The identity of 24 teams who will be participating at Germany 2006 are now known. Of that figure, 14 qualified on a day of drama - Saturday 8 October 2005 - which brought joy, despair, hope and anguish in equal measure.

Full story courtesy FIFA Media, Decisive day for Germany 2006

FIFA DELEGATION RETURNS TO SI

A high powered FIFA delegation is in Honiara in a follow up visit following the successful Com-Unity Workshop held in November 2004.

The delegation includes Urs Zanitti who heads the FIFA Development Programme Service and FIFA Goal Development officer for Oceania region Glenn Turner.

Turner says Zanitti had decided to take this opportunity to visit the Solomon Islands after a hectic week of seminars and workshops in the Oceania region over the past three weeks to see the progress made following the FIFA Com-Unity workshop held in Honiara last year.

While here, they will meet with several groups including both government and the non-government organisations. They will also visit the national soccer academy at Panatina. "This is important for the development of soccer in Solomon Islands," Turner adds.

Zanitti is optimistic about the development so far especially the construction of the national academy.

According to Turner, Zanitti's enthusiastic observation of the academy is an ideal milestone for the development of football in Solomon Islands. He believes that the completion of the Goal National Academy will improve the grass roots programme for ages 6-12.

"It will greatly help the progress of youth and women football," he adds.

Turner says Zanitti was particularly impressed that women soccer, particularly in Honiara is making strides as witnessed by the leagues being organized for women and school girls.

Meanwhile, Zanitti has assured the new SIFF leadership of FIFA's commitment to ensure football here continues to progress.

ENTRANCE FEE WAIVED FOR WOMEN'S FINALS

On the eve of the Women's soccer league grandfinal SIFF announced that there would be no charge for football fans and supporters.

The matches were due be held at the Lawson Tama Stadium on October 7 with the minor final at 4.30pm and the grand final at 6.15pm.

The match was set as a replay of the 2004 women's soccer final with Rangers taking on Naha in the grand final and Marist against Flamingo in the minor final.

Naha won 3-1 against Junior Flamingo and Rangers overcame Marist 2-1 in the semi finals on Tuesday to qualify.

The semi final matches were of high standard and players are showing a great improvement in soccer. Both matches were witnessed by the head of FIFA Development Programme Service Urz Zanitti and FIFA Goal Development officer Glenn Turner.

SIFF recently announced that it is selecting an Under 20 women's squad and a senior squad for upcoming regional competitions from the current league.

The senior women's squad will also be preparing for the 2007 Pacific Games in Samoa. With the Under 20's preparing for the OFC qualifiers next year also in Samoa.

Draws for the SIFF women's knockout will be made before the finals today. The knockout will be held after the Solomon Cup tournament which ends October 22.

SOLOMON CUP BRIEFS

Central Shields first to register

Central Football Association is the first to have paid their registration fee of $1,000 which qualifys their team to compete in the Solomon Cup tournament.

Organising committee chairman Noel Wagapu confirmed the payment saying other provincial football associations will have to pay their fees before the tournament starts in a week's time.

Meanwhile, the Western Turtles is the first provincial side to arrive in the capital ahead of the Solomon Cup tournament which kicks off on Saturday 15th October at Lawson Tama stadium.

Capital-based players available for provinces

Provincial Football Associations are allowed to include five Honiara-based players in their final squad to compete in the Solomon Cup tournament.

SIFF agreed to provide this leeway because of previous experience where some provincial teams are tougher than the others.

To avoid a repeat of this scenario, it has agreed to give provincial football associations the liberty to pick any player of their choice to represent them.

It is understood a number of provinces have included Honiara-based players in their squads. Those that have named Honiara-based players include Malaita, Central, Temotu, Isabel and Lauru FA.

Students get in for free

Primary school students and the disabled persons will be able to watch the Solomon Cup tournament without paying entrance fee.

This was agreed on by the committee organising the competition to encourage young kids to come in numbers to watch the matches and inturn encourage them to play soccer while the disabled, a gesture extended to them by the federation.

SIFF General Secretary Eddie Ngava initiated the idea during the committee's meeting on Wednesday this week.

The committee is confident that with the free-entry policy from primary schools students many will be able to share the joys of the World's most spectacular game - soccer.

However, only primary school students wearing their school uniforms and are seen to be below 12 years will be eligible for free entry.

"Secondary school students and other youths who in the opinion of the organisers are over the age of 12 will still have to pay students fee at the gates," the committee says in a statement.

Secondary school students are urged to wear their uniforms to qualify them for student's fee otherwise they will have to pay the adult fee. The condition only applies to hillside area.

As for the grandstand and the adjacent hill, the organising committee has imposed $10 entrance fee across the board for adult and children alike.

Ticket for standing is $5.00 for adult while secondary school students in uniform $3.00.

Solomon Cup Pools drawn

The draw for the Solomon Cup soccer tournament was made yesterday (October 5, 2005) in Honiara with 10 provincial teams grouped into two pools.

Pool A features current champions Malaita Eagles, Honiara Warriors, Isabel Frigates, Real Kakamora (Makira Ulawa) and Renbel (Avaiki).

In Pool B are Temotu Arrows, Lauru (Choiseul), Central Shields, Guadalcanal and Western Turtles.

The finalists from the last Solomon Cup in 1999, Malaita Eagles and Temotu Arrows were drafted automatically into the two pools before teams were drawn based on lots picked during the draws.

Representatives from all provincial football associations with officials of the Solomon Islands Football Federation were present during the draws.

The Solomon Cup will be held at Lawson Tama Stadium between October 15 - 22. All provincial teams are expected to arrive in Honiara this week and next week.

All provincial teams have been training in their respective headquarters of Auki, Buala, Kirakira, Gizo, Tulagi and Taro in recent weeks.

The Solomon Cup was last held in 1999 in Gizo, Western Province.

---Francis Pituvaka - SIFF Media Officer

NADI, NAVUA, NASINU RULE ON DAY ONE

Nadi, Navua and Nasinu all scured wins on day one of the 68th Inter Districts Championship tournament at Churchill Park in Lautoka. Close to 5,000 watched the opening day of the competition.

Navua was the first winner of the day after a Pita Bolatoga piledriver soon after the interval was enough to give the 2005 Battle of the Giants champs a 1-0 win over Labasa.

The opening match began 20 minutes after schedule due to a break-in at the Navua team camp.

The Nadi side look to be a force to reckoned with after their impressive performance against Suva, Fiji's largest soccer district. Solomon Island international Stanley Waita broke down the Suva defence to score in the 56th minute.

Suva will have to win the rest of their games to end a 22-year jinx and make it into the semi-final stages of the competition.

Rewa held the defending champs Ba to a 0-0 draw with both sides left ruing missed chances in the third game of the day.

Ba, however, was the stronger team missing four clear chances to take the lead after striker Shalen Lal missed twice in the first half and once in the second half. Ba and national captain Esala Masi also missed a perfect opportunity in the second half along with Ba striker Avinesh Swamy, whose kick came off the crossbar.

And a Solomon Islands-dominated Nasinu side wrapped up day one with a 2-1 win over host district Lautoka.

Nasinu's Solomon Island import and Indian College student Benjamin Totori proved to be a handful for Lautoka scoring both goals in the win. Totori put Nasinu up 1-0 in the 45th minute, only for Lautoka striker Osea Vakatalesau to level the score just minutes later after a lapse in concentration by the Nasinu side.

But, Totori again displayed his creativeness, running straight through the Lautoka defence to score his second less than five minutes later.

Nasinu looked to be the more creative side forcing Lautoka goalie Nicholas Lawrence to make several saves.

Nadi and Nasinu lead Pool 2 with three points each, while Navua leads Pool 1 with three points. Rewa and Ba share second place with a point each.

Nadroga and Tavua have not played and will feature today.

Day 1 Results - 6 October, 2005

Pool 1

Navua 1 - 0 Labasa

Rewa 0 - 0 Ba

Tavua (bye)

Pool 2

Nadi 1 - 0 Suva

Nasinu 2 - 1 Lautoka

Nadroga (bye)

Day 2 Matches - 7 October, 2005 (Kick off Fiji time)

Pool 1

17:15 Ba vs. Navua

18:30 Tavua vs. Rewa

Labasa (bye)

Pool 2

16:00 Nadroga vs. Suva

19:45 Lautoka vs. Nadi

Nasinu (bye)

For more tournament information check out www.fijifootball.com

DR. SAHU KHAN RETAINS FIJI FA PRESIDENCY

Fiji Football Association president Dr Shamsu Dean Sahu Khan will retain the post for another four years after he won the election on a technical point in Lautoka on Thursday (6 October).

His rival Jeetendra "JD" Maharaj was disqualified because he did not file his application within 28 days as required by the amended Fiji FA Constitution.

The meeting was told this morning that Maharaj had lodged his application for the presidency within the 7 day period as previously stipulated in the Constitution.

A Special General Meeting in Ba two months ago agreed to amend the clause from 7 days to 28 days.

Maharaj said he would not give up the fight adding he would seek legal advice on today's meeting and is considering taking legal action against the Fiji FA.

Dr. Sahu Khan issued a stay order during the election after it was revealed that Maharaj's nomination for presidency did not comply with the amended clause of the Fiji FA constitution.

The constitution was amended at a Special General Meeting in Ba two months ago, where delegates agreed to amend the Fiji FA constitution on the nomination period for president.

Article 40 states "only members of Fiji FA may propose candidates for the office of President."

"Members shall notify the general secretariat in writing of the name of a candidate for the presidency of Fiji FA at least 28 days before the day of the congress."

Sahu Khan pointed out to the delegates including Maharaj, that this was not followed when Maharaj put in his nomination.

After heated argument between the members it was ruled that Maharaj could not contest the post.

Maharaj said they followed article 20.9 which states, "Nomination of office bearers must be in the hands of the chief executive officer of the association seven clear days before the date of the congress, together with the written consent of the person nominated".

According to Kumar, Maharaj was disqualified because he did not meet the 28 day requirement.

Speaking after his win, Dr. Sahu Khan said he would serve his term for the next four years and ensure the Nadawa Academy was completed.

Khan also warned that FIFA laws were very straightforward and noone or any district affiliated to the parent soccer body can take Fiji FA to court.

Maharaj said he would exhaust all avenues to see that soccer had a fair election on who should be its rightful president.

Dr. Sahu Khan said he was very happy he won.

TWO NEW VICE PRESIDENTS FOR FIJI FA

Rajesh Patel of Ba and Rewa's Yogeshwar Singh have been elected as Vice President's of the Fiji FA joining Suren Rama (Savusavu) and Ashok Balgovind.

Patel defeated Dr. Hari Kewel while Singh beat Hari Raj Naicker for the VP post.

FIJI FA ANNOUNCES INCREASED SURPLUS

The Fiji FA also recorded a profit of $22,418 (FJD) at the end of its financial period (July 2005), an increase of $12,536 from the surplus recorded in 2004.

FIJI PREPARES FOR ANNUAL INTER-DISTRCT CHAMPIONSHIPS

Preparations for what is arguably Fiji's premier football event, the Inter-District Championships (IDC) have stepped up this week as the District sides prepare for kick-off on October 6 in Lautoka.

The 10 team Super Premier competition will again be the pinnacle event, with Ba, Labasa, Lautoka, Tavua, Nadi, Navua, Nadroga, Nasinu, Rewa, and Suva all vying for the $15,000 (FJD) prize money. Also contested during the IDC are the Senior competition as well as Secondary and Primary Schools divisions.

The tournament is in its 68th year and as always the competition is highly anticipated. The cream of home-based talent, as well as Fijian players from around the Pacific and a sprinkling of overseas "imports" brought in for the tournament from Australia, New Zealand and the Solomon Islands will converge on Churchill Park for the five-day festival of soccer.

Ba has emerged as a favourite for the IDC title after claiming the Super 6 (National League) title over the weekend by defeating rival Navua 1-0. Led by national team skipper Esala Masi, the squad is entirely Fiji-based and the "men in black" will look to rediscover the kind of form that has seen them win back-to-back IDC titles.

Stacked with national reps including Lorima Dau and Australian-based Thomas Vulivuli the southern district Navua will look to be among the leading contenders. The 2005 Battle of the Giants champions will be without All White Che Bunce and fellow kiwis Michael Mayne and Matt Williams who are involved in preparations for the New Zealand Football Championship, all three played in the BOG earlier this year.

Nasinu feature no less than seven Solomon Islands internationals in their squad, including former national team captain Batram Suri - a regular visitor to the IDC - and goal-scoring machine Kidston Billy. Four members of the Solomons connection are currently attending the University of the South Pacific with another in high school.

There is also a Solomons influence in Nadi's planning, and an Australian feel to host district Lautoka and Nadroga. Labasa, Rewa, Suva, and Tavua will rely on their homegrown talent for the duration of the tournament.

Off the field too, the action will be intense as long-serving Dr. Shamshud Dean Sahu Khan and former Sports Fiji Chief Executive vie to be President of the Fiji Football Association.

Previous Winners (number of wins) - Ba (20); Lautoka (14); Suva (10); Rewa (8); Nadi (6); Nadroga (3); Labasa (2); Nasinu (1); Tavua (1)

More news from Vanuatu courtesy VFF Media Officer Moses Stevens.

VanuaKids Tournament in full swing

Yatel halted Westtan's winning tempo

A sublime and effective display of football saw Mexico claim the FIFA U-17 World Championship Peru 2005 with an emphatic 3-0 win over reigning champions Brazil. Full story, Mexico down Brazil to win first world title

Every FIFA tournament has its individual awards and the FIFA U-17 World Championship Peru 2005 provided stiff competition in both categories. Full story, Anderson voted best player, Vela top scorer

The Netherlands secured third place with a 2-1 victory over Turkey. Full story, Netherlands topple lacklustre Turks

The FIFA U-17 World Championship enters its decisive phase with two hotly anticipated semi-final encounters. Chiclayo will be the setting for what is sure to be an intriguing and full-blooded showdown between Mexico and the Netherlands, while Trujillo will host an equally enticing duel between Turkey and Brazil. The winners go through to the grand Final on 2 October in Lima.

Full stroy courtesy FIFA Media, Four teams and one dream

It was another great day of football in Port Vila on Saturday 24 September as the players from the Port Vila Football League represented their home provinces in the semi finals of the Province of Origin tournament.

Full story courtesy VFF Media, Malampa and Tafea in the PO grand final

The Province of Origin tournament semi finals day was the perfect occassion that football authgorities in Port Vila used to commemorate the 2005 Fair Play Day.

Full story courtesy VFF Media, Vanuatu commemorates FIFA Fair Play Day

Talofa lava and welcome to the new look ASFA web site with all the news of the world game locally and from across the globe.

The site will rebuild over the coming months as we endeavour to keep all American Samoans and football followers up to date with all the headline news as it happens from Tutuila, Oceania and within the FIFA Family.

We look forward to your support and comments as a new era begins.

Faa'fetai tele lava, Ia Manuia. The Webmaster ASFA Media

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