NEW CALEDONIA WELCOMES OFC PRESIDENT AND VISION

New Caledonia - the 205th and newest member of FIFA's football family - welcomed Oceania Football Confederation President Mr. Reynald Temarii to Noumea this week.

New Caledonia was the last stop on a series of trips by the President around the Pacific region to understand better the unique ways in which each national association operates.

The trip also gave Mr. Temarii a chance to outline the OFC 12-year development plan to the Football Federation of New Caledonia and various other interested parties, and continued discussions about the development of the FIFA Goal Project.

The key elements of the OFC development plan include education and youth development, capacity building, health, economic development, and community development.

While in Noumea Mr. Temarii met with the President of New Caledonia, the Honorable Marie-Noelle Themereau, where they discussed the possibility of a regional cooperation agreement to enhance the development of football in the region.

Both OFC and the New Caledonian Government share the view that youth development can be enhanced through sport, in particular football.

Further synergies were explored with the Noumea-based South Pacific Council (SPC). SPC Director General Lourdes Pangelinan was informed of the OFC vision, and welcomed the possibility to establish a cooperation agreement between the organizations in the areas of youth and women's development in the Oceania region.

In conjunction with FIFA officials, Mr. Temarii also met with representatives from the Southern Province and the city of Paita, where plans for the FIFA Goal Project continue to be developed.

New Zealand Soccer today announced a bold strategy for the women's game to in New Zealand.

See the full New Zealand Soccer story here, New Zealand Soccer unveils bold plan for women's game

Australia and Solomons set for World Cup Clash

Two hurdles remain before a team from the Oceania Football Confederation can represent the region at the world's biggest sporting event, the final stage of the Oceania World Cup Playoffs, and a playoff with an as-yet unknown South American side.

Australia and the Solomon Islands meet in a home and away match to determine who will go forward to represent the region and continue the chase for a spot at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

But, both teams have had a less than ideal build-up.

A friendly match against New Zealand, the FIFA Confederations Cup, a new coach with a legendary reputation, and a four-day training camp in the Netherlands, has been Australia's preparation for the Oceania final of the FIFA World Cup Playoffs.

In contrast, the Solomon Islands warmed up for the biggest match of their 26-year history without a coach until one month ago and a one win, two loss mini-tour of New Zealand, their first competitive matches since the OFC Nations Cup Final 11 months ago.

The favourites tag surely lays with the Socceroos with the 21-man squad all full-time professionals, and all but two are based in Europe. In the OFC Nations Cup Final last October, the Aussies powered to an 11-1 aggregate win and a place at the FIFA Confederations Cup.

A timely morale boosting 3-0 win over a NZFC XI (New Zealand National League) has provided the Solomons with some much-needed confidence heading into the crucial first leg in Sydney this weekend (September 3).

Goals to Francis Wasi, George Lui, and Stanley Waita sealed the win over a scratch combination featuring New Zealand based All Whites and age group internationals.

Earlier in the week, the South Pacfic nation slumped to consecutive defeats to a Manawatu XI (0-3) and the NZ Knights (0-4).

The Solomons cause not been helped by the unavailability of star midfielder Henry Fa'arodo, who was required by his club Perth Glory for their opening match in the A-League.

New Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink is cautious about the match taking no chances and selecting his strongest possible squad.

"We won't be taking any chances with the all important first qualifying matches against the Solomon Islands," said Hiddink.

"So we have picked our strongest squad, and all the players are desperate to play, play well, and stake their claim for November and beyond."

"It is vital that we defeat the Solomon Islands because otherwise our World Cup dreams will be over. If we stumble then there will be no November."

Liverpool's Harry Kewell and Craig Moore of Newcastle are late withdrawals from Hiddink's squad, with Romania-based Michael Thwaite receiving a late call-up to the squad.

Aussie Stadium in Sydney will host the first leg this Saturday (September 3) with the second leg taking place at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara three days later (Tuesday, September 6).

Over 70,000 fans attended the opening four matches of the A-League last weekend with over 25,000 attending the Sydney FC home match alone.

The 20,000 tickets available in Honiara are close to sold out and a heavy security presence is expected at Lawson Tama Stadium after crowd trouble caused the abandonment of the Under 20 final between the same countries in January this year.

The winner of the OFC playoff will play the fifth placed South American side in a home and away fixture in November, with the winner qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

If either Australia or the Solomon Islands are successful, they will be the first Oceania country to appear at a FIFA World Cup since New Zealand in 1982.

Teams

Australia: Zeljko Kalac (AC Milan, Italy), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England); Stan Lazaridis (Birmingham, England), Lucas Neill (Blackburn Rovers, England), Jon McKain (Politechnica AEK Timisoara, Romania), Tony Popovic (Crystal Palace, England), Tony Vidmar (NAC Breda, Holland), Michael Thwaite (FC National, Romania); Marco Bresciano (Parma, Italy), Tim Cahill (Everton, England), Jason Culina (Twente Enschede, Holland), Ahmad Elrich (Fulham, England), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers, England), Vince Grella (Parma, Italy), , Josip Skoko (Wigan, England), Luke Wilkshire (Bristol City, England); John Aloisi (Alaves, Spain), Scott Chipperfield (Basel, Switzerland), Sasho Petrovski (Sydney FC, Australia), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough, England)

Solomon Islands: Francis Aruwafu (Wantoks, Solomon Islands), Felix Ray Jr. (JP Su'uria, Solomon Islands); Richard Anisua (East Harbour Strikers, Solomon Islands), Mahlon Houkarawa (East Harbour Strikers, Solomon Islands), Leslie Leo (JP Su'uria, Solomon Islands), Terry Oiaka (Fairwest, Solomon Islands), Gideon Omokirio (Fairwest, Solomon Islands), Nelson Sale (JP Su'uria, Solomon Islands), George Suri (East Coast Bays, New Zealand); Henry Fa'arodo (Perth Glory, Australia), Abraham Iniga (Systek Kingz, Solomon Islands), George Lui (JP Su'uria, Solomon Islands), Aleck Maemae (JP Su'uria, Solomon Islands), Jack Samani (Brisbane Wolves, Australia), Stanley Waita (Agfa Hana, Solomon Islands), Francis Wasi (Fairwest, Solomon Islands); Kidston Billy (Wantoks, Solomon Islands), Commins Menapi (JP Su'uria, Solomon Islands), Judd Molea (Wantoks, Solomon Islands), Batram Suri (JP Su'uria, Solomon Islands)

Match Schedule

1st Leg

Australia v Solomon Islands

Saturday 3 September 2005, 19:30 (Australian time)

Aussie Stadium, Sydney, Australia

Officials

Referee Mohd Saleh Subkhiddin (Malaysia)

Assistant Referee 1 Saeed Mohammed (Maldives)

Assistant Referee 2 Ishak Nasaruddin (Malaysia)

Fourth Official Supian Ahmad Kalidi (Malaysia)

2nd Leg

Solomon Islands v Australia

Tuesday 6 September 2005, 13:00 (Solomon Islands time)

Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara, Solomon Islands

Officials

Referee Al Ghamdi Khalil Ibrahim (Saudi Arabia)

Assistant Referee 1 Arabati Fathi (Jordan)

Assistant Referee 2 Ghuloum Eisa (United Arab Emirates)

Fourth Official Al Mutlaq Ali A.A. (Saudi Arabia)