Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) will host a press conference at Narrow Neck Beach Reserve, Devonport, Auckland on Friday 6th July, 2007, 1:30pm

In attendance will be OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas, New Zealand coach James Pamment, Solomon Islands FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup heroes James Naka and Gideon Omokirio, and officials from the North Shore City Council.

OFC and North Shore City Council plan to announced details of an agreement that will see the North Shore host the OFC Beach Soccer Championship for the next 3 years, in effect becoming the home of Beach Soccer for the Oceania region.

"The possibility of having a dedicated home for Beach Soccer is an exciting one for the region and it may be that OFC seeks to host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup sometime in the future," Nicholas said.

The race for a berth at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - Rio de Janeiro 2007 begins this Saturday 7th July as New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu fight it out for a place at the Copacabana.


WHAT: OFC PRESS CONFERENCE

WHERE: NARROW NECK BEACH RESERVE, DEVONPORT

WHO: OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas
New Zealand Beach Soccer team
Solomon Islands Beach Soccer team
North Shore City Council

WHEN: FRIDAY 5th JULY, 2007, 1:30pm

For further information please contact

Tai Nicholas phone +64 (0) 9 525 8161
General Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) will host a press conference at Narrow Neck Beach Reserve, Devonport, Auckland on Friday 6th July, 2007, 1:30pm

In attendance will be OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas, New Zealand coach James Pamment, Solomon Islands FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup heroes James Naka and Gideon Omokirio, and officials from the North Shore City Council.

OFC and North Shore City Council plan to announced details of an agreement that will see the Devonport venue host the OFC Beach Soccer Championship for the next 3 years, in effect becoming the home of Beach Soccer for the Oceania region.

"The possibility of having a dedicated home for Beach Soccer is an exciting one for the region and it may be that OFC seeks to host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup sometime in the future," Nicholas said.
Secretary fax +64 (0) 9 525 8164
Oceania Football Confederation mobile +64 (0) 21 331 164
email tai@oceaniafootball.com

David Firisua phone +64 (0) 9 525 8161
Logistics Officer fax +64 (0) 9 525 8164
Oceania Football Confederation mobile +64 (0) 21 111-1476
email david@oceaniafootball.com

New Zealand have targeted more composure on the ball and better finishing as their passport to a place in history when they face Gambia in their `win or bust' FIFA U-20 Men's World Cup match on Friday (9am NZT).

The winner of the BOM Field clash will remain an outside chance to automatically qualify for the second round by finishing first or second in group C - a feat New Zealand has not achieved in five previous World Cups.

But the two first round losers - New Zealand were beaten 2-0 by Portugal and Gambia lost 3-0 to Mexico - are more realistically chasing one of the four (out of six) second round spots open to the tournament's best third place finishers.

Gambia's off-the-cuff attacking style will see them start firm favourites before what is expected to be another sell-out crowd of 21,000. But New Zealand believe a repeat of the defensive discipline that frustrated Portugal - both of the European's goals on Tuesday (NZT) came from set pieces - and more care in front of goal gives them a "real chance".

Story courtesy NZF Media...

New Zealand have again shown they are not out of place at the FIFA U-20 Men's World Cup but a 1-0 loss to Gambia has left them grappling with the fact it takes goals and points, not credibility, to advance to the second round.

The Oceania champions were made to pay dearly for an inexcusably tentative first half in Toronto when Gambian star Ousman Jallow powered a 22nd minute header through the fingertips of goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley.

Gambia's 1-0 win leaves them in pole position to nab a spot in the second round as one of the tournament's four (out of six) best third place finishers while New Zealand face the daunting prospect of having to beat Mexico in Edmonton on Monday (NZT) to have any chance of escaping Group C.

New Zealand responded to coach Stu Jacobs half-time roasting to finish strongly but were again left to rue late chances that went begging as had been the case in their 2-0 loss to Portugal on Tuesday (NZT).

Story courtesy NZF Media...

Softly spoken, shy, uncertain, Vanuatu's U12 football team didn't quite know what to make of the all the media attention at the 2007 Danone Nations Cup in Lyon, France, yesterday.

But they had every reason to celebrate after their eye-opening journey to Lyon finished on a high - in the company of Zinedine Zidane.

Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-12 Festival of Football champions, Vanuatu, were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Ireland in their semi-final playoff before triumphing 1-0 over Poland in the playoff for 19th/20th in the 40 team field.

Coach Philemon John said the achievements on the pitch far exceeded expectations but quickly added that the cultural activities off the pitch at the Stade de Gerland had provided a valuable inspiration to his young team during their travels.

"There was a crowd of 20,000 there at the closing ceremony and the kids were obviously very impressed," said OFC Liaison Officer Beatrice Tchen Pan, "Zinedine Zidane made an appearance in the dressing room just prior to the Ireland game and the look on the teams' faces was one of wonder and awe."

Zidane has been the patron of the Danone Nations Cup since 2003.

Bonds of friendship were made by all the team members and at the Match Day 3 Kids Party the Vanuatu team partied long into the evening...leaving the tired coaching team exhuasted from their efforts.

"The coaches wanted to leave because the energy levels were sapped a bit, but with this occasion being such a rare experience for the team we decided to stay on another hour or so to allow them to form strong friendships and bonds with their new friends from all over the world," Tchen Pan said.

The Danone Nations Cup Final was played between South Africa and France was an exciting affair with the 20,000 strong crowd entertained from start to finish. The host nation put up a gallant effort but they could not prevent South Africa from winning 3-0.

OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas was delighted with the efforts of Vanuatu and the team officials in putting on a strong showing both on the off the pitch.

"This is such a valuable experience for youngsters from the OFC region and teaches them not only about the game on the pitch, but the unifying power of the game off the pitch.

The Vanuatu team will remember their journey to Papua New Guinea and now France for the rest of their lives and I hope will help build a platform for greater cultural understanding and, perhaps, a bright future for Vanuatu football as a whole," Nicholas said.

The team returns to Vanuatu on Wednesday.

Michael Gwyther, Stuart Hogg, David Samson, Joel Mathews, Nathan Fry, Dean Johnston, Mikael Munday round off what looks a very solid unit.

Defending champions - the Bilikiki Boys from Solomon Islands - received a heroes send off in Honiara last week with high expectations of success following last year's performances in Brazil.

James Naka and Joe Luwi will lead the Bilikiki frontline in their quest to make it two-in-a-row Beach Soccer titles. The squad is supplemented by experienced goalkeeper Fred Hale, Richard Anisua, Samson Takayama, John Morgan, Gideon Omokirio, Eddie Ngaitin, Henry Koto and Benjamin Mela.

Not returning this year is coach Eddie Omokirio and assistant Vivian Wickham. They have been replaced by national team coach Airton Andrioli and assistant Rueben Oimae.

Vanuatu coach Greg Brown has named a small squad for the tournament and will be hoping injuries and suspensions do not wreck his plans. Jean Maleb will be the focal point of attack for Vanuatu with Ken Masauvakalo and Fenedy Masauvakalo sure to prove a handful for opponents.
With the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Beach Soccer Championship - New Zealand 2007 just a matter of days away, the finishing touches have been put on the squads that will fight it out for a place in Rio.

New Zealand coach James Pamment contains very few surprises with the squad reading like a 'who's who' of New Zealand Football Championship talent including goalkeepers Mitchell O'Brien and Simon Eaddy.

Tahiti missed out at Temae Beach in 2006 despite lighting up the tournament with their vast array of trickery and ball wizardry.

Goalkeeper Mikael Roche makes a return to the squad for the Devonport-based tournament and is joined by a strong contingent of top level club footballers from the main island including Teva Zaveroni, Billy Mataitai, Thierry Qaeze, Pierre Kugogne, Georges Pitoeff, Raimana Lee Fung Kuee, Jeremy Dubois, Johann Petillon and Daniel Tapeta.

Coach Sebastien Labayan will be optimistic his side can make a big impression despite the cold weather conditions currently lashing New Zealand.

The OFC Beach Soccer Championship - New Zealand 2007 takes place at Narrow Neck Beach, Devonport, July 7th/8th with the winner qualifying for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - Rio de Janeiro 2007.

James Naka was unknown to football fans until he represented Solomon Islands in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifying - Tahiti 2006.

Today, Naka is the name on everyone's lips whenever he plays for his club Kossa, the senior Solomon Islands national men's team or on the sand for the Bilikiki Boys.

Naka shot to fame when he scored four goals against African champions Cameroon on the Copacabana inspiring the Bilikiki Boys to an historic 5-2 victory at last year's FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Rio de Janeiro.

Naka says the pressure he experienced at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - Rio de Janeiro 2006 means that the Bilikiki will not be afraid of anyone at the North Shore City Council/OFC-hosted event.

"The Copacabana was an incredible experience and the Bilikiki Boys will be strong again. But we have total respect for our opponents and look forward to an exciting weekend of beach soccer," Naka said.

Now Naka and the Bilikiki Boys will be out to make it two-in-a-row as they bid to qualify for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - Rio de Janeiro 2007 on the sands of Devonport.

Defending OFC Champions Solomon Islands bring the added experience of last year's FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup adventure to the Vector Arena.

Striker James Naka will be the dangerman for the Bilikiki Boys after he scored a raft of goals in the OFC O-League for Marist FC alongside fellow hitman Joe Luwi.

Both Luwi and Naka are as deadly on sand as they are playing on a grass football pitch and goalkeepers and defenders will be well advised to be on guard.

Last year's best player for the Bilikiki Boys was Henry Koto who scored eight goals with Richard Anisua chiming in with seven goals.

How well the Solomon Islands adapt to the tag of favourites will determine what sort of performance fans witness at OFC Beach Soccer Championship - New Zealand 2007.

OFC Beach Soccer Championship - New Zealand 2007 takes place at Narrow Neck Beach Devonport July 7th and 8th, 2007.

OFC Beach Soccer Championship - New Zealand 2007

SATURDAY 7 JULY
8.30am Solomon Islands v Vanuatu
9.30am New Zealand v Tahiti

2.30pm Tahiti v Vanuatu
3.30pm New Zealand v Solomon Islands

SUNDAY 8 JULY
8.30am Solomon Islands v Tahiti
9.30am New Zealand v Vanuatu

2.30pm Loser v Loser
3.30pm Winner v Winner*

*winner qualifies for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - Rio de Janeiro 2007

The venue for the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Beach Soccer Championship - New Zealand 2007 has been moved from Vector Arena to Narrow Neck Beach, Devonport.

OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas said the cost of building a temporary sand pitch that met FIFA's specifications and the risk of causing permanent damage to the Vector Arena floor were strong reasons to take the tournament to an outdoor facility.

"Vector Arena has at all times been excellent to deal with and I cannot speak more highly of their professionalism and helpfulness during a difficult period of time.

Vector Arena were more than capable of staging a wonderful indoor Beach Soccer event - however, the problem was the risk of damaging the facility after the tournament had ended.

OFC had a difficult decision to make. But I believe we have made the best decision," Nicholas said.

Narrow Neck Beach was chosen after a meeting between OFC and the North Shore City Council

"North Shore City Council have been tremendous in helping OFC out at short notice and likes the idea that perhaps one day Devonport could become the home of Beach Soccer in the region," Nicholas said.

Nicholas said OFC plans to put together a proposal to host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2011 or 2012 with New Zealand as a possible addition to the world circuit.

OFC is also running an Invitational Beach Soccer Tournament alongside the main event involving four teams drawn from local communities such as Solomon Islands, Fiji, Africa and Asia.

The Invitational Tournament kicks off on Sunday 8th July.

"The idea is to use Beach Soccer to showcase the laidback, multicultural and easygoing approach to life that we enjoy in the Oceania region. I believe OFC can become a force to be reckoned with in this form of football," Nicholas said.

A new draw has been made with the details listed below.

OFC Beach Soccer Championship - New Zealand 2007

SATURDAY 7 JULY
8.30am Solomon Islands v Vanuatu
9.30am New Zealand v Tahiti

2.30pm Tahiti v Vanuatu
3.30pm New Zealand v Solomon Islands

SUNDAY 8 JULY
8.30am Solomon Islands v Tahiti
9.30am New Zealand v Vanuatu

2.30pm Loser v Loser
3.30pm Winner v Winner*

*winner qualifies for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - Rio de Janeiro 2007

OFC Invitational Beach Soccer Tournament

SUNDAY 8 JULY
11:000am Fiji v Africa
11:40am Solomon Islands v Asia

12:40pm Loser v Loser
1:20pm Winner v Winner


OFC Beach Soccer Championship - New Zealand 2007

Referee Appointments

Teariki Goodwin (Solomon Islands)
Nitesh Naiker - (Fiji)
Danilo Pohaate - (Tahiti)
Michel Boury (Tahiti)
Justin Motukera (Solomon Islands)
Mike Brock (New Zealand)
Jamie Cross (New Zealand)


For further information please contact

Tai Nicholas phone +64 (0) 9 525 8161
General Secretary fax +64 (0) 9 525 8164
Oceania Football Confederation mobile +64 (0) 21 331 164
email tai@oceaniafootball.com

David Firisua phone +64 (0) 9 525 8161
Logistics Officer fax +64 (0) 9 525 8164
Oceania Football Confederation mobile +64 (0) 21 111-1476
email david@oceaniafootball.com

Extra Info

OFC BEACH SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP - TAHITI 2006

The Solomon Islands created OFC history when they defeated Vanuatu in the final of the inaugural OFC Beach Soccer Championship (FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifier - Tahiti 2006), becoming the first Member Association outside of Australia and New Zealand to qualify for a FIFA world championship.

The purpose-built beach soccer facility at the picturesque Temae Beach on the island of Moorea off Tahiti proved the ideal backdrop for the tournament. Four teams - Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Vanuatu - all with little or no formal beach soccer experience put on a display that captured the imagination of the watching public and showcased the enormous potential the new form of the game has in the Oceania region.

The natural geography of the confederation lends itself to this form of the game, and resource wise it provides an attractive alternative for some of the smaller Member Associations, especially in terms of required equipment and ground maintenance.

During the tournament a FIFA Futsal and Beach Soccer Seminar was held in order to facilitate development of the sport in Member Associations. The seminar provided a chance to exchange experiences and best practices between countries and see how FIFA and OFC could provide assistance in establishing or strengthening beach soccer activities.

Perhaps most importantly, the seminar gave the all parties an opportunity to promote and develop a long-term approach to the relatively new form of football.

2006 OFC Beach Soccer Championships
Temae Beach, Moorea, Tahiti
31 August - 3 September 2006

MATCH DAY 1
Vanuatu 9
Solomon Islands 4

Tahiti 8
Cook Islands 1

MATCH DAY 2
Cook Islands 1
Vanuatu 12

Tahiti 2
Solomon Islands 3

MATCH DAY 3
Solomon Islands 13
Cook Islands 0

Tahiti 4
Vanuatu 5

Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA Points
VANUATU 3 3 0 0 26 9 9
SOLOMON ISLANDS 3 2 0 1 20 11 6
TAHITI 3 1 0 2 14 9 3
COOK ISLANDS 3 0 0 3 2 33 0

MATCH DAY 4

3rd/4th PLAYOFF FINAL
Tahiti 12
Cook Islands 4

1st/2nd PLAYOFF FINAL
*Solomon Islands 6
Vanuatu 2

*Solomon Islands qualify for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - Rio de Janeiro 2006.