OFC News

New Zealand v Solomon Islands

The opening match of round two of the 2004 OFC Nations Cup between New Zealand and the Solomon Islands is potentially the most crucial of the tournament.

In one corner is New Zealand, who having lost to Australia last night are under immense pressure to post a win against the tournaments form team to ease their qualification concerns.

Opposite them are the Solomon Islands, who are having the time of their lives in Adelaide on the back of their longest ever unbeaten run.

Since Englishman Alan Gillett took over the reigns in April, the Solomons have embarked on a killer stretch that has now seen the men in green and blue go seven matches without loss.

More importantly, his 22-man squad has the desire and ambition to burn the history books and do what no island side has done for nearly a decade - knock off one of the tyrants of Oceania.

The possibility for Gillett's men is greater than it has ever been and the well-traveled mastermind will be salivating at the chance of World Cup glory tomorrow.

The Solomons carry the tag as one of Oceania's great entertainers and whilst their goal scoring exploits have come to the fore under Gillett, their defensive stubbornness has been most encouraging.

With young gun Nelson Sale and giant George Suri in control at the back, the Solomons have leaked just three goals since Gillett's arrival, scoring 19 in the process.

Next up for Gillett and his ambitious brigade is Mick Waitt's New Zealand and one can be assured that the Solomons coach is under no illusions as to the enormity of the task at hand.

Waitt and his All Whites surprised many onlookers last night in putting forth a stern challenge to the Qantas Socceroos at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The script suggested an Australian field day, but as has become the New Zealand way, the Kiwis held no quarter when dealing with their Trans Tasman rivals and left Hindmarsh Stadium with wry grins having given a fantastic account of them selves.

Tomorrows match will provide the All Whites with their most prudent opportunity yet to snap their concerning winless streak, which stretches back nine games to July 2002.

A notable absentee from the New Zealand side that fell 1-0 to Australia last night was skipper and defensive linchpin Ryan Nelsen and Waitt will no doubt be hopeful the DC United stopper is available for tomorrow's match.

Interestingly, the Kiwis and the Solomons have met just twice previously, the most recent being a resounding 6-1 win to New Zealand in the last round of World Cup Qualifiers.

The other encounter ended much more credibly for the Solomon Islands, that being a 2-0 loss in Papeete for the 2000 OFC Nations Cup.

The Marden Sports Complex has seldom held a game of such prestige and tomorrows result will be paramount to the World Cup ambitions of both teams on hand.

Australia v Tahiti

The first of two matches at Hindmarsh Stadium tomorrow night brings together the Qantas Socceroos and Tahiti, in what should be a fascinating contest between the giants of Oceania and the highest ranked island nation.

The two teams have quite a decorated past, with the most famous encounter being as recent as two years ago, where Tahiti came within a breath of causing the most monumental upset in Oceania history.

A last gasp goal from Qantas Socceroo veteran Mehmet Durakovic spared the Australians blushes on that day and Gerard Kautai's current crop will be looking for a repeat of that stellar performance tomorrow night.

The Qantas Socceroos are on a high after registering a first up victory against traditional rivals New Zealand last night, with coach Farina today naming a vastly different lineup to that which accounted for the All Whites.

Making their first start in Qantas Socceroo colours will be Partick Thistle defender Adrian Madaschi and Millwall's Tim Cahill, who will start on the right side of midfield as cover for Brett Emerton.

FC Basel attacker Scott Chipperfield and former Aberdeen striker David Zdrilic have been recalled to Farina's starting eleven, while Perth Glory defender Jade North earns his first start since the 2002 OFC Nations Cup final in Auckland.

In other squad news, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has not recovered in time from his hip injury and has left the Australian camp.

Qantas Socceroos Starting Lineup v Tahiti: Zeljko Kalac (gk), Jade North, Tony Vidmar, Adrian Madaschi, Stan Lazaridis, Tim Cahill, Vince Grella, Josip Skoko, Scott Chipperfield, John Aloisi, David Zdrilic

Farina was particularly looking forward to the appearance of Cahill, who will be making his first start for his home country on home soil.

"One of Tim's strengths and where he picks up a lot of goals for Millwall is coming in deep at the back, so we'll be looking at him to do that," spoke Farina of the FA Cup finalist.

"He's definitely got the ability and he's got the engine to do it and he's another one, I think, anywhere across the midfield he'd do a good job."

Zdrilic's introduction to the Qantas Socceroo frontline means the out of contract striker will be reunited with Osasuna's John Aloisi for the first time in nearly three years.

"Last time they played together was when we beat New Zealand 4-1 in a World Cup qualifier and they got a brace a piece I think," said Farina.

"With so many games we've got to try and balance and juggle to keep everyone fresh and sharp and that's part of the reason David's come in."

In all of Australia's encounters with island nations, Tahiti's record is second only to Fiji (the only island nation to beat the Qantas Socceroos).

The Tahitians have twice achieved the feat of netting a goal against Australia and aside from a series of blown out scores in the mid nineties, have always left an arena after a date with Oceania's superpower with their credibility intact.

After a colossal scare in Auckland in July 2002, Farina knows all to well the perils of expecting an easy victory against Polynesians.

"That's what they said two years ago!" said Farina when asked if his side would win comfortably.

"In the game, anything's possible, they played with one man upfront yesterday, pretty isolated. I expect that they'll be well organized at the back.

"It's mental for us, we've got to make sure we go out prepared to play and execute the playing we've been putting in place in terms of pressing.

"If we don't do that, we're going to have problems."

The Tahitians looked sharp in their opening stalemate with Fiji and showed enough balance around the park to potentially pose a few problems for Frank Farina's men.

Particularly impressive was goalkeeper Daniel Tapeta, who was largely responsible for keeping his side in the game and attackers Billy Mataitai and Felix Tagawa, the latter of which enjoyed a brief stint with NSL outfit Brisbane Strikers in 2002/2003.

Coming into the tournament as distinct underdogs, given their sub-par performances in the stage one qualifiers in Honiara, the Tahitians have made a bright start to their 2004 OFC Nations Cup campaign and will head into tomorrows match bursting with anticipation and eagerness.

Under Kautai, the only locally born coach of any of the island nations, the Tahitians have yet to lose a match in five starts, although it must be said that three of those have been draws.

After scraping past minnows the Cook Islands and Tonga in Honiara, Tahiti grinded out deadlocks with fellow Polynesians New Caledonia and the hosts to book a place in Adelaide.

Another clean sheet against the Fijians last night means that Kautai's men have conceded just the one goal in his 450 minute tenure, something that the Qantas Socceroos will try to eradicate tomorrow.

Tomorrows match will be the eighth between the two countries, with the Qantas Socceroos having won all eight up to this point.

Although an upset seems unlikely tomorrow, the Qantas Socceroos appreciate, more than most, the danger of the pride of Polynesia and will be determined to put in a positive showing in front of their home fans.

Fiji v Vanuatu

Group B qualifiers Fiji and Vanuatu will meet again tomorrow night in what is a pivotal match to the ambitions of both nations.

The Vanuatuans need all three points to stay in the hunt for a top two finish after being humbled by fellow Melanesians the Solomon Islands at the Marden Sports Complex yesterday.

As for Fiji, Tony Buesnel's men would have been disappointed to have finished last nights opener with Tahiti without a win to their name, having dominated for substantial segments of the match.

Regardless, with the Qantas Socceroos being next up for Buesnel's men, the Fijians will want to enter the winners' circle before their big match.

Their clash with Vanuatu offers Fiji a unique opportunity to arrest Carlos Buzzetti's men from assuming the mantle as Oceania's top island team.

After holding bragging rights amongst the island contingent for so long, Fiji have endured somewhat of a slide in recent times, much to the delight of Vanuatu who have since established them selves as Oceania's primary emerging force.

Taking into consideration their less than ideal buildup, Fiji looked promising in Apia's qualifying tournament and coach Buesnel will be hopeful of getting it right on the park tomorrow night.

Clashes with Vanuatu have not brought much success for Fiji in recent times, with the Fijians last scoring a goal against Buzzetti's men in April 2000 - four matches ago.

The Vanuatuans are no doubt deflated after their disappointing loss to the Solomons after they were touted as the team most likely to upset Oceania's big two coming into the tournament.

Buzzetti's charges lacked that final edge and clinical nous that has brought them much success over the years in losing their first match of their campaign towards Germany 2006.

Tomorrow nights clash under lights at Hindmarsh offers Vanuatu a chance at redemption and, more importantly, a chance to force them selves back into the reckoning for qualification for the next stage, a dream that Buzzetti will know is not beyond his team.

At the conclusion of the final match of round two, Oceania's football punditry will have a much better indication as to who is most likely to formulate a challenge for stage three qualification.

Both Fiji and Vanuatu are in the hunt, but three points will spell the beginning and the end for one or the other tomorrow.

For up to date results and stats, visit the official tournament website linked to the homepage

ADELAIDE: A first half goal to Socceroo midfielder Marc Bresciano was enough to hand Stage 2 hosts Australia, a comfortable 1-0 win over transtasman rivals New Zealand in Adelaide tonight.

A careless tackle by All Whites defender Tony Lochhead in the 39th minute gave the Socceroos a direct free kick from a handy position in front of the box. Bresciano's curling kick beat the wall of players giving New Zealand goalkeeper Mark Paston no chance.

Australia had the better of the second half and were desperately unlucky not to convert numerous shots on goal late in the piece with the New Zealanders stretched in defence.

New Zealand tried to push forward to link up with their front men but were shut out by the solid Socceroos defence.

In the end, Australia were deserved winners in front of an appreciate crowd of 12,134 at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Round 1: Match 3 - 29 May 2004, 8:00pm

Australia vs New Zealand

Full-time score: 1-0 Australia

Half-time score: 1-0 Australia

Goal-scorers: Aus - (23) Marco Bresciano 39'

Cautions: Aus - (9) John Aloisi 14'; NZ - (3) David Mulligan 26'

Expulsions: none

Crowd Attendance: 12,130

Weather: Cool conditions

Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide

Match Officials:

Match Commissioner: Lee Harmon (Cook Islands)

Referee Inspector: Hari Naicker (Fiji)

Referee: Claus Bo Larsen (Denmark)

Assistant Referee 1: Bill Hansen (Denmark)

Assistant Referee 2: Dhirendra Kewal (Fiji)

Fourth Official: Leone Rakaroi (Fiji)

Team Lists (& Substitutions)

AUSTRALIA

18. Zeljko Kalac GK

3. Steve Laybutt (-72')

4. Simon Colosimo (-53')

5. Tony Vidmar (c)

7. Brett Emerton

8. Josip Skoko

9. John Aloisi

11. Stan Lazaridis

13. Vince Grella

19. Max Vieri (-67')

23. Marco Bresciano

Subs

2. Jade North (+53')

6. Scott Chipperfield

10. Tim Cahill

12. Alex Brosque

14. Patrick Kisnorbo

15. Mile Sterjovski (+67')

17. David Zrilic

20. Adrian Madaschi (+72')

21. Ahmad Elrich

22. Brad Jones RGK

NEW ZEALAND

1. Mark Paston GK

3. David Mulligan

4. Steven Old

5. Che Bunce

6. Tony Lochhead

7. Ivan Vicelich

9. Noah Hickey (-50')

11. Leo Bertos (-69')

12. Simon Elliot (c)

16. Vaughan Coveny

17. Raffaele de Gregorio (-77')

Subs

2. Duncan Oughton (+77')

8. Aaran Lines

10. Timothy Brown

13. Brent Fisher (+50')

15. Michael Wilson

18. Shane Smeltz (+69')

19. Neil Jones

20. Andrew Boyens

21. Rupesh Puna

22. Glen Moss RGK

23. Tamati Williams

ADELAIDE, 29 May 2004: Fiji and Tahiti have played out scoreless draw in the first match of the double-header tonight at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide.

In a sometimes torrid and physical encounter, the defence of both sides was up to the task yet there were chances aplenty for either side to break the deadlock.

Round 1: Match 2 - 29 May 2004, 5:30pm

Tahiti vs Fiji

Full-time score: 0-0 draw

Half-time score: 0-0 draw

Goal-scorers: none

Cautions: Fiji - (16) Viliame Toma 57'; (7) Malakai Kainihewe 72'

Expulsions: none

Crowd Attendance: 4,000+

Weather: Cool conditions

Venue: Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide

Match Officials:

Match Commissioner: Tautulu Roebeck (Samoa)

Referee Inspector: Yves Taga (Vanuatu)

Referee: Stefano Farina (Italy)

Assistant Referee 1: Claudio Puglisi (Italy)

Assistant Referee 2: Padro Hernandez (Spain)

Fourth Official: Eduardo Gonzales (Spain)

Team Lists (& Substitutions)

TAHITI

19. Daniel Tapeta GK

2. Angelo Tchen (-75')

3. Pierre Kugogne

5. Jean-Yves Liwaut

7. Samuel Garcia (c)

8. Billy Mataitai

10. Axel Temataua

11. Taufa Neuffer (-65')

12. Farahia Teuira

13. Vincent Simon

16. Felix Tagawa (-84')

Subs

1. Stanley Tien Wah RGK

4. Iotua Kautai (+75')

6. Harry Tong Sang

9. Gabriel Wajoka (+84')

14. Rino Moretta

15. Larry Marmouyet

17. Hiro Labaste (+65')

18. Georges Pittoeff

20. Xavier Samin

FIJI

1. Simione Tamanisau GK

2. Lorima Dau

5. Emosi Baleinuku

7. Malakai Kainihewe

9. Thomas Vulivuli (-86')

10. Veresa Toma

12. Esala Masinisau (c)

13. Taniela Waqa

15. Salesh Kumar (-76')

16. Viliame Toma

17. Seveci Rokotakala

Subs

4. Alvin Avinesh

6. Jone Vesikula

11. Luke Vidovi

18. Laisiasa Gataurua (+76')

19. Ovini Duguca

21. Pene Erenio

22. Waisake Sabuto (+86')

23. Laisenia Tuba RGK

ADELAIDE: The Solomon Islands have beaten Vanuatu 1-0 in the first match of the Stage 2 OFC Nations Cup-World Cup preliminaries in Adelaide today.

Batram Suri scored the only goal of the match through a penalty in the second half after both sides went into the break scoreless.

In a physical yet free flowing spectacle, the Solomon Islands created the greater number of scoring chances but were unable to convert their domination in possession into goals.

Vanuatu struggled to get into any rhythm but were still able to launch counter attacks and had several chances to score from corners which they were unable to convert.

A crowd of about 200 turned up to the Marden Sport Complex on a fine day with a slight breeze.

Round 1: Match 1 - 29 May 2004, 2:00pm

Vanuatu vs Solomon Islands

Full-time score: 0-1 Solomon Islands

Half-time score: 0-0 draw

Goal-scorers: Sol - (10) Batram Suri 51' penalty

Cautions: Van - (2) Geoffrey Lego Lete 20'; Sol - (7) Alick Maemae 28'

Expulsions: none

Crowd Attendance: 200+

Weather: Fine, Light Breeze 17 degrees celsius

Venue: Marden Sports Complex, Adelaide

Match Officials:

Match Commissioner: Lee Harmon (Cook Islands)

Referee Inspector: Ken Wallace (New Zealand)

Referee: Mark Shield (Australia)

Assistant Referee 1: Nathan Gibson (Australia)

Assistant Referee 2: Michel Angot (Tahiti)

Fourth Official: Charles Ariiotima (Tahiti)

Team Lists (& Substitutions)

VANUATU

1. David Chilia (c) GK

2. Geoffrey Lego Lete

4. Lexa Bule Bibi

5. Wilkins Simon Lauru (-70')

8. Joe Iautu Ture

9. Seimata Chilia

10. Etienne Mermer

11. Moise Poida (-75')

13. Richard Iwai

14. Pita David Maki (-45')

15. Daniel Koko Alick

Subs:

3. Manley Junior Tabe

6. Graham Demas

7. Fedy Vava (+70')

12. Lorry Thompsen

16. Alphose Qorig (+45')

17. Jean Emmanuel Maleb (+75')

18. Maki Gerard Haitong

19. Roger Joe

20. Charly Kalsanei RGK

21. Tom Manses

Coach: Juan Carlos Buzzetti

SOLOMON ISLANDS

20. Severino Aefi GK

3. Mahlon Houkarawa (-89')

6. Nelson Kilifa

7. Alick Maemae (-83')

10. Batram Suri (c)

11. Commins Menapi

16. Stanley Waita (-69')

17. Gideon Omokirio

18. Henry Fa'arodo

19. Paul Kakai Jr

21. George Suri

Subs:

1. Felix Ray Jr RGK

2. Leslie Leo (+89')

4. Martin Ruhasia

5. Phillip Boe

8. Joel Konofilia

12. Francis Wasi

13. George Lui

14. Jack Samani (+69')

15. Moses Toata (+83')

22. Francis Aruwafu

Coach: Alan Gillett

OFC Auckland: The Tonga Football Association reaches a milestone this Saturday, 29 May when their FIFA Goal Project is inaugurated. It will be the sixth FIFA Goal Project inaugurated in the Oceania region.

Situated in Atele just outside of Nuku'alofa, the Tongan capital, the FIFA funded facilities include the new Tonga FA headquarters, an academy and four international standard playing fields.

Among the list of invited guests is the King of Tonga, Taufa'ahau Tupou IV. Various other officials and delegates will also be present. The OFC Acting General Secretary, Tai Nicholas and FIFA Development Officer for Oceania, Glenn Turner will also attend.

Saturday's inauguration will be the second FIFA Goal Project for Oceania opened in 2004 following the Cook Islands Goal Project inauguration in April.

Samoa, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea are other Oceania Football Confederation members to have completed facilities under the FIFA Goal Programme, the brainchild of current FIFA President, Joseph Sepp Blatter.

Goal Projects have since been awarded to Vanuatu, Tahiti, American Samoa, New Zealand and Australia. New Caledonia is the only full member yet to receive a FIFA Goal Project. The french territory has only just been accepted as FIFA's 205th member national association last weekend at the 54th FIFA Ordinary Congress in Paris, France.

OFC Auckland: The Oceania Football Confederation is pleased to announce the match officials for Stage 2 of the 2004 OFC Nations Cup/FIFA World Cup preliminary competition to be held in Adelaide, Australia from 29 May - 6 June.

Lee Harmon of the Cook Islands, Tautulu Roebeck of Samoa and Madiu Andrew of Papua New Guinea have been jointly assigned as FIFA Match Commissioners for this tournament. Referee Inspectors are Yves Taga of Vanuatu, Hari Naicker of Fiji and Ken Wallace of New Zealand.

Because of the importance of the Stage 2 tournament which will find the two finalists to contest the OFC Nations Cup final and World Cup Oceania Zone playoff, the OFC with the endorsement of FIFA and UEFA (Europe), has appointed match officials from both the Oceania region and from Europe. Three referees and three assistant referees from Denmark, Italy and Spain will share duties with ten match officials from the OFC.

The OFC Match Official appointments are:

MATCH COMMISSIONERS: Lee Harmon (Cook Is), Tautulu Roebeck (Samoa), Madiu Andrew (PNG)

REFEREE INSPECTORS: Yves Taga (Vanuatu), Hari Naicker (Fiji), Ken Wallace (New Zealand)

Referees

1. Harry Attison (Vanuatu)

2. Charles Ariiotima (Tahiti)

3. Leone Rakaroi (Fiji)

4. Mark Shield (Australia)

5. Claus Bo Larsen (Denmark)

6. Stefano Farina (Italy)

7. Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez (Spain)

Assistant Referees

1. Michael Mouauri (Cook Islands)

2. Dhirendra Kewal (Fiji)

3. Michel Angot (Tahiti)

4. Tony Meltetamat (Vanuatu)

5. Nathan Gibson (Australia)

6. Paul Dunham (New Zealand)

7. Bill Rene Hansen (Denmark)

8. Claudio Puglisi (Italy)

9. Pedro Medina Hernandez (Spain)

OFC Auckland: With just days to go until the opening match of Stage 2 this weekend, all eyes are now fixed on Adelaide as Oceania's top six soccer nations vie for the top two berths to the OFC Nations Cup and FIFA World Cup Oceania Zone final playoffs.

Undoubtedly the feature match of the opening round on Saturday, 29 May, the defending Nations Cup champions New Zealand take on the region's number one FIFA ranked nation Australia. The two Oceania giants face off in the feature match at Hindmarsh Stadium at 8:00pm local time with two equally tantalizing matches preluding the main clash.

Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands rekindle their fierce rivalry in the opening match of the tournament at the Marden Sports Complex with the former eager to set the record straight after losing two straight friendlies to the touring Solomons team in Port Vila back in April.

While the curtain-raiser match to the Socceroos-All Whites extravaganza will see the official top FIFA ranked 'island' nation Tahiti take on South Pacific Games champion Fiji in a battle between the best teams from Melanesia and Polynesia.

The six teams will each play five matches over nine days with the winner and runner up advancing to a two-tier final playoff starting in October with the home and away playoffs to determine the OFC Nations Cup champion. To be played on FIFA sanctioned dates on 9 & 13 October, the winner will represent the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup in Germany.

The second playoff will be played on 3 & 7 September 2005, involving the same two teams. The winner of next year's playoff will be declared the Oceania Champion and will take on the fifth ranked qualifier from South America (CONMEBOL) in a home and away playoff to determine who progresses to the FIFA World Cup in 2006.

The Socceroos will warm to the home advantage and with two valuable warm-up matches against Turkey under their belts, will be a hard nut to crack for coach Mick Waitt and his All Whites. The New Zealanders have troubled the Australians in the past and Socceroos coach Frank Farina needs no reminder of the resilience of the kiwis with the memory of the Socceroos painful 1-0 loss to the All Whites in Auckland almost two years ago. Australia has assembled a much stronger team this time round with calibre players such as FA Cup finalist Tim Cahill joining the squad to further bolster an already formidable line-up.

With much at stake, there is no shortage of motivation for the four island nation qualifiers also. Rubbing shoulders with the Aussies and Kiwis is a prospect every island player dreams off. Opportunities to be exposed at this level are limited and they will soak up the experience and at the same time, show just how far they have improved. With flair and athleticism in abundance, the technical and tactical aspect has slowly but surely come to the fore with the influx of overseas coaches and the growth of the game, helped by crucial FIFA funding and infrastructural support.

Vanuatu, Fiji, Tahiti and the Solomon Islands enter Stage 2 battle hardened after a fiercely fought Stage 1 preliminary round. The evidence was there that the gaps were closing with the majority of the matches evenly contested with surprise upsets along the way. New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea could be justified in feeling unlucky they had not advanced to Stage 2 going by their performances.

But it was not just on the pitch where the atmosphere reigned. In Honiara, the locals flocked in their thousands to witness international soccer returning to the Solomons, stricken by years of ethnic violence. When over 23,000 spectators turned up to Lawson Tama Stadium for the final Group 1 match between the hosts and Tahiti, it was apparent the beautiful game had been a unifying force between the various ethnicities.

FIFA, Paris - At the FIFA Centennial Congress, the football association of New Caledonia was welcomed into the world football family as the 205th FIFA member association. The associations' delegates also ratified an addition to the statutory provisions that govern eligibility to play for Association teams.

Following yesterday's celebrations and the Centennial matches in the Stade de France, the associations' delegates had an array of Congress matters to deal with on Friday, 21 May. As well as ratifying a declaration regarding the fight against doping and approving a pardon for Cameroon the associations voted to accept New Caledonia as FIFA's 205th member association.

Therefore, 204 of FIFA's 205 associations attended the Congress, as only the Yemen Football Association was not present at FIFA's birthday celebrations. With the exception of Afghanistan, Djibouti and Niger, all of the associations were entitled to deliberate on the Congress business. These three associations were not entitled to vote as they had not participated in at least two FIFA competitions in the last four years, and had therefore not fulfilled the conditions laid down in art. 14, par. 4 of the FIFA Statutes.

In other matters, the delegates approved an addition to art. 15 of the Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes, according to which the Executive Committee shall decide on the conditions regarding the eligibility of "any player who assumes a new nationality and for whom paragraph 3 of this article does not apply, or for any player who in principle would be eligible to play for the teams of more than one Association due to his nationality."

This addition had become necessary because in early 2004, a number of Brazilian players had expressed an intention to represent Qatar. These players had referred to article 15 paragraph 1 of the Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes, which states that if a player has never represented an Association at official level, he may assume another nationality and play for the national team of that country's Association. However, on 17 March 2004, the FIFA Emergency Committee decided that players who had acquired the nationality of a country despite having no clear connection to that country would not be eligible to play for that Association's national teams.

Proceedings at the FIFA Centennial Congress drew to a close with the installation of Slim Chiboub (Tunisia) as a new African representative on the FIFA Executive Committee. Slim Aloulou (Tunisia), Chiboub's predecessor on the FIFA executive, was named an honorary FIFA member, as was Abdullah Al-Dabal (Saudi Arabia).

According to the new FIFA Statutes, which came into force on 1 January 2004, FIFA must hold an Ordinary Congress each year. The next Congress will be held in Zurich in 2005.

APIA: Papua New Guinea has comfortably beaten Samoa 4-1 in the last match of the Stage 1 group qualifiers in Apia today. With Vanuatu's shock win against Fiji ending their slim chance of qualifying for Stage 2, PNG kept focussed to win their second match of the tournament.

Goals to Reginald Davani and Andrew Lepani gave PNG a handy 2-0 lead at the break. Nathaniel Lepani and Ericson Komeng then added two goals in the second half before Samoa's veteran striker Junior Michael pulled one back for the hosts to restore some pride.

Round 5 Review - 19 May 2004

Match 10: Samoa vs Papua New Guinea

Full-time score: 1-4 Papua New Guinea

Half-time score: 0-2 Papua New Guinea

Goal-scorers: PNG - (10) Reginald Davani 16'; (13) Andrew Lepani 37'; (11) Nathaniel Lepani 55'; (18) Ericson Komeng 68'

SAM - (7) Junior Michael 69'

Cautions: PNG - (10) Reginald Davani 25'

Expulsions: none

Weather: Fine

Crowd Attendance: 300+

Match Officials

Referee: Constantinos Diomis (Australia)

Assistant Referee 1: David Sau (Solomon Islands)

Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Tauaroa (Tahiti)

Fourth Official: Michael Afu (Solomon Islands)

Match Commissioner: Bob Patterson (New Zealand)

Referee Inspector: Barry Such (Australia)

Team Lists (& Substitutions)

SAMOA

20 Fatuvalu Numia

3 Amby Asafo (-75')

4 Dennis Bryce (-47')

5 Edwin Tyrell

6 Tama Fasavalu

7 Junior Michael

13 Otto Hunt

14 Pualele Lemana (c)

17 Tofi Tumua

18 Peko Victor

19 Setefano Pesa (-74')

Subs:

1 Moresi Tokuma RGK

2 Afasene Tusitala

8 Iosefa Maposua (+74')

9 Iosefo Ioane (+47')

10 Jerome Taua

11 Lene Epa (+75')

12 Lionel Taylor

15 Sakaria Fuimaono

16 Sio Togamoa

Coach: David Brand

PNG

20 Geoffrey Baniau GK (-24')

2 Brian Tuhiana

5 Selan Elizah

9 Richard Daniel (c)

10 Reginald Davani (-70')

11 Nathaniel Lepani

12 Michael Lohai

13 Andrew Lepani (-67')

14 Francis Moiyap

16 Yanding Tomda

17 Paul Komboi

Subs:

1 Tapas Posman RGK (+24')

3 Geoffrey Imang

4 Billy Tomou

6 Hans Fred

7 Maurie Wasi

8 Abraham Enoch

15 Spencer Marnhi (+70')

18 Ericson Komeng (+67')

19 Adrian Komu

Coach: Ludwig Peka

OFC - Auckland: The teams for Stage 2 of the 2004 OFC Nations Cup/2006 FIFA World Cup Oceania Preliminaries have been confirmed after today's final group results from Stage 1 in Samoa.

Vanuatu's stunning 3-0 victory over Fiji in today's final round of Group 2 confirmed their place alongside their vanquished opponents for Stage 2. Fiji had already booked their place with three previous wins.

They will join Group 1 winner Solomon Islands and runner up Tahiti who drew 1-1 yesterday in the final results from Group 1.

All four qualifiers will join Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide for the Stage 2 qualifiers which run from 29 May - 6 June 2004.

The match schedule for Stage 2 is enclosed.

2004 OFC NATIONS CUP / 2006 FIFA WORLD CUP

STAGE 2 - PRELIMINARY COMPETITION

29 May to 6 June 2004, ADELAIDE

MATCH SCHEDULE

SATURDAY 29 MAY

Vanuatu v Solomon Islands 1400 hrs Marden Sport Complex

Tahiti v Fiji 1730 hrs Hindmarsh

Australia v New Zealand 2000 hrs Hindmarsh

MONDAY 31 MAY

New Zealand v Solomon Islands 1400 hrs Marden Sport Complex

Australia v Tahiti 1730 hrs Hindmarsh

Fiji v Vanuatu 2000 hrs Hindmarsh

WEDNESDAY 2 JUNE

Australia v Fiji 1400 hrs Marden Sport Complex

Tahiti v Solomon Islands 1730 hrs Hindmarsh

New Zealand v Vanuatu 2000 hrs Hindmarsh

FRIDAY 4 JUNE

New Zealand v Tahiti 1400 hrs Marden Sport Complex

Fiji v Solomon Islands 1730 hrs Hindmarsh

Vanuatu v Australia 2000 hrs Hindmarsh

SUNDAY 6 JUNE

Tahiti v Vanuatu 1400 hrs Marden Sport Complex

Fiji v New Zealand 1730 hrs Hindmarsh

Solomon Islands v Australia 2000 hrs Hindmarsh

* all kick-off times are local in Adelaide