HONIARA: Five players will make their debut for the Solomon Islands Bilikiki Beach Soccer team at the 2008 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in France next month.

Goalkeeper Henry Pandaverana, Franco Ne’e, Nicholas Muri, Hickley Rence and Michael Taeman are the new faces in the squad of 12 recently named by Team manager Reuben Oimae

Pandaverana played for Guadalcanal Hornets in the recent Solomon Cup, Ne’e plays for Kossa FC, Muri for Real Kakamora, Rence from Western Turtles and Taeman is with Koloale FC.

The five new recruits will join an experienced base of players including Fred Hale, Samson Takayama, Eddie Ngaitin, Gideon Omokirio, Joe Luwi, James Naka and Gibson Hosea who have all had a taste of FIFA World Cup, travelling with the Bilikiki Boys to Brazil last year.

Coach Henry Koto will lead the team in a series of warm up matches before the tournament kicks off.

“We will play two friendly international matches in Switzerland before going to Marseille for the World Cup,” said Oimae.

He admitted that more warm up games against world class opposition would have prepared the team better for the standard of a World Cup

“We wanted to play against Vanuatu and Fiji or other teams, but financial difficulties would not allow us to do so.

“But we are happy that we will play two friendly matches with Switzerland national beach soccer team,” Oimae added.

He is optimistic Solomon Islands will do well in their pool which includes Italy, Portugal and El Salvador.

“We hope to give our best. Chances are there and hopefully we can make it into the second round.”

Having represented Oceania in the last two years, Solomon Islands Bilikikiki Team is no doubt eager to advance from the group phase of a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup for the first time in Marseille.

The Solomon Bilikiki boys have won the last two continental titles, and have not been the whipping players that many expected on the world stage.

At the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Rio 2006, they beat Cameroon 5-2 in their opener before comfortable defeats by Uruguay and Portugal sealed their elimination.

Last year, grouped with the eventual finalists and Russia, they went home winless, although they put up an admirable fight against the Mexicans, James Naka scoring a hat-trick en route to a 6-3 loss.

Unable to stage a qualifying tournament in time for the world finals in July, the OFC nominated Solomon Islands to be its representative in Marseille due to the side's regional dominance over the previous two years.

Despite this, Solomon Islands Bilikiki could be in for another history at the FIFA Beach Soccer World.

And it has capable players at its disposal that can get Solomon Islands into the second round in Marseille.

Bilikiki star player Naka has scored nine of Solomon Islands' 19 goals in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups so far.

Gideon Omokirio will again captain the Bilikiki in Marseille with the core of the team involving veteran players like Fred Hale, Samson Takayama, Eddie Ngaitin, Joe Luwi, Naka and Gibson Hosea.

“El Salvador plays in the world cup for the first time, but it is not their first time to play beach soccer,” said the Bilikiki Team Manager.

The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Marseille 2008 kicks off on 17 July 2008 and concludes on 27 July 2008.

Solomon Islands Bilikiki plays Italy on July 17, against Portugal on July 19 and faces El Salvador July 21.

Meanwhile Bilikiki star player James Naka is recovering from his injury and has resumed training this week.

He is expected to make a full recovery in the next couple of weeks ahead of Bilikiki’s first match against Italy on July 17.
 
The national beach soccer team leaves Honiara on Sunday 6th July.

Group A: France, Senegal, Uruguay and Iran.

Group B: Portugal, El Salvador, Italy and Solomon Islands.

Group C: UAE, Cameroon, Russia and Argentina and

Group D: Brazil, Spain, Mexico and Japan.

Samoan goalkeeper Pasi Schwalger has been one of the key components in his sides resurrection in the Foxtel Cup.

Schwalger has played every minute of the last five game for the Fawkner Blues and has helped his side to three wins from the last five matches.

The Blues suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Altona Magic in their last match and are now sitting second bottom of the Foxtel Cup’s fourteen club league leading into the business end of the season.

But their recent form has been more encouraging and the Blues will be relying on Schwalger to keep a steady ship at the back and help raise their side out of relegation danger.

Schwalger has kept one clean sheet  – at the Blues’ CB Smith Reserve home against the Whittlesea Zebras on 22 June in a match won 1-0 by Fawkner.

The 25-year-old custodian was one of Samoa's leading lights at last year's XIII South Pacific Games - Samoa 2007 as the host nation narrowly missed out on qualification for the semi-finals at Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Playing Field.

Schwalger has played most of his senior career in Australian football since making his international debut for Samoa seven years ago.

PASI SCHWALGER - PLAYER PROFILE (courtesy www.fawknerbluesfc.net)

Players Name:		Pasi Schwazager
Date of Birth:		16 / 10 / 1982
Players Position:		Goal Keeper
Jumper Number:		23
Previous Clubs:		Hiedelberg
Nickname:		Putzo
Other Hobbies:		Spooning, Collecting Stamps, long walks on my drive way
Your Favourite TV Show:		Extreme Makeover
Your Favourite Food:		Turkish Food
Your Favourite Team:		Parramatta Power
Your Favourite Player:		Tim Cahill
You’re Achievements as a player:		Two time NSW premier league championship player
What’s your Goal with Fawkner Blues:		To win a Championship
Will you ever coach after Playing: Top of page		Only here

Solomon Islander Henry Fa’arodo and Fiji veteran Esala Masi have maintained the charge of the Altona Magic in Victoria’s Foxtel Cup in June – each contributing  significantly to a tough month in Australia’s south.

Both Fa’arodo and Masi have completed ninety minutes in each of the Magic’s most recent matches, with Fa’arodo netting Altona’s second goal in a 2-0 triumph over the Fawkner Blues on 7 June.

The Magic now sit in third place in Victoria’s top flight competition, with Fa’arodo and Masi sitting on four goals a piece with some eight regular season rounds to play.

Also in the Foxtel Cup, much celebrated Papua New Guinean Reginald Davani made three appearances for ninth placed Coburg United throughout June and completed ninety minutes in one fixture – away to the Oakleigh Cannons on 6 June.

Davani was substituted in each of Coburg’s subsequent games – wins against the Australian Institute of Sport (4-3) and reigning champions the Preston Lions (2-0).

For Samoan goalkeeper Pasi Schwalger and his Fawkner Blues , who suffered the aforementioned 2-0 defeat at the hands of Fa’arodo and Masi’s Magic in early June, the situation is not so positive, but perhaps on the improve.

The Blues are second bottom of the Foxtel Cup’s fourteen clubs leading into the business end of the season, but have won three of their past five matches , each of which has featured Schwalger in goal for the duration.

Schwalger has kept one clean sheet in such time – at the Blues’ CB Smith Reserve home against the Whittlesea Zebras on 22 June in a match won 1-0 by Fawkner.

Another Solomon Islander, Benjamin Totori, has suffered a setback at new club the Portland Timbers in the United States’ second tier United Soccer League First Division (USL-1).

The exciting 22-year-old attacking lynchpin sprained his right medial collateral ligament within 18 minutes of his second appearance for the Timbers – away to the Montreal Impact in late May.

Totori has subsequently been sidelined for the entire month of June, where the Timbers have consolidated their position near the summit of the USL-1, though they have played several more games than many of their title challengers.

Totori is expected to be available for selection for the Timbers’ upcoming exhibition matches against Mexican Primera Divison sides Monarcas Morelia and UANL Tigres.

In Queensland, Papua New Guinea pair Kema Jack and David Muta have continued to feature for Sunshine Coast FC, who lead the top-tier Queensland State League competition after 12 rounds.

Jack and Muta’s last goals for the highflying Sunshine Coast were against the Whitsunday Miners in early June in a match won 5-0 by the table toppers.

Vanuatuan pair Richard Iwai and Fennedy Mausavakalo have also found the back of the net of late in the sunshine state – for Brisbane Premier League side Mitchelton FC.

Iwai and Mausavakalo netted Mitchelton’s goals in a 2-1 win over the Taringa Rovers on 29 June – Mitchelton’s first win of the current season that still leaves them seven adrift of second last place in the 12-team competition.

- Benjamin Coonan

AUCKLAND – The final leg of the Football Ferns’ and Thai Airways Oly-Whites’ Road to Beijing will wind its way through Australia and South-East Asia with month-long tours in July.

Building on a double-header against their Australian counterparts in Sydney on July 12, each side completes preparation for New Zealand’s first ever Olympic football appearances with games against Asian opposition before arriving in the Olympic village in late July ahead of their opening Olympic fixtures on August 6 (women) and 7 (men).

The Oly-Whites follow their Olyroos test with an even tougher examination two days later against A-League runners-up Central Coast Mariners.

They then travel to Jakarta where a clash against the Indonesian full national side is sandwiched between two matches against club opposition.

New Zealand Football is also in discussion with the Chilean Football Federation for two matches against the Chile U-23 side in Wellington in early July.

Meanwhile the Football Ferns tread a different path after their game against the Matildas, heading for an early taste of Chinese conditions with back-to-back games against the Olympic hosts, before moving to Singapore for games against Singapore and Canada.

After slowly piecing together the preparation puzzle, Oly-Whites head coach Stu Jacobs was pleased to focus on a schedule that provided plenty of opportunity to adjust to tough opposition and tough conditions.

“When you’re preparing for a tournament of this stature, teams are slow to commit themselves, and it can be tough to confirm fixtures. However, we’ve got a program modelled on teams we’ll face and gives us time in China to recover and get in time on the training pitch,” Jacobs said.

“The Australian teams will be very strong so it’s a great start for us and it keeps the relationship between the two countries going, which is important.”

“The Indonesians will be a good warm-up for our opener against China. They’ll be quite good technically and very quick. Conditions will be similar to China so it’ll give us a chance to acclimatise as well.”

Football Ferns head coach John Herdman echoed Jacobs’s sentiments about the value of acclimatisation, and about the benefits of off-shore preparation.

“It’s a great build-up and at a higher level than we had before the last World Cup. Every game will have a very clear purpose, with games against opposition of a similar ilk to our Olympic opponents,” Herdman said.

“The Aussie, China and Canada games give us further benchmarks while the match against Singapore offers the chance to practice different scenarios and ensure all our players see game time.”

At least one of the Football Ferns matches against China in Qinhuangdao will be at the same stadium as their Olympic opener against Japan, with Herdman identifying obvious benefits.

“China are a very similar team to Japan so it’s crucial we get into Asian conditions and get used to playing Asian teams.”

Final squads for both teams will be announced in early July.

Thai Airways Oly-Whites schedule

July 12 v Australia – North Sydney Oval
July 15 v Central Coast Mariners - Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga
July 20 v PSMS Medan – Jakarta
July 24 v Indonesia – Jakarta
July 26 v Persija – Jakarta
XXIX Olympiad
August 7: New Zealand v China PR – Shengyang
August 10: New Zealand v Brazil – Shengyang
August 13: New Zealand v Belgium – Shanghai

Football Ferns Schedule

July 12 v Australia – North Sydney Oval
July 16 v China – Qinhuangdao
July 20 v China – Qinhuangdao
July 23 v Singapore – Singapore
July 25 v Canada – Singapore
XXIX Olympiad
August 6: New Zealand v Japan – Qinhuangdao
August 9: New Zealand v Norway – Qinhuangdao
August 12: New Zealand v USA – Shengyang

Story provided by NZF Media. For more information visit www.nzsoccer.com

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has today led the tributes to Charlie Dempsey after it was announced that the former long-serving president of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) passed away on Tuesday, aged 86.

New Zealand's Dempsey, who was born in Scotland in 1922 but emigrated in 1952, served as OFC president from 1982 to 2000, and Blatter - in a letter of condolence to the Oceanic body - wrote of his sadness at learning of the FIFA Honorary Member's passing.

"We will retain fond memories of an accomplished football leader and an extraordinary man whose his great human qualities ensured that left an indelible mark on the game of football, not only in helping to develop football in Oceania but also globally especially as a member of the FIFA Executive Committee as well as a member of various Standing Committees within FIFA," wrote the FIFA President.

OFC President Reynald Temarii, meanwhile, said Dempsey should be remembered fondly for his tireless work in promoting the beautiful game in Oceania.

"The Oceania Football Confederation and FIFA owe Charles a debt of gratitude for his complete devotion, extraordinary loyalty and unwavering service to the sport of football," Temarii said in a statement.

"His perseverance, charm and drive will be missed by all the lives he touches and my deepest sympathies are with his family and friends." 

Story courtesy of www.fifa.com  

The Oceania Football Confederation would like to dedicate this page to condolence messages for the late Charles J. Dempsey CBE.

If you have any stories, photos or messages you would like to pass on, please send to steve@oceaniafootball.com so that the world can share and appreciate the life of Charles Dempsey.

David Chung - President Papua New Guinea Football Association

Can you please send our deepest condolences to the families of late Charles Dempsey who has passed away. It is with regret that Oceania Football  has lost a mentor who has been very instrumental in bringing up Oceania Football. 
   
David Chung.
President PNGFA.

Inca Chow - DJ Graphics

From the managment & staff of DJ Graphics, Impact Sports, Unisound & all members of the DJ League Clubs, we would also like you to kindly pass our sincere condolence to his family. May our Merciful Father bless everyone during this time of sorrow. May his soul rest in peace.

God bless,
Inca Chow

Nelson H U Boso - Project Manager of Impact Sports

I learnt with sadness the passing of Charles Dempsey and with your indulgement I would like you to pass on to OFC my heartfelt condolence during this sad moment in football. I happened to have had a brief opportunity joining with Charles Dempsey at an OFC Technical meeting at Brisbane in 1984. Solomon Islands was an Associate Member then and it was during this meeting that he made a passing remark to me urging Solomon Islands Football Federation to establish some groundwork in paving the way to attain full FIFA Membership status. Four years later the then SIFF President the late Alan Boso tabled the final submission that addmitted the Solomon Islands.

I therefore wish to express my profound gratitude, though post-humus, to the work of Charles Dempsey in making sure Solomon's had a speedy entry and I always believe that his belief in Solomon Islands had not been regretted.

I on behalf of the family of the late Alan Boso hereby convey to the surviving family of Charles Dempsey and also the OFC Family our sadness at his passing and may his soul rest in peace.

Nelson H U Boso
Project Manager of Impact Sports.

Football Federation Australia

It is with regret that Football Federation Australia (FFA) learned today of the passing of Charles Dempsey CBE in Auckland.
 
FFA Chairman, Frank Lowy AC, paid tribute to Mr Dempsey as a pioneer of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and former Vice-President of FIFA.
 
OFC was founded in 1966 with the founding members including Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
 
"Charlie worked tirelessly for almost 40 years to advance football in the Pacific region and to ensure that Oceania had a place at the table of FIFA.
 
"Those of us who have known him, and worked with him, over the years appreciated his dedication and commitment to this cause.  He helped put football in the Oceania region well and truly on the map."
 
Mr Lowy expressed condolences on behalf of the football family in Australia to Mr Dempsey's wife and family, and to the OFC of which Mr Dempsey was a Life Member.

Edward M. Lennie - Referee Development Manager - Football West

It is with deep sadness that I have herd the news on the passing of Charlie, please pass on my personal condolences to his family, and also to OFC. Charlie was a very strong supporter of Referees and myself in particular during my time in Oceania.

On behalf of All Australian Referees that have been associated with OFC and Charlie , over a long number of years , our deepest sympathies.

Regards,

Eddie

Shane Goldfinch - Board Member - Mainland Football

Hi

I knew Charlie for over 25 years and meet him at many FIFA events around the world. I found his passion for the game, never dimmed and that he spoke of the game with such passion.

My family meeting him at his home and looking through his scrapbook of the letters he received from around the world in support after the World Cup vote is a moment I will remember.

Thanks for the memories Charlie

Shane Goldfinch
Board Member – Mainland Football

Eileen Langridge QSM NZF Life Member - Cantabrian
 
1982 - fund raising in Christchurch - Canterbury held at Western AFC Clubrooms - Charlie headed the troops which my husband and I helped organise -he told it as it was -it was possibly the for-runner of RED SOCKS the letter of thanks signed by Charlie has a special place in my book of memories of 40 years of Administration in the South Island.

The spirit of Charlie lives on - the Bottles of Guiness a must on the list.
Him standing at QE11 Stadium (Glasshouse) egging the lads on with only seconds to go when NZ U17's Men beat Australia for the World Cup. He had no time for fools. He never seemed to forget a face always a hug and a kiss for the girls.

Charlie was larger than life and his initiative and drive for the beautiful
game can never be surpassed.

Go in peace Charlie, the game in New Zealand an Oceania will never be the same.

Sincerely Eileen

Family of the Late Allan K. Boso

It is with deep sadness that we hear of the passing of the Late Mr. Charles Dempsey. Our thoughts are with you and we extend our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr. Charles Dempsey.

The friendship shared between the late Dempsey and our father, the Late Allan Boso, is one that we grew up with and appreciated so much because of the mutual respect they had for each other and also of their shared vision to develop football in the region. Our father often spoke fondly of Mr. Charles Dempsey as a fair and dedicated man.

Football in the region owes a lot to the hard work of Mr. Charles Dempsey. This is especially so for Solomon Islands, who owes a lot to his knowledge and vision. Because of his visionary ventures the growth of the Beautiful Game is healthy throughout Oceania.
 
We are extremely thankful to the late Mr. Charles Dempsey for his work in football for the region and for being a friend to our father.

To the family of the late Dempsey, May God Bless You All in this time of Bereavement.

Joseph Z. Boso
For the family of the Late Allan K. Boso

Tadao Murata - Special Advisor - Japan Football Association

I have been very astonished to hear of the sudden passing away of Mr. Charles Dempsey and please accept my sincere condolence to his death.
 
I remember time spent with him during World Cup 1994 and 1998 and also his assistances given to us for the campaign of the 2002 World Cup.
 
Please convey my condolence to his beloved family.
 
With my deepest sympathy,
 
Tadao MURATA
Special Advisor, Japan Football Association
FIFA World Cup Committee Member in 1994 USA and 1998 France

Leota Moroga Le-Mamea - Auckland Samoa Soccer Association

We would like to express our condolences to the family of Charlie Dempsey.   Charlie was a great supporter of the Auckland Samoa Soccer Association in NZ and it’s vision and purpose.  He was a great father and mentor.
 
May our good Lord be with you in your time of sorrows.
 
Leota Moroga Le-Mamea
President
Auckland Samoa Soccer Association
Auckland
New Zealand

Beverley and David Brand

It was with regret that we learned of the passing of Charlie Dempsey this week.
 
To call him a character is an understatement but it was with that 'character' that he made his mark in the football world and achieved so much.
 
He also was very encouraging to others in the Beautiful Game and it was in this instance we first came to know him when he encouraged my husband, David, to accept the position of National Coach of Samoa and then kept in touch with the progress made.
 
David and I wish to send our heartfelt condolences to Annie and the rest of the family at this time.
 
Rest in peace, Charlie. We will miss you
 
Beverley and David Brand


 

New Zealand and Oceania soccer patriarch Charlie Dempsey died suddenly in Auckland on Tuesday night after devoting a lifetime to the game he loved. He passed away just four days after his last round of golf - his other sporting passion.

Scottish-born Dempsey, 87, took association football in his adopted country from its status as a poor cousin to rugby on to the world stage. Perhaps more importantly, he took football to the island nations of Oceania where it is now the most popular sport and played by one in 10 of the region's population.

Dempsey wasn't everybody's cup of tea, or bottle of Guinness - his favourite tipple - but no one would ever dare question his passion and determination to challenge, and beat, the odds.

Charlie Dempsey did it his way - treading on toes, and kissing backsides (more of that later), along the way - but only in the best interests of a game he felt deserved better.

Dempsey, wife Annie and daughters Alice and Josephine, arrived in New Zealand in September 1952 as assisted immigrants, after waiting a couple of years for the chance and taking 45 days to reach Wellington. Within hours and a train trip later, the Dempseys were in Auckland.

Soon he was splitting his time between his family, his work and his football - playing, then coaching, at Eastern Suburbs.

With Dave Morton, Dempsey formed the hugely successful building company Dempsey Morton Ltd, which was sold to the giant Fletchers organisation in the early 1980s after building around 4000 houses.

Dempsey juggled his business and sporting interests and shrugged off the rejection of his first bid to make it on to the Auckland Football Association's control board to make it second time round and quickly become their delegate to the New Zealand Football Association. The rest, they say, is history. Dempsey went after the big one - the recognition of football in this part of the world as a Fifa confederation. It took around 30 years but in 1996 the Oceania Football Confederation was finally accepted as part of the Fifa family and Dempsey given a seat on the all-powerful Fifa executive.

In looking back on an unparalleled career in "his" sport, two highlights overshadow all else. His single-minded determination got the All Whites to the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain. In 2000, Dempsey's "no vote" handed the 2006 World Cup to Germany - much to South Africa's chagrin. This was his moment of infamy.

Dempsey made no apology for either.

Charlie Dempsey with the OFC O-League trophy at the end of this years final between Waitakere United and Kossa FC. Picture: Grant Stantiall

He set up a "joint tours agreement" between the Auckland and New Zealand Football Associations to get the All Whites ball rolling and went to bat for John Adshead as coach.

Dempsey was in Singapore for the famous 2-1 win over China which booked New Zealand's place in Spain and led him to having to go to the dressing room "to kiss Bobby Almond's bum" after agreeing to do that if the team won.

Overcome with emotion, Dempsey retreated to his hotel room in Singapore - but only after putting money on the bar "to shout my boys".

A hotel room also played a part in perhaps his most publicised stand - the no vote in the 2006 World Cup bid.

Holed up in a Singapore [co-incidental] hotel, Dempsey told the Herald "my life has become unbearable" after being offered bribes to vote "one way".

He maintained his decision to abstain was simply because he did not want to make enemies.

No one, surely, would ever accuse Charles John Dempsey of ever wanting to do that.

By Terry Maddaford - NZ Herald

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and the football world is in mourning today after it was announced that Charles J. Dempsey CBE passed away late last night after battling a short illness at the age of 87.

Dempsey, the patriarch of Oceania football, served the confederation for 36 years, in which time he was OFC President from 1992 until 2000. During his years he oversaw the body's rise to full confederation status from FIFA and was responsible for raising national association membership of the OFC from four to eleven.

He was also one of New Zealand soccer's longest serving administrators. He was a New Zealand Football Association national councillor for 23 years and chairman from 1982 to 1987.

Tributes have been pouring in for Dempsey from all over the world and OFC President Reynald Temarii expressed his sadness upon hearing of the death of the former OFC President.

Temarii praised Dempsey for his tireless work throughout Oceania and his commitment to his vision.

Dempsey with the OFC O-League Trophy at the Grand final between Waitakere United and Kossa FC in May, 2008. Photograph: Grant Stantiall

"The Oceania Football Confederation and FIFA owe Charles a debt of gratitude for his complete devotion, extraordinary loyalty and unwavering service to the sport of football.

“His perseverance, charm and drive will be missed by all the lives he touches and my deepest sympathies are with his family and friends.”

Dempsey’s exceptional work was recognised when he was awarded the Pacific Gold Star in 2000, nominated as an Oceania Football Confederation Honorary President in 2001, and presented with a FIFA Centennial Order of Merit in 2004 for his long and outstanding contribution to football in the region.

OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas expressed his condolences to Dempsey’s family and mourned the loss of both a mentor and a friend.

“Charles was an inspiration to all of us. His loss will be very heavily felt throughout Oceania and the world where he did so much for the game. My thoughts are with his family.”

After serving in the Royal Navy in World War II, Dempsey moved to New Zealand. He formed a successful construction firm which built the house high above Tamaki estuary where he and Annie have lived since 1959.

In 1982, he accompanied New Zealand's All Whites to the World Cup in Spain as head of the New Zealand Football Association.

"My backside may be here in first class, but my heart is with the team back there in economy," was his famous quote.

Dempsey, was a keen golfer, always taking his clubs with him on his world travels and a keen Guinness drinker, who attended 10 World Cups.

Dempsey's family heavily involved in the game. His daughters Josephine King and Alice Banks both worked for OFC, while his granddaughter Anne King, worked at Uefa in Switzerland.

Dempsey and FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter

Dempsey (Bottom Left) with FIFA Colleagues

Dempsey with Sir Bobby Charlton

Dempsey and Joao Havelange

Dempsey at 1999 World Youth Championships

AUCKLAND – Uncapped Waitakere United playmaker Allan Pearce has crowned a stellar domestic season with inclusion in an extended 24-man Thai Airways All Whites squad for the crucial 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying showdown against New Caledonia in September.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert has named a full strength squad for the home and away fixtures with ten Europe or US based professionals adding an international flavour to a Wellington Phoenix-dominated squad.

Pearce – an unused squad member for the Thai Airways All Whites match against Iran in 2003 – is one of only two players making their first appearance in an All Whites squad since 2010 World Cup qualifying began, with 54 cap former-Fulham midfielder Simon Elliott fit again and in contention for his first All Whites appearance since 2004.

Blackburn Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen and Belgium-based utility Kris Bouckenhooge were both named in Herbert’s first extended squad last August but subsequently ruled out first through injury and then, in Nelsen’s case, the birth of his first child.

Wellington Phoenix stopper Glen Moss and Oly-White defender Steven Old are also back in the frame after being overlooked when the extended squad was trimmed for the opening match against Fiji.

The Thai Airways All Whites lead Oceania World Cup qualifying with nine points, one ahead of New Caledonia who they meet in Noumea on September 6 and at North Harbour Stadium four days later.

Even with a deferred game against Fiji in hand, one win for the Thai Airways All Whites against New Caledonia will be enough to clinch a spot in the 2009 Confederations Cup and a two-legged playoff with the fifth best team from Asia in late 2009 for a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but Herbert is taking nothing for granted.

“I don’t think it’s ever simple, hence why we’ve named a strong squad and plan to take full advantage of the FIFA window,” Herbert said.

“When you looked at the schedule at the start of the season, New Caledonia away was always the toughest game, and we still need at least one win from those matches.”

Pearce was Waitakere’s top scorer in both the NZFC (11 goals) and the O-League (4) as the West Auckland club claimed both trophies in 2007-08.

The Waitakere winger-cum-striker showed a knack of scoring in big matches, twice scoring the only goal in 1-0 wins over fierce rivals Auckland City and slotting the equalising penalty in a 1-1 draw with City to seal a place in the O-League final. He then scored twice in the return leg of that final after also scoring against Team Wellington in the NZFC grand final.

Herbert recognised Pearce’s performance in crunch games this season but said the former age-group international’s senior call-up was the result of a string of consistent performances.

“We have to be mindful of players who are performing week in and week out,” Herbert said.

“I’ve seen Allan in a number of games, as has [All Whites assistant coach] Brian Turner, and Allan’s been integral to a lot of Waitakere’s success this season. His selection is recognition of that.

“He’s responded to big games at NZFC level but just as importantly, he’s a player who can beat people, he’s a superb athlete and good off either foot. He can play both flanks so he gives us options there, and he’s scored goals.”

Thai Airways All Whites extended squad to face New Caledonia (club – caps/goals)
Goalkeepers:
Glen MOSS (Wellington Phoenix – 7/0)
Mark PASTON (Wellington Phoenix – 17/0)
Jacob SPOONLEY (Miramar Rangers – 0/0)

Defenders:
Andrew BOYENS (New York Red Bulls – 5/0)
Tony LOCHHEAD (Wellington Phoenix – 16/0)
David MULLIGAN (Unattached – 17/3)
Ryan NELSEN (Blackburn Rovers – 34/7)
Steven OLD (Macarthur Rams – 17/0)
James PRITCHETT (Auckland City – 8/0)
Ben SIGMUND (Wellington Phoenix – 5/0)

Midfielders:
Leo BERTOS (Wellington Phoenix – 21/0)
Kris BOUCKENHOOGE (Red Star Waasland – 38/3)
Tim BROWN (Wellington Phoenix – 14/0)
Jeff CAMPBELL (East Coast Bays AFC – 19/3)
Jeremy CHRISTIE (Wellington Phoenix – 12/0)
Simon ELLIOTT (Unattached – 54/8)
Chris JAMES (Tampere United – 8/1)
Duncan OUGHTON (Columbus Crew – 21/2)
Allan PEARCE (Waitakere United – 0/0)
Ivan VICELICH (RKC Waalwijk – 63/7)

Forwards:
Daniel ELLENSOHN (Western Suburbs – 1/0)
Chris KILLEN (Celtic FC – 27/15)
Shane SMELTZ (Wellington Phoenix – 19/7)
Jarrod SMITH (Toronto FC – 11/0)

Management:
Ricki Herbert – Head Coach; Brian Turner – Assistant Coach; Clint Gosling –Goalkeeper Coach; Roland Jeffery – Team Physiotherapist; Wade Irvine –Massage Therapist; Phil Warbrick – Team Manager; Celeste Geertsema – Team Doctor.

2010 FIFA World Cup – Oceania Qualifying

		PL	W	D	L	GF	GA	PTS	GD
1.	New Zealand	3	3	0	0	8	3	9	+5
2.	New Caledonia	4	2	2	0	11	4	8	+7
3.	Vanuatu	4	0	1	3