OFC Nations Cup/2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Qualifier

Saturday 17th November 2007

Vanuatu vs. New Zealand

At Port Vila Municipal Stadium

Port Vila

Vanuatu

Kick-off: 1400hrs (VT*)/1600hrs (NZT**)

PORT VILA - Vanuatu coach Robert Calvo says he is "hopeful" his country can cause another World Cup upset against New Zealand despite the suspension and loss of form of key players ahead of today's clash with Ricki Herbert's New Zealand All Whites.

Etienne Mermer, Richard Iwai and Jean Maleb find themselves left out of Calvo's 18-man squad with Philip Tom Tomake and the influential playmaker Francois Sakama absent after picking up yellow cards during the XIII South Pacific Games Men's football tournament.

Sakama's loss cannot be underestimated with the attacking midfielder achieving almost legendary status in Vanuatu after his rasping goal against Solomon Islands in the bronze medal match back in August was described as goal of the tournament by local observers. And it's not just Sakama's deadly finishing that will be missed, it will also be the youngster's ability to link play from front to back with his impressive range of passing.  

Calvo will rely on the experience of Ken Masauvakalo, Fenedy Masauvakalo, skipper Fedy Vava and lightening-quick Suva striker Seule Soromon - who topped the XIII South Pacific Games goalscoring charts in Samoa - if his team is to earn a point against a New Zealand side missing Ryan Nelsen and Chris Killen.

Ivan Vicelich emerges as New Zealand's most experienced player with the 61-cap defensive midfielder likely to play a key role in his team's search for another vital away win on the road to South Africa. Vicelich's role remains unclear with the Dutch-based All White able to fulfill a role at centre back or in the middle of midfield.

Wellington Phoenix striker Shane Smeltz will be asked to continue his red-hot form with Chris Killen's absence leading to a call-up for uncapped Team Wellington striker Daniel Ellensohn. Jarrod Smith is another of Herbert's striking options with the Hawkes Bay United frontman yet to score at international level in nine previous outings.

Herbert's team remain favourites to at least take a point from this Port Vila mission but the prospect of playing in front of a local crowd expected to number anywhere between 6-10,000 will be an ominous prospect with the match the biggest sporting event in Vanuatu history since the hosting of the South Pacific mini-games several years ago.

The major talking point of the week has been about the state of the Port Vila venue. However due to the diligence of the Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF), Vanuatu Government, New Zealand High Commission and local businesses, the stadium appears to have undergone a remarkable transformation which has won the approval of both camps ahead of kick-off.

Interview with Vanuatu coach Robert Calvo

Interview with New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert

Interview with New Zealand striker Shane Smeltz

OFC Media in association with ABC Radio Australia will bring live coverage of Vanuatu vs. New Zealand from 1355hrs (VT*)/1555hrs(NZT**) with Australian commentator Brendon Telfer describing the action.

For live coverage of the match click here

OFC Nations Cup/2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Qualifier

Saturday 17th November 2007

Vanuatu vs. New Zealand

At Port Vila Municipal Stadium

Port Vila

Vanuatu

Kick-off: 1400hrs (VT*)/1600hrs (NZT**)

* Vanuatu Time/**New Zealand Time

SYDNEY – All Whites coach Ricki Herbert admits he is as worried about the temperature in Port Vila as he is about Vanuatu ahead of Saturday’s FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The mercury tipped a toasty 27 degrees Celsius in Sydney on Thursday as the All Whites put the final touches on their preparation at St Gregory’s College where the pesky flies far out-numbered the pupils at the massive private school.

But it is expected to be up to 10 degrees warmer come Saturday’s 2pm kickoff (4pm NZT) – conditions that will obviously play in Vanuatu’s hands.

“The heat and the condition of the ground are things that are not going to change, we just need to deal with them,” Herbert said on the eve of the All Whites flight to Port Vila.

“But I think what it does do though is dictate the intensity and periods of intensity we can play at. We need to be sensible and protect the ball when we do have possession and ensure we maximise any opportunities that do fall our way.

“It’s going to be all hands to the pump…it won’t be easy.”

Herbert is not due to name his starting XI until late Friday but it will be as interesting as the makeup of his bench is crucial given the testing conditions expected.

Vanuatu lost 3-0 to Fiji in the semifinals at July’s South Pacific Games in Samoa, the first phase of Oceania qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

New Zealand beat Fiji 2-0 in their first qualifier last month but Herbert and nine of his current squad only have to rewind to the last World Cup qualifiers – when the All Whites were upset 4-2 by Vanuatu in Adelaide in 2004 - for a reminder that no opponent can be taken for granted – and particularly not in their own conditions.

“History tells us to be wary of them,” Herbert said of Vanuatu.

“There seems to be a theory in New Zealand that these games are easy but they thought that about Fiji as well and that wasn’t easy. We’ll always be subjected to uninformed expectations but as a group we understand it will be difficult.

“Having said that, we remain confident and positive. This is group very keen to do well despite the absence of some key personnel…it’s fantastic in anybody’s career to have the opportunity to play in a World Cup qualifying tournament.”

All Whites assistant coach Brian Turner scouted Vanuatu at the South Pacific Games where they were able to reverse a 2-0 loss to the Solomon Islands in pool play to win the bronze medal playoff by the same score.

Vanuatu will be without Philip Tom Tomke and Francois Sakama who carry automatic suspensions from the South Pacific Games into the second phase of qualifying.

“Individually they’re technically of a very good quality and they’re a side that likes to get forward,” Herbert said.

“But what that might give us is an opportunity to develop our own attacking strategies quickly.”

Visit www.nzfootball.co.nz for full coverage of Saturday’s match which will not be broadcast on television.

Thai Airways All Whites (from): Mark Paston (GK), Jacob Spoonley (GK), Tony Lochhead, James Pritchett, Andy Boyens, Ben Sigmund, Ivan Vicelich, Jeremy Christie, Leo Bertos, Tim Brown, Duncan Oughton, Jeff Campbell, David Mulligan, Chris James, Shane Smeltz, Jarrod Smith, Daniel Ellensohn. Coach: Ricki Herbert.

Vanuatu (from): 1-David Chilia (GK), 20-Chikau Mansale (GK), 6-Ken Masauvakalo (vice-captain), 2-Andrew Chichirua, 5-Fedy Vava (captain), 3-Jacques Yaput Mafil  Nawan, 17-Geoffrey Lego Gete, 18-Hubert Nake, 4-Ephraim Kalorib, 15-Jeffrey Nimanian, 7-Moise Poida, 12-Fenedy Masauvakalo, 19-Derek Malas, 16-Alphonse Wellin Qorig, 24-Rexly Tarivuti, 14-Pita Maki, 21-Robert Yelou Jean, 9-Jean Nako Naprapol, 10-Seule Soromon, 11-Rexon Tari. Coach: Robert Calvo.

Story courtesy NZF Media

SAITAMA – Urawa Reds became the first Japanese side to win the AFC Champions League with goals from Yuichiro Nagai and Yuki Abe earning the J.League champions a 2-0 win over Sepahan at Saitama Stadium on Wednesday evening as they completed a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Nagai gave Urawa the lead in the 22nd minute in front of more than 59,000 fans before Abe doubled his side’s advantage on the night with a header from close range 19 minutes from time, wrapping up what was a comfortable win for Holger Osieck’s side.

 Reds had gone into the game with the slimmest of advantages from the first leg after a 1-1 draw in Esfahan which gave the Japanese a valuable away goal ahead of the home tie.

 Urawa’s hopes were further boosted by the return of inspirational defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka, who missed the first leg due to injury, while Mahmoud Karimi, scorer of the equaliser for Sepahan in Iran last week, was left on the bench alongside defender Jalal Akbari for the visitors.

 Sepahan goalkeeper Abbas Mohammadi was called into action as early as the eighth minute when he reacted superbly to push Tulio’s header to safety after Robson Ponte’s perfectly weighted free kick into the penalty area.

 However, 14 minutes later the Iranian goalkeeper was picking the ball out of the net.

Another ball forward by Ponte – this time from open play – was sent in the direction of Nagai and, after a miskick by Jaba Mujiri, the Reds striker lashed the ball beyond Mohammadi’s despairing grasp and into the top corner.

 As a result of the goal, the decibel level in the stadium moved up several notches but, despite going a goal behind, Sepahan remained composed.

 Within five minutes of Nagai’s strike, the Iranians were pushing forward, looking for a goal of their own. Former Iraqi international Abdul Wahab Abolheil let fly with his attempt from long range, only to see the ball go beyond Ryota Tsuzuki’s right post.

 Sepahan, though, struggled to break down the Reds defence and, as a result, coach Luka Bonacic introduced Karimi for Emad Ridha with 15 minutes remaining in the first half as he sought a way through.

 But it was at the other end that the next goal looked more likely to be scored. Nagai’s 39th-minute pass released Ponte only for the Brazilian to fail to pull the trigger in time.

 Two minutes later Washington tried his luck with an outrageous attempted lob from just inside the Sepahan half, only for the ball to clip the top of Mohammadi’s crossbar.

 With seconds remaining in the half, Sepahan had a rare glimpse of goal when a mix up between Tulio and Tsuzuki presented Karimi with the opportunity to level the scores, but his weak shot was hacked to safety as Tulio atoned for his earlier error.

 Sepahan made another change at the start of the second half, with Mohsen Hamidi making way for Hossein Papi.

 And less than six minutes after the restart, Moharram Navidkia had the Reds fans flustered for a split second when he came close to ending a flowing move with a flourish, but his shot was narrowly wide of Tsuzuki’s goal.

 Just 60 seconds later Reds should have wrapped the game up when Washington cut inside the Sepahan defence, only for the Brazilian to delay taking his shot. When it eventually came, Mohammadi was equal to the task.

 Mohammadi again denied Washington in the 61st minute when he pulled off a point-blank block of the 32-year-old’s volley.

 But there was little he could do in the 71st minute as Reds killed off the game. Washington’s lay-off inside the area found Nagai and, while Mohammadi blocked his goal-bound effort, Abe pounced to head home the rebound as it ballooned into the air.

 From there, Reds ran down the clock – although Sepahan did find the back of the net with Karimi in an offside position - before claiming a deserved first Asian title for the club.

 As Asian champions, Urawa will go directly into the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup, to be played in Japan next month.

 Sepahan have also earned a berth in the tournament but they must first play Oceania club champions Waitakere United of New Zealand in a play-off to qualify for the knock-out stages.

Stpry and image courtesy www.the-afc.com

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil have claimed the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - Rio de Janeiro 2007 after an 8-2 win over tournament debutants Mexico at the Rio de Janeiro Beach Soccer Arena earlier this week.

The victory placed the performance of Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Beach Soccer champions Solomon Islands into perspective after Brazil and Mexico both qualified for the knock-out stages after sharing a group alongside Russia and the Bilikiki Boys.

Last year Solomon Islands shared a group alongside Portugal, Uruguay and Cameroon with Portugal and Uruguay making it to the last four.

But it was Brazil who were the big winners at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Rio 2007. The hosts and title holders swept all before them, not only winning the tournament at a canter but also coming away with all of the other trophies on offer. As a result, the award ceremony after the Final turned into a veritable procession of smiling Auriverde.

If the entire Brazilian squad dazzled, one star shone even brighter than the others. Buru was on top form from beginning to end and took home the awards for best player and top scorer. He even had the pleasure of beating the winner of those two accolades last time around - Portugal's Madjer - in the quarter-finals.

adidas Golden, Silver and Bronze Ball
adidas Golden Ball : Buru (BRA)
adidas Silver Ball : Madjer (POR)
adidas Bronze Ball : Morgan Plata (MEX)

The adidas Golden Ball, chosen by the media and awarded to the tournament's star player, was awarded to Buru of Brazil. Despite the fact that he was surrounded by incredible players, Buru stood out as the new king of the beach. "I am surprised I've won this title," he said. "When you play alongside the likes of Benjamin, Junior Negao, Sidney and Bruno, you expect them to get the award. I'm really touched by this, but the most important thing is the medal that I've got round my neck. We won this as a team."

Portugal's Madjer, the winner of the adidas Golden Ball at the past two FIFA World Cups, finished second in the voting. Even when his team were knocked out by Brazil in the quarter-finals, Madjer was the star of the show, scoring five of Portugal's seven goals. Madjer is capable of coming out with every trick in the book. He can dribble, shoot and has perfected the bicycle kick, but was slightly out of sorts during the group stages.

Morgan Plata, who was third in the voting, was one of the main reasons behind Mexico's excellent showing at the tournament. He came alive in the semi-final, scoring four of his team's five goals to help them into the Final.

adidas Golden, Silver and Bronze Shoe
adidas Golden Shoe: Buru (BRA)
adidas Silver Shoe: Morgan Plata (MEX)
adidas Bronze Shoe: Bruno (BRA)

Not content with winning the Golden Ball, Buru added the adidas Golden Shoe to his trophy cabinet after finishing the tournament as top scorer. The Brazilian notched a grand total of ten goals, including a hat-trick, three braces and a goal in the Final. Mexico's Plata finished with a runners-up medal and another two awards to take home as a souvenir of his time in Rio. Along with the Bronze Ball, El Tri's leading scorer won the Silver Shoe for his nine goals in the tournament.

The third top scorer was also involved in the Final, with Brazil's Bruno finishing on eight goals and adding the Bronze Shoe to his winners' medal. His brace in the Final drew him level with Madjer, but the Brazilian edged ahead thanks to his two assists.

Some people are never satisfied. Brazil may have won the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, the adidas Golden Ball and the adidas Golden Shoe but they still wanted more! So to add to an already bulging trophy cabinet, the defending champions also won the FIFA Fair Play award. Proving that you can play beautiful football and still respect the laws of the game, Alexandre Soares' men were models of fair play through the tournament and follow on from France, who won the award in 2006, and Japan in 2005.

Story courtesy FIFA.com

Identification of Waitakere United's opponents at the FIFA Club World Cup - Japan 2007 moved one step closer after Urawa Reds of Japan held Iranian side Sepahan to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Final played at Foolad Shahr Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Waitakere United will face Sepahan of Iran should Urawa Reds win the AFC Champions League Final. If Sepahan win and thus gain direct entry to the FIFA Club World Cup - Japan 2007, then Waitakere United will face a qualification match against the winners of the J.League if they wish to take part in the FIFA Club World Cup - Japan 2007.

Brazilian playmaker Robson Ponte opened the scoring for the J.League champions with an accurate low drive from the edge of the box on the stroke of half-time.

But the Hazfi Cup holders were back on level terms almost immediately after the resumption as Mahmoud Karimi tucked the ball away in a goalmouth scramble after Ebrahim Lovinian had fired against the post.

The home side dominated the second half but were unable to find a winning goal, giving Urawa a slender advantage, with the away goal in hand, for the return game at Saitama next Wednesday.

Sepahan coach Luka Bonacic made one change from the second leg of their semi-final victory against Al Wahda with Iraq international Emad Mohammed coming in to replace the suspended Hadi Jafari.

There were three alterations to the Urawa side that beat Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in a penalty shoot-out in the other semi with defenders Nene and Satoshi Horinuchi coming in for the injured pair of Marcus Tulio Tanaka and Nobuhisa Yamada while forward Yuichiro Nagai replaced Tatsuya Tanaka up front.

There was plenty of endeavour by both teams but little in the way of chances in the first 20 minutes as the two sides sized each other up, probing at the other team’s defence with little success.

Roared on by the noisy contingent of home fans packed into the compact 15,000-seat stadium, the home side created their first real chance on 20 minutes. Jalal Akbari and Moharram Nadvkia exchanged passes before the latter released Karimi, who took the ball past Keisuke Tsuboi on the left by-line but fired his shot from a narrow angle straight at goalkeeper Ryota Tsuzuki.

Sepahan’s central defensive pair of Hadi Aghily and Mohsen Benkar provided a formidable barrier in front of goalkeeper Abbas Mohammadi and it was not until midway through the half that Urawa had their first real effort when Tadaaki Hirawaka crossed from the left flank to an unmarked Yuichiro Nagai, who glanced a header well wide of the target

Nagai shot harmlessly wide on 25 minutes but very nearly opened the scoring two minutes later when he received the ball in the box once again from Hirakawa, and drove his effort past Mohammadi only to see the ball come back off the right post.

Reds were getting more and more dangerous and went close again on the half-hour after a Ponte corner from the right was flicked towards a lurking Washington. But just before the ball could fall to the Brazilian, Saeid Bayat made a brilliant interception, acrobatically hooking the ball against the Urawa striker and out of play for a goal kick

Sepahan were a constant menace on the counter-attack and gave Reds a scare on 40 minutes when Navidkia played a neat through ball to Karimi, who went down in the box under challenge from Keisuke Tsuboi only to seen his penalty appeal turned down by Malaysian referee Subkhiddin Salleh.

With half-time looming, the deadlock was finally broken by a moment of brilliance by Ponte. The Brazilian received the ball in space from Hirakawa on the left edge of the Sepahan box and had time to size up his shot before accurately picking out the far corner with an effort that bounced awkwardly in front of Mohammadi.

Bonacic responded to the setback by making two changes at the half-time break, sending Mohsen Hamidi and Lovinian on in place of Jalal Akbari and Saeid Bayat.

The decision paid almost instant dividends as the hosts levelled the scoring less than a minute after resumption.

In a wild scramble in the box, the ball fell to Lovinian, who fired his shot against the left upright. But with Tsuzuki out of position, the ball fell kindly in the six yard box to Karimi, who tucked the ball into the net, to the delight of the home fans.

The game sparked to life and Abdul Wahab Abolheil nearly put the home side ahead with a shot that went just wide of the right post.

Substitute Mohsen Hamidi then shot straight at Tsuzuki after being released by a long through ball from the back and the Urawa goalkeeper did brilliantly to turn aside a low effort by Navidkia as the Iranian side turned up the heat.

With 14 minutes remaining, Emad attempted to force his way through the Urawa defence single-handedly but ran out of room and put his shot harmlessly into the side netting.

Washington had little joy against the Sepahan defence at the other end and his night was summed up by a woeful shot from 20 metres that flew well over the crossbar.

On 81 minutes, Emad’s cross from the left picked out Iraqi compatriot Abolheil in the box but the midfielder’s effort went past a crowd of players and rolled agonisingly past the far post.

The home team had one final effort deep into stoppage time when Mohammadi’s long clearance kick found Emad, who surged past Nene before firing his shot from the edge of the box well over the crossbar.

For full coverage of the AFC Champions League click here

- Story and image courtesy of www.the-AFC.com

HONIARA - Kidston Billy’s four-goal romp helped Uncles FC into second spot in the DJ Premier League table, displacing in-form Makuru FC in the process.

Billy helped himself to two first half goals and another two in the second half to see his club cut Marist FC's lead at the top of the table to just a single point.

Billy - who is known among local fans as a footballer with exceptional pace and skill - showed another of his deadly attributes: accurate finishing.

The quick-fire youngster scored his first goal inside 12 minutes leaving Laugu defenders baffled after a weaving run resulted in a stunning finish.

However, Uncles FC celebration was short-lived as Laugu’s John Natei (Commins Menapi’s younger brother) scored the equalizer on 24 minutes.

Laugu defenders tried to keep Kidston Billy in check but the tide turned Uncles way when Junior Billy (Kidstons) brother scored to increase the gap to 2-1.

Kidston added his second goal just before halftime to give Uncles a 3-1 lead.

Laugu's attempts at halting the one-man show were left cursing their luck as Kidston Billy added two spectacular goals in the second-half.

Laugu made several goal scoring chances midway through the second-half but were put to the sword by Billy who twice defeated loose defending by Laugu to add Uncles FC fourth and fifth strikes.

Uncles FC fans were kept on the edge of their seat by the performances of Kidston Billy and younger brother Junior Billy with the performance sending out a message to DJ league favourites Makuru FC, Marist FC and defending champions KOSSA that the club is serious about mounting a title challenge.

The mid-week DJ League fixture scheduled between Sunbeam and Makuru FC was postponed when referee Nelson Sogo fell ill on the afternoon of the fixture forcing SIFF officials to take the decision to play the match at a future date. 

Meanwhile, Marist FC has another chance to extend its lead at the top of the DJ League when it meets bottom-placed Rangers FC this Saturday at 1200hrs (local time).

Zome Mars vs Naha 1-3

Uncles vs Laugu 5-1

Sunbeam vs. Makuru FC - match postponed

DJ LEAGUE Premier Division Fixtures