The Battle of the Giants continued in Suva yesterday with the first full day of matches played.

Defending champions Rewa defeated tournament favourites Navua 2-0 in Pool One, with Nadi winning 2-1 over Nadroga. Earlier in the day Ba and Nadroga drew 0-0.

Tavua played two matches in Pool Two, losing 0-3 against Nasinu in the morning, and 0-1 against hosts Suva in the last match of the day. Lautoka defeated Labasa 2-0 in the other match.

Picture courtesy Fiji Football

The second round of the 2005 Battle of the Giants has been completed in Suva.

In Pool One, Ba got their campaign back on track with a 1-0 win over Nadi. Nadroga opened their tournament with a 2-0 victory against defending champions Rewa.

Pool Two saw Lautoka beat hosts Suva 2-1, with Labasa and Nasinu fighting out a 0-0 draw.

More information, match reports, and competition standings can all be found at www.fijifootball.com

A 2-0 win over New Caledonia's AS Magenta was enough to send Sydney FC through to the FIFA World Club Championships in Japan to be played in December 2005.

Sydney FC won the OFC Club Championships in Tahiti with a formidable 27 goals for, 4 goals against record.

For a detailed look at how they got to Japan check out the 2005 OFC Club Championship tournament website

Or the FIFA article Sydney book their place in Japan

Like their Under 20 counterparts, the full Australian side recently competed on the world stage, in Germany at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup. 2005 was the Socceroo's third outing at the FIFA Confederations Cup.

Click the links for FIFA's reviews of Australia's matches...

vs. Germany

vs. Argentina

vs. Tunisia

Tournament website here 2005 Confederations Cup

And for more information about the Football Federation Australia, visit www.footballaustralia.com.au

With the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championships recently completed we take a look at the regions representative, Australia and see how they fared in the Netherlands.

vs. Benin Oz keeps cool to deny debutant Benin

vs. Netherlands Like clockwork, Oranje into last 16 with OZ win

vs. Japan Japan sucker punch sinks Oz, seals qualification

Or for a detailed look at the tournament as a whole check out the official 2005 FIFA World Youth Championships website

Australia qualified for the 2005 FIFA Under 17 World Championships in Peru earlier this year defeating Vanuatu 1-0 in a closely fought contest in Noumea, New Caledonia.

Follow the build-up to the pinnacle of Under 17 football on the official homepage of the tournament here 2005 FIFA Under 17 World Championships

Or check out the FIFA article here Big-hitting Australia made to fight in the end

Update - 17 July 2005 Australia U17's dealt tough draw for 2005 FIFA U17 World Championship

Update - 21 July 2005 Australia U17's squad to compete in Four Nations Tournament in World Championship preparation

Update - 26 August 2005 Joeys squad named for World Championships

Update - 8 September 2005 Patafta named captain of Joeys

WORLD GOVERNING BODY TO "TEACH THE TEACHERS"

24 of Oceania's top football coaches are in Auckland to attend the FIFA FUTURO III Coach Education course at the Oceania Football Confederation headquarters.

The aim of the 12-day course is to educate and pass on successful practices to national association coaches as part of FIFA's worldwide push to "teach the teachers".

Two FIFA-appointed instructors, Australia's Jim Selby and Terry Casey from Wales, will facilitate the course featuring daily theoretical and practical sessions.

In attendance are representatives from the member associations of American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu and Australia.

"These courses are integral to the continued improvement of the standard of football in the region," says OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas.

"The instructors that FIFA have appointed are of the highest calibre and illustrates their commitment to developing the game in Oceania," Nicholas continues.

The course follows on from the successful FUTURO III Administration and Management pilot course held in Auckland in April this year [click the link for full story Good Management the Key to Success].

Other FIFA FUTURO III courses include Sport Medicine, Referees, and Women's Coaching.

For more information on FIFA's Development Programmes visit their webpage at FIFA Developing the Game

Australia gets FIFA approval

FFA Media Release

Thursday 30 June 2005

In probably the most monumental decision for Australian Football the FIFA Executive Committee has approved the move of Australia into the Asian Football Confederation - effective 1 January 2006.

Significantly the FIFA Executive Committee also decided that due to all parties involved being in agreement the move would not need to be discussed at the FIFA Congress.

A FIFA Statement read, "The Football Federation of Australia will be entitled to change from the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)."

"After prolonged debate and consideration of the facts at hand, the executive body reached the conclusion that, as all of the parties involved (Confederations of Oceania, Asia and the Australian association) had agreed to the move, the case did not need to be discussed by the FIFA Congress. Australia will therefore belong to the Asian Football Confederation as from 1 January 2006."

Football Federation Australia Chairman Mr Frank Lowy, who was in Frankfurt for the decision, said it was the most significant decision ever in Australian Football.

"Today is a significant date in the history of football in Australia," said Mr Lowy.

"We are delighted with the decision. It is the fulfilment of our dream to move in to Asia and we must now work hard to ensure a smooth integration and to gain the maximum benefits of the move.

"I'd like to thank the FIFA Executive Committee for their wisdom and understanding of our situation and the Asian Football Confederation for their enthusiasm in our bid to join with them. I would also like to pay special tribute to the Oceania Football Confederation for their support. We will continue to play an active role in supporting the development of football in that region."

FFA CEO Mr John O'Neill said there was a lot of work to be done now to capitalise on the move.

"This is a transforming event of incredible magnitude and opportunity for the game; now we have to work closely with the AFC to commence the integration," said Mr O'Neill.

"This is a hugely exciting development for football in Australia across all levels, not just for the men's national team, and we look forward to this new era as a member of Asia."

The 2005 Battle of the Giants tournament got underway in Fiji over the weekend (July 9 - 10). 18 overseas-based players feature in the tournament.

And the opening matches on Saturday saw a few upsets with Labasa defeating Tavua 3-2, Rewa beat Nadi 1-0, and Navua accounted for Ba 1-0.

Yesterday Nasinu defeated Lautoka 2-1, both goals coming from Solomon Island representatives, Commins Menapi and Alick Maemae.

The Battle of the Giants tournament officially opens in Suva later this week.

For full draws, results, reports, and up to date information check out the Fiji Football website at www.fijifootball.com

OCEANIA FOOTBALL ANNOUNCE NEW ARRIVAL

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has appointed Seamus Marten as Communications and Media Officer.

The 23-year-old will be responsible for internal and external communication, website and new media communication, and all media relations.

OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas notes the appointment is part of wider changes to the administration of football in the Region.

"This is the first of several key appointments which will take place within the organisation over the next few months. The OFC Executive is committed to ensuring the very best personnel work for the Confederation"

Marten was previously Communications Executive for Bowls New Zealand and recently accepted the General Manager's position at Waikato FC in the New Zealand Football Championship. The opportunity with OFC - the governing body for soccer through the Pacific region - emerged soon after.

Waikato FC chairman Keith Ward said they were dismayed to lose the 23-year-old, who was "near perfect" to head the clubs' operations.

Football is Marten's passion, and in 2000 he was selected for the Solomon Islands Under 20 side.

"My focus shifted from playing to administration though, and I completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies, majoring in Marketing and Public Relations from the University of Waikato, as well as a Diploma in Sport and Leisure.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me, working in the sport that I love. The game in the Pacific region has an exciting future with skills on and off the pitch improving rapidly"

He commenced the role on July 4.