HONIARA: The star studded JP Su'uria team is carving up the opposition in the newly formed S'League after consecutive wins over Systek Kingz and Real Reds last week. Those wins elevated the side to top place on the points table with Wantoks.

National reps Commins Menapi and youngster Alick Maemae scored two goals apiece to help their team, JP Su'uria demolish a spirited Real Reds 7-1 last Wednesday at Lawson Tama Stadium. The Reds had no answer to the onslaught as veteran Batram Suri, Fred Talo and Philip Omelangi also got on the scoresheet.

Su'uria continued to winning ways on the weekend with a 4-2 win over the ten man Systek Kingz. Again Menapi proved unstoppable scoring another double, while the silky moving Maemae proved a useful foil up front setting up Menapi for his first goal after the Kingz took an early lead.

Kingz were not helped when defender John Iani was sent off early on by referee Matthew Taro for a dangerous challenge on Su'uria's Fred Talo. Despite a man short, Jerry Allen got the Kingz in front briefly after making a curling shot from the corner, which sailed past Su'uria's keeper Peter Moutoa into the net. Moutoa who appeared under pressure from the Kingz players failed to stop Allen's corner.

But Olympic U-23 rep, George Abba hammered the equalizer for Su'uria not long after. His ground left shot deflected off a Kingz defender's leg and went straight into the net. Batram Suri extended Su'uria's lead before the breather when he outran the Kingz defenders and unleashed a powerful shot past Sikwa'ae to put his team ahead before the halftime siren went.

In the second half Kingz came back with a lot of determination and hardworking Abraham Iniga who several times had threatened the Su'uria's defense line pounded a Michael Misitana layback on the two on one counter attack to get the equaliser.

But just when everyone thought the match would end in a draw, Menapi who raised a lot of eyebrows with his scintillating runs earlier showed his prowess when he scored his first goal to help Su'uria to a 3-2 lead. He added the winner not long after.

PORT VILA: The year 2004 marks 70 years of football, or soccer, been played in Vanuatu and official celebrations to celebrate this milestone is being planned by the Vanuatu Football Federation.

Vanuatu Football was officially founded through the Port Vila Football League which was the only organized football body then, in 1934. On 2 July 1988, the Vanuatu Football Federation was officially recognized and accepted as a member of the world football body FIFA.

The President of VFF, Johnny Tinsley Lulu met with VFF management on Monday and advised to call a meeting of the Federal Council to discuss arrangements for a national 70th anniversary celebration on 2 July 2004.

"I want a formal declaration from the council for all leagues and associations throughout Vanuatu to set our date for entry to FIFA which is 2 July, as the official day of celebrations to commemorate the 70th year of existence of football in Vanuatu", Mr. Lulu suggested.

Mr. Lulu says he would like to see VFF honoring some individuals who have dedicated their time in developing and promoting football as a sport in Vanuatu. He also wants the national team for the upcoming Nations Cup-World Cup qualifying campaign to be the official squad representing the seventy-year commemoration of Vanuatu Football.

"If possible, I want some commemoration messages embroidered on the national senior team uniform, and I want them to wear the uniform in their World Cup qualification matches in Samoa in May".

Mr. Lulu is one of those pioneers of Vanuatu Football still active in the running and development of the sport in Vanuatu. He is currently serving his third four-year term as President of VFF. He was first elected into the Presidency in 1995. He was re-elected in the 2002/2003 VFF Congress in Luganville last December.

PAGO PAGO: Leone High School were crowned the top schoolgirls team in American Samoa after beating rivals Samoana in the final last week.

Leone striker Lelamae scored the game's only goal capitalising on a goalkeeping blunder to put her side in front just before half-time. The second half did not yield any goals as Leone hung on for their win.

The narrow 1-0 victory brought to an end the girls high school league with the boys title yet to be decided. This year's schools competitions are proving even more popular than previous years demonstrating the growth of football in the US territory.

The school season is the opening fixture in the American Samoa Football Association season and will be followed by the popular Summer League and the women's and men's national club league after mid-year.

PORT VILA: Vanuatu's season opening Port Vila Football League Sunrice Cup has now entered the knockout stage after three weeks of round matches.

The semi-final matches remain will be played at Korman and Port Vila Stadium. Independence Knockout winners, Shepherds United play Yatel while League Champions Tafea plays Erakor who created the upset of the Cup by knocking out top team Severners United.

The Division 2 and under 20 gradews will also have their semi-finals this weekend.

At the completion of the PVFL Sunrice Cup, promotion for the upcoming VB League Championship Cup will commence. The winner of this competition will represent Vanuatu in the Oceania Club Championships in Tahiti in 2005.

NOUMEA: AS Poum's season is on the line when they clash with top of the table side AS Magenta in a crucial must-win match during the final round of the regular season this weekend. Poum can draw with the reigning New Caledonian club champion to clinch the third and final playoff spot ahead of the season finale championship series.

But on current form Magenta should be near unbeatable. They have only lost two matches all season which came in the early rounds and have remained undefeated since.

With only a one point margin ahead of fourth placed JS Baco, who is expected to beat 8th placed ASLN Kouaoua in their final round match, a draw is not likely to be enough for Poum. JS Baco can clinch the third qualifying spot with a draw or win if Poum loses. Only an upset loss would give Poum any realistic chance of retaining its third place.

But any thought of over confidence on JS Baco's part would be wiped after their lackluster loss to Gaitcha in a round 14 catch up match last weekend. A win could have put them ahead of Poum after their easy 4-1 win over Poum a day earlier.

In other catch up results, ASC Poya and AS Auteuil drew 1-1 while bottom placed Olympique recorded only their second win of the season, a sterling 3-1 effort over Kouaoua.

Needless to say round 18 will see all teams looking for their best form to finish their seasons in the best possible way.

The top three after round 18 will compete in the post-season championship series with the fourth team to be allocated to the territory leagues champion. The loyalty island division side Qanono is currently the top candidate to secure the fourth qualifying spot. The championship series will be played on a round robin home and away basis.

Catch up results

Round 7 catch up match

AS Auteuil - ACB Poya 1-1

Round 13 catch up match

JS Baco - AS Poum 4-1

Round 14 catch up match

Gaïtcha FCN - JS Baco 3-2

Round 17 catch up match

Kouaoua - Olympique 1-3

Points Ladder (ahead of final round)
Teams	Pts	P	W	D	L	F	A	diff
1. AS Magenta	60	17	14	1	2	60	23	+37
2. Mont-Dore	55	17	12	2	3	30	12	+18
3. AS Poum	52	17	11	2	4	39	28	+11
4. JS Baco	51	17	11	1	5	41	27	+14
5. Gaitcha FCN	44	17	8	3	6	31	34	-3
6. AS Auteuil	36	17	5	4	8	36	42	-6
7. USC	30	17	3	4	10	24	32	-8
8. Kouaoua	31	17	4	2	11	24	49	-25
9. ACB Poya	31	17	4	2	11	31	35	-4
10. Olympique	24	17	2	1	14	23	57	-34

Draw for Round 18 this weekend

JS Baco - ASLN Kouaoua

AS Poum - Magenta

Mont-Dore - Auteuil

Gaïtcha - ACB Poya

Olympique - USC

PAPEETE: The 2003-04 Tahitian Federal Championship top four playoff series continues this week with round two fixtures. Pirae and Tefana clash in a rematch of the Tahiti Cup final played a fortnight ago and won by Tefana, while Tamarii Faa'a look to redress their loss in the first round when they take on Manu Ura.

In the promotion-relegation playoff series, Venus attempt to win their second match in a row when they play Arue while PTT takes on Dragon who suffered a loss to Venus in the first round.

Last weekend, the eighth round of the Polynesian Cup was played around the country with no major upsets other than division 2 Excelsior beating division 1 side Mapua Ura 6-4 in a high scoring affair. Excelsior joins Division 1 team Vairao and division d'honneur (premier league) teams; Manu Ura, Pirae, Tiare Tahiti, Dragon, Tamarii Faa'a and Tefana in the quarterfinals. The highlight of the quarterfinals draw sees division d'honneur giants Pirae playing Tefana.

Polynesian Cup - 8th round results

Vairao (D1) beat Brasserie de Tahiti (Entreprises) 2-2 (4-3 pen)

Excelsior (D2) beat Mapua Ura (D1) 6-4

Manu Ura (DH) beat Roniu (D2) 6-0

Pirae (DH) beat Aorai (D1) 5-1

Tiare Tahiti (Moorea) beat Punaruu (D1) 2-1

Dragon (DH) beat Mira (Moorea) 4-0

Tam. Faa¹a (DH) beat Tiare Hinano (Moorea) 3-1

Tefana (DH) beat Tiare Anani (Moorea) 3-1

Quarterfinals draw (this weekend)

Tefana vs Pirae

Excelsior vs Tamarii Faa'a

Vairao vs Manu Ura

Dragon vs Tiare Tahiti

Semi-final: 20 April

Final: 25 April

* The Polynesian Cup winner qualifies for the French Cup

SFSF: GM Bakery trophy holders Sogi go marching on after a comfortable 2-0 win against a lackluster Lepea in the feature match at Tuana'imato last weekend.

Sogi again retained the trophy with surprising ease against Lepea who gifted two goals late in the second half through some sloppy defending. The game was sparked with a little controversy from the outset with the appearance of Ben Timo back in the gold of Sogi who had been absent from the first round. How important this was to be no one could have predicted.

Sogi started the brighter of the sides and without doubt should have been at least been two goals up at half time with the Lepea defence at times at sixes and sevens and unable to cope with the pace of the Sogi attack. Poor finishing kept Lepea in the game and with the introduction of Des Faaiuaso and Mike Edward midway into the half an improved performance from Lepea was expected. This was not to be with the stars of Lepea failing to shine.

The second half continued much in the same vain as the first with Sogi continuing to win most of the battles and although not pretty, they restricted Lepea to little or nothing in front of goal. Wing back Kiwi Timo covered every inch of grass and defender Iupeli Ioane kept all that Lepea could muster at bay, with a solid performance at the back.

Then up popped Ben Timo to score two identical goals. The first broke the stalemate at the 70th minute mark. Timo nipped in between hesitant defenders and goalkeeper Fatuvalu Numia to score an opportunist goal from a long ball down the middle. It was just like an action replay, when a few minutes later, he repeated his trick and notched his second of the game. Game over and in the end a comfortable victory when all the news and hype before hand pointed to a much tougher encounter.

In other matches, Moataa took on Lupe ole Soaga who nicked the points with a 2-1 win in a closely fought game whilst

newly promoted Moamoa continued their good form with a convincing win thrashing a disappointing Vaivase-tai team 5-0 who on this form look to have a long hard season ahead.

Kiwi and Sinamoga were locked in a tight match and a late penalty sealed it for Kiwi in a dramatic 3-2 win. Two straight losses for the Sinamoga club now but again the young team can only improve and mature with age and experience.

It was predicted that the Manumea Samoa training squad would add some spice to the GM Bakery competition as part of their preparations for the World Cup qualifiers Samoa is hosting in May. No one would have predicted how much with the game having to be abandoned late in the second half, following a melee between players.

A tough encounter was expected and this proved correct but the Manumea trialists generally controlled the game with Pua Lemana dominant in the middle of the park and Lafaele Pesa organising his defence that was generally never troubled.

Striker Afasene Tusitala scored in the first half with a tenacious effort following a good move and cross from the right by Amby. This proved to be the only goal with the game.

The GM Bakery Cup round 3 kicks off on Saturday 20th March at the J.S. Blatter Fields at Tuanaimato.

Watch out for our Match Day 3 Preview later this week with the news and results to be found in Headline News in - www.soccersamoa.ws

FFA: Lautoka maintains its lead on the Fiji national soccer league table although big wins to Ba (2) and Rewa (3) last weekend have slimmed down the margin.

Suva, who lost to Nadi 1-0 on the weekend is in 4th place while Nasinu lies in 5th following its victory 1-0 win over Navua.

An experienced Rewa side failed to dazzle but managed to beat a game Nadroga outfit 2-0 in their Coca Cola/Nokia Soccer League match at Ratu Cakobau Park. Rewa missed several scoring opportunities leaving coach Ravuama Madigi disappointed. The two teams play again at Lawaqa park this Saturday.

Ba easily defeated Tavua 3-0 at Govind Park on Saturday.

Weekend results - Fiji FA national league week 5

Ba 3-0 Tavua

Nasinu 1-0 Navua

Suva 0-1 Nadi

Rewa 2-0 Nadroga

Points Ladder
Teams    P W D L F  A Pts
Lautoka  4 4 0 0 14 3 12
Ba       4 3 1 0 10 1 10
Rewa     4 3 1 0  9 5 10
Suva     5 3 0 2  8 6  9
Nasinu   5 2 1 2  8 8  7
Navua    5 2 0 3 10 8  6
Nadi     4 1 0 3  3 9  3
Nadroga  4 0 1 3  3 8  1
Tavua    3 0 0 3  3 8  1
Labasa   2 0 0 2  1 9  0

ASA: Parramatta Power lived up to its reputation as the entertainers of the Australian National Soccer League, after eclipsing Perth Glory 4-2 in a pulsating Major Semi Final clash at Parramatta Stadium.

The Power will take a handy advantage to Perth for the second leg, but Glory scored twice and showed enough to suggest that this tie is anything but over.

In what will go down as one of the games of the season, both sides threw everything at each other in what was a terrific advertisement for the local game. It was also quite clear to see why these two teams are the best in the NSL and the favourites to meet in the grand final in three weeks time.

What however will live long in the memory of the 6,000 fans that came along was the quality of finishing by both sides, but in particular by Parramatta. All four goals were of the highest order and you could go a long way to see any better.

It looked as though it was going to be another nightmare for Glory at Parramatta Stadium, following its 6-0 thrashing earlier in the season, when the home side skipped to a 3-0 lead at half time.

But after making two tactical substitutions at the break, Glory showed just why they finished at the top of the table, with a goal just 25 seconds after the re-start for the second half and another ten minutes later to have the Power fans sitting anxiously.

However the send off of influential Glory striker Bobby Despotovski in the 60th minute, killed Glory's momentum and the Power duly added a fourth goal and could have easily had a couple more but for some crucial saves by Jason Petkovic.

It was Perth that started off the more confidently, with Despotovski having a volley go wide from Gary Faria's cross in the 3rd minute. Indeed it looked as though Glory coach Mich D'Avray was true to his word that his side wouldn't sit back and defend and would take the game to Power.

However it was the home side that had the first real opening of the match when a long kick from Clint Bolton eluded the Glory defence and Ante Milicic was able to skip into the box. Confronted by Petkovic, Milicic chose to go round him instead of shooting, but in the process was forced wide and his shot from an acute angle was blocked away for a corner.

The opening exchanges were fast and furious and had the crowd buzzing and they were soon to get even more vocal after the Power was awarded a free kick, 25 yards out.

While most were expecting a shot from Simon Colosimo, up stepped Power captain Alvin Ceccoli to drill a shot that proved too hot to handle for Petkovic as he dived full stretch.

Bolton almost gifted Perth an equaliser in the 12th minute, when as he came out to meet a poor cross, he inexplicably slipped, but managed to get a hand to the bouncing ball as it went over his head and thankfully away from any prying Perth attackers.

Tom Pondeljak received the first yellow card of the game in the 14th minute, for back chatting, and it was the start of needless cautions for Glory players that would have serious consequences later in the match.

In the space of a minute, the NSL all-time leading goalscorer had golden opportunities to level the game. In the 17th minute, he was put through a half gap, but still managed to get a clear shot at goal, although he hit it straight at Bolton.

Then he pounced on some hesitancy by Michael Beauchamp, nicked the ball and raced into the box, but he to hesitated and Beauchamp was able to stop Mori from getting his shot at goal.

Glory had another chance in the 32nd minute when they again pounced on some poor defending by Power, but Despotovski's cross from inside the box proved to powerful for Pondeljak, who couldn't keep his header from going over the bar.

German Andre Gumprecht then blazed high over the bar a minute later, after a good counter attack by Power.

The home side then suffered a blow when Brazilian Fernando Rech was forced off the field with what is believed to be a fractured cheekbone, after a collision with Jamie Harnwell (pictured left), who later was himself in the wars with a head cut.

But just seconds after coming on for Rech, Saso Petrovski almost had a goal next to his name when he found himself through after Beauchamp ball over the top eluded Harnwell. Petrovski though was thwarted by Petkovic's save down low.

What proved a defining moment came in the 39th minute of the game, when Despotovski failed to retreat 10 yards preventing a quick free kick, and referee Simon Micallef had no choice but to issue a yellow card. It was a needless action and it proved costly.

The five minutes leading into half time proved monumental in the wash up, with Power nabbing two quality goals.

First Petrovski was able to run onto a neat ball over the top by Milicic, before brilliantly cutting inside North with a neat flick over the defender's head and slamming his shot home inside the near post.

Petrovski then orchestrated the third goal right on half time when he took possession near half way, cut inside and laid the ball off to Peter Zorbas, whose first time shot rifled into the back of the net from 25 metres.

It was an electric end to the half and had the home fans standing to applaud their team off the park.

However the scoreline probably flattered the home side and one sensed if Glory could peg a goal back early the game was not over.

Needing to arrest the slide, D'Avray made a double substitution at half time with attackers Nick Mrdja and Adrian Caceras on for somewhat surprisingly Pondeljak and Faria.

And the Power fans didn't have to wait long to find out just why Perth can never be counted out, when Mori's cross from the right, wasn't cleared by Power and the ball fell invitingly for Despotovski, who slammed home his shot from 12 metres.

Within a minute Mrdja almost had a second for Perth with a volley that took a slight deflection and went over the bar.

Petrovski was ambitious with a long-range shot when he had better options ahead of him, but it just showed the confidence of the Power players in front of goal.

However two minutes later, Glory pulled another goal back from a free kick taken by Despotovski just outside the left edge of the penalty box. Harnwell timed his run to perfection to power his header home from the six-yard box.

Despotovski then saw a powerful drive from 25 metres spilled by Bolton, but Mrdja's follow up was blocked away for a corner.

With Perth on top, the turning point of the game came a minute later. Milicic, inside his own half, just beat Despotovski to the breaking ball from a Glory corner, and as they raced after it, the Glory striker clearly held Milicic back, giving Micallef no option but to show him a yellow card and subsequent red card. No only did it leave Glory with ten men, but he now misses the crucial second leg at Members Equity Stadium.

Petrovski has the chance after ball spills to him after Pantelis was blocked in the box, but while shot from an acute angle squirmed under Petkovic and North clears off line. In the lead up to shot, Harnwell showed his courage with a desperate tackle on Pantelis and a teammate that saw him left with blood streaming down his face.

With Power now controlling possession and Perth defending in numbers, it was inevitable that a goal would come and what a goal it was. Picking the ball up 30 metres out, Milicic (pictured right) advanced the ball forward and then hit a thunderous volley that rocketed into the top corner, giving Petkovic absolutely no chance.

Petrovski then sent a volley of his own wide, while Ahmad Elrich was denied by Petkovic with a good save.

The match threatened to erupt with three minutes remaining when Milicic lying on the ground after giving away a free kick, had the ball smashed into his face by Glory captain Shaun Murphy, that knocked the Power striker unconscious for a short time.

Matthew Bingley had one last effort for Glory with a shot from the edge of the area that Bolton saved comfortably.

That saw the end of the goalscoring chances in what was an absorbing and very entertaining game of soccer.

While Power will welcome a two-goal advantage to take into the second leg, the two goals by Glory could well and truly prove crucial in the return leg, where they have proved unbeatable this year.

2003/04 NSL REVIEW, HOMEART CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - WEEK 2

Major Semi Final 1st leg

PARRAMATTA POWER 4

(A Ceccoli 9', S Petrovski 41', P Zorbas 45', A Milicic 75')

PERTH GLORY 2

(B Despotovski 46', J Harnwell 56')

Cautions: T Pondeljak (PG) 14', B Despotovski (PG) 38'

Red Card: B Despotovski (PG) 60'

Venue: Parramatta Stadium

Referee: Simon Micallef

Crowd: 6,059

Elimination Final 2nd leg

BRISBANE STRIKERS 4

(W Moon 45', J Rose 58', L Brain 82', P Grierson 87')

ADELAIDE UNITED 1

(C Veart 65')

(Aggregate score 4-4, Adelaide win on away goals)

Cautions: W Moon (BS) 2', M Valkanis (AU) 9', M McKay (BS) 21'

Red Card: E Demourtzidis (AU) 80'

Venue: Perry Park

Referee: Matthew Breeze

Crowd: 2,790

Elimination Final 2nd leg

SOUTH MELBOURNE 2 (M Curcija 20', 60')

MARCONI STALLIONS 0

(Aggregate score 2-0)

Cautions: M Curcija (SM) 64', B Renaud (MS) 64'

PAPEETE: There were no surprise upsets last weekend in the start of the Tahiti Federal Championship top and bottom playoff series.

Regular season champions Pirae thrashed Tamarii Faa'a 4-1 in the top four playoff with much improved side Tefana edging out Manu Ura 1-0 in the other top four fixture.

In the relegation-promotion playoff, Venus defeated Dragon 1-0 while PTT accounted for Arue 2-1.