AUCKLAND - The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Secretariat wishes to advise that the OFC office will be closed from Friday 21st December 2007 and will reopen on Monday 7th January 2008.

The OFC President/FIFA Vice-President Reynald Temarii, OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas and the OFC secretariat would like to take this opportunity to wish you a happy and safe holiday as well as a successful year 2008.

Au nom du Président de l’OFC et l’équipe OFC, je prends cette occasion pour vous présenter mes meilleurs vœux et une excellente année 2008. Prenez soin de vous pendant ces vacances.

OFC President/FIFA Vice-President Reynald Temarii

OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas (pictured centre)

Oceania’s Highest profile player Ryan Nelson has had a challenging few weeks playing in the English Premier League but remains upbeat about the future.

The Blackburn Rovers central defender was speaking at his club's Brockhall training facility in Lancashire today and amidst discussion about Rovers latest dip in form he reaffirmed his commitment to playing some part in the All Whites 2010 World Cup Qualifying campaign.

It has been three years since Nelsen last played for his country. Through a combination of injuries, bad timing, and the birth of his son Maxwell, Nelsen has been unable to make the trip to represent his country. Nelsen is battling through a tough time in his career where Blackburn’s normally steady results have taken a turn for the worse.

"Admiral" Nelsen as the fans call him is the key to the Rovers back four but a run of heavy defeats including losses to Aston Villa, Wigan and the Carling Cup Quarter Final against Arsenal last Tuesday night have put pressure on the Rovers captain. It is not just the defeats but the number of goals conceded that is of concern - 14 goals in 5 games and nine of those at home.

Recent sending’s off (Nelsen himself has had 2 Red Cards already this season) have not helped and the team have been playing with 10 men for long spells. This is very difficult in a league as competitive as this.

Nelsen said that the reasons for the dip in form were hard to pin down.

“Rovers did not just become a bad team overnight,” he said.  “All teams go through a bad patch in the season and the job now is to analyse the errors, go back to basics and work through them.

“There is no such thing as a perfect game and win lose or draw there are lessons to be learned.”

Nelson said that the recent form dip had nothing to do with the latest addition to his family and that it was purely coincidental.

Speaking ahead of this weekend's clash with Chelsea, Nelsen was upbeat about the chances of taking something from the game and providing a springboard for the rest of the season.

"We have done well in the bigger games this season. The Chelsea game is a perfect opportunity to improve. We are not scared of them. They have world class players but so do we. We are not in awe of them. If we can get a point that gives us more motivation for the other games".

Nelsen said that Rovers were still in contention for a European place and that prospect excited the team.

“The club has extremely high standards and things are far from doom and gloom.”

Mark Hughes, the Blackburn manager, felt the club was going through a frustrating spell.

“Mistakes are always made in a game and sometimes you will get away with it other times you will not. There have been some communication breakdowns which the team is working hard to remedy. It is a collective responsibility to get the defence solid again and this is an essential springboard to further progress.”

FIJI - Nadroga is confident it will survive in the Super Premier grade following the New World National Football League relegation series with Savusavu next month.

The Stallions lost 4-2 to Rewa while Tavua beat Nasinu 4-0 in the last round of the Bottom Four competition on Wednesday night.

This will be the second time since 2005, when Nadroga also faced Savusavu, that they will feature in the series to determine who remains in the Super Premier Grade.

“It is unfortunate that we finished last this season and have to play in this series, but we are confident of being in the Super Premier grade next year,” said Nadroga President lalit Singh. "We have a development plan in place and have local players who are part of this team.

"We are happy with the achievements of the team in IDC and what they have done but we have to play in the series and we will prepare accordingly."

He said while they would have an upper hand against Savusavu, his side wouldn't underestimate the Northerners.

"They (Savusavu) have been knocking on the Super Premier door for some time and will not be easy.”

Savusavu president Jabid Hussein said they were keeping a low profile.

"We have the core of the team from the IDC and maybe a few new inclusions," said Hussein. "We know Nadroga will be strong as they have the experience of playing in Super Premier."

Fiji Football Association chief executive Bob Kumar said the series would be played mid January.

Meanwhile, the Rewa side was represented by the United club in its last two matches in the league.

United president Abdul Shah said if the young players from his club were given game time this year at district level, Rewa would have had more success.

"These are young under 19 players who we fielded and they have proven that they can do it," Shah said.

United is preparing for the National Club Championships to be held next month.

"We have lost in the semi-finals and final in the past two years and this time the aim is to get the title," he said. "We have a lot of young players with a couple of experienced boys and this has made us a very good side. "Hopefully they get the break next year at district level."

WELLINGTON - Team Wellington have made the best start to this years NZFC campaign and it looks like their squad is only going to get stronger with the recent signing of former Knights defender and New Zealand youth international Cole Tinkler.

Tinkler has just finished a season with professional outfit Sengkang-Punggol FC in Singapore and will be looking to force his way into a stiff defence which has only conceded seven goals in six games.

Tinkler last played in the NZFC for Auckland City in the 2006/07 season and could be a key contributor for Wellington coach Stu Jacobs heading into the New Year.

His first test could come as early as Sunday as Wellington face O’League champions Waitakere United at Newtown Park. A win will lift Wellington into first place heading into the Christmas break, a present which will beat all others for Jacobs.

Waitakere who recently returned from the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, took their frustrations of an early elimination out on Otago United last week, trouncing them 4-0.

This week’s match-up will be a tighter affair with Wellington likely to go after Waitakere while playing their attractive brand of attacking football.

The rescheduled fixture will be the only match played in the NZFC this week and Wellington will be hoping for a repeat of their opening round win against the Auckland visitors when they won 2-1 at Fred Taylor Park.

Jacobs will be looking to freshen up his young side with a number of possible key changes to his squad. Michael Wilson and Darren Cheriton are both heading overseas and gutsy midfielder Adam Birch will be forced to watch from the sidelines after collecting his fourth yellow card for the season. But top scorer Daniel Ellenshon looks like he will regain his starting birth for the first time since injuring his leg during international duty in Vanuatu.

Tinkler is likely to slot into centre back after fulfilling his mandatory 30-day stand down since playing in the Singapore league.

Waitakere have produced a solid run since the first up loss to Wellington. In the last five games they have won four and drawn one and sit in third place on the table.

The match will kick off on Sunday, December 23rd, 4pm, at Newtown Park, Wellington.

For full Interview with Cole Tinkler Click here

AUCKLAND – The Football Ferns learnt a lesson in the art of finishing last night as they were defeated 4-0 by Olympic hosts China in the final international of their two match series in Guangzhou.

New Zealand made an aggressive start to the match, pushing numbers forward early on, but got off to a rough start when Maia Jackman scored a freakish own goal in the 25th minute, when she over hit a back pass and lobbed her own keeper.

The Ferns bounced back from the early disappointment to enjoy large spells of possession throughout the first half and dominated the World Cup quarterfinalists but couldn’t get anything on the board.

On the hour mark they were caught out by Chinese star Han Duan who clinically slotted home after a quick counter attack.

New Zealand pushed for a goal late in the game which opened the game up to the hosts who took advantage with another two clinical finishes after quick attacks. The ferns will be disappointed by the final score line which didn’t fairly represent a match in which they enjoyed the majority of possession.

They will be working on their approach play and their finishing in the final third with eyes on upcoming fixtures against Australia.
 
Wendi Henderson came off the bench to win her 60th international cap, tying the Football Ferns appearances record set by Maureen Jacobson.

New Zealand, who lost the first match 0-1, are back in camp in February to prepare for a series against Australia.

For full story go to www.nzsoccer.com

Three new coaches have been identified to prepare the Solomon Island U’23 team for the OFC Olympic qualifiers in March of next year

Chairman of the SIFF Technical Committee Noel Wagapu said that the coaches have been selected and he is waiting to hear back of their availability. An announcement will be made to the public as soon as the appointments have been confirmed.

He stresses that the coaches are selected on merit and experience in youth football and he expects them to start their training program in the first week of January.

Auckland-based FIFA Development officer Glenn Turner and David Brand are currently in Honiara to finalise the details of projects that Solomon Islands Football Federation will implement in 2008.

Turner and Brand arrived on Sunday and spent the last two days meeting with SIFF president Martin Alufurai, general secretary Eddie Ngava and staff of Learn and Play project.

Details of the projects will be made public in a Press Conference SIFF is organizing on Thursday at the SIFF Academy.

It is anticipated that the projects once completed will boost football development in rural Solomon Islands.

GOROKA - Guria have emerged as the champions of Goroka soccer after toppling a strong Blue Kumuls side 6-5 on penalties in an exhilarating final.

It was lanky defender Lapule Yuasi who established Guria as the new champions by converting the final spot kick under a lot of pressure.

Blue Kumuls held the upper hand throughout the first half of the game by utilising Goroka representative players Philip Maino, captain Dominic Mark, strikers Joshua Agunam, Elliot Yamuje to continuously bombard Guria territory.

The Kumuls’ coordination and execution in the midfield resulted in a goal six minutes into the first half following a beautiful corner kick by captain Mark which found Agunam who placed it neatly into the net for a 1-0 half-time score.

Both sides had many chances to score but could not capitalize on the opportunities they created. Guria’s frontline of Andy Bongki, Robin Mathew and Vincent Pipi worked hard all day but could find no reward for their work. It wasn’t until substitute Silas Molo entered the match that they equalized with a strong shot into the far corner from the impact player.

Standout perofmers for the Blue Kumuls’ were defenders Lesley Kuanjim and Reuben Daviaga. For Guria Yuassi, Gordon Toa  and Arthur Alele were the pick of the players.

Meanwhile, the final of the premier women saw a more determined Telikom beat Guria 2-1 to claim the title.

In the reserve grade final, Blue Kumuls beat Guria 2-1 in the men’s division, while in the women’s final saw Cross Roads beat Guria 3-0.

In the lower divisions final saw Chauka beat Blue Kumuls 1-0 in the under-17 division, while Telikom beat Blue Kumuls 3-2 to claim the under-13 title.

PAGO PAGO – Football Federation American Samoa (FFAS) has a new general secretariat following the completion of elections held in the territory at the FFAS Extraordinary Congress last weekend. Newly elected FFAS President Iuli Alex Godinet took office in the first elections for the national body since 2005.

Godinet headed off four other candidates in the race for the top job that included Pou Supapo, Tony Langkilde, Malia Perelini and Maselino Tautu.

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter congratulated Iuili Alex Godinet and his executive on the election victory and described his joy at a bright future for the game in American Samoa.

“Soccer in American Samoa was close to the abyss in 2005 with severe problems leading FIFA to set up a Normalisation Committee and to conclude that a general reform could only be based on the foundation of a new football structure, the FFAS.

It is now done and I personally rejoice of the progress achieved in the past two years with the completion of the FIFA Goal programme-financed headquarters ad playing field, the launch of the league and the growth of the dissemination of football in the Territory,” President Blatter said.

OFC President/FIFA Vice-President Reynald Temarii extended his warm congratulations to Godinet and his new executive members on their successful election.

“I offer my total support and any assistance to the FFAS President and his executive to continue the excellent work of the FFAS Normalisation Committee.

During the past two and a half years, football in American Samoa has with good governance, professional management, close financial controls, detailed planning and observance of FIFA and OFC statutes and regulations, emerged as a member association with a bright future.

American Samoa have truly wonderful facilities that with well conceived programmes will take football to new heights in the foreseeable future, particularly for the youth of American Samoa.

I extend my sincere and warm thanks to Pou Supapo, Ben Larsen, Maselino Tautu, and Maria Dickey of the Normalisation Committee for their hard work in rebuilding football in this country and I wish the FFAS President and his executive my sincere congratulations and best wishes for the future,” Temarii said.

Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Deputy General Secretary Frederic Guillemont and FIFA Development Officer Glenn Turner were on hand to witness the historical event that brought to an official end to the administration of football in American Samoa under the steadying hand of a Normalization Committee.

FIFA and OFC installed a Normalization Committee in 2005 after the then governing body for football in American Samoa – the American Samoa Football Association (ASFA) – split into two separate associations each purporting to hold responsibility for administering football in the islands.

For the new FFAS President, a new general secretariat, comprising Silasila Samuelu, Reti Seigafo, Sandra Herrera and Mina Urhle.

FFAS CEO Tavita Taumua expressed delight at the outcome of the elections.

“Our election marks another historic step forwards for football development in American Samoa and reinforces the progress established in the past two years under the leadership of the Normalisation Committee and the outstanding support of FIFA and OFC.

FFAS extends thanks to OFC for its contribution and support that OFC has readily extended to bring harmony to the football family in American Samoa that has led to these elections,” Taumua said.

The elections were conducted under a shadow of a possible legal action after the fledgling FFAS was served papers challenging the authority of the committee to conduct the election.

The challenge was filed by ousted members of the previous executive.

Despite this outgoing Normalization Committee Chairperson Pou Supapo congratulated Iuili Alex Godinet on his election victory saying he would bring strong leadership to the federation adding that she was proud of the achievements of the Normalization Committee during a challenging period for football.

In an earlier interview Supapo said the completion of FFAS FIFA Goal Project would fill her with a sense of pride and satisfaction for a long time to come.

“I was so excited when the Goal Project opened. Christian Karembeu was there and he was a big hit with the children, who didn’t know who he was at first, but once they discovered he was an islander like them, from New Caledonia, and won the FIFA World Cup, there was a relationship there.

For me, every time I drive past our FIFA Goal Project, I will always smile and be able to say to myself, ‘I had something to do with that’ and feel proud of what we have achieved.”

Football Federation American Samoa (FFAS)

President Mr. Iuili Alex Godinet

Vice-President Ms. Sandra Herrera

Treasurer Ms. Mina Urhle

Executive Mr. Silasila Samuelu

Executive Mr. Reti Seigafo

Tavua - It’s do or die for Tavua and Nadroga when they play their final match of the National Soccer League Bottom Four competition this evening.

Nadroga will face Rewa at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori while Tavua takes on Nasinu at the National Stadium in Suva.

Both teams are tied on four points in the New World-sponsored competition and either team will play in the promotion-relegations series depending on the outcome of tonight's games.

Nadroga Football Association president Lalit Singh said the Stallions will settle for nothing less than a win against the Delta Tigers.

Coach Joseph Nand has retained the same side which played in the Inter District Competition in Suva earlier this month.

"The players have been training after IDC," said Nand. "They haven't had a break, it will be a tough match.

Nasinu escaped the promotion-relegation after securing a 2-1 win against Rewa on Sunday.

Tavua Football Association technical advisor Emmanuel Manu said the westerners should overcome Nasinu.

He said the side has faced no major problems in the lead up to the final game.

"The boys are raring to," said Manu.

Leading the Tavua attack will be nippy utility Meli Codro who was impressive at the IDC.

Both matches will kick- off at 7pm to avoid a fix situation.

The last placed team in the Bottom Four competition will meet Savusavu in the promotion-relegation series early next year.

New Caledonia are one of the world’s biggest movers according to FIFA’s latest world football rankings released yesterday.

The last twelve months have seen over 900 international football fixtures played around the world and New Caledonia have made the third largest leap in points out of all the 201 teams listed in the world rankings.

New Caledonia’s haul of 220 points has seen them jump from 176th spot to 118th, and improvement of 58 places. Their impressive string of results has seen them jump past Tahiti, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Fiji in the OFC rankings and sit in 2nd place behind New Zealand (95th).

In the last year New Caledonia has beaten Fiji, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu with the majority of results coming in FIFA world cup qualifiers.

New Zealand is the only country in OFC to cut the top 100 teams in the world, with the other ten nations falling between 118th (New Caledonia) and 201st (American Samoa). New Zealand were ranked 131 at this time last year and show an improvement of 36 places on the back of an impressive 2-2 draw with Wales and good World cup qualifying form.

The leadership of the world rankings changed six times in the last year with Argentina ending the year in pole position, thus winning the title of ‘Team of the Year’.

In total, 901 international matches were played and taken into account in calculating the ranking. Around another two dozen matches are due to be played before the year is out, the majority in the CECAFA Cup in east Africa. Those fixtures will bring the total for 2007 to about 930, the fourth-highest number of matches in history and the highest ever for a year following a World Cup.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 16 January 2008.

FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings

OCEANIA FOOTBALL CONFEDERATION

WORLD RANKINGS