With the FIFA World Cup Playoff with Australia looming the Solomon Islands will all the experience they can get, for the upcoming matches they are lucky enough to be able to call upon one of their leding lights plying his trade in the Australian A-League, Henry Fa'arodo.

Check out this player in the spotlight at the Perth Glory website here, Dream comes true for Solomon striker

Photo - Fa'arodo in action against Australia

Fiji trounces India

An Esala Masi first half goal helped Fiji create history in its 1-0 win over India at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

The win marked Fiji's first victory against a higher FIFA ranked team.

The first half penalty goal was sternly defended as Fiji held out an impressive attacking India side, that came close to scoring on occasions but lacked the finishing touch.

National coach Lee Sterrey said he was happy with the win but pleaded to Fiji fans to show more support for their team with the majority of the Lautoka crowd backing the visitors.

Sterrey described the encounter as more like playing on Indian soil rather than in Fiji.

India fielding its number one squad planned to play the high ball to their advantage but this was tactic was nullified by Fiji's physical approach.

Indian coach Sukh-winder Singhaid they tried to rely on speed instead to shape their attack.

Fiji in turn opted to steal the lead and then secure it by playing a defence throughout the remaining minutes of the match.

Fiji failed to extend the lead in the second half after a Masi penalty kick was deflected by the Indian keeper back to the Fiji captain who missed the open shot.

Both coaches said poor ground conditions prevented the two teams from playing to their full potential.

The two teams will meet again in their second international match in Suva on Sunday.

Match Summary

Fiji 1-0 India

Goals: 1-0 Esala Masi (14', pen)

Kick-off time: 19.00 local time (12.30 IST / 09.00 CET)

Venue: Churchill Park, Lautoka

Attendance: 8.000+

Fiji: Simione Tamanisau; Lorima Dau, Alvin Avinesh, Luke Vidovi, Apisalome Turuva, Avinesh Swamy; Esala Masi, Josaia Bukalidi (??' Taniela Waqa), Salesh Kumar (88' Petero Daunisaka); Kiniviliame Naika, Thomas Vulivuli (77' Osea Vakatalesau)

India: VP Satish Kumar; Irungbam Surkumar Singh, Selwyn Fernandes, Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep, Manju Nanjangud Shivananju; Shylo Malswam Tulunga, Sukhjinder Singh (75' Sukhwinder Singh), Shanmugam Venkatesh, Debabrata Roy (??' Subhas Chakraborty); Vimal Pariyar, Manjit Singh (64' Sunil Chetri)

Referee: Neil Fox (New Zealand)

Cautions: Selwyn Fernandes (14' India), Vimal Pariyar (??' India), Manju Nanjangud Shivananju (56' India)

Expulsions: None

For more information on the India tour and the Fiji FA visit www.fijifootball.com

Success on the world stage in future years is the focus of the Oceania Football Confederation, and the key to success lies in the feet of the regions many thousands of young boys and girls and the work of the coaches to develop these talented youngsters.

FIFA recently conducted a FUTURO III Coach Instructors Course in Auckland, click here for the full story, Oceania places emphasis on youth

The Solomon Islands build-up for their crucial FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches against Australia next month has been cut short.

SIFF had requested matches against Fiji following their series against India, but the Fiji FA is unable to meet this request.

SIFF Media Officer Francis Pituvaka outlines the developments from Honiara, Friendly matches with Fiji called off

Click here for all the updates from the Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands Football Federation

India crashes and burn in Ba

Fiji soccer powerhouse Ba defeated the India national soccer team 1-0 in front of a 6000-plus home crowd at Govind Park as the Indians began their three match tour of Fiji.

The Men in Black scored in the 12th minute of the second half and clung on to their lead, as a reduced 10 men squad fought off a final quarter surge from the Indians to keep the visitors scoreless.

The game lived up to expectation, and the 6000 plus spectators were treated to a fast and entertaining game that often brought the crowd to their feet.

India had more attacking and scoring opportunities but evergreen goalkeeper Isikeli Seva, playing his 55th first grade game for Ba, stood his ground to deny the visitors any points.

Both side defended well with the two goalkeepers pulling out all the stops with their daredevil saves.

After a scoreless first half, Ba coach Semi Tabaiwalu reminded his players to stick to their game plan and to put more pressure on the visitors.

The half time pep talk, paid off and in the 12th minute of play DAV Boys school student Malakai Tiwa slotted in a powerful ground ball from a Shalen Lal corner kick.

National coach Lee Sterrey saluted the brave effort by the hosts side admitting that Ba's style of football is the best in the country.

He said although the bulk of the side were not released from the national side there was still depth and experience on the bench.

Match Summary

Ba 1-0 India

Goals: 1-0 Malakai Tiwa (58')

Kick-off time: 18.00 local time (11.30 IST / 08.00 CET)

Venue: Govind Park, Ba

Attendance: 6.000+

Ba: Isikeli Seva, Malakai Kainihewe, Johnny Rao, Shalen Lal, Roneel Kumar, Robert Wise, Tuimasi Manoca, Malakai Tiwa, Joeli Ranitu, Jone Vesikula, Nuimaia Tagi

India: VP Satish Kumar; Irungbam Surkumar Singh (6?' Yumlembam Raju Singh), Selwyn Fernandes, Naduparambil Pappachan Pradeep, Manju Nanjangud Shivananju; Shylo Malswam Tulunga (46' Manjit Singh), Sukhjinder Singh (60' Sukhwinder Singh), Shanmugam Venkatesh, Debabrata Roy (46' Subhas Chakraborty); Sunil Chetri (79' Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh), Vimal Pariyar

Referee: Rakesh Varman (Fiji)

Cautions: Shanmugam Venkatesh (62' India)

Expulsions:Joeli Ranitu (78' Fiji)

For more information on the India tour and the Fiji FA visit www.fijifootball.com

New Socceroo coach Guus Hiddink has named his first squad in the build-up to the final Oceania stage of qualifying for 2006 FIFA World Cup, Build-up to matches continues with training camp

Fiji warmed up for their upcoming international clash with India with a 2-0 win over District powerhouse Ba, with goals coming from Navua reps Thomas Vulivuli and Lorima Dau.

For all the news from Fiji visit, www.fijifootball.com

SIFF General Secretary Eddie Ngava announced the 20-man sqaud that will prepare for the World Cup Playoff with Australia in early September.

SIFF Media Officer Francis Pituvaka outlines the squad, Teenage striker named in senior squad

And SIFF has announced that former national Under 23 coach Airton Andriolli of Brazil will take control of the senior side for the Australia matches, Brazilian coach takes over from Gillett

The semi-finalists for the A-League Pre Season Cup have been found after the final round of group matches over the weekend, read the FFA match reports below for all the action.

NZ Knights vs. Central Coast Mariners

Melbourne Victory vs. Adelaide United

Queensland Roar vs. Sydney FC

Perth Glory vs. Newcastle Jets

A-League Pre-Season Cup Semi-Finals Draw

The Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) recently held a training camp at the soccer academy in Matavera, Rarotonga.

Click here for full story from the Cook Islands News, Young elite soccer players camp out