OFC News

Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) will assist Bouganville and parts of Vanuatu develop their football. SIFF president Martin Alufurai made this revelation in his opening address on Friday saying that an understanding was reached with the OFC and the two football associations of PNG and Vanuatu of SIFF's intention to extend its football development programme beyond its own regional boundaries.

Alufurai says the agreement to include Bouganville was reached recently when he and SIFF General Secretary Eddie Ngava attended the OFC Congress in Port Moresby.

Under this arrangement, SIFF will assist the two national associations develop their technical capability.

OFC President and FIFA vice president Reynald Temarii visited Bougainville shortly after the OFC Congress in PNG and was moved by the role football was playing in the reconciliation process in the region and has committed to sending an U16 boy's team to Zurich for a youth tournament to help mark the opening of FIFA House in Zurich, Switzerland, in May 2007.

Story courtesy of SIFF Media Officer Francis Pituvaka

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Disciplinary Committee has cleared Fijian national team coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti over alleged incidents that occured during the OFC U20 Men's Youth Championship in Auckland, New Zealand at the Trusts Stadium in Waitakere in January.

The OFC Disciplinary Committee found that due to insufficient detail in the official match report and incident report submitted by the referees no further action can be taken. The OFC now consider this matter closed.

AS Temanava can breathe a sigh of relief after a late penalty earned the Tahitian champions a share of the spoils with Fijian giants Ba in their Group B O-League fixture at the Stade Pater, Papeete, Tahiti, this evening.

Ba - who defeated Marist FC 2-0 in front of 17,000 fans in Honiara earlier this week - looked to be heading for their second consecutive O-League victory when AS Temanava goalkeeper Franck Revel spilled a Ba free kick at the feet of Fijian skipper Roneel Kumar who gratefully bundled the ball into the back of the net after 28 minutes.

AS Temanava rallied creating several chances but were denied by good goalkeeping from Ba's Laisenia Tuba in a fascinating and dramatic encounter that provided end to end entertainment in front of a parochial home crowd of just over 1,500.

Kumar's goal appeared to give Ba ample breathing space in a fast and furious first half as AS Temanava - struggling to hold onto a playoff spot in their domestic championship - turned in a spirited display despite being unable to penetrate Ba's defence. But with the match flowing from end to end at an unremitting pace and in stifling conditions both teams engaged in a series of raw boned tackles that saw New Zealand referee Peter O'Leary issue a flurry of yellow and red cards that set up a dramatic finish to the evening.

AS Temanava were rewarded for their dogged second half performance with a penalty with just 12 minutes remaining which Jean Francois Kabeu duly converted. However the joy was short-lived when substitute Rudolphe Toromona flew into a reckless challenge and was red carded in the 87th minute.

With the home side reduced to ten men and only having just leveled the match Toromona's red card set up a tense finish as Ba committed players forward seeking to win the game in its dying moments. However, Ba were soon seeing a red card of their own when Shalen Lai was ordered off after committing his second bookable offence after 94 minutes.

Ba now has control of O-League Group B with four points out of a possible six in both their away fixtures. AS Temanava sit in second spot with one point while Marist FC are third and yet to register a point.

AS TEMANAVA: Franck REVEL; Georges WATTON, Daly WATHA, Maheanuu ARAPARI, Weliver Neti CLARK (Rudolphe TOROMONA 62), Jean Francois KABEU, Roberto POIROI (Tevaihau TEHURITAUA 90), Rene SALOA (Heirani TEVERO 40), Pierre KUGOGNE, Ael Luc KUGOGNE, Ionatana Aldo VAHINE.

SUBS NOT USED: Rachid Faretahi ARNAUD, Alfred GEWINE, Patua TETUANUI.

Yellow cards: Ionatana Aldo VAHINE, Ael Luc KUGOGNE.

Red cards: Rudolphe TOROMONA.

Goals: Jean Francois KABEU 78th min (pen).

BA FC: Laisenia TUBA; Shalen LAI, Roneel KUMAR, Jone VESIKULA, Keni DOIDOI (Ronald CHANDRA 62), Josaia BUKALIDI, Robert WISE, Finau PENI, Osea VAKATALESAU (Tuimasi MANUCA 22), Malakai TIWA, Malakai KAINIHEWE.

SUBS NOT USED: Epeli CODRO, Luke VIDOVI, Leone VURUKANIA, Avinesh SWAMI.

Yellow cards: Malakai TIWA, Roneel KUMAR, Laisenia TUBA,

Red cards: Shalen LAI.

Goals: Roneel KUMAR 28th min.

Referee - Peter O'LEARY (New Zealand)

Assistant Referee - Paul DUNHAM (New Zealand)

Assistant Referee - Brent BEST (New Zealand)

Fourth Official - Michael HESTER (New Zealand)

GOALSCORERS:

3 - Paul URLOVIC (Auckland City), Commins MENAPI (Waitakere United), Grant YOUNG

(Auckland City)

2 - Daniel KOPRIVCIC (Waitakere United), Bryan LITTLE (Auckland City)

1 - Osea VAKATALESAU (Ba FC), Laisenia TUBA (Ba FC), Danny HAY (Waitakere United), Allan PEARCE (Waitakere United), Hoani EDWARDS (Waitakere United), Patrick DIAIKE (AS Mont Dore), Roneel KUMAR (Ba FC), Jean Francois KABEU (AS Temanava).

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) is set to launch a profound restructure of football for the entire South Pacific region worth an estimated US$12 million over a 12 year period from 2007-2018.

The programme called "OFC vision" is the brainchild of OFC President and FIFA vice president Reynald Temarii and is aimed at building the Pacific community by using football as a tool to develop nations.

"I see the key element of the `OFC vision' being the education and empowerment of our youth to become self sufficient, unified, responsible and involved citizens. The number of youths in the South Pacific aged 0-20 will increase from 5.5 million to 6.8 million by 2018 and I believe football can help address many of the key social issues facing these youngsters in the coming years," Temarii says.

The 12 year development plan will be broken into three four year phases. The first four year phase - entitled "Win in Oceania With Oceania" - will focus on 15 key areas of football administration and technical development such as grassroots football, developing National League football, World Cup preparation camps, professionalizing of football, Information Technology, Media and Marketing, Sports Medicine, Infrastructure, Tournament hosting, Football for Hope, Women's Football, Refereeing, Coaching, Beach Soccer and Futsal.

"This project is designed to build a legacy for the young people of Oceania to inherit and it is my determination to ensure the whole Oceania region benefits. The potential of our beautiful game to tackle these key social issues such as health, community building, and youth education, reinforce peace and encourage nation building is unlimited.

When you see 18,000 fans turn up to watch one of our O-League games in the Solomon Islands or 15,000 turn up in Fiji, or the positive effect of football in the reconciliation process in war torn regions such as Bougainville, you know you have the basis for a strong community.

But the people of our community face terrible problems such as Malaria in Solomon Islands, AIDS and poverty in Papua New Guinea, child obesity in Tonga and Samoa; Education is an issue across the board in Oceania, too.

This is a community we must strive to build peace, harmony, security and economic prosperity and football can help. Our game has a social responsibility that we cannot forget," Temarii said.

The "OFC Vision" has won support from FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter who was on hand to formally announce the project at the OFC Congress in Papua New Guinea in January 2007.

The Oceania Football Confederation has set July 2007 as the date for full implementation of the "OFC Vision".

Auckland City were left contemplating the implications of a bitter-sweet O-League victory over AS Mont Dore in Sandringham tonight.

Despite registering a comfortable 4-0 winning margin, Auckland City saw central midfielders Paul Seaman and Liam Mulrooney recieve their second yellow cards of the competition which means both will miss Auckland's final group match against Waitakere United which looms as a "must win" match.

Compounding Auckland City's difficult evening was Grant Young's spectacular penalty miss that soared several metres over the crossbar late in the match.

For AS Mont Dore it was a vastly improved performance. In the opening 10 minutes the New Caledonian champions managed to create four decent opportunities including an Yves Noel Faye effort that hit the face of the Auckland City crossbar with Ross Nicholson stranded and Michael Boxall scrambling to provide assistance.

Auckland City survived the early onslaught from the visitors and took the lead after 12 minutes when Keryn Jordan slipped a clever throughball for South African compatriot Grant Young before driving a shot past Christopher Tavergeaux at the near post.

Scottish midfielder Bryan Little added Auckland City's second goal after 23 minutes finishing from close range. Despite a two goal buffer Auckland City mde heavy work of the game as AS Mont Dore continued to battle on. Marius Mapou and Yves Noel Faye continued to operate at the nerve centre of the visitors midfield but all too often AS Mont Dore lacked the final punch in the top third of the pitch.

The result was put beyond doubt when Grant Young scored possibly the best goal of the O-League so far in the 37th minute when a cross from the far right was headed back across goal by Little. AS Mont Dore managed to clear the ball but only as far as the edge of the penalty area to Young who took the ball on his chest before striking a controlled right foot dipping volley that looped beyond Tavergeaux and into the top right hand corner of the AS Mont Dore net.

Auckland City struggled to assert themselves thereafter and the match became a scrappy stop-start affair until Bryan Little put City further in front in the 67th minute with another fine finish in the AS Mont Dore penalty area. But it was agony for Auckland City ten minutes later when Paul Urlovic was brought down in the box only for Grant Young to fire the spot kick several metres over the crossbar.

"We didn't push on (in numbers) enough but it was difficult going into this game knowing we would score a lot of goals and now the Waitakere United game is going to be the decider and obviously its a must win. We lacked a little bit of intensity. But I thought young Michael Boxall was fantastic for us," Auckland City coach Paul Marshall said.

AS Mont Dore goalkeeper Yann Faye was adamant that his club still had a big role to play in determining the identity of the Group A winner.

"We lost 6-1 to Waitakere United and today we have lost 4-0 to Auckland City. But to me Auckland City have an edge. We will give our best in the final match against Waitakere United. We believe we can still do something in this competiton," Faye said.

Auckland City now top Group A with 7 points, having scored 8 goals and conceded 2. Waitakere United drop to second place with 4 points from 2 games, scoring 8 goals, conceding 3 with two games to play. AS Mont Dore are bottom of the table having lost all 3 matches.

AUCKLAND CITY: Ross NICHOLSON; Riki VAN STEEDAN (Christoph POPSICH 78 ), Ben SIGMUND, Paul SEAMAN, Jonathon PERRY, Liam MULROONEY (Jonathan SMITH 62), James PRITCHETT, Grant YOUNG, Keryn JORDAN (Paul URLOVIC 55), Bryan LITTLE, Michael BOXALL.

SUBS NOT USED: Richard GILLESPIE, Paul VODANOVICH, Chad COOMBES, Jason HAYNE.

Yellow cards: Liam MULROONEY, Paul SEAMAN, Paul URLOVIC.

Red cards: none.

Goals: Grant YOUNG 12th min, 26th min, Bryan LITTLE 41st min, 65th min

AS MONT DORE: Christopher TAVERGEUX (Yann FAYE 46), Marius MAPOU, Patrick DIAIKE, Ramon DJAMALI, Kouriane Jacque CABA, Georges WADRENGES, Fabrice WEDE, Yves Noel FAYE, Martial Jean Phillipe NEMOADJOU, Charles WAMO, Stanley KABEU (Jose EURIBOA 56).

SUBS NOT USED: Daniel HARPER.

Yellow cards: Marius MAPOU.

Red cards: none.

Goals: none.

Referee - Averii JACQUES (Tahiti)

Assistant Referee - Teariki GOODWIN (Cook Islands)

Assistant Referee - Jeremie HOATA (Tahiti)

Fourth Official - Tetua Paul HAITI (Tahiti)

NEXT FIXTURE:

Friday 23rd February, 2007 - AS Temanava (TAH) vs. Ba FC (FIJ) 8pm local time

GOALSCORERS:

3 - Paul URLOVIC (Auckland City), Commins MENAPI (Waitakere United), Grant YOUNG

(Auckland City)

2 - Daniel KOPRIVCIC (Waitakere United), Bryan LITTLE (Auckland City)

1 - Osea VAKATALESAU (Ba FC), Laisenia TUBA (Ba FC), Danny HAY (Waitakere United), Allan PEARCE (Waitakere United), Hoani EDWARDS (Waitakere United), Patrick DIAIKE (AS Mont Dore).

A team of experts from the English FA accompanied by OFC's technical director Jim Selby have arrived in Honiara for the first programme under its (FA's) technical assistance programme to Solomon Islands.

Speaking shortly after their arrival, The FA's Jamie Houchen said it is The FA's first trip here and they will use the next couple of days to better understand the needs of the Solomon Islands.

Houchen stressed that participants will experience some of the things they never experience before.

"This is more or less an introductory course and over the next four years we will deliver just what Solomon Islands need," he adds.

Houchen is accompanied by former Solomon Islands Senior national coach, Alan Gillett. Gillet was at the helm of the Solomon Islands national team when the side earned a 2-2 draw against the might of Australia during the last World Cup qualifying campaign.

A Memorandum of Understanding between The FA, SIFF and the Oceania Football Confederation was signed last year at the OFC Extraordinary Congress in Tahiti.

Meanwhile The FA run course will start tomorrow at the SIFF Academy Alan Boso Complex.

New Zealand Soccer celebrated the opening of it's $1 million artificial pitch at North Harbour Stadium with a friendly match between New Zealand U17 Women's team and a Media XI featuring former All Whites such as Fred de Jong, Mark Elrick and Colin Tuaa.

OFC President and FIFA vice-president Reynald Temarii and OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas joined fellow FIFA Executive Committee member Chuck Blazer and NZ Soccer CEO Graham Seatter at the North Harbour complex to witness the Tiger Turf synthetic pitch being put to use for the first time.

OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas said the technology behind the TigerTurf synthetic pitch would ensure that games could continue to be played despite rough winter conditions and still deliver the authentic feel of a grass pitch.

"This artificial surface underlines FIFA's commitment to developing the game in this part of the world and the Oceania Football Confederation fully supports similar development projects throughout the South Pacific. I'm delighted to see New Zealand Soccer as the recipient of this facility," Nicholas said.

Reynald Temarii was equally happy with the performance of the pitch and said he was more than confident that New Zealand Soccer would start to see the benefits of the surface

"I enjoyed playing on this artificial pitch. The surface is remarkable to play on and I am sure the New Zealand teams will enjoy training and playing on it," says Temarii.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert was also on hand to give his appraisal of the FIFA approved surface and gave it the thumbs-up.

"The All Whites trained on a similar pitch at Charlton's training facility in London last year and the ball runs really true.

It is easier on the players in terms of the impact and shock absorption it provides and that can only be a good thing," Herbert said.

TigerTurf synthetic pitch as soft, non-abrasive polythylene fibres, designed to replicate grass in colour, feel and performance. The FIFA approved surface improves player safety in terms of impact and freedom of movement. It allows players to perform the ull range of skills, using normal footwear, as they would do on natural grass.

The project was partly funded by FIFA's Goal programme to the tune of $400,000US. Additional allocations of $500,000 will be available from FIFA in the future for capital improvements in the game in New Zealand.

The Lion Foundation, North Harbour Stadium Trust, North Shore City Council and New Zealand Soccer made up the shortfall in the funding for the project.

The Solomon Islands Football Federation and local organising committee has paid tribute to the Solomon Islands Police and the 17,000 football fans who were out in force for the O-League clash between Marist FC and Ba FC on Tuesday afternoon.

Honiara was buzzing with O-League fever days leading into the Group B fixture and there were concerns prior to the game about suitable security measures being implemented. However Solomon Islands football fans were extremely well-behaved throughout the match against Ba FC as the game passed off without incident.

Solomon Islands football reputation was left tainted two years ago after a match at the 2005 OFC U20 Men's Youth Championship between Australia and Solomon Islands was abandoned with 15 minutes remaining due to crowd trouble.

On Tuesday there were no reports of crowd trouble despite the home club Marist FC losing 2-0 to the visiting Fijian champions. Laisenia Tuba and Osea Vakatalesau both scored for Ba FC as the Fijian club took pole position in O-League Group B. Marist FC's next home match will be against AS Temanava of Tahiti on Thursday 22nd March, 2007.

The next O-League Group B fixture will see Tahitian champions AS Temanava host Ba FC on Friday 23rd February, 2007, kickoff 8pm French-Polynesia time. Also on Friday in Group A, Auckland City face struggling New Caledonia champions AS Mont Dore at Kiwitea Street, Auckland, kickoff at 6pm.

Waitakere United surged to the top of O-League Group A after a 6-1 demolition of AS Mont Dore at Fred Taylor Park, Waitakere this evening. Waitakere took an early lead when Commins Menapi found himself in space and drilled home an unstoppable shot past Christopher Tavergeux after just five minutes. Three minutes later Jeff Campbell delivered an inch perfect corner that was flicked on by Menapi allowing Hoani Edwards to volley the ball beyond an exposed Tavergeaux.

AS Mont Dore experienced their best spell shortly afterwards as Waitakere United sat back on their lead. George Suri threw AS Mont Dore a fine chance to get back into the game when he allowed a Hone Fowler pass to go under his foot setting free Ramon Djamali. Djamali's shot was on target but failed to trouble Michael Utting.

AS Mont Dore were then reduced to ten men after 34 minutes when Gildas Vakoume lashed out at Hoani Edwards after the pair met in a crunching tackle near halfway. AS Mont Dore struggled to cope with the numerical disadvantage with skipper Marius Mapou turning in an impressive performance from an overun midfield.

Mapou's heroics were not enough to stop the hosts and matters got worse for the vistors when energetic midfielder Jeff Campbell picked up a pass from the marauding Daniel Koprivcic and unleashed a powerful measured right foot shot into the top left corner of the net after 57 minutes from 30 metres out. Allan Pearce added a fourth for Waitakere United moments later when he swept a cross of Santos home from close range.

AS Mont Dore grabbed themselves a consolation goal when the impressive Marius Mapou won a loose ball in midfield and slipped a defence splitting pass past a backpedalling Waitakere United defence for Patrick Diaike who fired a low left foot shot past Michael Utting. The joy was short-lived when Koprivcic caught defender Kouriane Jacques Caba in possession after 64 minutes and raced through on goal unchallenged before stroking home a right foot shot past the marooned Tavergeaux.

Commins Menapi scored Waitakere United's sixth goal after chasing down a Jeff Campbell through-ball on 87 minutes and blasting a shot at Tavergeaux who parried the ball but could only watch helplessly as it looped into the empty net beyond him.

The young Tavergeaux turned in a raw but heroic performance making a string of impressive saves against an unrelenting Waitakere United attack. For Waitakere United Jeff Campbell was the outstanding figure with some precision passing and an outstanding goal.

After two games Waitakere United have 4 points having scored 8 goals and conceding 3. Auckland City are second with four points and have scored 4 and conceded 2. AS Mont Dore are all but eliminated after two defeats from two matches, scoring 1 goal and conceding 8.

The enxt fixture in O-League Group A will see Auckland City host AS Mont Dore at Kiwitea Street on Friday 23rd February, kickoff at 6.00pm.

WAITAKERE UNITED.......6

AS MONT DORE...........1

WAITAKERE UNITED: Michael UTTING; George SURI, Hone FOWLER (Craig WYLIE 70), Sam JASPER, Commins MENAPI, Allan PEARCE (Stuart HOGG 83), Jakub SINKORA, Daniel KOPRIVCIC, Hoani EDWARDS (Pedro SANTOS 46), Rupesh PUNA, Jeff CAMPBELL.

SUBS NOT USED: Prince QUANSAH, Michael GWYTHER, Graham PEARCE, Simon EADDY.

Yellow cards: none.

Red cards: none.

Goals: Commins MENAPI 5th min, 87th min, Hoani EDWARDS 8th min, Daniel KOPRIVCIC 57th min, 64th min, Allan PEARCE 55th min.

AS MONT DORE: Christopher TAVERGEUX, Marius MAPOU, Patrick DIAIKE, Ramon DJAMALI (Stanley KABEU 68), Kouriane Jacque CABA, Georges WADRENGES, Fabrice WEDE, Yves Noel FAYE (Jose EURIBOA 60), Martial Jean Phillipe NEMOADJOU, Charles WAMO, Gildas VAKOUME.

SUBS NOT USED: Daniel HARPER.

Yellow cards: Yves Noel FAYE 28.

Red cards: Gildas VAKOUME 35.

Goals: Patrick DIAIKE 57th min.

Referee -Rakesh Chand VARMAN (Fiji)

Assistant Referee - Andrew Anand ACHARI (Fiji)

Assistant Referee - Rohitesh DAYAL (Fiji)

Fourth Official - Leone RAKOROI (Fiji)

GOALSCORERS:

3 - Paul URLOVIC (Auckland City), Commins MENAPI (Waitakere United)

2 - Daniel KOPRIVCIC (Waitakere United)

1 - Osea VAKATALESAU (Ba FC), Laisenia TUBA (Ba FC), Grant YOUNG (Auckland City),

Danny HAY (Waitakere United), Allan PEARCE (Waitakere United), Hoani EDWARDS

(Waitakere United), Patrick DIAIKE (AS Mont Dore).

Fijian football giants Ba FC have drawn first blood in the OFC O-League Group B in front of a 17,000 crowd at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands today thanks to a 36th minute strike from Osea Vakatalesau and a 57th minute penalty scored by their goalkeeper Laisenia Tuba.

The Ba custodian silenced the frenzied crowd with a first half spot kick as the Fijians went on to record a resounding 2-0 victory over Marist FC that sets them up in pole position and a possible O-League finals berth.

Marist FC struggled to contain Ba during an enthralling match despite a full stadium of parochial supporters urging them on. Ba - battled hardened from their domestic Champion of Champion campaign - proved far too strong for a Marist FC side struggling out of their regular season for both fitness and form.

Marist FC coach Patrick Miniti said "This is not the way we would have liked the match to end (losing 2-0) and we need to improve in our next matches".

Ba FC coach Yogendra Dutt was understandably happy to come away from the Solomon Islands with maximum points.

"What we planned worked out for us and it's all because of our belief in ourselves. We played according to a plan and that was exactly what we came here to do. We've played Marist FC now and so our home match will be very interesting," Dutt said.

Papua New Guinea referee Job Minan Ponis only booked one player - Finau Peni of Ba, for a foul in the 65th minute. Ba FC sits atop Group B with 3 points, AS Temanava sit in second spot but is yet to play a game, with Marist FC last following this opening match day defeat.

MARIST FC: Francis ARUWAFU; Martin RUHASIA, Joseph LANI, Jerry SAM, John WAYNE (Tome FAISI 37), Benjamin MELA, Sebastian MISIGA, Tinoi RATU (George AFIA 87), Gideon OMOKIRIO, Timothy JOE (Simon SAU 77), Samson TAKAYAMA.

SUBS NOT USED: Michael MISITANA, Lucian SIKWAAE, Mostyn BEUI, David HOUPERE.

Yellow cards: none

Red cards: none

BA FC: Laisenia TUBA; Shalen LAI, Roneel KUMAR, Jone VESIKULA, Josaia BUKALIDI (Tuimasi MANUCA 81), Robert WISE, Finau PENI, Kinivillame TURAGALAILAI (Ronald CHANDRA 60), Osea VAKATALESAU, Malakai TIWA (Avinesh SWAMY 65), Malakai KAINIHEWE.

SUBS NOT USED: Keni DOIDOI, Luke VIDOVI, Leone VURUKANIA, Epeli CODRO.

Yellow cards: Finau PENI 65.

Red cards: none

Goals: Osea VAKATALESAU 36, Laisenia TUBA 57 pen.

Referee - Job Minan Ponis (Papua New Guinea)

Assistant Referee - Nawen Hopken (Vanuatu)

Assistant Referee - Mahit Chilia (Vanuatu)

Fourth Official - Joakim Salaiau Sosongan (Papua New Guinea)

NEXT FIXTURES:

Tuesday 20th February, 2007 - Waitakere United (NZL) vs. AS Mont Dore (NCL) 6pm NZT

Friday 23rd February, 2007 - Auckland City (NZL) vs. AS Mont Dore (NCL) 6pm NZT

NEXT FIXTURE:

Friday 23rd February, 2007 - AS Temanava (TAH) vs. Ba FC (FIJ) 8pm local time

GOALSCORERS:

3 - Paul URLOVIC (AUK)

1 - Osea VAKATALESAU (BA), Laisenia TUBA (BA), Grant YOUNG (AUK), Danny HAY (WAI),

Commins Menapi (WAI)