OFC News

2006 OFC Club Championships - Preliminary

Govind Park, Ba, Fiji

6 - 10 February 2006

2006 OFC Club Championships - Preliminary Preview

The club champions of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga are set to do battle at the preliminary stage of the 2006 OFC Club Championships in Ba, Fiji, with the winner to advance to the final competition in New Zealand in May.

Host club Nokia Eagles Nadi, Cook Islands champs Nikao Sokattak, and perennial national powerhouses Tuanaimato Breeze of Samoa, and Tonga's Lotoha'apai FC will vie for the remaining place in a round robin tournament at Govind Park.

With all four clubs packed with national representatives the competition will be tough, Nadi will look to the likes of national `keeper Shamal Kumar, who excelled in the Fijian qualifying leg, as well as strikers Pita Bolaitoga and Ovini Ducuga.

Nikao - back to back Cook Islands champions - bring a youthful combination to Fiji, with experience provided by the evergreen Mark Jamieson. Focus will also fall on Tuka Tisam and Steve Willis who have spent the last two years on soccer scholarships at leading high schools in New Zealand.

Samoa's Tuanaimato Breeze and Tonga's are both relatively unknown quantities, but of interest is the return of the talented Desmond Fa'aiaso from a stint with the Samoan rugby sevens team.

Match Schedule

Match Day 1 - 6 February 2006

1400 Nikao Sokattak (Cook Islands) vs. Tuanaimato Breeze (Samoa)

1600 Lotoha'apai FC (Tonga) vs. Nokia Eagles Nadi (Fiji)

Match Day 2 - 8 February 2006

1400 Tuanaimato Breeze vs. Lotoha'apai FC

1600 Nokia Eagles Nadi vs. Nikao Sokattak

Match Day 3 - 10 February 2006

1400 Lotoha'apai FC vs. Nikao Sokattak

1600 Nokia Eagles Nadi vs. Tuanaimato Breeze

Squad Lists

Nikao Sokattak (Cook Islands)

1. Junior Rupena, 2. Teatu Rangi Putere; 3. Albert Oti; 4. Paul Luiz Van Eijk; 5. Tepou Taana; 6. Kunde Tangimetua; 8. Mona Vaine Keu; 9. Teariki Meteariki; 10. Steven Willis; 11. Conrad Piri; 12. Tuka Tisam; 13. Poko-Long Pauka; 14. Steve Cuthers; 15. John Bataillard; 16. Anonga Tisam; 17. Papa Lee Ponini; 18. Nathan Tisam; 19. Mark Jamieson

Nokia Eagles Nadi (Fiji)

1. Shamal Kumar; 2. Samuela Vula; 3. Viliame Toma; 4. Apisalome Turuva; 5. Taniela Waqa; 6. Waisake Sabutu; 7. Marika Namaqa; 8. Usaia Tadau; 9. Valerio Nawatu; 10. Pita Bolaitoga; 11. Ovini Duguca; 12. Dharnesh Reddy; 13. Simione Tamanisau; 14. Ponipate Naulu; 15. Emosi Baleinuku; 16. Josefa Tabausau; 18. Ratu Sireli Soqosoqo; 20. Alifereit Baileloa

Tuanaimato Breeze (Samoa)

1. Joe Ugapo; 2. Kiwi Timo; 3. Kennedy Faalavaau; 4. Sapati Umutaua; 5. Fauivi Ugapo; 6. Victor Lui; 7. Jerome Taua; 8. Lionel Taylor; 9. Max Tom Hoeflich; 10. Desmond Faaiuso; 11. Andrew Setefano; 12. Iosefo Ioane; 13. Dennis Bryce; 14. Titi Esau; 15. Danny Punimata; 16. Michael Poutasi; 17. Martin Tamasese; 20 Romeo Sa

Lotoha'apai FC (Tonga)

1. Kavakava Manumua; 2. Kava Huihahau; 3. Inoke Vaihu; 4. Stanlessly Mafi; 5. Ilaisa Makasini; 6. Heimuli Leakona; 7. Kainasi Uhatahi; 8. Mailele Papani; 9. Maake Uhatahi; 10. Semisi Tuifangaloka; 11. Felise Tuhitua; 12. Lafaele Moala; 13. Teu Fakava; 14. Halapua Falepapalangi; 15. Lui Muavesi; 16. Talsi Tukimaka; 17. Sione Tuhitua; 18. Feao Finau

Young Solomon Islands striker Judd Moela (17) is set to trial with French Division One club Strasbourg FC. Moela, the golden boot winner at the 2005 OFC Under 17 Championships in Noumea with 10 goals in 5 games, is the first Solomon Islander to trial in Europe. The youngster, a product of the Queensland Academy of Sport in Australia capped off his meteoric rise with selection for the senior national team in the FIFA World Cup playoff matches against Australia late last year.

New Zealand under-20 women's coach John Herdman has named two 14-year-olds in his squad to prepare for April's Oceania World Cup qualifying tournament in Samoa.

Full story courtesy NZS Media, Young guns in New Zealand Womne's Under 20 squad

New Zealand national coach Ricki Herbert announced the 38-man squad that will carry the FIFA World Cup dreams of a nation...

Full story courtesy NZS Media, Soccer Smithy part of "Road to South Africa" squad