Both coaches were emphasising quality of performance instead of results on the eve of Tahiti U-17 clash with New Zealand U-17 at Waikaraka Park, Onehunga, in Auckland today.

The first of which will get underway at Waikaraka Park tommorrow night at 6:30pm. The next two games are scheduled for Tuesday 19th December and Thursday 21st December.

The three international friendlies help form the build-up programme for both nations ahead of the OFC U-17 Championship in March 2007.

Tahiti coach Eddie Etaeta said for his team the training camp in Auckland heralded a first with the Federation Tahitienne de Football sending a team of any age into a professional environment.

"From a human perspective this is a valuable journey for the team. For many of these players this is their first trip to New Zealand and their first time outside of Tahiti."

Etaeta said he was happy with the training the team had achieved in the camp so far but said the aim was to peak for the tournament in March.

"I don't feel negative or positive ahead of these games with New Zealand; rather, I am neutral about them. Our key will be our own performances and developing the strength and spirit of our group rather than individual players."

When asked what he thought of New Zealand Etaeta said he was suprised to see the Kiwis playing the ball on the ground rather than aerially.

"The technical quality of New Zealand is very good and they look like a team that wishes to play at every opportunity and on the ground. Previously New Zealand has played the ball in the air so to see a change to this style is a suprise."

New Zealand coach Colin Tuaa echoed Etaeta's comments about performance over results but admitted he knew little about Tahiti.

"The main point of these games is to see where we are at. It will be an important exercise for a few reasons - players wanting to stake a claim for the squad in March, it will be interesting to see how we deal with being favourites as the home side, and there is the psychological advantage of getting on top of an opponent before the OFC U-17 Championship".

Tuaa's side takes on a battle-hardened appearance given their relatively successful tours of the USA and South America when compared to the Tahitian side but goalkeeper Michael O'Keeffe said this would prove one of the series more interesting points.

"Our preparation has been quite good but I'm not sure of quite what to expect. We're not underdogs for once and it will be interesting to play a team with South Pacific qualities."

Simply taking part at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2006 rates as the greatest triumph in the history of Auckland City FC. The amateurs from the north of New Zealand have enjoyed a unique opportunity to test their skills against the best club teams on the planet.

For FIFA's take on tonight's exciting FIFA Club World Cup match click the link below:

Auckland keen on Jeonbuk upset

Football Federation Australia today determined that Octagon Sports Limited, owners of the New Zealand Knights Football Club, had breached their Club Participation Agreement for the Hyundai A-League and as a result have had their licence revoked.

The breach was due to an insolvency event as defined in the Club Participation Agreement.

The licence has now been returned to the FFA who have reached agreement with New Zealand Soccer to manage the football team's operations for the remainder of the 2006-07 Hyundai A-League season.

This will ensure that the New Zealand Knights will play all their scheduled matches for the remainder of the season.

The FFA has been in contact with the Knights players and ensured them of their contracts until the end of the current season.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert will assume the head coach position at the Knights immediately.

"The action that we had to take today is disappointing as the FFA has gone to great lengths since the commencement of the league to support Octagon Sports Limited who currently owe the FFA in excess of $AUS800,000," said FFA Head of Operations Matt Carroll.

"In this context, it is disappointing that Octagon Sports Limited should suggest today that their viability is dependant on a relatively small scheduled grant being withheld by the FFA as a result of Octagon Sports Limited's long-term, multiple, serious Participation Agreement breaches."

"The action that the FFA has taken is in the best interests of the Hyundai A-League, the team, the players and football in New Zealand."

Le Tournoi des jeunes espoirs à Lifou

Après Pouembout, une semaine plus tôt, le deuxième rassemblement du « Tournoi des jeunes espoirs du football calédonien » s'est tenu samedi dernier au stade de Wé, à Lifou. Dans une ambiance toujours aussi sportive et festive.

Cette manifestation a réuni plus de 70 benjamins, la catégorie visée par cette opération initiée par Canal+ Calédonie et organisée par la Fédération Calédonienne de football.

Elle a pour but de « faire découvrir tout le dynamisme de la jeunesse calédonienne qui fréquente les écoles de football, et susciter l'engouement de la pratique du football et des valeurs sportives qui y sont associées ».

Et vu l'engouement des deux premières journées, on peut dire que cet objectif est déjà largement atteint. D'autant que, pour des raisons évidentes d'assurance,ne pouvaient participer que des jeunes licenciés dans un club.

À Pouembout comme à Lifou, l'encadrement était assuré par les techniciens de la FCF, aidés par des animateurs provinciaux. Sous leur houlette, les enfants ont participé à différentes épreuves de jonglerie, conduite de ballon en slalom, tir de précision et match 7x7 et 9x9, le tout dans une ambiance très chaleureuse.

À l'issue des épreuves, tous les participants ont reçu un équipement de football offert par Canal+ Calédonie, comprenant un sac de sport, un ballon, un tee-shirt, une gourde et une casquette. Les 10 premiers au classement individuel ont, de leur côté, reçu une médaille et un tee-shirt du tournoi. Un vrai cadeau de Noël pour ces jeunes de Lifou.

Ce Tournoi des jeunes espoirs du football calédonien s'achève ce samedi 16 décembre au stade Edouard-Pentecost de Nouméa pour les benjamins de la province sud.

« Nous avons déjà vingt équipes inscrites et la participation devrait dépasser largement les 200 gosses », se félicite déjà Eric Elmour le président du comité provincial qui veut faire de cet évènement une grande fête. Les festivités débuteront à 7h30.

The second weekend of the young football contenders tournament of was held at the Wé stadium, Lifou, New Caledonia, amid a great festive and sporty atmosphere.

This event gathered together more than seventy under 12 footballers from around New Caledonia with the key target chosen by Canal + New Caledonia who initiated this operation in partnership with the New Caledonia Football Federation.

This event aims at emphasizing "the dynamism of New Caledonia's young people who spend time training in football schools and at the same time arousing a craze for football and all the values it entails".

The crowds attending during the first two days of the tournament were excellent and the aim of spreading football's popularity was largely reached.

However, because of insurance issue, only young players with a club licence could participate.

In Pouembout, as well as in Lifou, the event was managed by the technical staff of the New Caledonia Football Federation, assisted by local educators.

Under their guidance, the children participated in several technical tests workshops: juggling, slaloming with the ball, target shooting and 7 vs. 7 and 9 vs.9 matches, all this in a warm and cheerful atmosphere.

At the end of these workshops, all the participants received a football kit offered by Canal+ New Caledonia, including a sports bag, a ball, a tee-shirt, a flask and a cap. The first ten players in the individual ranking received a medal and a tournament tee-shirt.

A real Christmas present for these young players from Lifou!

This tournament will end this Saturday December 16th at the Edouard-Pentecost stadium in Nouméa for the U12 of the South province.

"Twenty (20) teams had already enrolled and the participation should largely exceed 200 kids", boasts Eric Elmour the president of the provincial committee, who wants this event to be a big celebration of youth and football.

Auckland City coach Allan Jones says his already jaded side will be tested physically like never before when they face Asian champions Jeonbuk FC in Friday night's FIFA Club World Cup wooden spoon playoff.

Jones admits it will take a "mammoth" effort to win the playoff for fifth at Japan's National Stadium where the winner will scoop an additional $US500,000 (NZ$720,000) on top of the US$1 million they have already banked by qualifying for FIFA's season-ending showpiece.

"This game will put terrific physical demands on our players, in particular in one on one situations all over the field," Jones said on the eve of the match in Tokyo's Olympic Stadium where Peter Snell produced his famous 1500m and 800m Games double in 1964.

Mammoth effort required against Koreans

AMERICAN SAMOA - TAFUNA JETS CROWNED AMERICAN SAMOAN 7-A-SIDE CHAMPIONS

Tafuna Jets triumphed 3-0 over Pacific Products in an exciting Cup Final at Kananafou to win the FFAS 7-a-side title.

Tafuna Jets led Pacific Products 1-0 at the break and went on to add two further strikes to put the match - and the title - beyond their opponents reach.

Pacific Products normally lethal strikers failed to ignite as Tafuna Jets became American Samoa Champions for 2006.

Black Roses maintained their dominance of women's football in 2006 with a convincing 9-0 win over Pacific Products.

The Black Roses younger team proved too sharp and fit for the Pacific Products women's team and completed a Futsal and 7-a-side double for 2006.

OFC President Reynald Temarii has been named one of the South Pacific region's most notable leaders by Pacific Magazine's December 2006 edition.

Pacific Magazine compiled the list entitled "293 South Pacific Leaders You Need To Know" naming Prime Ministers, Presidents, judges, members of parliament, politicians and CEOs that have played an influential and integral part in the growth and development of the South Pacific region.

293 Pacific Leaders You Need To Know

The Tupapa and Avatiu premier men's teams won through to the Cook Islands Knockout Tournament semi-finals after eliminating Matavera and Titikaveka respectively.

In the match at Victoria Park John Pareanga and Tearai Mokoroa of Matavera scored two early goals in the first five minutes of the match to lead 2-0.

Tupapa, however, never gave up and managed to pull the game level at 2-2 just before half time through David Angene and Andrew Iroa.

In a thrilling second half both teams created enough chances to secure victory, but it was Tupapa that scored the winning goal in the 75th minute when David Angene grabbed his second goal of the match

.

In the other elimination match Avatiu defeated Titikaveka in a penalty shoot out 3-2 after the score was locked at 1-1 at full time.

Internacional of Porto Alegre had to draw on all their resources to see off a determined Al Ahly side at Tokyo's National Stadium and advance to the final of the FIFA World Club Cup Japan 2006.

Facing Los Colorados in Sunday's big showdown will be the winners of tomorrow's second semi-final between Mexico's Club America and Spanish giants Barcelona.

Internacional dig deep to reach final