OFC News

J-League opponent awaits OFC club champ

As with Sydney FC in 2005, the winner of the 2006 OFC Club Championships, New Zealand will face an excursion to the land of the rising sun. But unlike Australia's club champions the 2006 winner will face an extra hurdle to attend the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup.

In recognition that Oceania's club football structure has changed significantly since the departure of Australia to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on 1 January 2006, OFC requested that the committee consider modifying its entry into the competition in order to assist the development of the region's club teams.

Based on this request, the committee decided that the OFC Club Championship winners should play an opening round match against a team from the host association - Japan's 2006 J-League champions - for a spot in the quarter-finals. The winning team would then advance to play the AFC Champions League, CAF Champions League or CONCACAF Champions' Cup winners as determined by draw.

In addition, the committee confirmed that it would retain the seven-match structure of the event by dropping the 5th place match in favour of the opening round match.

Under the chairmanship of FIFA Executive Committee member Viacheslav Koloskov (Russia), the Organising Committee for the FIFA Club World Cup met on Thursday, 16 February to review the highly successful 2005 event and discuss plans for the 2006 competition in Japan this December, which will again be presented by Toyota.

During its review of the 2005 tournament, the committee praised the Japan Football Association (Organising Association) and Dentsu Inc. (Executive Event Producer) for their excellent cooperative work with the FIFA administration to put on a truly world class event. All seven matches, including the Final played before 67,000 spectators and broadcast in 194 countries and territories around the world, were perfectly organised and the teams demonstrated an extremely high level of skill and competitiveness on the pitch.

Looking forward to 2006, the committee confirmed that it would adopt the same competition format as 2005 with the six continental champions, again seeding the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores and UEFA Champions League winners into the semi-final stage and thus maintaining a two-match maximum for these teams.

2006 Club World Cup - Japan 2006

Match 1: Opening round (8 Dec.)

Team A (2006 J.League champions) v. Team B (OFC Club Championship winners)

Match 2: Quarter-final 1 (10 Dec.)

Team C v. Team D (C/D determined by draw)

Match 3: Quarter-final 2 (11 Dec.)

Winner Match 1 v. Team E (E determined by draw)

Match 4: Semi-final 1 (13 Dec.)

Winner Match 2 v. CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores winner

Match 5: Semi-final 2 (14 Dec.)

Winner Match 3 v. UEFA Champions League winner

Match 6: 3rd/4th place (17 Dec.)

Loser Match 4 v. Loser

Match 7: Final (17 Dec.)

Winner Match 4 v. Winner Match 5

For a New Zealand Soccer view on the decision check out, Oceania champion to meet J-League winner at FIFA Club World Championships

The Oceania Football Confederation is poised to host its first international Beach Soccer tournament following the announcement that the scheduled OFC leg of the Asian Football Confederation qualifying tournament for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup has been cancelled.

Tahiti will now host the event in September, with a purpose-built facility set to be constructed on the island of Moorea.

Earlier this year the world governing body, together with Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW) proposed a joint AFC/ OFC qualifying tournament be held in Dubai, UAE in May.

At the OFC extra-ordinary congress in Moorea, Tahiti four teams - Cook Islands, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu - were selected to compete with the winner set to travel to Brazil in December for the pinnacle event of Beach Soccer.

After further analysis BSWW approached OFC to explore the possibility of OFC hosting the preliminary competition allowing more OFC teams to participate, giving the Confederation an opportunity to promote the sport within the region.

Following a meeting with FIFA, BSWW and the OFC in Zurich, all parties have agreed on the new format and venue of the OFC preliminary competition for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

2006 OFC Beach Soccer Championship

Dates

31 August - 3 September 2006

Venue

Moorea, Tahiti

Teams

6 teams from OFC - being the 4 teams that were originally selected namely Cook Islands, New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

A team from Tahiti will be added and the sixth team will be an invitational team from Europe organised by OFC and BSWW to promote the tournament and the sport.

Format

Two groups of 3 teams playing round-robin with the winner of each pool in playing in the final.

The winner will advance to the 2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - Brazil in November.

Size of Delegation

10 players and 2 officials

The Local Organising Committee will provide a tournament doctor and physiotherapist which will be available to all teams during the competition.

Although an analysis of other host nations within OFC were made it was decided by OFC that Tahiti will be the host of this tournament because they are the only national association who can ensure OFC and BSWW that they have the appropriate logistics for this competition such as television, suitable accommodation, internal transport, and flights from other OFC countries, marketing, sponsorship and local organisation without OFC incurring any cost for this tournament.

In particular, Tahiti has the ability to cover the event on television (involving 6 cameras) in accordance with the BSWW specifications for ESPN and Eurosport - free of charge.

FIFA has since approved a Seminar for Beach Soccer/Futsal involving three participants from each OFC national association to be held in Tahiti originally in August 2006 however it makes sense to have this Seminar during the Beach Soccer qualifying competition. Therefore this FIFA Seminar for Beach Soccer/Futsal will be held in Tahiti from 1 September to 4 September 2006.

Success on the world stage in future years is the focus of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), and the key to success lies in the feet of the regions many thousands of young boys and girls and it is the role of OFC to assist our Member Associations to develop these talented youngsters in all aspects of life.

The OFC President Mr. Reynald Temarii (Tahiti) is a staunch believer in the potential of the region's young boys and girls, "Children are like gold, they should be polished every day."

From 2006 OFC has initiated an Under 12 Festival of Football concept, encompassing the not only the sport itself, but also embracing differences within the South Pacific region and teaching our youth vital life skills, culminating in a four-day celebration of Oceania culture.

The festival will use football as a learning tool, exposing the youth of the region to important experiences within the South Pacific, helping them to become more aware of their surroundings and the differences and uniqueness of the region. Football also provides a vehicle to disseminate information around key social awareness issues that currently face the children of Oceania including obesity, literacy, drug use and poverty.

The festival is open to entry for two teams from all of the Member Associations of OFC, namely American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Within these nations thousands of children will compete within their school or club teams in local qualifying events in an effort to attend the Festival of Football in Fiji.

Following communication with the Groupe Danone (France) it has been confirmed that the winner of the OFC U-12 Festival of Football will represent the region at the Danone Nations Cup to be held in Paris, France in September 2006, not only to facilitating the development of these talented children, but also further showcasing Oceania culture to a worldwide audience.

The Danone Nations Cup is the major International Cup for children aged 10 to 12 (www.danonecup.com), giving over 2.5 million children the opportunity to take part in an international tournament and to develop their passion for football and skills in the game. The children will experience and share the emotions of an international sporting event, recognised by FIFA and the national federations, and founded on team spirit and the sense of fair play.

The details of the 2006 OFC U-12 Festival of Football are as follows:

Dates

21 - 23 July 2006

Venue

Govind Park & Dr. MS Sahu Khan National Football Academy, Ba, Fiji

Teams

Nominations called for up to two (2) teams from each OFC Member Association

Format

Depending on final numbers, the Festival of Football will be played in group format followed by playoff matches.

The children will also participate in a day of cultural activities prior to the commencement of the football side of the festival.

OFC has selected Fiji as the host of this inaugural Festival of Football because of their commitment to developing youth football within their Member Association, they can ensure OFC has the appropriate logistics for this festival such as suitable accommodation, internal transport, and flights from other OFC countries, marketing, sponsorship and local organisation.

In future years it is envisaged the hosting of the Festival of Football will rotate around the region, exposing the different cultures of our diverse region to generation after generation of children.

U-20 Women's International

New Zealand vs. Tonga

North Harbour Stadium, Albany, New Zealand

15 March 2006

NEW ZEALAND WOMEN SOUND WARNING TO U-20 RIVALS

New Zealand sent an ominous signal to their U-20 women's counterparts with a resounding 16-0 victory over their Group A rivals Tonga at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland.

Helen Collins led the charge with four goals, 15-year-old Caitlin Campbell, Sarah Gregorius and skipper Kirsty Yallop notched three a piece, with Katie Hoyle, Petria Rennie and an own goal rounding out the scoring.

It was Tonga's second defeat in as many matches on their New Zealand tour, having gone down at the hands of Auckland club side Three Kings United on Monday night.

The warning signs were apparent from the kick-off with Yallop's stinging drive well held by Tongan `keeper Siaila La'akulu. A few moments later La'akulu spilled a free-kick allowing Gregorius to poke the loose ball home. Less than a minute later Gregorious rattled the crossbar as the Tongans struggled to hold onto possession.

A defensive blunder by the Tongan defence allowed the speedy Collins through on goal and the striker made no mistake burying the ball in the back of the net from a square ball from Campbell. Yallop opened her account in the 18th minute with her drive deflecting off Kaati Malua, wrong-footing the `keeper.

Tonga struggled to relieve the constant pressure placed on their back four, and after a series of weak goal kicks, Campbell clipped the crossbar with a long range drive. Campbell then went one better after 25 minutes, before Yallop doubled her tally with a swerving drive that left La'akulu with no chance.

The skipper, playing with a heavily bandaged left wrist after breaking it in Australia, completed her hat-trick with a header from the edge of the penalty area. But this stage Tonga was in damage control, Hoyle added another after 35 minutes, and Collins notched another, blasting into the roof of the net from close range.

A minute later Yallop's mazy run ended in a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Campbell, who duly rolled the ball into the corner of the goal. Rennie's enterprising ball down the right flank was rewarded moments before half-time, getting on the end of Collin's through ball after a neat turn from the 17-year-old striker.

Campbell rounded off the first half scoring with a tap-in to complete her hat-trick after Ria Percival smashed the upright with a thumping drive from the left.

It took New Zealand just six minutes to open the second half scoring, with Collins steaming in at the far post to notch her third, and she nearly had a fourth moments later striking the upright after rounding Tongan replacement `keeper Vaisioa Niukapu.

New Zealand again mounted sustained pressure on the Tongan goal in the early stages of the second spell but were almost caught out by the pace of nippy Penateti Feke on the counterattack. Feke's foray into the kiwi 18-yard box was the only meaningful attack for the Polynesians, the Tongan skipper had also proved a constant threat against Three Kings United.

Moments after Tonga ventured into the New Zealand penalty area, they were back in familiar territory defending with eleven red shirts in their own half.

After an own goal on the hour mark, and a second for Gregorious five minutes later the match meandered towards fulltime, before Gregorius and Collins rounded out the scoring in the 81st and 82nd minutes respectively.

The two sides will meet again in a week's time. The 2006 OFC U-20 Women's Championship kicks off in Apia, Samoa on March 30 and concludes with the winner of the final booking a ticket to Russia and the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

Result

New Zealand 16 (Helen Collins (4), Caitlin Campbell (3), Sarah Gregorius (3), Kirtsy Yallop (3), Katie Hoyle, Petria Rennie, OG)

Tonga 0

New Zealand - 1. Aroon Clancy (21. Ashleigh Cox 45'); 2. Hannah Rishworth; 5. Julia Baldwin; 9. Helen Collins; 10. Sarah Gregorius; 11. Kirsty Yallop (4. Maggie Lankshear 45'); 12. Caitlin Campbell (8. Emme Kete 45'); 15. Petria Rennie (16. Emma Harrison 45'); 17. Katie Hoyle (7. Grace Vincent 45'); 19. Ria Percival (18. Sam Selwyn 60'); 20. Annalie Longo

Tonga (from) - 1. Siaila La'akulu; 2. Nasaleti Kalavi; 3. Kaati Malua; 4. Karen Uta'atu; 5. Vaisima Manumu'a; 6. Laura Lolohua; 7. Marion Tuipolotu; 8. Pesalini Lake; 9. Makeleta Fulaumoeta; 10. Penateti Feke; 11. Sela Vaenuku; 12. Halaevlu Aleamotua; 13. Siupaelata Liti; 14. Sala Veamatahau; 15. Toakase Koaneti; 16. Silia Falesiva; 17. Ema Puloka; 20. Vaisioa Niukapu

Referee - Harold Duimstra

Assistant Referee 1 - Ryan Marriott

Assistant Referee 2 - Ed Armstrong

Fourth Official - Brett Marriott

New Zealand and Tonga will get an early look at each other when they begin their final countdown to the 2006 OFC U-20 Women's Championship on Wednesday (15 March 2006). Full story, Tonga in Albany as NZ eye 'Road to Russia' via Samoa

New Zealand in Australia as part of the "Road to Russia" campaign - Courtesy NZS Media

Tonga opened their tour of New Zealand in preparation for the upcoming 2006 OFC U-20 Women's Championship in Samoa with a 0-6 loss at the hands of Auckland's Three Kings United.

The visitors barely had time to unpack their kitbags before they were whisked onto the OFC Academy field for the friendly match.

After a scrappy start to the match, Three Kings settled into their work, shifting the ball around the pitch and regularly getting in behind the Tongan defence.

Only poor finishing and brave goalkeeping kept the scoreline at 0-0, until the 26th minute when NZ U-20 rep Hannah Rishworth converted from close-range. Two minutes later Zoe Thompson doubled the lead.

It was not all one-way traffic however with Tonga threatening on the counter-attack, but they were restricted to half chances with Three Kings 'keeper Jenny Bindon called into action once denying the Tongans a consolation goal with a smart kick-save.

A four goal burst midway through the second half killed the match off, leaving Tonga with plenty to work on ahead of their clash with New Zealand U-20 on Wednesday (14 March 2006).

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that our dear friend and OFC Senior Vice President Johnny Tinsley Lulu passed away last night after battling with illness. Though not unexpected, the final word was still a massive blow.

Lulu's contributions during his years of dedicated service were many and varied. The Vanuatu Football Federation achieved a lot during his time as President and it is of some comfort to know that he was able to experience and share much of the joy football brought to the nation during the past few years.

Honoured in 2004 with the prestigious FIFA Centennial Order of Merit for his long-standing commitment to the development of football across Oceania, His leadership was instrumental in the completion of the FIFA Goal Project in Port Vila - indeed it was his dream to see such a facility in his homeland.

The funeral service will be held this afternoon, or tomorrow morning in Ambae, Vanuatu. The Vanuatu Football Federation delegation will depart Port Vila for the funeral service in Ambae at 1400hrs today (Vanuatu time).

We all have precious memories of Johnny Tinsley Lulu that we would like to share, and VFF ask that all messages of condolence be sent to the attention of Mr. Jimmy Nipo at VFF Haus (+678 25 236) before 1400hrs today (14 March 2006).

Turiti Boso may be unknown to many Solomon Islanders but this person has a special relationship with SIFF through his late son Allan Boso. He recently paid a visit to the academy which was named after his late son who was a former president of SIFF. Accompanying him were former MP for North New Georgia Job Duddley Tausinga and two of his cousins Abel Karina and Spencer Manga.

It was a moving moment for Turiti who learnt about the academy through the media and had all along planned to pay a visit. At the academy SIFF General Secretary Eddie Ngava warmly received the party and after brief introduction took them on a guided tour around the complex.

Ngava told Turiti that the construction of the academy was one of Allan's visions saying it was only proper that it was named after him.

Turiti who now lives a quiet life at Madou Village, Vona Vona lagoon, spoke of his son as someone who was passionate about football from his early age. The late Boso, who happened to be his eldest son, started playing soccer seriously when he attended King George VI school and later on in Fiji when he attended the University of the South Pacific. Upon his return, he continued his soccer career with Kakamora and later on he got himself more involved with administration.

During those years there was no proper office so he had to work from his Concrete Industries office. When he passed away, former MP for Vona Vona and Central New Georgia Peter Boyers who worked with late Allan handed over all the papers relating to SIFF to Adrian Wickham who took over as the new president.

There was no office so Wickham like his predecessor, had to use his NFD office to run SIFF matters. It was not until 1999 that the SIFF office was finally established after FIFA indicated to Wickham that they would start channeling funds through if it had a proper office. The former SIFF president took it upon himself to set up the office and also paid for salaries of the current president Martin Alufurai and General Secretary Eddie Ngava.

Today the SIFF office is located in the newly constructed Allan Boso complex which is a fitting gesture to the greater leader who sacrificed his time and resources in the early years to ensure football in Solomon Islands continues to prosper.

In his brief comment Turiti thanked SIFF for naming the complex after his son and wishes the federation every success in the future. Boso is my father's name and we have a great respect for SIFF for choosing to use this name. For sure we will all die but this name will remain for a long time into the future," he adds. Turiti also thanked Tausinga for his assistance which enabled them to visit the Allan Boso Academy.

Men in Black whip hapless Lions

Ba whipped a hapless Labasa side 7-0 in their National League clash at Govind Park.

It was the Babasiga Lion's second defeat in as many games. The side earlier lost to a star-studded Navua side 2-0 on Friday at the Post Fiji Stadium. The Men in Black escaped with a 1-0 narrow win against Tavua last weekend in the first round of the competition. The soccer giants regrouped on their home ground and ruthlessly dismantled the Babasiga Lions. Ba nippy striker and skipper Josaia Bukalidi scored a hat trick in the first spell and led his side into a comfortable 3-0 lead.

In the second spell, former Suva player Ronald Lawrence struck twice to make it 5-0, Osea Vakatalesau slotted in his first goal and a last-minute goal to Ronil Kumar made it 7-0. Navua striker and former Labasa player Ovini Duguca become an overnight top goal scorer after his two goals against Labasa, but now relegated to the second spot after Bukalidi's hat trick.

Ba and Navua now on 6 points and lead the series after recording two wins. Suva, Lautoka and Rewa and the Olympians share the second spot with four points. Nasinu recorded its first win against Nadroga and has three points. Nadroga held Rewa last week with a 2-2 draw and has one point, while Tavua, Labasa and Nadi are still winless.

Ba: Laisenia Tuba, Jone Vesikula, Robert Wise, Luke Vidovi, Johnny Rao, Roneel Kumar, Josaia Bukalidi, Osea Vakatalesau, Kiniviliame Naika, Roland Lawrence, Shalen Lal.

Labasa: Shamal Kumar, Kushal Naicker, Mohammad Rahim, Penaia Bale, Salesi Ravusua, Mahendra Lal, Rakesh Kumar, Gordon Leewai, Otiko Tumuri, Sanaila Bera, Tevita Seniloli.

Solomons influence works for Nasinu

Nasinu, with the influence of its imported Solomon players, thumped a young Nadroga side 5-1 in their National League encounter at Ratu Cakobau Park today.

It was the second biggest scoreline in the league competition. Ba holds the record after whipping Labasa 7-0 earlier on. But Nasinu found the wet and soggy Ratu Cakobau Park to their advantage as they piled in goal after goal. Nasinu led 3-0 at the break with goals coming in from Robert Mafana in the opening minute. His goal was by far the fastest to be scored in the competition. Dinesh Kumar put Nasinu up to two goals before Elrick Kiluwa's 12th minute sitter allowed them to take a comfortable 3-0 lead.

In the second spell, Kiluwa struck again to make it 4-0. Nadroga replied and pulled one back through Intiaz Hussein but Mela slotted in the last goal two minutes to full-time to make it 5-1. Mela and Kiluwa join Navua's Ovini Duguca as the second top goalscorers in the competition. Ba's Josai Bukalidi scored a hat trick against Labasa and leads the board. Nadroga manager Nazim Khan blamed the ground condition for their loss. He said the heavy underfoot from last night's rain was in Nasinu's favour because the southerners were used to playing in that condition. He said Nadroga had a new team and needed to improve. Nasinu President Praveen Chand was happy with the performance of the islanders but said areas of concern were the central midfield and defence.

Nasinu:Alfred Arapio, Anish Kumar, Ratu Penaia Latianara, Jone Roko, Rocky Prasad, Jalindar Singh, Ronald Ram (capt), Alarine Kilua, Benjamin Mela, Binesh Kumar, Robert Mafana.

Nadroga: Nalishwar Singh, Orisi Vunisa (capt) Nilesh Nadan, Abdul Feezaz, Abhinesh Raj, Abhilash Sharma, Ravinit Maharaj, Sanjeshwar Singh, Garfil Coster, Epeli Saukuru, Intiaz Hussein.

Resilient Suva holds Olympians to a draw

A 10-man Suva side withstood a strong challenge from the Olympians to come away with a nil-all draw at the Post Fiji Stadium tonight.

Suva was cut to 10-men after Apisai Smith received his yellow card for a dangerous tackle. With a one-man advantage, the Olympians took a more constructive approach and stringed together a couple of moves. Suva resorted to an attacking game and relied on physic to carve the Olympians defence. Both sides had opportunities to score in the first half but poor finishing let them down. The Olympians, with the return from suspension of Lautoka pair Joshua Wilson and Ben Aminio, had numerous chances to score but failed. Both sides finished the match with a point each.

Suva beat the Nadi 2-0 last Saturday while the Olympians beat Lautoka 3-2.

Suva: Alifereti Baleiloa, Lawrence Chand (Tupou Tagiduadua), Apisai Smith, Inosi Cava, Rupeni Tabua, Joseph Mishra (Maciu Dunadamu), Noa Seru, Dinesh Mudaliar, Roderick Kumar, Joseph Mamairiao (Sandeep Nair), Saimata Chillia

Olympians: Ben Aminio, Krishna Sami, Menusi Senibuli (Sherof Ali), Esava Samudrodro, Epeli Junior, Malakai Waqa, Joshua Wilson (Maikeli Nakalavo), Kelipi Qaqa, Marika Madigi, Rinal Prasad, Alvin Singh (Netani Momoivalu)

Tigers bounce on helpless Tavua

Rewa recorded a convincing 3-1 victory over Tavua today at Garvey Park in the second round of the National League.

The Delta Tigers bounced back from the 2-all draw to Nadroga last weekend. Tavua put up brave performance against Ba in the first round last week, but lost 1-0. However the gold miners failed to spark against Rewa.

Rewa welcomed back Nadroga import Haris Bali and skipper Usaia Tadu who watched from the bench last weekend. Rewa also brought in Labasa's Lisala Vetaukula, who made a grand debut for his new district today.

The Ravuama Madigi-coached side had too much experience with the likes of Tadu leading the charge, Bali, Marika Rodu, Waisake Sabutu, Kamal Hassan, Henry Dyer and goalkeeper Joela Baledrokadroka.

In another clash, a young and determined Lautoka side downed an experienced Nadi pack 2-0 at Prince Charles Park. Lautoka went down last week against the Olympians 3-2 but bounced back today to record its first league win. Nadi suffered its second loss after going down to Suva 2-0 in the opening round.

For more information check out www.fijifootball.com or www.fijitimes.com...

Samani sends Marist FC to club champs

Marist FC booked its ticket to Auckland for the 2006 OFC Club Championships, New Zealand following their 1-0 win against Koloale FC in an entertaining match last night.

National midfielder turned striker Jack Samani was the hero scoring the only goal that separated the two teams in the 27th minute, tipping the ball past an advancing Fred Hale.

Koloale were unfortunate when veteran player Henry Koto's shot was saved. They piled on further scoring chances but could not break the deadlock.

Marist on the other had themselves to blame with Samani, Sebastine Misiga and a rising teenage striker Bently Nalagu unable to convert their chances. In the end they simply had to accept their one goal which separated them from their opponent.

The playoff for third place was won by Uncles. They beat Camp United of Western Province in a penalty shootout.

Both teams locked 2-all at full time and went to extra time but still could not score.

Uncles scored three out of four shots taken while Camp United missed three of theirs. The final score in the shoot out was 5-2.