OFC News

AS Monte Dore has taken the lead in New Caledonia’s Super Ligue play off’s with a resounding 2-0 win over JS Baco.

The win puts Monte Dore two points clear of AS Magente in second place who could only manage a 2-2 at AS Kirikitr.

Meanwhile in the league’s ‘play downs’ As Lossi have retained top spot despite losing 2-0 to ACB Poya.

AS Thio Sport edged out second placed AS Temala 3-2 in an exciting match which has split the group wide open after only two matches.

Super Ligue Playoffs standings as of 31.3.08

Super Ligue Playdowns standings as of 31.3.08

Pictures from AS Monte Dore v JS Baco

HONIARA – Naha FC have lifted themselves from the foot of the table in the DJ League Premier Division following a comprehensive 6-1 victory over fellow table dwellers Laugu on Saturday.

It was Naha’s second league win and the result props them up one place above Zome Mars who foot the table with four points.

Sprinter turned striker Lawrence Foanaota opened the scoring for Naha and rewarded his side for dominating possession throughout the first half.

Former under 18 player Richard Fugui was the catalyst for most of Naha’s attacks setting up two goals in the second half. His through balls were measured to perfection and Naha’s strikers benefited from some quality service. It was a welcome sight for Naha fans to see Laugu back in the limelight after taking a long break from competitive football.

In other DJ league action Hana beat Walas 2-1 to move into sixth spot and now will be looking to improve on their position in order to fight for a spot in the National Club competition in May.

Uncles currently lead the table on 29 points though Makuru are one point behind with one game in hand.

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HONIARA - Hundreds of primary school children converged on the Solomon Island Football Federation (SIFF) Academy today for the opening day of the SIFF Under 12 Youth Football festival.

At least 30 schools within the Honiara City boundary and one from Guadalcanal attended the week long competition for the Under 12 boys and girls.

The first match kicked off at 9 a.m and matches will continue throughout the day.

The participating schools must include four girls in their squad of 14 and two girls must be on the field at all times, in their team of nine.

Matches last for 30 minutes and it is a very exciting event for all children involved.

DJ League Premier Division table as of 31.3.08

AUCKLAND - Waitakere United are New Zealand Football Championship Minor-Premiers-in-waiting with one game to play while Wellington are in pole position to claim a home preliminary final after both recorded victories in the penultimate round of league action.

Commins Menapi grabbed both goals in the second half of Waitakere’s 2-0 win over Hawke’s Bay United on Saturday, the first just minutes after Hawke’s Bay’s Ian Hogg was sent off for an attempted studs-up tackle.

Graham Fyfe missed a penalty and a chance to get Hawke’s Bay back in the game after Waitakere’s Neil Emblen was also sent off in the 77th minute.

The win all-but clinched the league title, a home Grand Final, and a place in next year’s O-League for Waitakere, as they became the first team in the league’s four year history to reach the 50 point mark.

Team Wellington or Auckland City – both on 47 points – could also reach that mark when the two sides clash at Kiwitea Street next week.

One more point against Otago next Sunday would clinch the title for  Waitakere although with a healthy goal differential of +37, it would take an unlikely score line between Wellington (+31) and Auckland (+27) to bridge the gap even if Waitakere lose at Carisbrook.

Wellingtonmade the most of Auckland’s O-League enforced absence to move into second place with a 3-1 win over Otago United at Newtown Park on Sunday and now just need a draw at Kiwitea Street to claim home advantage a week later in the preliminary final.

With the league runners-up awarded New Zealand’s second O-League spot should the Minor Premiers also win the Grand Final, Wellington will be relieved they overcame Colin Falvey’s seventh minute opener with goals to Luis Corrales (2) and Daniel Ellensohn to set up next week’s showdown in Auckland.

It’s a big week for Auckland who also face a do-or-die midweek encounter with Waitakere United for a place in the O-league final, after beating Tahitian champions AS Manu Ura 1-0 in Papeete on Saturday night thanks to George Suri’s late winner.

However Waitakere – leaders of their O-League group by one point over Auckland – just need a draw on Wednesday evening at Trusts Stadium to make the two-legged final against Kossa FC from the Solomon Islands.

Meanwhile, YoungHeart Manawatu ended their seven match losing streak on Sunday with a thrilling 5-4 win over Waikato FC in Mount Maunganui.

Waikato’s Steven Holloway and Manawatu’s Gouzalo Nires both grabbed hat-tricks in an end-to-end encounter between two sides playing for little but pride.

Nieres’ third goal – his 11th of the season – sealed the win in the 80th minute and left him just one goal behind Team Wellington’s Graham Little in the golden boot race.

Goals to YoungHeart’s Daniel Chavez and Ian Robinson, and an Adam Cowan own goal rounded out the scoring.

Round 20 Results
Saturday

Waitakere United 2 (Commins Menapi 50/69)
Hawke’s Bay United 0
Halftime: 0-0

O-League
AS Manu Ura 0
Auckland City 1 (George Suri 82)
Halftime: 0-0

Sunday

Waikato FC 4 (Own goal 6, Holloway 13/56/77)
YoungHeart Manawatu 5 (Gouzalo Nieres 1/21/80, Ian Robinson 27, Daniel Chavez 48)
Halftime: 2-3

Team Wellington 3 (Luis Corrales 44/90, Daniel Ellensohn 46)
Otago United 1 (Colin Falvey 7)
Halftime: 1-1

Story Courtesy of NZF Media. For full details visit www.nzsoccer.com

LAUTOKA - Solomon Island champions Kossa FC have reached their first ever OFC O-League final after beating Ba today 4-2 at Churchill Park, Lautoka, in Fiji.

Kossa finish Group B on 8 points, three clear of Tafea FC and have earned a spot in a home and away final against either Waitakere United or Auckland City, depending on their Group A match this Wednesday.

It was the first time that Ba have ever been beaten on Fijian soil in an OFC O-League match and will create mass scenes of celebration throughout Honiara and the Solomon Islands.

Kossa got off to a flying start when Papua New Guinea International Reginald Davani slotted home in the twelfth minute to silence the 5,000 strong crowd. Ba pulled one back before half time through Avinesh Waran Suwamy and created and exciting and entertaining second half.

The joy for Ba was shortlived when Joe Luwi regained the lead for Kossa with a strike six minutes into the second half. Solomon Island international James Naka gave Kossa a two goal buffer in the 75th minute and effectively closed the door on Ba's lingering OFC O-League final ambitions.

The Churchill Park pitch was heavy through the middle and both sides looked to exploit the width of the field to create their chances.

Josaia Bukalidi made one last push for Ba with a goal in the 84th minute but it wasn't enough as Paul Wale made certain the result with a final goal in the 90th minute to make it 4-2.

Kossa will now closely monitor the final game of Group A between New Zealand clubs Auckland City and Waitakere United to determine who they will meet in the 2008 OFC O-League final.

Whoever they face their will be a strong Solomon Island presence in the final with Auckland City defender George Suri or Waitakere United duo Benjamin Totori and Commins Menapi likey to face their fellow countrymen.

LAUTOKA - A place in the OFC O-League Final is up for grabs today as Fijian giants Ba take on Solomon Islands champions Kossa FC at Churchill Park, Lautoka, in this rescheduled OFC O-League Group B match.

With the rescheduled fixture and torrential rain causing havoc with the media facilities www.oceaniafootball.com regretfully advises we will be unable to provide live text updates of this match.

However, football fans can tune into the action by visiting www.radiofiji.com.fj and catching the match live online or by visiting www.fijivillage.com and registering with Radio Sargam.

Radio Fiji 1 broadcasts can be heard with Windows Media Player or Real Player applications live online or broadcast through at the following frequencies:

Radio Fiji 2 broadcasts can be heard at the following frequencies: