Auckland - The OFC Nations Cup 2008/2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Qualifier match between Vanuatu and New Zealand on November 17, 2007, at Port Vila Municipal Stadium, Vanuatu, will go ahead as planned following an inspection of the facility.

OFC Head of Competitions Seamus Marten - on behalf of FIFA Security’s global security concept - was pleased to approve Port Vila Stadium after an initial visit in September highlighted the need for pitch and facility restoration and improved stadium security.

“Through the co-operation of the Vanuatu Government, Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF), New Zealand High Commission and local business, Port Vila Stadium has undergone significant stadium renovation to ensure the three areas have been improved satisfactorily for the fixture between Vanuatu and New Zealand to go ahead,” Marten said.

Vanuatu begin their campaign against New Zealand after earning a bronze medal at the XIII South Pacific Games men’s football tournament in Samoa.

The match will be New Zealand’s second fixture in the OFC Nations Cup/2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Qualifier Stage 2 following a 2-0 victory over Fiji in Lautoka last month.

OFC Nations Cup/2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Qualifier
Vanuatu vs. New Zealand
17 November 2007
Port Vila Municipal Stadium
Vanuatu
Kick-off: 1400hrs (Vanuatu Time)

HONIARA - Marist FC has reclaimed pole position in the DJ League following a 2-0 win over KOSSA.

The loss is a DJ League blow to KOSSA who are looking for a win to boost their flagging championship hopes with a core of players away with the Solomon Islands Beach Soccer team at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - Rio de Janeiro 2007.

KOSSA’s were without John Morgan, Gideon Omokirio Samson Takayama, Joe Luwi and James Naka, a clear blow to the club's domestic and O-League aspirations.

Marist FC could point to player losses of their own with Abraham Iniga and Jack Samani signing with Papua New Guinea NSL Telikom Cup defending champions Hekari United.

Jacob Pekau has also signed on for a season in Papua New Guinea with Benjamin Mela and Gibson Hosea in Brazil with the Bilikiki Boys.

Despite the loss of personnel KOSSA started the match with enough energy and industry to suggest the key absences might not be noticed with Sammy Wa’ahero and Papua New Guinea international Reg Davani wreaking havoc in the opening stages.

However, early dominance quickly turned into a spate of glaring misses that allowed Marist FC to bounce back thanks to two second half goals from speedy Marist FC frontrunners Sebastian Misiga and substitute Bentley Nalangu.

Defeat for KOSSA comes as a significant blow to the Solomon Islands champions who continue to struggle in the DJ League and have dropped two valuable points in their only match in the 2008 O-League against Vanuatu champions Tafea FC.

Meanwhile, in the battle between bottom placed Rangers and Hana ended in a 1-1 draw.

Hana opened the scoring in the first half only for newly promoted Rangers to clinch a last gasp equaliser.

Makuru looks set to top the DJ League’s premiership table again  when they meet a struggling Sunbeam FC at Lawson Tama Stadium this week.

The 2006 Honiara Football Association champions 2007/08 season has exploded into life they are considered strong favourites to defeat Sunbeam FC.

Former international, Batram Suri’s return to the club after he had a brief stint in New Zealand has boosted Makuru's DJ League hopes with a support cast that features a host of talent and experience.

International midfielder George Lui has been in commanding form with former Youngheart Manawatu defender Nelson Sale having put his injury woes firmly behind him to lead the Makuru defence with confidence.

Suri, Sale and Lui are joined by former Solomon Islands internationals in Paul Kakai Jr., Leslie Leo and goalkeeper Felix Ray Jr, who have all turned in match-winning performances.

DJ LEAGUE – PREMIER DIVISION 

Standings – 06.11.07 

Latest results: Zome United 0, Uncles 3; KOSSA 0, Marist FC 2; Koloale vs. Naha - match postponed; Hana 1, Rangers 1.

Next DJ Premier League fixtures:

06.11.07

Sunbeam vs. Makuru

Lawson Tama Stadium

Kickoff: 1600hrs (local time)

07.11.07

Zome United vs. Naha

Lawson Tama Stadium

Kickoff: 1600hrs

08.11.07

Uncles vs.Laugu

Lawson Tama Stadium

Kickoff: 1600hrs

10.11.07

Walas vs. KOSSA

Lawson Tama Stadium

Kickoff: 1400hrs

Rangers vs. Marist FC

AE Oval

Kickoff: 1500hrs

Hana vs. Koloale

Lawson Tama Stadium

Kickoff: 1600hrs

- Story courtesy SIFF Media Officer Francis Pituvaka

RIO DE JANEIRO - A super hat-trick from James Naka wasn't enough after the Bilikiki Boys lost their final match at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup by 6-3 to Mexico.

Naka opened the scoring after just four minutes for the Solomon Islands but a storming comeback by Mexico saw Gustavo Rosales draw the 'Aztecas' level.

Mexico's attacking efforts continued to reap rewards in the second period, with strikes from Morgan Plata and again Rosales, this time from a free kick, opening up a two-goal lead.

Mexico then had keeper Miguel Estrada to thank for maintaining their advantage on several occasions, but he could do little to prevent Naka from grabbing his second to set up a thrilling last third.

It was then that Mexico came into their own with further strikes from Ricardo Villalobos, Platas and Alejandro Pozos, putting the seal on a historic 6-3 win and quarter-final qualification.

Solomon Islands coach Terrance Van Dillen was proud of his team following the loss but pleaded for the opportunity for more matches ahead of FIFA events for his squad.

"This was a great tournament for us to be part of, and we've loved being here in Rio de Janeiro.

Nowadays in beach soccer, there is less of a gap between the teams, so to compete in a competition of this quality we have to play and test ourselves more against other national teams.

I say that because we're a long way from other countries, but we're looking for ways to achieve those goals," Van Dillen said.

Mexico coach Ramon Raya was emotional at the end of a pulsating encounter.

"I've been part of a lot of important games, but today was the first time I cried at the end of football match.

There are no words to describe how I felt. We knew it was going to be a tough group but we believed we could qualify from it.

Now we should to savour this victory and then turn our thoughts to Spain," Raya said.

Bilikiki Boys goalscoring hero James Naka was generous in his appraisal of Mexico's performance but said Solomon Islands defensive frailties were exposed once again.

"Today's game was very difficult. Mexico ran a lot and performed better physically, while we committed too many mistakes that gave them goal-scoring opportunities.

This is my second World Cup and I hope to continue playing for another six years or so," Naka said.

In the other Group A match Brazil and Russia served up a Beach Soccer classic with the game going to a penalty shoot-out after the scores were tied 2-2, the host nation triumphing 5-4 on spot kicks.

The results mean Brazil and Mexico progress to the quarter finals where Mexico will face Spain and Brazil clash with Portugal in what promises to be a mouth-watering fixture.

France and Argentina will square off on Wednesday for second place in Group D and a place in the quarter-finals.

In Group C, Italy and Uruguay will fight it out separately, the former playing Senegal who have already qualified and the latter facing Japan who have been knocked out.

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - Rio de Janeiro 2007

Quarter-Final Draw

08.11.07 - Spain vs. Mexico

08.11.07 - Brazil vs. Portugal

08.11.07 - Winner of Group C vs. Runner-up Group D

08.11.07 - Winner of Group D vs. Runner-up Group C

Group A

Final Standings - 06.11.07

TAHITI – AS Aorai caused the upset of the day in Tahiti’s latest round of Division Federale matches after a 5-2 thumping of AS Pirae.

AS Pirae made an awful start to the match and quickly found themselves trailing AS Aorai 2-0 at the break with very little going right for “les oranges”.

Talismanic midfielder Naea Bennett was introduced by AS Pirae to offset the run of play but the damage had already been done as AS Aorai extended its lead to 5-0 before AS Pirae pulled back two late goals to salvage some respect from what turned out to be a humiliating evening.

AS Dragon recorded its first win of the season defeating struggling AS TAC 3-0. The victory lifts AS Dragon into 3rd place in Division Federale a position that better matches Dragon’s lofty off-season aspirations. AS TAC slip into bottom place following AS Aorai’s shock 5-2 win over AS Pirae.
.

AS Tefana climbed to the top of Division Federale after a 3-0 win over AS JT thanks to a scintillating hat-trick from Reni Moretta. Moretta opened the scoring for AS Tefana after a long range 20m strike on 31 minutes.

JT made an immediate comeback but in their desperation allowed Moretta to score a second goal from similar distance on 43 minutes. Moretta completed his three goal haul when team-mate Teiamana Marmouyet’s long range effort was spilled by Mikael Roche allowing Moretta to pick up the pieces and seal the day for Tefana.

Tamarii Faa’a defeated Central Sports 3-0 to move into the top half of the table. 

Championnat Division Federale 

Standings – 03.11.07