OFC News

FIFA officials fly in for visit

Two high ranking FIFA officials are in the country on a follow up visit to further assess possibility for phase three of the Goal project to be implemented in three locations in three provinces.

Zaniti from FIFA in Zurich and Auckland-based FIFA Goal Development Officer Glenn Turner are accompanied by Ray Vuksich Managing Director of Vuksich and Borich,- the engineering firm that was responsible for the upgrading of Lawson Tama.

The FIFA delegation together with SIFF General Secretary Eddie Ngava paid a visit to Goldie College in the Western Province and then moved onto Auki for a similar assessment visit. Prior to that, they visited the proposed site for the Goal project on Guadalcanal.

Solomon Islands has already received two funded projects under the FIFA Goal Project scheme, SIFF is also keen to secure further assistance from the world governing football body to ensure provincial football associations also benefit.

Beach Soccer team steps up preparation

The "Solomon Bilikiki" beach soccer team is putting extra effort into its preparation for the first ever OFC Beach Soccer Championship in Tahiti next month.

A team of 10 players picked for the squad have been undergoing intensive training at Ranadi Beach for two weeks and are looking forward for their first outing.

The tournament is the first ever competition to be organized in the region as well as the Solomons, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands and hosts Tahiti will participate in the inaugural competition with the winner to represent the Oceania at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Brazil at the end of the year.

SIFF President praises Solo youngsters

Children are like 'gold' if you polish them they will shine says SIFF President Martin Alufurai upon his return from Fiji where he witnessed the Solomon Katukatu (U-12).

In the words of OFC President Reynald Temarii, "children are like gold and if they are polished everyday they will shine," he says recalling Temarii's words.

Alufurai was among a handful of Solomon Islanders including former Naha coach Timothy Inifiri and former SIFF Vice President Tommy Mana who traveled more than four hours by bus from Suva to give their support.

Others who showed up included Samoa-based Frank Wickham, a former lecturer at the USP centre in Honiara and local lawn tennis boys based in Lautoka.

The SIFF President says he will meet with his Executive shortly and propose to them the idea to start a competition for the minors particularly under 12 and below.

"Our task now is to polish them and to keep polishing them as asked of us by president Temarii," he adds.

He stresses that the OFC U12 competition is a key competition for the Oceania region and SIFF must start to focus aggressively on the Under 10 and 12.

"We need to take this bottom-up approach head on because this is the way forward."

Alufurai cites the make-up of the Solomon Islands population which has about 45 percent youth as the reason his aggressive approach to address youth soccer.

Referring to Katukatu's performance at the weekend in Ba, he describes the boys a 'class' on their own.

"They played a more structured soccer compared to other participating countries and that is a huge plus for them and our country," he says.

Alufurai describes it as a 'great gain' for the kids to play in that level as it will impact greatly on their attitude to be competitive when playing in future competitions.

The SIFF President was also full of praise for the two young coaches Victor Wai'ia and Vivian Wickham who led the Katukatu through to the semifinals citing that countries like Vanuatu, Tahiti, Samoa and Fiji were led by their senior national coaches.

"You did us and country proud by coming fourth out of 12 teams that competed in the competition," he added.

The Katukatu will shortly resume training twice a week and all those in the squad are urged to turn up for training.

Head Coach Wai'ia says it is important that the team is maintained for future competitions because of their experience.

FIFA Goal Project - "Blessing For Our Island Community"

The American Samoa Football Association is proud to announce the very successful Ground Breaking Ceremony of the FIFA Goal Project at Pago Park, Pago Pago, American Samoa on the 13th July 2006, on a day when a "shower of blessing" covered the village of Pago Pago, but even the tropical downpour could not dampen the enthusiasm and exited gathering.

In a short but historic ceremony Governor Togiola Tulafono of American Samoa, was joined by Pago Pago's council members including Paramount Chief Mauga Asuega, Senator and High Talking Chief Tuaolo Fruean and Representative Muavaefa'atasi Ae Ae Jr., and other leading Government Officials.

FIFA Development Officer, Glenn Turner, Ray Vuksich of Vuksich & Borich NZ Ltd, the ASFA Normalisation Committee, members of the football family and fans, witnessed a noteworthy milestone in the development of the sport in the country.

Governor Togiola expressed his deepest thanks to FIFA President Blatter, the FIFA Goal Bureau and to OFC President Temarii and the OFC Secretariat for their ongoing support of football in American Samoa.

"This is a blessing for our island community because it now empowers our national association to truly develop the sport with genuine priorities and accept help through FIFA and OFC on what our true needs are," said Togiola. He continued "Here we're getting help in infrastructure, administration, education and youth football (soccer)."

FIFA Oceania DO Glenn Turner expressed his appreciation for the local support for this much-needed project for the Territory. "We are very happy to have completed the groundbreaking on this significant project. We would like to thank Governor Togiola for his earnest support of our efforts to bring the great game of football to the Territory. We all look forward to many successful years of football in American Samoa," said Turner.

Following construction the benefits of the realized facility to the sport will be significant, with increased participation for boys and girls, men and women, increased competition opportunities at all levels, educational courses and hopefully a catalyst to assist in taking national teams to a competitive level in the Oceania region.

The FIFA Goal Project is an initiative by FIFA to assist countries around the world to construct their very own "House of Football" and technical facilities for the development and continued progress of football activities. Significant support has also been approved by the Oceania Football Confederation as part of their Infrastructure Grant Scheme.

Pago Park will see a major transformation with the construction of International standard football pitches, National Headquarters and a Technical Centre.

With construction to start immediately and a completion time frame of 6 months, planning is already commenced for the Inauguration to be held in January 2007.

Mexico's Club America stand between Auckland City and a dream date with European champions Barcelona. Auckland have drawn the Concacaf (North, Central American and Caribbean) champions in the quarterfinals (essentially the first round) of December's FIFA Club World Cup in Japan. The winner of the December 11 clash in Tokyo will then meet Barcelona - who boast two-time world player of the year Ronaldinho - in a December 14 semifinal in Yokohama.

Full story courtesy New Zealand Football media, Auckland City eyeing dream date with Barcelona

When they line up for their first-ever women's youth finals next month, Oceania hopefuls New Zealand will be one of the youngest teams at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship in Russia. FIFA.com takes a look at Oceania's representative at the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship Russia 2006, Kiwis build for the future

ALL TEAMS ARE WINNERS AT FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL

United Soccer 1 of New Zealand claimed the trophy, but all teams had a reason to celebrate at the conclusion of the inaugural OFC U-12 Festival of Football in Ba, Fiji. The four-day celebration of Oceania culture and football drew to a close today (Sunday) with all teams in high spirits.

The handshakes, hugs and pats on the back between participants were more heartfelt at the conclusion of the Festival as all teams came together in a visible display of the friendships that had been formed in Fiji. The scenes continued at the team accommodation where players swapped shirts, shorts, and whatever they could lay their hands on before an impromptu pool session.

Earlier in the day New Zealand's United Soccer 1 defeated the host nation Fiji 1-0 in the final match of the Festival to take the inaugural title and in the process qualify for the Danone Nations Cup in France in September.

The Danone Nations Cup is the major International Cup for children aged 10 to 12, 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, recognized by FIFA and the national federations, and founded on team spirit and the sense of fair play.

Despite the lucrative reward available to the winning team all participants will have lasting memories of the 2006 OFC Festival of Football.

2006 OFC U-12 Festival of Football

Govind Park

Ba, Fiji

20 - 23 July 2006

Match Day 3 - Sunday 23 July

Playoffs for places 9 - 12

Samoa 1 vs. Besta Kapul (0 - 2)

Fiji 3 vs. SSPOM Torosel (0 - 1)

Playoffs for places 1 - 4

Fiji 1 vs. Canterbury (1 - 0)

Solomon Islands vs. United Soccer 1 (1 - 2)

Playoffs for places 5 - 8

Vanuatu vs. Fiji 2 (1 - 0)

Samoa 2 vs. Tahiti (1 - 1 [3 - 4 pens])

Match for 11th place

Samoa 1 vs. Fiji 3 (1 - 1 [3 - 4 pens])

Match for 9th place

Besta Kapul vs. SSPOM Torosel (0 - 1)

Match for 7th place

Samoa 2 vs. Fiji 2 (0 - 1)

Match for 5th place

Vanuatu vs. Tahiti (0 - 1)

Match for 3rd place

Canterbury vs. Solomon Islands (2 - 1)

Final

United Soccer 1 vs. Fiji 1 (1 - 0)

FRIENDSHIP BLOSSOMS AT OFC FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL

The players at the 2006 OFC U-12 Festival of Football continue to demonstrate the values of the event as the inaugural cultural and football exhibition completed the second day of matches at Govind Park in Ba, Fiji.

Handshakes, hugs and pats on the back between competitors, coaches and referees were commonplace after a further 18 matches concluded Match Day 2 and the group stage of the Festival.

Fiji's top side continued their form from Match Day 1 finishing their six games unbeaten and without conceding a goal. They are joined in the semi finals by United Soccer 1 of New Zealand, who ousted Vanuatu from second place.

The boys from the Solomon Islands qualified in top spot, defeating Canterbury of New Zealand 1-0 in the final match of the day, Canterbury claimed second spot.

All teams will play a further two matches on Sunday (23 July), however final places should mean very little as the smiles and friendships continue to blossom with football bringing the best out of all participants. Again, the local youngsters packed the pavilions of Govind Park still cheering all teams with equal vigor in the spirit of the competition.

The Festival concludes on Sunday (23 July) with classification matches. The Festival has already seen two days of action on and off the pitch with a day full of cultural activities on Thursday (20 July) before the football kicked off yesterday (Friday 21 July).

Entrance to the Festival is free of charge for the remaining final match day.

2006 OFC U-12 Festival of Football

Govind Park

Ba, Fiji

20 - 23 July 2006

Match Day 2 - Saturday 22 July

Group A

Samoa 1 vs. SSPOM Torosel (0 - 0)

Fiji 1 vs. United Soccer 1 (0 - 0)

Vanuatu vs. Tahiti (0 - 0)

Fiji 1 vs. SSPOM Torosel (3 - 0)

Samoa 1 vs. Vanuatu (0 - 6)

Tahiti vs. United Soccer 1 (0 - 0)

Vanuatu vs. Fiji 1 (0 - 1)

United Soccer 1 vs. SSPOM Torosel (2 - 0)

Tahiti vs. Samoa 1 (0 - 0)

Group B

Solomon Islands vs. Samoa 2 (0 - 0)

Fiji 2 vs. Fiji 3 (2 - 0)

Besta Kapul vs. Canterbury (0 - 3)

Fiji 3 vs. Samoa 2 (0 - 3)

Solomon Islands vs. Besta Kapul (3 - 2)

Canterbury vs. Fiji 2 (0 - 0)

Besta Kapul vs. Fiji 3 (0 - 1)

Fiji 2 vs. Samoa 2 (0 - 0)

Canterbury vs. Solomon Islands (0 - 1)

Match Day 3 Schedule - Sunday 23 July

Playoffs for places 9 - 12 (kick off 09:45)

Samoa 1 vs. Besta Kapul (Ground 1)

Fiji 3 vs. SSPOM Torosel (Ground 2)

Playoffs for places 1 - 4 (kick off 10:15)

Fiji 1 vs. Canterbury (Ground 1)

Solomon Islands vs. United Soccer 1 (Ground 2)

Playoffs for places 5 - 8 (kick off 10:45)

Vanuatu vs. Fiji 2 (Ground 1)

Samoa 2 vs. Tahiti (Ground 2)

Match for 11th place (Ground 1 - kick off 14:00)

Match for 9th place (Ground 2 - kick off 14:00)

Match for 7th place (Ground 1 - kick off 14:30)

Match for 5th place (Ground 2 - kick off 14:30)

Match for 3rd place (Ground 1 - kick off 15:00)

Final (kick off 15:30)

GOVIND PARK INVADED FOR FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL

The 2006 OFC U-12 Festival of Football exploded into life with an array of colour and the sound of over 1,000 school children from over 30 local primary schools packed into Govind Park in Ba, Fiji for the first day of matches at the event.

Before a ball had been kicked the Festival participants entertained the vocal crowd one-after-another with their own cultural performances, standouts including Samoa and Vanuatu, before the action moved to the pitch with 12 matches completed on Match Day 1 of the football side of the Festival.

Fiji's top side head the standings in Group A with two wins from two matches, closely followed by Vanuatu and New Zealand's United Soccer 1 - who fought out an entertaining 1-all draw late in the day. Group B is more open with Canterbury, another New Zealand outfit, and the Solomon Islands locked in the lead with a win and a draw.

However, without doubt the real stars of the day were the youngsters who packed the pavilions of Govind Park renewing the friendships made the day before during the cultural exchange. Over 36 schools from Ba and nearby Lautoka and Tavua were in attendance and showed no real favouritism cheering all teams with equal vigor in the spirit of the competition.

The action continues on Saturday (22 July) with a further three matches played to conclude the group stage before the classification matches on Sunday. The Festival kicked off yesterday (Thursday 19 July) with a day full of cultural activities including the primary school visits and activities with Alliance Francaise.

Entrance to the Festival is free of charge for the remaining two match days.

2006 OFC U-12 Festival of Football

Govind Park

Ba, Fiji

20 - 23 July 2006

Results - Match Day 1 - Friday 21 July

Group A

SSPOM Torosel vs. Vanuatu (0 - 6)

United Soccer 1 vs. Samoa 1 (6 - 0)

Fiji 1 vs. Tahiti (1 - 0)

Vanuatu vs. United Soccer 1 (1 - 1)

Samoa 1 vs. Fiji 1 (0 - 4)

Tahiti vs. SSPOM Torosel (3 - 0)

Group B

Samoa 2 vs. Besta Kapul (0 - 0)

Fiji 2 vs. Solomon Islands (0 - 0)

Fiji 3 vs. Canterbury (0 - 2)

Besta Kapul vs. Fiji 2 (0 - 0)

Solomon Islands vs. Fiji 3 (4 - 0)

Canterbury vs. Samoa 2 (3 - 3)

Sheepish smiles and tentative handshakes marked the early morning as the teams for the inaugural OFC U-12 Festival of Football assembled at the team accommodation unsure of what the cultural day had in store for them.

Some hours later the smiles were wide and the laughter loud as the boys returned to Lautoka after a day packed with cultural activities and exchange.

The OFC U-12 Festival of Football is removed from the traditional tournament format by introducing a compulsory cultural element to the football aspect of the event. All teams were required to partake in a day of cultural exchange designed to promote understanding between players and of their surroundings and create friendships with their Fijian peers.

First stop for the teams was a visit to a local primary school to spend a morning with the students and staff. The school would then "adopt" the team for the duration of the Festival providing well received vocal support at Ba's Govind Park.

"This has been great for our kids," noted a New Zealand team official.

"Often the kids see pictures in brochures and imagine that is what all the country is like, but to be able to come to a school and see what its like for kids their age is awesome. Hopefully they take away a better understanding of Oceania from this experience"

All teams were treated to cultural performances from their hosts and for some it was a real eye-opener.

"Some of the lads didn't really know what was going on, but we gave as good as we got," noted another kiwi official after his side performed a spirited haka for their hosts.

For Papua New Guinea the exchange provided an experience in religious differences after their visit to Ba Muslim School.

"Coming from a predominately Christian country it was really beneficial for our boys to see how different kids from the Pacific are taught and that despite the different beliefs or dress, deep down they are all just kids at heart"

After the school visit the teams were treated to an afternoon in French culture courtesy of Alliance Francaise who are based in Fiji. The winner of the football aspect of the Festival will travel to Lyon, France in September and the lessons will come in handy for the traveling team.

The cultural participation doesn't end there for the teams who are required to perform a cultural piece for the crowds on Match Day 1 of the Festival.

FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL TO OPEN KIDS EYES

Cultural exchange high on the agenda

132 children from seven Oceania countries will descend on Govind Park in Ba, Fiji from 20 - 23 July for the inaugural OFC U-12 Festival of Football.

Participating teams from Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, and Vanuatu will contest the four-day Festival. But the event is more than just a football tournament with all teams partaking in cultural exchange activities with local primary schools in Ba and nearby Lautoka and Tavua, in total 36 Fijian primary schools will be involved in the Festival.

With success on the world stage in future years as a focus of OFC, the key to making this a reality lies in the feet of the regions many thousands of young boys and girls and it is the role of OFC to assist its Member Associations to develop these talented youngsters, not only in football but in all aspects of life.

The Festival of Football concept will use football as a learning tool, exposing the youth of the region to useful experiences within the South Pacific, helping them to become more aware of their surroundings and the differences and uniqueness of the region, through a four-day celebration of Oceania culture..

It is therefore no coincidence that the first day of this Festival is dedicated to cultural exchange, where all participants are encouraged to share experiences and learn about each other.

The winner of the OFC U-12 Festival of Football will represent the region at the Danone Nations Cup to be held in Lyon, France in September 2006, not only 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, 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, recognized by FIFA and the national federations, and founded on team spirit and the sense of fair play.

Due to the location of the Danone Nations Cup the French Embassy in Fiji are actively supporting the event along with other notable French governmental organizations in the region. The cooperation of these organizations gives Festival participants further knowledge of other cultures and a better understanding of French Territories in the Pacific.

It is anticipated that the OFC U-12 Festival of Football will become a permanent fixture in the Oceania event calendar with the event rotated around the Pacific region in future years. There are also plans to introduce similar events at U-14 and U-16 levels in the future.

The Festival opens with cultural exchanges between the participating teams and local primary schools on Thursday (20 July) with matches commencing at Govind Park, in Ba, Fiji at 10:30am on Friday (21 July), an opening ceremony with cultural performances by all teams will commence at 9:00am on Friday (21 July). Entrance to the Festival is free of charge for all three match days.

OFC U-12 Festival of Football

Govind Park

Ba, Fiji

20 - 23 July 2006

Festival Programme

Thursday 20 July Cultural Day

Friday 21 July Match Day 1

Saturday 22 July Match Day 2

Sunday 23 July Match Day 3

Match Schedule

Group A - SSPOM Torosei (PNG), Vanuatu, United Soccer 1 (NZL), Samoa 1, Fiji 1, Tahiti

Group B - Samoa 2, Besta Kapul (PNG), Fiji 2, Solomon Islands, Fiji 3, Canterbury (NZL)

Match Day 1 - Friday 21 July

Group A

10:30 SSPOM Torosei vs. Vanuatu

11:00 United Soccer 1 vs. Samoa 1

11:30 Fiji 1 vs. Tahiti

14:00 Vanuatu vs. United Soccer 1

14:30 Samoa 1 vs. Fiji 1

15:00 Tahiti vs. SSPOM Torosei

Group B

10:30 Samoa 2 vs. Besta Kapul

11:00 Fiji 2 vs. Solomon Islands

11:30 Fiji 3 vs. Canterbury

14:00 Besta Kapul vs. Fiji 2

14:30 Solomon Islands vs. Fiji 3

15:00 Canterbury vs. Samoa 2

Match Day 2 - Saturday 22 July

Group A

09:15 Samoa 1 vs. SSPOM Torosei

09:45 Fiji 1 vs. United Soccer 1

10:15 Vanuatu vs. Tahiti

11:00 Fiji 1 vs. SSPOM Torosei

11:30 Samoa 1 vs. Vanuatu

12:00 Tahiti vs. United Soccer 1

14:30 Vanuatu vs. Fiji 1

15:00 United Soccer 1 vs. SSPOM Torosei

15:30 Tahiti vs. Samoa 1

Group B

09:15 Solomon Islands vs. Samoa 2

09:45 Fiji 2 vs. Fiji 3

10:15 Besta Kapul vs. Canterbury

11:00 Fiji 3 vs. Samoa 2

11:30 Solomon Islands vs. Besta Kapul

12:00 Canterbury vs. Fiji 2

14:30 Besta Kapul vs. Fiji 3

15:00 Fiji 2 vs. Samoa 2

15:30 Canterbury vs. Solomon Islands

Match Day 3 - Sunday 23 July

09:45 Playoffs - 5A vs. 6B and 5B vs. 6A

10:15 Playoffs - 1A vs. 2B and 1B vs. 2A

10:45 Playoffs - 3A vs. 4B and 3B vs. 4A

14:00 Playoffs - Match for 11th Place and Match for 9th Place

14:30 Playoffs - Match for 7th Place and Match for 5th Place

15:00 Playoffs - Match for 3rd Place

16:00 Final - Match for 1st Place