OFC News

BA - Ba coach Yogendra Datt was a happy man following his club's last gasp O-League Houdini act against Tafea FC of Vanuatu at Govind Park tonight thanks to a goal from Fiji international defender Shalen Lal.

During a week in which injuries, suspensions and the loss of influential skipper Peni Finau and his brother Osea Vakatalesau to Youngheart Manawatu, Datt could be forgiven for fearing the worst in this O-League opener.

Clearly the performance was not polished with Ba missing a glut of scoring opportunities as the normally reliable Josaia Bukalidi the guilty party on the numerous occasions. Despite this Ba will be satisfied with their ability to grind out a victory of any sort, even if the swagger and verve of last season was conspicuous by its absence.

Credit must be given to Tafea FC, though, who looked to have all but sealed what would've been a most valuable away point to go with the hard earned draw gained at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara against Solomon Islands champions Kossa FC.

Had Tafea FC held on for five minutes they would have sealed a healthy base of away points that would have served as a launchpad for the O-League Final itself even at this early stage with renovations at Port Vila Stadium likely to make the visit for any team seeking maximum points a truly difficult and daunting prospect.

Ba's ability to snatch this game out of the fire when the cause looked lost was due to the sublime skill of Fiji international defender Shalen Lal who delicately chipped a last gasp effort over the head of Vanuatu and Tafea FC goalkeeper David Chilia after 93 minutes.

The importance of the strike suggests that a draw may well be enough for Ba to secure top spot in Group B leaving Chilia and his men seeking a rather special performance in the return match where anything less than maximum points may not be enough.

In what is shaping as a fascinating and intriguing section of the O-League much will depend on how Kossa FC perform on their travels. Last season's O-League representatives Marist FC often flattered to deceive with their ability to score goals on the road outdone by their irritating habit of leaking with impunity at the merest hint of pressure.

Group B remains wide open and might well shade the title of the 2008 O-League's "Group of Death" unless AS Manu Ura can produce a shock result in their two home matches with New Zealand clubs Auckland City FC and Waitakere United next year.

As for Ba and its fans at Govind Park, Shalen Lal was the toast of the Ba side after his late goal in the 93rd minute.

Ba skipper Josaia Bukalidi was proud of his young brigade and added the message had been hammered at half time for the players to give it their all in the second spell.

"I am very proud of the way the side played," Bukalidi said.

"They showed great dedication and commitment and never gave up until the final whistle and we got the result.

"We had to be paitent and the result came."

Ba coach Yogendra Datt said Tafea proved to be a tough unit and saluted his players for the outstanding performance.

"It was a tough encounter and to get the win is a great boost for us,"

Datt said.

"My young side played until the last whistle for which I am very proud."

Tafea coach Michel Kalo said Ba proved to be a strong side but his side also had opportunities in the match.

"Both teams put on a good show and had opportunities," Kalo said.

"Ba playing at home was always going to be tough and they took the chance which came their way.

"We will now wait for the two home games we have against Ba and Kossa in which we want to get a favorable result."

Ba president Rishi Kumar said after playing in the O League last year his side knew what international football was all about.

"The players showed great courage and how to respond to such matches, Kumar said.

He said it was unfortunately that the Nadi-Lautoka National Football League was played at the same time in Nadi.

"We would have wanted the people to all come out but there was the Lautoka-Nadi match and that shouldn't have been held as we were playing for Fiji and not only Ba." He said.

"It is very disappointing.

"We will be playing against Labasa and Navua on Friday and Sunday but we will still do Ba proud.

In the match proper Ba and Tafea both had a few chances but the players were able to capitalise on their chances.

Ba without the likes of brothers Peni Finau and Osea Vakatalesau, Luke Vidovi and Ronald Lawrence didn't show the football the Men in Black is renowned for.

Overall the match was a lack luster affair and there a clear lack of finishing from both sides.

Even Tafea failed to test young Ba goal keeper Epeli Codoro who was making his debut in the O-League.

Meanwhile, Nadi beat Lautoka 2-0 in the National Football League at Prince Charles Park.

Both goals were scored by Marika Madigia.

LIVE UPDATES:

6' - the match is underway at Govind Park, with an even contest unfolding before the building crowd of thousands

8' - #10. Niumaia TAGI picks up a yellow card

14' - it's another yellow card to the home side, this time going to #4. Leone VURUKANIA

19' - Ba have had their chances, but not managed to find the target to this point

24' - Etienne Mermer is looking impressive for Tafea, using his pace and trickery to keep the Ba defence honest

30' - the match is still locked at 0-0, with Ba dominating possession

36' - Mermer produces a good save from Epeli Codro in the Ba goal

38' - despite having the run of play so far, Ba has nothing to show on the scoreboard at this stage

39' - Vurukania has a shot from distance, but David Chilia saves comfortably

43' - Jean Nako Naprapol calls Codro into action again, with the Ba goalkeeper equal to the task

44' - Josaia Bukalidi looks to give Ba the upper-hand into half-time with a powerful drive, but Chilia is solid in holding the save

HALF TIME: BA 0 TAFEA FC 0

51' - the second half is underway with both teams very cautious

55' - Malakai Kainihewe has been solid for Ba to this point, directing play and snuffing out any attempted Tafea attacks

57' - #7. Tuimasi MANUCA makes way for #5. Rinal PRASAD

58' - Bukalidi has been well-positioned to shoot on two occasions, but failing to register an attempt on target for either

65' - #12. Hubert NAKE is booked for Tafea

66' - Michel Kalo injects #10. Richard IWAI into the game, replacing #13. Francois SAKAMA as the visitors look to pinch an away goal

77' - Chilia is showing his experience for Tafea, marshalling his defence expertly to maintain his clean sheet

78' - #8. Keni DOIDOI is replaced by #13. Kiniviliame TURAGALAILAI

81' - Bukalidi is away and bearing down on goal, but can not get his shot away before being challenged by the Tafea cover defence

85' - Ba are looking to press into the closing stages of the match, though Tafea seem satisfied with the draw as sections of the crowd begin to filter out

-- 5 minutes added time --

90'+2 - Ba have a late corner, but it is easily cleared by the Tafea defence

90'+3 - GOAL!

#3. Shalen LAL shapes to shoot from distance but delicately chips David Chilia, who is fractionally off his line, giving the home side a late winner and sending those who remain in the crowd into raptures

FULL TIME: BA 1 (Lal 90'+3) TAFEA FC 0

2008 O-League
Group B
Match Day 2 – 1900 – 31 October 2007
Govind Park – Ba – Fiji

BA: 1. Epeli CODRO [gk]; 3. Shalen LAL; 4. Leone VURUKANIA; 6. Jone VESIKULA; 7. Tuimasi MANUCA (5. Rinal PRASAD 57'); 8. Keni DOIDOI (13. Kiniviliame TURAGALAILAI 78'); 9. Josaia BUKALIDI [c]; 10. Niumaia TAGI; 11. Robert WISE; 16. Malakai TIWA; 17. Malakai KAINIHEWE.

Coach: Yogendra DUTT

Substitutes not used: 2. Avinesh SWAMY; 18. Semesa DOIDOI; 19. Leone VURUKANIA; 21. Jone SOROLO.

Injured:

Not eligible: Manoa MASI; Ronald CHANDRA; Luke VIDOVI; Krishna SAMI.

Cautions: 10. Niumaia TAGI (8'); 4. Leone VURUKANIA (14').

Red cards:

Goal scorers: 3. Shalen LAL (90'+3).

TAFEA FC: 1. David CHILIA [gk]; 3. Jacques MAFIL NAWAN; 4. Ephraim KALORIB; 6. Fedy VAVA; 7. Moise POIDA [c]; 9. Jean Nako NAPRAPOL; 11. Etienne MERMER; 12. Hubert NAKE; 13. Francois SAKAMA (10. Richard IWAI 66'); 16. Alphonse Welin QORIG; 17. Geoffrey Lego GETE.

Coach: Michel KALO

Substitutes not used: 2. Samson OBED; 5. Tom MANSES; 14. Ali SILAS; 17. Silas NAMATAK; 22. Shem SIPAI [gk].

Injured:

Not eligible: 8. Pita David MAKI; 14. Warren Roger WAIWAI; 19. Lorry THOMPSEN; 20. Alista KALIP; 21. Jason AVOCK; 23. Talom IARUELI; 24. Timothy JOB; 25. Titus NOAL; 26. Andrew MAHIT.

Cautions: 12. Hubert NAKE (65').

Red cards:

Goal scorers:

Referee: Averii JACQUES (TAH)

Assistant Referee: Teariki GOODWIN (COK)

Assistant Referee: Raimana TAUOTAHA (TAH)

Fourth Official: Rakesh VARMAN (FIJ)

2008 O-LEAGUE - GROUP B

	PL.	W.	D.	L.	GF.	GA.	PTS.	GD.
Ba	1	1	0	0	1	0	3	+1
Kossa	1	0	1	0	1	1	1	0
Tafea	2	0	2	1	1	2	1	-1

Waitakere United breathed a sigh of relief after they had to come from behind to win their first points in the 2008 O-League against a rejuvenated AS Manu Ura today.

After a winter of heightened transfer activity much was expected of United in their opening match of their O-League defence but on the evidence of this performance coach Chris Milicich will feel there is huge room for improvement.

The opening 45 minutes were agonising for the home side as a plucky AS Manu Ura got bodies behind the ball and won most of the possession in a midfield zone United were expected to dominate.

Simply put, Waitakere United didn't, and it was fortunate that AS Manu Ura had trouble utilising possession of the ball with any conviction. It is fair to say that there are teams lurking in the O-League draw that may have punished such charity and Waitakere United will need to be wary of producing such laborious performances.

United had two gilt-edged chances to open the scoring with Danny Hay and Jake Butler both going close in seperate incidents with Manu Ura's Tahitian international Auguste Washetine squandering a more difficult opportunity for the visitors.

AS Manu Ura took the lead just two minutes into the second-half when Auguste Washetine's shot was blocked on the line only for Hiashi Kake to finish from close range with the Waitakere United defence left staring in stunned silence.

The goal was a hammer blow for the home side's ambitions and coach Chris Milicich quickly made two substitutions introducing Neil Emblen and Jason Hayne for Daniel Koprivcic and Jake Butler respectively.

Both players made an immediate difference to the home side's fortunes with Emblen directly involved in Benjamin Totori's equaliser, the diminutive Solomon Islander's acrobatic finish leaving Manu Ura's Torohia without a hope after 74 minutes.

Emblen nudged Waitakere United in front 4 minutes later when the former NZ Knights player latched onto a Jonathan Perry long ball before rifling home a low finish past Torohia for what proved to be the winning goal.

AS Manu Ura skipper Daniel Tapeta said the Tahitian champions were happy with the improved performance of his team and added that they could feel proud of their defensive counter-attacking display in light of Saturday's disappointing result against Auckland City FC.

Waitakere coach Chris Milicich was understandably less enthused with a dire performance but satisfied with a victory, however it was achieved.

AUDIO INTERVIEWS - AS TOLD TO JEROME GAVELLE/OFC MEDIA

Match Reaction: Daniel Tapeta (AS Manu Ura)- English - Windows Media Player

Match Reaction: Pito Teivitau (AS Manu Ura) - Francaise - Quicktime Player

Match Reaction: Chris Milicich (Waitakere United) - English - Windows Media Player

LIVE UPDATES:

0' - a picturesque, clear blue sky greets both teams as they warm-up on the pitch

0' - the teams enter the field to the FIFA anthem, with both teams shaking hands before the match

2' - Waitakere United are straight on attack, with an early free kick from wide on the right

2' - Allan Pearce's left-footed delivery is well claimed by Manu Ura goalkeeper Jonathan Torohia

5' - Torohia acts quickly to extinguish any danger from a loose ball in the Manu Ura area

6' - Temarama Tauihara bears down on a Hiashi Kake through ball, run Matt Cunneen and Danny Hay recover well for Simon Eaddy to shield the ball for a goal kick

7' - Hiroana Poroiae makes it to the bye-line to cross from the left, but Hay does well to clear as Manu Ura enjoy a sustained spell on attack

8' - Daniel Koprivcic expertly beings a long clearance down on his chest, turns to beat two players on the dribble and releases a skidding low drive forcing a falling save to Torohia's left

10' - #5. Danny HAY receives a yellow card for stifling a Manu Ura counter-attack at half way

13' - the pace of the game has increased markedly, with Manu Ura's defensive resistance providing a source of encouragement

15' - Waitakere United are looking to make a substitution, with Commins Menapi struggling with a thigh injury

19' - #9. Benjamin TOTORI makes his Waitakere United debut, coming on to relieve #8. Commins MENAPI

22' - Billy Mataitai turns inside Hay and has an audacious crac from 40 yards, in an attempt to break the midfield stalemate

25' - Torohia again commands his area superbly to hold a Neil Sykes cross from deep

27' - Waitakere United are enjoying a little more possession, building well from midfield to keep Manu Ura alert

28' - Totori cuts a square ball from inside the six yard box, but Tauihara is on hand to clear through the pack

32' - Auguste Washetine has a go from distance, forcing a tidy stooping save from Eaddy

35' - Eaddy leaves his line well to beat Kake to an alert Tamatoa Tauihara through-ball from half-way

39' - Waitakere United have the first corner of the match, with Sykes' delivery again claimed well and held by Torohia

42' - Sykes and Koprivcic interchange well for Butler to cross low from the right hand side, but Torohia is dominant again in deflecting the cross

42' - the loose ball only goes as far as Pearce, 20 yards out on the angle, but his side-foot finish sails over the crossbar

44' - #8. Vetea TEPA receives a yellow card for bringing Pearce down on the break

-- 1 minute added time --

45'+1 - Washetine attempts to catch Eaddy out of position on the counter-attack, with his dipping volley narrowly passing by the left-hand post

45'+1 - Waitakere United force another corner, but do not have enough time for it to take place

HALF TIME: WAITAKERE UNITED 0 AS MANU URA 0

46' - both teams return from the sheds with no changes, looking to take hold of the fixture

49' - GOAL!

#11. Hiashi KAKE backheels to Mataitai, who is forced wide well by Jonathan Perry, but manages to cross for the captain Tamatoa Tauihara to square beyond Eaddy's despairing dive and Kake to side-foot into an open net

50' - #6. Tamatoa TAUIHARA is down injured behind play, and is stretchered off to be replaced by #17. Adrien TAERO

50' - #7. Jason HAYNE makes his Waitakere United debut, replacing #17. Jake BUTLER

55' - another Waitakere United debutant, assistant coach #16. Neil EMBLEN takes the field in place of #13. Daniel KOPRIVCIC

56' - Emblen takes immediate effect, using his size up front to create attacking opportunities for Waitakere United

59' - Pearce crudely fouls Kake, who unsurprisingly stays down as Manu Ura look to preserve their widely-unexpected lead

60' - Emblen wins a free kick directy in front of goal and 30 yards out, but blasts his attempt directly into the hotly-contested wall as the loose ball is cleared for a corner

63' - Torohia's mis-hit goal kick is pounced upon by Pearce, putting Waitakere immediately on attack

64' - the resulting long-throw is cleared easily by the Manu Ura defence as play settles

67' - the Manu Ura defence scrambles well to prevent shots from Totori, Emblen, and Pearce successively

69' - Torohia is again outstanding through traffic to claim the latest Waitakere United corner

75' - #7. Henri TAPEA makes way for #14. Stephane TUAIRAU

75' - GOAL!

#9. Benjamin TOTORI bundles his finish through traffic to bring Waitakere United level into the closing stages

79' - GOAL!

#16. Neil EMBLEN bursts through to find himself one-on-one with Torohia, and blasts his finish into the left corner of the net from 15 yards on the angle

82' - Rex Faura is down injured after a sickening collision with his own player on the edge of the area

85' - #3. Rex FAURA is walking, but clearly struggling and replaced by #5. Phillippe MORETTA

-- 3 minutes added time --

90'+2 - Pearce tracks well to stifle a final Manu Ura attack following a Sykes corner that was punched clear by Torohia

FULL TIME: WAITAKERE UNITED 2 (Totori 75', Emblen 79') AS MANU URA 1 (Kake 49')

2008 O-League

Match Day 2 – 1600 – 31 October 2007

Fred Taylor Park – Whenuapai, Auckland – New Zealand

WAITAKERE UNITED: 2. Jonathan PERRY; 3. Shane PASCOE; 4. Matt CUNNEEN; 5. Danny HAY; 8. Commins MENAPI (9. Benjamin TOTORI 19'); 10. Allan PEARCE; 11. Neil SYKES; 13. Daniel KOPRIVCIC (16. Neil EMBLEN 55'); 14. Christopher BALE; 17. Jake BUTLER (7. Jason HAYNE 50'); 22. Simon EADDY [gk].

Coach: Chris MILICICH

Substitutes not used: 1. Richard GILLESPIE [gk]; 6. Darren BAZELEY; 14. Hoani EDWARDS; 20. Jason ROWLEY.

Injured:

Not eligible: Ronil KUMAR; Mikael MUNDAY; Graham PEARCE; Blair KONICK; Tim MYERS; Leo SHIN; Byron PAULUS; Tom WEBB; Arran ROWLEY [gk]; Denver MACDONALD; Peter NORRIS; Sean DOWLING [gk].

Cautions: 5. Danny HAY (10').

Red cards:

Goal scorers: 9. Benjamin TOTORI (75'); 16. Neil EMBLEN (79').

AS MANU URA: 1. Jonathan TOROHIA [gk]; 2. Hiroana POROIAE; 3. Rex FAURA (5. Philippe MORETTA 85'); 4. Jean Yves LY WAUT; 6. Tamatoa TAUIHARA (17. Adrien TAERO 50'); 7. Henri TAPEA (14. Stephane TUAIRAU 75'); 8. Vetea TEPA; 10. Auguste WASHETINE; 11. Hiashi KAKE; 20. Billy MATAITAI; 22. Temarama TAUIHARA.

Coach: Teivatau PITO

Substitutes not used: 15. Vetea TETUANUI; 18. Dave PENI [gk]; 23. Jean Paul FAURA.

Injured:

Not eligible: Daniel TAPETA [gk]; Andrew TAURU; Celestin TAUPUA; Taia HONG; Eddy PITO; Axel TEMATAUA; Nohoarii ROBSON; Gregory LANTEIRES; Rooarii ROO.

Cautions: 8. Vetea TEPA (44').

Red cards:

Goal scorers: 11. Hiashi KAKE (49').

Referee: Lencie FRED (VAN)

Assistant Referee: Mahit CHILIA (VAN)

Assistant Referee: Michael JOSEPH (VAN)

Fourth Official: Peter O’LEARY (NZL)

2008 O-LEAGUE - GROUP A

	PL.	W.	D.	L.	GF.	GA.	PTS.	GD.
Auckland City FC	1	1	0	0	6	0	3	+6
Waitakere United	1	1	0	0	2	1	3	+1
AS Manu Ura	2	0	0	2	1	8	0	-7

 RAROTONGA – Tupapa’s surge towards the CIFA Round Cup championship title continued unabated despite a brave effort by Matavera to halt the juggernaut. 

Tupapa’s 2-0 victory over Matavera made it eight matches unbeaten this season for the league leaders with second placed Nikao Sokattak now 8 points adrift and looking increasingly unlikely to close the gap. 

Nikao’s title aspirations were damaged following a 2-1 upset defeat against Avatiu at the weekend. Avatiu’s victory was made more special after they trailed their more experienced opponents thanks to a goal by Steve Cuthers midway through the first half that looked to have set Nikao Sokattak on their way to the expected victory. 

The underdogs refused to panic and instead persevered with their all-out attacking style and pace that left Nikao desperately hanging onto their lead by the slenderest of margins. 

That margin was erased a minute before the half-time whistle when Avatiu equalised thanks to a candidate for goal of the season from Teiva Tauira that sent the vocal Avatiu support into ecstasy. 

Upon the restart of the match Nikao tried to contain the youthful Avatiu attack but their efforts were to no avail when Terry Piri evaded the Nikao defence to apply a crucial finish that sealed the points for Avatiu and left Nikao Sokattak’s pursuit of Tupapa in the CIFA Round Cup race in tatters. 

Nikao Sokattak will be anxiously looking over their shoulder with Avatiu cutting the gap between the two clubs to just two points. Takuvaine missed an opportunity to slide into second place after they could only manage a 1-1 draw with bottom-placed Titikaveka. 

In the women’s competition Tupapa continue to dominate crushing Matavera 15-0 at the weekend to increase their lead at the top of the table by four points fron second-placed Arorangi. 

Arorangi did not play in the latest round of matches and have a game in hand on the league leaders. 

Elsewhere, Titkaveka and Takuvaine fought out a dramatic nine-goal thriller with Titikaveka prevailing 5-4 in what is developing into a fascinating battle for third place.

Nikao Sokattak kept the pressure on Titikaveka and Takuvaine after beating Avatiu 2-0, a result that keeps the teams in third, fourth, fifth and sixth place tightly packed together.

Avatiu trail in seventh place by four points with lowly Matavera bottom of the table with eight straight losses in eight matches.  

Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) Round Cup Standings -  

	PL	W.	D	L.	GF.	GA.	PT.	GD.
Tupapa	8	7	1	0	26	0	22	+26
Nikao Sokattak	8	4	2	2	22	8	14	+14
Takuvaine	7	4	2	1	16	7	14	+9
Avatiu	8	3	3	2	19	9	12	+10
Arorangi	7	2	0	5	9	34	6	-25
Matavera	8	0	3	5	3	17	3	-14
Titikaveka	8	0	3	5	7	27	3	-20

CIFA Round Cup Results: Nikao Sokattak 1, Avatiu 2; Tupapa 2, Matavera 0; Titikaveka 1, Takuvaine 1.

Next fixtures (November 2nd/3rd): Titikaveka vs. Nikao Sokattak; Takuvaine vs. Arorangi; Avatiu vs. Tupapa.

SUVA - Labasa has increased its lead in the New World National League Super six points table by five clear points after a narrow 1-0 win over Lautoka on Saturday at Subrial Park. 

A Maciu Dunadamu goal saw the Babasiga Lions record its fifth straight win in the Super Six, a result that places increased pressure on reigning champions Ba whose attention will be focused on the 2008 O-League. 

Labasa president Abinesh Kumar said while his side’s title aspirations were on track, the other five teams in the top flight couldn’t be underestimated. 

“Anything can happen but we are happy to be on target,” Kumar said. “The players have been doing well and the aim to win the Super Six is our main priority but there is still the second round of games to go and we will not underestimate any team.” 

Lautoka -  which claimed they fell victim to bad officiating by match officials - is still in second place after two consecutive losses within three days that have threatened to derail their championship hopes. 

Lautoka’s 1-0 defeat to 10-man Vodafone Ba on Wednesday was a morale-sapping loss that could have repercussions as the championship goes down to the wire. 

President Shalendra Prasad said the loss to Labasa had seriously dented their hopes of winning the Super Six. “We had wanted to get back on track but we will still not give up yet,” Prasad said. 

Ba is third with three wins and a loss but has a game in hand over Labasa.Suva is the worst team in the series so far with only a single point secured in seven matches. 

Suva’s latest 2-0 loss to Navua on Saturday has left the Ravuama Madigi coached side with a lot of soul searching to do if it is to make a mark at the Inter District Championships at home next month. 

With the Super Six heading into its definitive phase the bottom four playoff is taking a familiar shape with Rewa on top with six points after two matches. 

The Delta Tigers came from a goal down to beat Nadroga 2-1 on Saturday night at Lawaqa Park. 

The Nasinu vs. Tavua match which was to have been played on Sunday was called off. 

In the premier/senior play-offs, Savusavu will have to wait for a protest hearing before they can start preparing for a match against the last placed Bottom Four team in the promotion/relegation series. 

Savusavu beat Rakiraki 3-1 in the first match and than drew 0-0 on Sunday. 

Rakiraki has filed a protest against the Northerners claiming the side fielded a number of non registered players. 

Fiji FA New World National League Super Six Playoffs 

	PL.	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS	GD
Labasa	5	5	0	0	14	1	15	+13
Lautoka	6	3	1	2	4	4	10	0
Ba	4	3	0	1	6	4	9	+2
Navua	7	2	2	3	7	7	8	0
Nadi	5	2	0	3	3	8	6	-5
Suva	7