OFC News

PORT MORESBY - HEKARI United jumped into fourth spot in the PNGFA NSL Telikom Cup after beating competition leader Inspac Rapatona 1-0 in the main match of the NSL double header played at Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby on Saturday.

The header by Solomon Islands international striker Abraham Iniga from a good cross from wide midfielder Benjamin Mela in the 24th minute was sufficient to put United in the top four bracket as the competition nears end of round one.

Iniga’s goal came from Hekari’s only opportunity in the opening half while Rapatona dominated the game but their striker could not find the net.

Rapatona midfield duo, the Diau cousins - Lawrence and Robert - did not click as expected because their counter-parts Selan Elizah and Andrew Maramapau had to step up into top gear to cover for them when play broke down.

United had the opportunity to extend the lead through Kema Jack but were pulled back by skipper Russell Inai who then was cautioned by referee Peter Paliwa with a yellow card.

Rapatona’s defence of John Baulo, Clinton Caleb, Kialou Pouru and Inai were put to the test with constant threats by United’s other Solomon Island international Jack Samani, with the duo of Jack and Iniga creating some attractive play in the last 15 minutes of the first-half but failing to create chances that would add to Hekari’s slender 1-0 lead.

In the second half, United stamped their authority in the midfield to make Rapatona work overtime.

 
Midfielders Eric Komeng, Mutta, Samani - and Benjamin Mela until replaced - shut down Diau brothers to take total control of the match.

United dominated the play until Rapatona introduced Pondrilang Poawai and the lofty figure of Ricky Mesak whose clear aerial domination completely shutdown any attacking threat United posed from set-play.

The introduction of Poawai made it harder as Komeng, Samani and reserve player and Papua New Guinea international Andrew Lepani found it hard to manoeuvre and create the scoring opportunities for their strikers.

Referee Paliwa had to cautioned Tapas Posman and Iniga with yellow cards for unsportsman behaviour.

United kept the midfield lid tight to win the match.

Hekari United coach Jerry Allan said he was happy with the win against the competition leader.

“We have trained for it in the last couple of days and glad that we won.”
Allan paid generous tribute to Rapatona’s style of play but was satisfied his team deserved to win the match.

Rapatona coach Kisakiu Posman said United deserved the win as they closed down the Rapatona’s midfield.

“It was unfortunate that the two key players in the midfield Lawrence Diau and Robert Diau failed to fire. They had a day-off today,” Posman said of their loss.

In the other PNGFA NSL Telikom Cup match, Gelle Hills defeated visiting Welgris Highlanders 2-0.

Story courtesy PNGFA Media

For the latest news on the PNGFA NSL Telikom Cup please click here 

Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA)

National Soccer League Telikom Cup

Standings 17.12.07

AUCKLAND – The New Zealand U’17 Women’s soccer team has secured the presence of two of the world’s leading football nations for a series of warm up games prior to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in late 2008.

Women’s powerhouse nations Germany and USA will join Australia’s Young Matilda’s and the Young Football Ferns in the ‘Future Stars’ tournament from January 29 – February 2.

The fixtures will provide priceless preparation for Paul Temple’s young side on the back of some encouraging performances against fellow qualifiers South Korea earlier this month.

After losing 2-1 and 6-0 the young ferns bounced back to secure a 1-1 draw in tough conditions and will have learnt a lot about themselves from the trip.

The four nations will compete in a round robin tournament in Auckland which will coincide with FIFA’s second inspection tour of the four world cup stadiums (North Harbour Stadium, Waikato Stadium, Wellington’s Westpac Stadium and Christchurch’s QEII Park).

PAPEETE – AS Manu Ura have taken the lead in Tahiti’s Division Federale after a 2-0 win over struggling AS Aorai at the weekend. The defending champions returned to the top of the pile but their stay may be temporary with in form AS Tefana possessing a game in hand on their championship rivals.

AS Manu Ura continued its recovery from OFC O-League duties with a comfortable 2-0 win over AS Aorai. Manu Ura’s early season form was patchy at best but the defending champions have since levelled out its performances and they sit atop Division Federale deservedly.

AS Aorai’s run of bad form continues after enduring a sixth loss in eight Division Federale outings, a run that will concern everyone connected with the club.

Aorai’s reputation for playing open and attractive football is well-known in Tahiti but with the team unable to translate that flair into points on the board it looks almost certain the Taunoa-based club will be facing a Division Federale play-down slot rather than a place in the top five.

Manu Ura’s loss to AS Pirae last week acted as perfect motivation for the French-Polynesian champions and Hiashi Kake wasted no time when he latched onto a perfect pass from Auguste Washetine to make it 1-0 to Manu Ura.

Aorai barely had time to recover from the shock of going a goal down before Billy Mataitai was awarded a penalty after taking a soft tumble in the Aorai penalty area. Tahitian international Mataitai gladly accepted the decision and made it 2-0 from the spot with a comfortable finish.

Manu ura’s victory puts the defending champions on top of the table temporarily as AS Tefana – recently knocked out of the French Cup – has one game in hand, as do Tamarii Fa’aa.

In Division Federale’s other fixture from a rain-affected weekend of action JT secured a 2-1 win over Central Sport in water-logged conditions at Stade Pater last weekend. JT took the lead early in the first half when Jerome Tetavahi capitalised on a goalkeeping error.

JT doubled their lead after another Central Sport defensive blunder at a corner allowed Stanley Atani to pounce to make it 2-0.

JT’s domination of the match continued unabated for the rest of the match and but for some wayward finishing could have racked up an even bigger margin of victory.

However, Central Sport enjoyed a generous refereeing decision just before halftime when a penalty was awarded for the struggling Central side and Stephan Colombani slotted home to throw his team a much needed lifeline.

With the quality of the playing surface compromised by the heavy rain the quality of the second half suffered with neither side able to affect the score line.

The victory for JT ended a four match losing streak and keeps them in contention for a play-off spot. Despite the defeat Central Sport also stay within close range of the leaders but will be concerned about their performance in the first-half.

Federation Tahitienne de Football

Division Federale

Standings 18.12.07

Win = 3pts

Draw = 2pts

Loss = 1pt

Results: AS Manu Ura 2, AS Aorai 0; JT 2, Central Sports 1.

NOUMEA – AS Magenta established a five point lead at the top of the New Caledonia Super Ligue this weekend after clinically dismantling ACB Poya 8-1 at Stade Pomemie to underline its title credentials.

Magenta’s main rivals JS Baco saw its hopes suffer further after AS Lossi delivered a 6-2 hammering to Baco with next week’s clash with AS Mont Dore assuming crucial importance in the race for top spot.

AS Mont Dore kept its hopes of reeling in the top two after labouring to a 2-1 win over bottom-placed AS Thio Sport. Both AS Mont Dore and JS Baco have faltered in recent weeks with both clubs suffering heavy defeats in their pursuit of AS Magenta. AS Mont Dore’s last match finished in a 5-2 loss to AS Lossi.

AS Lossi continued its mid-season renaissance with its fifth consecutive victory that now boasts back-to-back hidings of AS Mont Dore and JS Baco. Last year’s Coupe de Nouvelle Caledonie has fully recovered from its difficult first month in the Super Ligue when it lost three out of its first four matches to bring itself to within striking distance of second spot.

AS Lossi’s form coincides with the transfer of New Caledonia national team captain Pierre Wajoka from Lossi to AS Magenta with the move clearly working out well for both clubs.

AS Temala won the mid-table clash with FC Gaitcha at Stade Numa Daly 3-1. AS Temala sit in fifth spot with FC Gaitcha and AS Thio Sport its closest rivals. ACB Poya props up the table but faces all three of its relegation rivals over the next four weeks.

New Caledonia Super Ligue

Standings – 15.12.07

Win = 4pts

Draw = 2pts

Loss = 1pt

YOKOHAMA  - AC Milan beat Boca Juniors 4-2 today to become the first European winners of the FIFA Club World Cup. A double from Filippo Inzaghi and goals from Alessandro Nesta and Kaka earned the Italians a deserved victory at the International Stadium in Yokohama, where a sell-out crowd was treated to a fitting