OFC News

On a beautiful April day in the Russian capital, the draw for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship Russia 2006 was held in the sumptuous surroundings of Moscow's Town Hall.

New Zealand has been drawn in Group A featuring the hosts Russia, powerhouse Brazil, and neighbours Australia. Kiwi coach John Herdman was all smiles as he gave his reaction, "Just reaching the finals is a dream come true, both for the squad itself and every player in the country. This is the beginning of a new future that will help New Zealand women's football become stronger. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn how to deal with this type of experience, and we're hoping to represent the OFC with pride and honour."

Russia face Brazil in intriguing opener

Reaction to the draw

For a New Zealand Soccer perspective click here, New Zealand's daunting World Cup draw

SIFF president Martin Alufurai says football can play a major part in promoting peace and stability in Solomon Islands, in the wake of recent events in the Melanesian country.

He says there is great need to contain the youths by involving them in organized activities such football leagues thus minimizing their likelihood to involve in riots in future.

The SIFF president indicated that he will propose to OFC and FIFA to assist SIFF develop soccer facilities in the provinces so that provincial football associations can organize their competitions.

That he believes will encourage youths to remain in their provinces and not migrate to urban centres like Honiara.

I believe if they have something to keep them busy like playing soccer (football), they may not have involved themselves in rioting," he added.

In the past football has brought together people from different provinces and backgrounds of the Solomon Islands and brought joy to the nation.

SIFF's facilities at Lawson Tama and the newly constructed Allan Boso National Football Academy were left untouched by the rioting mobs who involved in the looting and burning of buildings in Honiara in the last two days.

People have respect for football that is why they leave football facilities untouched even if they disagreed with the federation," Alufurai added.

New Zealand All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has drafted five familiar faces into his 19-man squad to play Chile in the whistlestop tour, fullbacks David Mulligan and Tony Lochhead, central defender Che Bunce and midfielders Raf De Gregorio and Kris Bouckenooghe come in for the friendly internationals against Chile on April 25 and 27 after missing February's series win over Malaysia.

Full story, Familiar five in for challenging Chile trip

NEW ZEALAND HEAD OFC NATIONS AHEAD OF BUSY SCHEDULE

New Zealand (120) has dropped five places in the latest FIFA/ Coca-Cola World Rankings, due to a mixture of inactivity and a flurry of internationals with their rivals in Asia. In all only 39 international matches have been played this month, with two thirds of them taking place in Asia. The All Whites are back in action with international matches scheduled against Chile and Brazil ahead of the FIFA World Cup,,§.

Fiji still lead the island nations despite dropping two places to 140, ahead of the Solomon Islands 143 (-3), Tahiti 144 (-2), and Vanuatu 147 (-1). Papua New Guinea (168) still heads the developing OFC nations, ahead of Samoa (183), Tonga (186=), New Caledonia (188), Cook Islands (195), and American Samoa (205) who remain in the bottom spot.

With just under two months until the 2006 FIFA World Cup^TM gets underway, there is little movement amongst the leading nations in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

All of the teams in the higher reaches of the table have lost points due to the devaluation of past results, with some teams suffering more than others, such as Argentina (8, -4) and Croatia (24, -5). However, as the teams are so close together, losses and gains are of little significance at the moment. In terms of positions, the status quo is maintained at the very top with Brazil, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands continuing as they were.

This month's biggest movers are all to be found outside the top 50, with Asian teams primarily catching the eye due to the inaugural AFC Challenge Cup. The two finalists - Tajikistan (125, +16) and Sri Lanka (135, +10) - and Kyrgyzstan (146, +13) all made significant ground. Palestine (115, +6) are also currently in their highest ever position in the World Rankings, and other teams to make impressive progress include Guinea (52, +4), China PR (66, +5) and Congo DR (70, +4).

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 17 May 2006.

FIFA/ Coca-Cola World Rankings (ranking at March 2006)

1. Brazil (1)

2. Czech Rep. (2)

3. Netherlands (3)

4. USA (5)

5. Spain (6)

6. Mexico (7)

7. France (8)

8= Portugal (10)

8= Argentina (4)

10. England (9)

120. New Zealand (115)

140 Fiji (138)

143. Solomon Islands (140)

144. Tahiti (141)

147. Vanuatu (146)

168. Papua New Guinea (168)

183. Samoa (183)

186= Tonga (185)

188. New Caledonia (187)

195. Cook Islands (194)

205. American Samoa (205)

The Ranking System

The FIFA/ Coca-Cola World Ranking evaluates all matches played by senior national teams (World Cup finals matches, World Cup preliminary matches, Confederation championship matches, Confederation championship preliminary matches, friendly matches).

The calculation of a team's points is based on the following six criteria;

1. Winning, drawing, and losing

2. Number of goals

3. Home or away match

4. Importance of match (multiplication factor)

5. Strength of the opponent

6. Regional strength (multiplication factor)

Australian referee Mark Shield will be joining the Socceroos in Germany after being selected as one of just 23 referees to attend this year's FIFA World Cup.

Brisbane-based Shield, who was recently announced the Australian A-League referee of the year, also officiated at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan where he controlled the 1st round match between Belgium and Tunisia. As was the case four years ago, the 32-year-old will once again be the youngest referee amongst the panel.

"I was very excited when I heard the news and certainly can't wait to get to Germany and test myself amongst the world's best," said Shield.

"The fact that Australia have also qualified for the first time in 32 years makes it doubly exciting."

"I'm relieved in a way that the wait is finally over especially from the point-of-view that the selection and testing process was a long and strenuous one.

"The experience of four years ago in Korea/Japan was fantastic and should stand me in good stead given I am not treading into the unknown. Certainly there is a lot of pressure in some ways but what I took from the 2002 World Cup was the realisation that from a referee's perspective it is just 'a red team against a blue team'."

Fellow Australian Matthew Breeze who refereed at last year's FIFA Confederations Cup in Germany had also been short-listed as one of 44 candidates in contention to be selected however missed out with surprisingly only 23 selected as opposed to an anticipated 30.

Three Australian assistant referees will be selected to attend a workshop in Frankfurt from April 18 to 21 with at least two expected to accompany Shield to Germany.

During the most recent FIFA referees workshop last month it was stressed that the referees and their assistants will have to clamp down on 'time-wasting, reckless play (including elbows and brutal fouls), shirt-pulling and simulation, all with the ultimate objective of protecting the players, and with it, the game in general.'

The only other Australian's to have refereed at the FIFA World Cup are Tony Boskovic (1974 and 1982), Chris Bambridge (1986) and Eddie Lennie (1998). Richard Lorenc (1990), Gordon Dunster and Eugene Brazzale (1994) have also officiated as assistant referees at the FIFA World Cup.

SIFF President predicts bright future for youth football

SIFF President Martin Alufurai predicts a bright future for football in the 'happy Isles' following the successful completion of the U-12 competition at the Allan Boso National Soccer Academy.

The standard displayed had impressed Alufurai so much so that could not stop talking about the level of competition and the pool of talented kids he saw over the weeklong competition.

The U-12 competition was organized in light of the proposed regional competition for this age category which Fiji FA will host in July.

Alufurai noted the focus in the past was on the senior level with very little being done to develop the beautiful game in youth level. However, with the FIFA Goal Project which saw Lawson Tama turf upgraded to international standard and recently completed national academy, SIFF is now in the position to adopt the bottom-up approach.

"Today we have the capacity to develop football in all levels including youth through the FIFA Goal projects. Now we can organise leagues or competitions like the recent one we had here at the academy," Alufurai added.

President Alufurai acknowledged FIFA's assistance which helped Solomon Islands realized its dreams to adequately address youth football.

"What we've witnessed is just the tip of the ice berg. Youths make up the majority of our overall population - about 45 percent and this is the group we have to look after and nurture if we want our football to reach new heights.

"The quality of players we have can be likened to an un-mined gold mine and I am confident in the next couple of years, we will be seeing the fruit of the FIFA Goal Projects."

The SIFF president also praised the Oceania Football Confederation for introducing the U-12 competition saying it will boost youth football in our region.

"We can measure our youth football development and in particular its standard through competition such as the one Fiji FA will be hosting."

Meanwhile, a train-on squad identified during the recent U-12 competition will begin their training sessions soon. Team coach Victor Wai'ia is confident that the final team to represent the country will be named at the end of this month.

"This will give us enough time to put together a quality side to represent Solomon Islands in Fiji."

Wai'ia had coached Solomon Islands futsal teams that toured Australia at least on three occasions in the past and returned with good results.

HELPING THE `BEAUTIFUL GAME' BECOME MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR WOMEN

OFC Technical Director Jim Selby is buoyed by the growing number of former internationals giving back to the sport.

Eleven former internationals were involved with either their national teams or OFC's technical study group at the 2006 OFC U-20 Championships recently held in Samoa.

Vanuatu had the highest representation with current senior internationals Mordy Tarimiala (trainer), Lauinih Tagh (gear steward), Josina Maleb (Women's Officer) and Lathelma Kalpukai (trainer) making a valuable contribution at the FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifiers.

Former internationals Ali Grant (assistant coach) and Julie Hogg (manager) and current New Zealand goalkeeper Jenny Bindon (goalkeeping coach) were members of the Kiwi delegation while Emily Young and Diana Justice were the assistant coaches of Samoa and the Solomon Islands respectively.

Decorated former Australian captain Connie Selby served on OFC's first technical study group while ex-New Zealand international Michele Cox and was a key-note speaker at a FIFA Women's Football Seminar held in conjunction with the tournament. OFC were also honoured to have former Swiss international Tatjana Haenni, FIFA's Head of Women's Football, and Urs Zanitti, FIFA'S Head of Development Programmes and Services, in Apia for a four-day seminar.

Jim Selby believes the presence of so many former internationals bodes well for the future of women's football in FIFA's youngest confederation.

"I think there's a two fold thing here and one is that the former or current national players have a built in passion for women's football and a genuine one," Selby said.

"Males tend to come in, stay for a while and then move on and I've been one [of them] because I was in charge of the [Australian] women's national team in the early years. I'm not saying they don't add value during that time but women tend to have a genuine passion for the game and helping other girls and women within the game.

"I think it's really important we have role models that have been there and done that who can be mentors for the young ones coming up, share their experiences to get other women to where they've been."

Selby is particularly keen to accelerate the number of women coaching at the highest level.

"I think it's important that we acknowledge that there are smart women who could be good coaches or who are good coaches if they were given the opportunity...part of OFC's responsibility is going to be to foster and help people achieve the goals they want to achieve, especially within this group," he said.

"What we have found in the past is that women have been accepted as referees at the highest level, administrators and in sport science at the highest level but for some reason you can't be the head coach at the highest level."

Selby acknowledges OFC have work to do with infrastructure within the islands to help women graduate from the pitch to the dugout.

"Each time I speak to federations or governing bodies it's 'oh yeah, were developing the girls and that' but from Connie's day and Michele's day, women have been around playing for 30 years now and there still four years away from developing something.

"It always seems to be the same excuse...part of OFC's job is going to be if they want to become experienced, competent coaches they get the chance to do that and for us to make if more difficult for people not to accept them in those sort of roles.

"We can't keep in saying it'll be two years or three years before they're ready because we said that 20 years ago. Only Europe and I guess FIFA have taken those positive steps to make that sort of thing happen."

Selby is pleased with the progress being made to foster women's football with OFC but concedes more work needs to be done, particularly in the islands.

"I think the meaning is for some good things to happen but the reality is that it's [still] to happen," he said.

"There's been some positive moves where people have shown some interest and are able to instigate the programmes at an elementary level if you like. But they still need some assistance from us [OFC] and others to take that to the next step."

Selby admits change will take time.

"The short process has often been, especially in men's football, to bring someone in from outside the country, do a quick-fix job and that get a result for us. But our point of view now is if we can do a longer internal mentoring programme, it might take longer to achieve but it will have a longer shelf life.

"That's what we're trying to do here and I think the member countries have been really positive in looking to take women's football on board. Just how that needs to happen in a more effective way is the hard point because everyone is time poor, resource poor, people poor and we just keep loading more and more [on people] without fixing those parts of the game up."

New Zealand will be represented at a FIFA World Cup for just the fifth time after beating Tonga 6-0 to capture the 2006 OFC U-20 Women's Championship in Samoa on Saturday.

Goals from Caitlin Campbell, Ali Riley, Emma Humphries, Annalie Longo and second half substitutes Helen Collins and Emma Harrison saw New Zealand predictably secure Oceania's berth at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Russia from August 17-September 3.

John Herdman's victorious side, who qualified with a 33-1 goal count in five matches, follow in the stud-marks of the New Zealand senior women's team which qualified for the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991.

The only other New Zealand teams to qualify for FIFA World Cup's were John Adshead's 1982 All Whites to Spain and the 1997 U-17 men to Egypt. New Zealand's other World Cup appearance came when it hosted the 1999 U-17 men's championship.

"This is a just a dream come true, a very special day these girls will remember for the rest of their lives," Herdman said afterwards.

"To actually qualify for a World Cup, wow...for the average New Zealander that's what dreams are made of"

New Zealand Soccer chief executive Graham Seatter is convinced Sunday's victory is the start of a special chapter in the sport's history following Australia's departure to the Asian confederation (AFC).

"This is a huge step forward for us...in the past we haven't even participated at World Cup qualifiers and now we've done it," Seatter said.

"This is the first six months of us getting serious about women's football so it's nice to get such a fantastic result so early in our programme."

Captain Kirsty Yallop knows the trick now is for New Zealand to prepare properly to ensure they are competitive in Russia.

"This means everything...this was our ultimate goal and dream to go to Russia. Everyone's really excited and can't wait to go," Yallop said.

"Now we've just got to put the effort in to ensure we're competitive...it's going to be a huge step up."

New Zealand had thumped Tonga 16-0 in a pre-tournament friendly and 7-0 in their Group A encounter earlier in the tournament.

Tonga fought gamely in the final and had a heroine in goalkeeper Siaila Laakulu who pulled off a string of top-class saves to deny New Zealand double figures.

But the result was never in any doubt from the moment 15-year-old winger Caitlin Campbell finished coolly after Annalie Longo and threaded a ball through Tonga's offside trap in the eighth minute.

Riley made it 2-0 in the 29th minute after a last gasp cross from Emma Humphries who was then rewarded herself with a well-taken 40th minute strike.

Longo made it 4-0 a minute before halftime after another full-stretch cross from Humphries on the byline.

New Zealand's small but rowdy band of parental supporters had to wait until the 81st minute for the fifth goal from Collins before Harrison completed the rout in stoppage time.

"You could see it in the girls' eyes at halftime that they knew they were going to Russia. It was just a matter of keeping them relaxed and telling them to enjoy the moment," Herdman said.

"We haven't been troubled at any stage...we had only three shots on target against us the whole tournament."

Central midfielder Katie Hoyle was New Zealand's standout player in the decider with fullbacks Ria Percival and Riley and Yallop again solid.

New Zealand: Aroon Clansey, Ria Percival, Hannah Bromley, Hannah Rishworth, Ali Riley, Katie Hoyle, Annalie Longo (Abby Erceg 46), Kirsty Yallop (captain), Sarah Gregorius (Helen Collins 63), Emma Humphries, Caitlin Campbell (Emma Harrison 58).

Tonga: Siaila Laakulu, Kaati Malua, Karen Utaatu, Pesalini Lave, Marion Tuipulotu (Sela Aleamotua 88), Laura Lolohea, Salome Vaenuku, Penateti Feke (captain), Makeleta Folaumoetao, Vaisima Manumua (Silia Falesiva 64), Nasaleti Kalavi.

2006 OFC U-20 WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP - SUMMARY

GROUP A

Match day 1:

March 30, 2006

New Zealand 4 (Hannah Rishworth 51, Ria Percival 62, 79, Ali Riley 63) Solomon Islands 0. Halftime: 0-0.

Tonga 4 (Kaati Malua, Salome Vaenuku, Marion Tuipulotu 2) Vanuatu 1 (Fabrina Serveux). Halftime: 0-0.

Match day 2:

April 1, 2006

New Zealand 11 (Abby Erceg 30, Sarah Gregorius 39, Ria Percival 41, Hannah Bromley 42, Renee Leota 43, Kirsty Yallop 50, 57, 83, Helen Collins 46, 59, Ali Riley 60) Vanuatu 0. Halftime: 5-0.

Tonga 2 (Penateti Feke 39, 65) Solomon Islands 1 (Vanessa Inifiri 61). Halftime 1-0.

Match day 3:

April 3, 2006

New Zealand 7 (Caitlin Campbell 1, Petria Rennie 13, Kirsty Yallop 41, 63, Emma Harrison 43, Ali Riley 53, Emma Humphries 71) Tonga 0. Halftime 4-0.

Solomon Islands 1 (Layda Samani 18) Vanuatu 1 (Leisoko Masauvakalo 45). Halftime: 1-1.

Group A P W D L GF GA PTS

NZL 3 3 0 0 22 0 9

TON 3 2 0 1 6 9 6

SOL 3 0 1 2 2 7 1

VAN 3 0 1 2 2 16 1

GROUP B

Match day 1:

March 30, 2006

New Caledonia 0 Papua New Guinea 3 (Pauline Turakaur 45, Zeena Limbai 58, Jacquline Chalau 87). Halftime 0-1.

Samoa 3 (Suitupe Tafafa 2, Josephone Ane) Fiji 0. Halftime 2-0.

Match day 2:

April 1, 2006

Papua New Guinea 6 (Zeena Limbai 11, 18, 63, 66, Bridget Nakas 12, Daisy Winas 32) Fiji 1 (Savaira Ratu 83). Halftime: 4-0.

Samoa 3 (Suitapa Tafafa 3) New Caledonia 0. Halftime: 2-0.

Match day 4:

April 4, 2006

Samoa 1 (Florence Lam Sam 50) Papua New Guinea 0. Halftime: 0-0.

Fiji 3 (Radilaite Marama 52, Yashreen Begum 77, Savaira Ratu 82 pen) New Caledonia 0 Halftime: 0-0.

Group B P W D L GF GA PTS

SAM 3 3 0 0 7 0 9

PNG 3 2 0 1 9 2 6

FIJ 3 1 0 2 4 9 3

NCL 3 0 0 3 0 9 0

SEMIFINALS

April 6, 2006

New Zealand 5 (Caitlin Campbell 6, 9, 18; Kirsty Yallop 40, Ali Riley 90) Papua New Guinea 1 (Jennifer Leo 7). Halftime: 4-1.

Samoa 2 (Faavae Taumua 11, Suitupe Tafafa 56) Tonga 3 (Karen Utaatu 5 pen, 67 pen; Penateti Feke 73). Halftime: 1-1

3rd and 4th PLAYOFF

April 8, 2006

Samoa 1 (Frances Ane 60) Papua New Guinea 4 (Jacqueline Chalau 6, Jennifer Leo 45, 83, Daisy Winas 50). Halftime: 0-2.

FINAL

April 8, 2006

New Zealand 6 (Caitlin Campbell 8, Ali Riley 29, Emma Humphries 40, Annalie Longo 44, Helen Collins 81, Emma Harrison 90) Tonga 0. Halftime: 4-0.

OFC U-20 CHAMPIONS - NEW ZEALAND

SILVER MEDAL - TONGA

BRONZE MEDAL - PAPUA NEW GUINEA

OFC FAIRPLAY AWARD - NEW ZEALAND

Tonga have caused a major boilover in sizzling Samoa by pipping the hosts 3-2 to reach the final of the Oceania U-20 Women's Championship.

Kilifi Ueles' Tongans will meet New Zealand for a place at the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Russia after the pre-tournament favourites reached Saturday's final with a 5-1 win over Papua New Guinea in today's other semifinal.

Tonga will enter the final as overwhelming underdogs after being beaten 16-0 by New Zealand in a warm-up to the World Cup qualifiers before suffering a 7-0 loss in their Group A match in Apia.

But those results were forgotten as Tonga celebrated their upset over Samoa who had won a pre-tournament friendly between the sides 2-1.

Tonga opened the scoring in the 5th minute when Karen Utaatu scored from the penalty spot after Penateti Feke had been chopped down in the box by Samoan defender Luisa Tagamoa.

But Tonga's lead lasted just six minutes when Faavae Taumua equalised to send Samoa to halftime at 1-1.

Samoa starlet Suitupe Tafafa then sent the vocal local crowd into raptures when she made it 2-1 in the 56th minute after beating outstanding Tonga goalkeeper Siaila Laakulu in a one-one-one situation.

An action replay of Tonga's first goal followed with Feke again brought down in the box by Tagamoa. Utaatu duly converted from the penalty spot for a second time to equalize in the 61st minute.

After setting up Tonga's first two goals, Feke then scored the winner when she pounced on a defensive mistake by Josephine Ane to race away and beat Samoan goalkeeper Kalaponi Leato.

Meanwhile, New Zealand eased into the final despite conceding their first goal of the World Cup qualifying tournament.

Left winger Caitlin Campbell scored a hat-trick inside 18 minutes to make the semifinal save for New Zealand.

But the Kiwis were placed under pressure when goalkeeper completely missed a clearing kick to present Jennifer Leo with an open net in the seventh minute.

Captain Kirsty Yallop sent New Zealand to halftime with a 4-1 buffer when she chipped PNG goalkeeper Matilda Tomalin in the 40th minute. Tomalin had to be carried from the pitch after a heavy collision with Yallop just after the Kiwi had fired off her shot.

The second half was a case of hit and miss from New Zealand who had only Ali Riley's stoppage time tap-in to show for 36 shots on goal.

Saturday's final is scheduled for 3.30pm (Apia time). The playoff for third between Samoa and PNG kicks-off at 1pm.

2006 Oceania U-20 Women's Championship

Match-day 5 results -

Semifinals:

New Zealand 5 (Caitlin Campbell 6, 9, 18; Kirsty Yallop 40, Ali Riley 90) Papua New Guinea 1 (Jennifer Leo 7). Halftime: 4-1.

Samoa 2 (Faavae Taumua 11, Suitupe Tafafa 56) Tonga 3 (Karen Utaatu 5 pen, 67 pen; Penateti Feke 73). Halftime: 1-1

Match Day 6 draw

April 8

Final - Tonga v New Zealand, 3.30pm

Playoff for 3rd - Samoa v PNG, 1pm.

Florence Lam Sam was the toast of Samoa on Tuesday as the hosts edged ever closer to a dream final appearance at the OFC U-20 Women's Championship in Apia.

The striker's 50th minute goal was enough to see Samoa pip Papua New Guinea 1-0 at the Toleafoa JS Blatter Football Fields in the match of the World Cup qualifying tournament to date.

Samoa's sweet victory saw them top Group B and avoid heavyweights New Zealand in Thursday's semifinals.

Group A winners New Zealand will take on PNG while Samoa face Tonga who were beaten 7-0 by the Kiwis in pool play.

Lam Sam snuck in front of PNG goalkeeper Matilda Tomalin to nod home the winner from a Frances Ane corner to send the vocal local crowd crazy.

But PNG made the hosts sweet for their victory, forcing three top saves out of Samoan goalkeeper Kalaponi Leato, including two last gasp tips over the bar late in the game.

Samoa also had the defensive trio of Clare Vitalina Meni, Luisa Tagomoa and Sailau Leuta to thank for getting them out of several close shaves. Samoa and New Zealand remain the only teams yet to concede a goal.

Meanwhile, Fiji ended their campaign on a joyous note after beating New Caledonia 3-0.

Radilaite Marama opened the Fijians account after 52 minutes before Yashreen Begum drove in a 25-yard scorcher.

Savaira Ratu completed the comfortable win when she nut-megged the New Caledonian goalkeeper from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute.

Wednesday is a rest day before the New Zealand-PNG and Samoa-Tonga semifinals at 1.30pm and 3.30pm (Samoa time) on Thursday.

The winner of Saturday's final will represent Oceania at the August 17-September 3 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Russia.

Oceania U-20 Women's Championship

Match Day 4 results

Group B -

Samoa 1 (Florence Lam Sam 50) Papua New Guinea 0. Halftime: 0-0.

Fiji 3 (Radilaite Marama 52, Yashreen Begum 77, Savaira Ratu 82 pen) New Caledonia 0 Halftime: 0-0.

Group B P W D L GF GA PTS

SAM 3 3 0 0 7 0 9

PNG 3 2 0 1 9 2 6

FIJ 3 1 0 2 4 9 3

NCL 3 0 0 3 0 9 0

Semifinal draw

Thursday, April 6

New Zealand v PNG, 1.30pm (Samoa time)

Samoa v Tonga, 3.30pm (Samoa time)