - AS Mont-Dore 1 - 2

AS Magenta - JS Baco 5 - 2

Division d'honneur (Premier League)

Catch up match

Olympique - USC 4 - 4

FINAL POINTS TABLE

Teams Pts P W D L F A diff

1. AS Magenta 64 18 15 1 2 67 26 +41

2. Mont-Dore 59 18 13 2 3 33 13 +20

3. JS Baco 55 18 12 1 5 43 28 +15

4. AS Poum 53 18 11 2 5 42 35 +7

5. Gaitcha FCN 45 18 8 3 7 31 38 -7

6. AS Auteuil 37 18 5 4 9 37 45 -8

7. ACB Poya 35 18 5 2 11 35 35 0

8. USC 32 18 3 5 10 28 36 -8

9. Kouaoua 32 18 4 2 12 25 51 -26

10. Olympique 26 18 2 2 14 27 61 -34

SFSF, Apia: Last Saturday's draw threw up some interesting match-ups but in the end there were no surprises with the weather once again playing havoc. Meanwhile, Sogi continued its winning streak at the expense of a disappointing Vaivase-tai.

Despite the torrential overnight rain for another consecutive week, the No 1 field was in good condition, however the top field following the deluges of recent weeks remains very soggy. As a result, fixtures were close to being postponed but finally went ahead with conditions more suited to ducks than players.

Sogi this week took on a struggling Vaivase-tai team who were hoping to improve dramatically on their poor start to the season. The game never really hit any high spots and in what was really a very one-sided affair, a lacklustre Sogi, did just enough at the end of each half to retain the trophy.

Following much huff and puff be no real penetration up front to cause Vaivasetai much concern Sogi finally broke the deadlock in the 44th minute when an almighty scramble ended with Ben Timo sliding the ball into an empty net much to the relief of his team and supporters.

The second half continued in the same vein with Vaivasetai failing to mount any sort of challenge. Molesi Tokuma in the Sogi goal remained a spectator as Sogi dominated but failed to break down the resolute white defence. Finally in the 90th minute a defence-splitting pass once again found Ben Timo who gleefully despatched a left foot shot beyond the advancing keeper. Game, set and match, but not convincing. Nevertheless the result is on the board and the trophy remains in Sogi.

Newcomers Central United took on Lupe ole Soaga with United having the ability to upset the best on their day. When going into the break with a 1-0 lead, a win also looked on the menu. However Lupe who have been quietly strengthening their squad came back with three unanswered goals in the second half, winning 3-1 with a brace coming from new signing and Manumea hopeful Afasene Tusitala.

Moamoa clashed with Moataa and ran out comfortable winners 3 goals to nil but conditions did not help. Congratulations to both teams in trying conditions.

National League Champions, Lepea met Sinamoga on the top field and credit must go to the sides for trying to play good football on the waterlogged field. Both sides continued to pass the ball around and despite many chances going begging, including a first half penalty miss by Sinamoga, an entertaining 0-0 draw materialised. How Lepea miss Michael Toleafoa and Des Faaiuaso! Without these two, Lepea's front line looks short of goals and lacking that bite seen so often last year.

Kiwi took on a new look Manumea shadow national team. This was at times an entertaining, if not one sided game with players on both sides, looking to impress National Coach David Brand in the last of the trial games before the Manumea Samoa Squad is selected on Tuesday. Manumea dominated much of the possession and several chances went astray before finally Junior Michael slotted home his 4th goal in 2 appearances since returning to the island last week. 1-0 to Manumea but Joseph Hoeflich caught the Manumea defence napping when straight from the kick off he raced away down the left to strike a rising drive past the flat footed Valu Numia at the near post. 1-1 at the break and the game continued as it had left off, with Manumea having much of the ball, but finding difficulty in breaking down the massed Kiwi defence.

Michael scored again late on, but had the goal disallowed and in the game ended in a draw much to the disappointment of a philosophical National Coach.

"Yes the result was disappointing but not unexpected. Kiwi did well getting many players behind the ball and it was our job to try and break it down. Missed opportunities in the first half kept them in it and we paid the price and ultimately ran out of ideas. Nevertheless there were many pleasing aspects and the boys did try to play to instructions, which is also not easy, when a team is thrown together," Brand commented post game.

"The result however is not that important and Malo and I were able to see what the boys could do with the final squad selection just around the corner," he said. Tuesday is the day when the National Coach will finalise a squad that will hopefully travel to New Zealand for 3 preparatory games prior to the World Cup Qualifiers in May.

In the Ladies Cup Kiwi had too many guns firing for Moamoa, to once again take home the trophy for the fourth week running after a 3-0 victory. Moamoa were gallant in defeat but Central are looming on the horizon in a couple of weeks following the demolition of Faatoia.

ASA: Perth Glory have steamrolled their way into Australia's Homeart NSL Championship Series Grand Final after they brought league newcomer Adelaide United's fairytale to a complete stop with a comprehensive 5-0 thrashing at Subiaco Oval in Perth today.

The Glory snapped off the shackles of a major semi final defeat in style as they finally rediscovered the attacking capabilities that ensured they finished well clear at the top of the NSL ladder after the completion of the regular season. Perth found so much space in Adelaide's rearguard in the second half as they bagged four of their five goals after the interval.

The performance was so emphatic that it should send some warning signs to the folks at Parramatta, the team Perth will play next Sunday for Championship honours.

"They were outstanding," United coach John Kosmina said of the Glory's performance. "They were hurting from the last two results and were in good form".

"I suppose the season caught up to us to some extent. It was a fairytale ride and at the end of the day, no one will complain about where we finished."

Whilst for Adelaide, although they should be proud of themselves for exceeding the expectations by making the final three, didn't quite put up a fight as they were well beaten all over the park by a rejuvenated Glory side that looked refreshed and ready for combat. Shots on goal were a rarity and there was not much for the vocal travelling `Stand' fans from Adelaide to get excited about. Approximately 150 supporters made the trip across the Nullarbor.

The Glory stamped their authority on the match very early, with Damian Mori's (pictured above) point-blank header well saved by David Scarsella in the sixth minute following a cross from Jamie Coyne on the right flank.

Four minutes later, Perth got the ball rolling with the inevitable opener.

After regaining possession, Adrian Caceres was upended just outside the penalty box. Bobby Despotovski - one of the Glory's best on ground - stepped up and curled his low right foot strike around the four-man United defence and in between Scarsella and his left-hand post.

On 21 minutes, Caceres went on a weaving run through the middle before sending his shot just over Scarsella's bar from on the edge of the penalty box.

Adelaide could only muster half chances for the whole match. Aaron Goulding - who was playing as an advanced left sided player - managed to get in behind the Glory defence on two occasions either side of the 20 minute mark but both efforts lacked the result. On the first attempt, his weak shot was collected by Jason Petkovic and on the second occasion, his low cross from the left intended for Nick Budin was thwarted by Petkovic.

It was all Adelaide could create in an opening period that was littered with dangerous chances for Perth.

United's attack looked a little blunted as lone striker Budin would have been much more effective had he had a partner up front. Veart did provide some support as usual, but not enough to help his team back into the match. Ross Aloisi also struggled to find space in the middle as the Glory ran amok.

Six minutes after the restart, Perth doubled their lead.

Matthew Kemp - who, along with four other players suffered from a gastro-virus in the past few days - sent his back pass into the path of Mori, who latched onto it and buried it under Scarsella.

"At 1-0 we were well and truly in it," Kosmina said. "We survived the first half, but their second goal killed us. It was game over after that."

Indeed it was as on 69 minutes, Mori scored his second. However, the tempo of the match could have changed on the hour mark, as Veart had a close range effort dubiously disallowed for offside. Replays showed he was onside when the ball was played through.

But order was restored when Despotovski - whose absence was sorely missed last week - picked up the ball on the right wing before sending a probing through ball to Pondeljak on the inside right. Pondeljak shrugged off a challenge before using his vision to square to the open Mori in the box and the NSL's all-time leading goalscorer then did what he does best by burying it past the helpless Scarsella.

Despotovski turned from initiator to scorer on 81 minutes.

Mark Byrnes headed it down to Pondeljak - who relished the open space - on the left wing before the latter drifted into the box, wrong-footed Scarsella, before finding Despotovski - who was again unmarked - in the six-yard box. The striker duly converted the open shot to make it 4-0.

The rot didn't stop there for United as the Glory juggernaut continued to roll on, for one last hurrah.

Pondeljak on the left found substitute Wayne Srhoj running through the middle before Srhoj took advantage of the gaps to pinpoint a pass to Nick Mrdja - who came on for Despotovski in the latter stages.

Mrdja made his way to the top right corner of the box - under no pressure whatsoever - before squeezing his shot with his weaker right foot between the advanced Scarsella and the right post.

Glory coach Mich d'Avray was understably happy with the result.

"We needed this win to have another bite at the cherry," d'Avray said. "There was a feeling of a sense of achievement in the dressing rooms, they were superb goals and the players feel really good about it."

"We're in with a chance but we go to Parramatta next week as underdogs. We'll go there and give it our best shot, but, because we've lost three times to them this year, (we'll start) as genuine underdogs".

"Their experience got them over the line," Kosmina said.

Kosmina also revealed that Kemp, Richie Alagich, Kristian Rees and Mimi Saric (who stayed at the hotel) each suffered a bout of gastro-virus, but said arriving yesterday and not Friday was beneficial.

"Kemp had a blinder for us against South Melbourne after being out for two months. Today I hoped he would show the same sparkle, but he was sick - along with other guys - and came over yesterday...(Because of this) we lost a bit of edge over the last few days," Kosmina said.

Preliminary Final

PERTH GLORY 5 (B Despotovski 10', 81', D Mori 51', 69', N Mrdja 88')

ADELAIDE UNITED 0

Cautions: R Aloisi (AU) 21', C Veart (AU) 62', D Mori (PG) 74'

Venue: Subiaco Oval

Referee: Eddie Lennie

Crowd: 17,524

Stage 1 match schedules announced

2006 FIFA World Cup Germany TM - Oceania zone qualifiers

Auckland, 26 March 2004: The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has today announced the match schedules for Stage 1 of the upcoming combined 2004 OFC Nations Cup/2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, kicking off in May.

From 10-19 May 2004, the Solomon Islands and Samoa will co-host Stage 1, which involves the ten island nations vying for four qualifying berths to Stage 2 in Australia from 29 May - 6 June 2004 (venue tbc).

Australia and New Zealand are automatically seeded into Stage 2 and along with the four qualifiers, will compete in a round robin tournament to decide the two finalists who will playoff for both the OFC Nations Cup (9/13 October 2004) and OFC World Cup Qualifying final (3/7 September 2005).

The football mad Solomon Islands fans are sure to be out in force when Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara hosts the opening match of the Stage 1 (Group 1) qualifiers between the Solomon Islands and Tonga on the afternoon of 10 May 2004, a rematch of the last encounter between the two teams at World Cup qualifying level when Honiara hosted the Tongans in 1997. The crucial fixture looks to be in round three when the host nation takes on New Caledonia, the potential sleeping giant of the qualifiers after their superb showing at last year's South Pacific Games.

The Stage 1 (Group 2) qualifiers will be held at the pristine Toleafoa JS Blatter football fields in Apia, Samoa. It will be the first time that Samoa has hosted a World Cup qualifying tournament and the home team will be out to replicate the heroics of their national under 23 team. With tough opponents such as Fiji and Vanuatu in their group, will the Samoans rise to the occasion with the home advantage? The Group 2 fixtures hotly anticipated will be the host nation playing Vanuatu in the third round and the final crunch match between Fiji and Vanuatu which will most likely decide who wins the group.

STAGE ONE: OFC NATIONS CUP / 2006 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Match Schedule - Stage I - Group 1

Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara

Monday, 10 May 2004

Round 1:

Solomon Islands vs Tonga 2:00pm

Tahiti vs Cook Islands 4:00pm

New Caledonia bye

Wednesday, 12 May 2004

Round 2:

Solomon Islands vs Cook Islands 2:00pm

Tahiti vs New Caledonia 4:00pm

Tonga bye

Saturday, 15 May 2004

Round 3:

Tonga vs Cook Islands 2:00pm

Solomon Islands vs New Caledonia 4:00pm

Tahiti bye

Monday, 17 May 2004

Round 4:

New Caledonia vs Cook Islands 2:00pm

Tahiti vs Tonga 4:00pm

Solomon Islands bye

Wednesday, 19 May 2004

Round 5:

New Caledonia vs Tonga 2:00pm

Solomon Islands vs Tahiti 4:00pm

Cook Islands bye

(i) Group 1 teams: Solomon Is (host), Cook Is, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Tonga

(ii) Please note that all kick-off times are local in Honiara

(iii) There will be consecutive rest days on 13 & 14 May 2004

STAGE ONE: OFC NATIONS CUP / 2006 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Match Schedule - Stage I - Group 2

Toleafoa J.S Blatter Complex, Apia

Monday, 10 May 2004

Round 1:

Papua New Guinea vs Vanuatu 2:00pm

Samoa vs American Samoa 4:00pm

Fiji bye

Wednesday, 12 May 2004

Round 2:

American Samoa vs Vanuatu 2:00pm

Fiji vs Papua New Guinea 4:00pm

Samoa bye

Saturday, 15 May 2004

Round 3:

Fiji vs American Samoa 2:00pm

Samoa vs Vanuatu 4:00pm

Papua New Guinea bye

Monday, 17 May 2004

Round 4:

American Samoa vs Papua New Guinea 2:00pm

Samoa vs Fiji 4:00pm

Vanuatu bye

Wednesday, 19 May 2004

Round 5:

Fiji vs Vanuatu 2:00pm

Samoa vs Papua New Guinea 4:00pm

American Samoa bye

(i) Group 2 teams: Samoa (host), American Samoa, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu

(ii) Please note that all kick-off times are local in Apia

(iii) There will be consecutive rest days on 13 & 14 May 2004

VFF, Port Vila: The Vanuatu Football Federation has thanked the public for their overwhelming support in a statement yesterday. To get its national team to the World Cup qualifiers in Samoa in May, the VFF has called on the public and business community for their support.

The statement says that despite the fact that the public appeal outside the Center Point car park has come at the odd time of the month, the VFF have reached its one week target in just two days - thanks to the those few people who have shown their support for the national World Cup Team by donating money.

The marketing committee under Chairman Jacques Himford was aiming to raise vt100,000, but as of Wednesday the donations have reached more than vt180,000.

While the campaign continues on other venues around central Port Vila in the coming days, the Chief Executive Officer of VFF Jimmy Nipo, is congratulating and thanking those people who have stepped forward to show their support for the national senior team.

"The players are in the Vanuatu team not of their own choice, but they were selected to represent our country. They and their families and guardians are making a lot of sacrifices for the team, and it is up to all of us to stand united as a sovereign nation and to make sure that we show our presence in international football competitions" Mr. Nipo stresses.

Mr. Nipo also says "it is encouraging to acknowledge that while we are looking forward to meeting members of the business community at a breakfast on Saturday 27 March, sponsored by Club Vanuatu, a few business people are already contacting us and making their pledge."

One of those companies that have made their pledge is the Tropical Rainforest Aromatics, the Port Vila based local producers and exporters of sandalwood, timber and Pacific products.

When handing over a cheque of vt50,000 to Mr. Nipo on Thurday, company Manager Jonathan Naupa said "we feel encouraged to give our support because of the achievement we have made in the Under 17, Under 20 and Under 23 teams... and despite the tough challenge at the 2003 South Pacific Games when we played two strong teams (Fiji and Solomons) in two straight days, we still came back with the bronze medal".

In thanking Mr. Naupa, VFF CEO Mr. Nipo explained that VFF would make a presentation at the Club Vanuatu this Saturday morning when they host members of the business houses in a continental breakfast.

"We hope to give a clearer picture on our current situation and the targets we aim for in the ongoing national fundraising effort", he said.

The national fundraising campaign for the Vanuatu World Cup Team was officially launched by Prime Minister Edward Natapei on 15 March 2004.

On 20 March, the former Head of State and President of Vila Town Council of Chiefs Jean-Marie Leye Lenelcau, joined Mr. Natapei in calling on the general public in Port Vila to join in the fundraising effort in support of the national soccer team.

SIFF, Honiara: The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) is making sure it fully prepares its national team ahead of the OFC Nations Cup/World Cup qualifying Stage 1 tournament which the Solomons are co-hosting with Samoa.

SIFF has lined up a number of friendly matches to ensure its national team is in peak form when it fronts to its fans at Lawson Tama Stadium which has been devoid of quality international football for the past few years. The warm up matches alone will be an enormous financial undertaking so a rallying call to the public and business community has been sent out.

The football mad island nation of Solomon Islands will be buzzing with excitement when Tahiti, New Caledonia, Cook Islands and Tonga arrive in May and everywhere in the country it seems the level of anticipation has been overwhelming.

According to a SIFF statement, with experienced English FA coach Alan Gillett now at the helm, the Solomon Islands senior team will begin its preparation with two friendly matches against Vanuatu in the first week of April. Following their return, they will take on PNG National team and Australian National Soccer League club - the Adelaide Force in Honiara before they head off to Fiji for their final warm-up matches. In Fiji, the national side will play three friendly matches against the national team before they return home for the qualifiers, which is set to kick off on 10 May, 2004.

The Solomon Islands senior team will begin its preparation with two friendly matches against Vanuatu in the first week of April.

Following their return, they will take on PNG National team and Australian National Soccer League club - the Adelaide Force in Honiara before they head off to Fiji for their final warm-up matches. In Fiji, the national side will play three friendly matches before they return home for the qualifiers, which is set to kick off on May 10 2004.

The winner and runner up from Group 1 hosted by the Solomon Islands will progress to Stage 2 of the Nations Cup-World Cup in Australia along with the two qualifiers from Group 2 which is being hosted in Samoa.