OFC News

AS Magenta have been crowned champions of New Caledonia for the fourth time after a convincing 3-0 win in their final play-off game over Kirikitr in the Super Ligue.

More than three thousand spectators were in attendance for the last two play-off matches and shows that football has a very healthy following among fans in New Caledonia.

After basically leading the playoff race from start to finish AS Magenta put the icing on the cake with an inspiring victory in which they were superior in all areas. Christmas Kaudre scored two goals from two Pierre Wajoka assists.

It has been three years since AS Magenta’s outstanding season in which they won the league and reached the finals of the OFC Champions League where they were beaten 2-0 by Sydney FC.

AS Magenta captain Pierre Wajoka received the trophy from Christian Cornet, a member of Federal Council of the  FCF, and was greeted with a great reception from all the Magenta fans.

NAUTI – Each Year the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Youth Festival welcomes a raft of new smiling faces from around the region and the third edition in Noumea is no different.

Nauti Primary School will bring over a squad of 14 players and three assistants to Stade Pentecost and Stade Numa Daly to make new friends, meet world famous stars such as Christian Karembeu and Zinedine Zidane - and dream of qualifying for the Danone Nations Cup 2009.

Nauti Primary School come from Tuvalu, formerly know as the Ellice Islands.Tuvalu is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean midway between Hawaii and Australia.

Its nearest neighbours are Kiribati, Samoa and Fiji. Tuvalu is comprised of four reef islands and five true atolls with a gross land area of just 26 square kilometers. It is the third-least populated independent country in the world, with only Vatican City and Nauru having fewer inhabitants.

It is also the second-smallest member by population of the United Nations. In terms of physical land size, Tuvalu is the fourth smallest country in the world, larger only than the Vatican City, Monaco and Nauru.

The squad of young boys and girls will kick of the tournament on 28 May where they will be competing against 20 other teams from around the region

NAUTI PRIMARY SCHOOL


1(GK) M HAUMA Taui Saiasi  

 2 M FIAMALUA  Mitilelei Shalom 

3 M TESIMITA  Ailesi 

4 M LOTONU Paulo 

5 M APISAI Charles 

6 M NIKOLASI Apinelu 

7 M FALAIMA Polau 

8 M TUAFAFA  Fetau  

9 M MUSIKA Nelesone 

10 M FEAGAI  Falegai  

11 F SAMI Tolotea 

12 F FAKATOAFE Teikauea 

13 F SUMEO Naina 

14(GK) M TUAU Tafaoata 

COUNTRY:   TUVALU 

SELECTION NAME (School): NAUTI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Name – Position of 1st Official:  Mr. Toakai Puapua HEAD COACH  
Name – Position of 2nd Official:  Mr. Molipi Tausi MANAGER  

Name – Position of 3rd Official:  Mrs. Loise SUMEO ASSISTANT COACH 

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT TUVALU

Capital: Funafuti

Official Languages: Tuvaluan; English;

Area: 26 Km squared

Population: 11,992

Currency: Tuvaluan Dollar; Australian Dollar

HONIARA - Kossa takes on Makuru in a crucial Super 8 decider tomorrow at Lawson Tama at 4.00p.m.

Kossa returned home from New Zealand this week after bowing out of the O-League at the hands of Waitakere United and Coach Jacob Moli now has the task of getting his players minds back on their domestic competiton.

Having played two matches so far in the Super 8, Kossa have recorded a win and a loss in their pool which has placed them in a precarious position.

They need to win by at least eight clear goals to have a chance of qualifying and playing against the inform Makuru side suggests the task will be near impossible.

Makuru and Marist are clear favourites to qualify in their pool after registering six points each.

Marist had already completed its matches winning two and losing one against Makuru.

However, its 3-0 win over Kossa and 5-1 beating of Walas puts them in a superior position.

Kossa coach Jacob Moli is aware of the hurdle he and his boys must overcome in order to qua1ify, saying they will just play their normal game.

Meanwhile, in related news the Guadalcanal champion club will be known after the final match between Vatu FC of Sahalu Football Association and Blue Valley of Paripao FA to be played at Lawson Tama tomorrow afternoon at 2pm.

Vatu had won the first of the two matches on Monday – defeating Blue Valley 3-1 in an entertaining match.

It is anticipated that the match tomorrow would be tough as Blue Valley will try to avenge its earlier loss to Vatu FC.

Makira Ulawa Football Association champion club IC Rovers will arrive on Friday to begin their final preparation for the Telekom National Clubs Championship.

Other clubs are expected in the national capital at different times as the city is bracing for a week of soccer actions at Lawson Tama.

Honiara will be represented by three clubs to ensure a maximum of 12 clubs participate in the competition.

According reports reaching the SIFF office, Western Football Association champion club Kokohale FC has arrived in Honiara.

The SIFF office is expecting all the clubs to arrive by this weekend or early next week for this event.

SOUTH TARAWA - Each year the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Youth Festival welcomes a raft of new smiling faces from around the region and the third edition in Noumea is no different.

Kiribati - an island nation comprising 32 atolls and one raised coral reef will send a team of budding under 12 footballers to Stade Pentecost and Stade Numa Daly to make new friends, meet world famous stars such as Christian Karembeu and Zinedine Zidane - and dream of qualifying for the Danone Nations Cup 2009.

Kiribati youngsters will travel to New Caledonia with a squad of ten boys and two girls lead by Tuanako Bouto and Kireata Ruteru as twenty teams descend on the French Overseas Territory of New Caledonia for the three day event featuring twenty teams from around the region.

VANUATU won the OFC U-12 Festival of Football in 2007 - will it be Kiribati turn this year? 

KIRIBATI SQUAD for the OFC Youth Festival - 2008

1. Nawaia KOURA; 2. Tekaie TABERANTEANG; 3. Eriko IOTEBA; 4. Tokamaen RABAERE; 5. Waiang BUREIETA; 6. Kaibaua KAITABA; 7. Mwakurita IOAA; 8. Tereia NATIBU; 9. Tebwaara MATIOTA; 10. Teitia TETABO; 11. Boraia TERIIKIAI; 12. Tekanimaeu IETE

Coach: Tuanaku BOUTU

Head of Delegation: Kireata RUTERU

Assistant Coach: Tikai ARTERA

Official: Korabi NENEM 

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT KIRIBATI

Population: 132,000

President: Anote Tong

Official Language: English

Independent: 12th July 1979 (from United Kingdom)

Currency: Kiribati dollar/Australian dollar

The republic of Kiribati is made up of three seperate island districts called Gilbert Islands, Phoenix Islands and Line Islands. Originally it was comprised of six islands. The indigenous name for the Kiribati Islands is "Tungaru" but upon independence the people chose "Kiribati" as the name for the new state. 

The Super 8 has proven to be a great success for fans across Honiara with goals-a-plenty throughout the first series of matches

In just 9 matches a total of 40 goals have been scored at Lawson Tama Stadium many of which were scored by players recruited from the lower division clubs in the DJ League.

This was evident last Thursday when Molis Gagame of Jr Flamingo FC and Ian Naghu of Kukum Bombers FC both in the second division helped Uncles FC in a dazzling display of football skills as they stunned Rangers FC with a 5 – 1 victory.

Uncles first choice striker Junior Billy notched two goals to add to his first against Koloale FC making it three in total which puts him second in the goals tally behind Makuru’s midfield maestro, Alick Maemae, whose 6 goals put him in a seemingly unreachable position. Ian, Molis and Judd added one each to complete the scoring.

Rangers started off very well and looked comfortable on the ball but were unable to deliver a decisive final pass. For Rangers, Godwin Bebeu, fresh from the Western Province Club Championship slotted in a consolation goal from a free-kick late in the second half.

The competition is bringing out the best in the clubs amidst high-skill performances with a marked improvement in ball possession and pace. Players have been more tactical with their passing which created more opportunities for goals.

The injection of guest players has brought urgency into the competition and it looks like some of the lower division clubs will be losing these players permanently when the 2008 DJ League season commences sometime in July this year.

Table standing as at 9th May, 2008.
Pool A

Pool B

*Completed all pool matches.

The touring Brigham Young University picked up win number two of their short tour with a stylish 2-0 victory over Lautoka in a friendly encounter at Churchill Park on Saturday.

The visitors were on fire against an unsettled Blues outfit scoring a goal in each half.

Ba recruits Niumaia Tagi and Laisenia Tuba made their debut in the Lautoka jersey but could not help the home side.

Valerio Nawatu failed to spark any openings in attack showing a lack of match fitness.

Lautoka fielded a full strength team but could not find its combinations.

Jone Vono Junior was substituted early after he failed to function on the left flank while the blues introduced former Fiji FA Footballer of the Year Salesh Sami off the bench but he also failed to find the target.

Arvindra Naidu and Joshua Wilson were the pick of the players for the home side, both coming close to finding the back of the net.

Naidu showed his class in the 10th minute with a solo run from inside his own territory.

The new find beat several defenders on his 60 metre run before driving his right footer straight into the hands of BYU goalkeeper Bryan Black.

BYU nearly scored in the 20th minute after a cross from Jordan Cushman found Steven Fellows lurking in the box.

Unfortunately for BYU, Fellows could not steer the ball into the right direction with his left foot.

Naidu got another chance to put Lautoka up in the 25th minute but his shot went wide. BYU found the opener from a defensive blunder.

Tuba was unable to clear a back pass with his shot hitting the back of Marika Madigi inside the box. Garrett Losee was in the right place at the right time to convert an easy tap in

Sami found space on the flank inside the opposition territory and sent in a timely cross into the box moments into the second spell.

However, Wilson's attempted left footer sailed away from the goalmouth. Against the run of play Curtis Graham missed an easy opportunity at the other end. Sami should have equalised in the 57th minute after he ran onto a through pass from Nawatu.

The nippy striker toed the ball past a diving Black but could not control it as it rolled out with the goalmouth empty.

Black made a grand save in the 62nd minute palming away a bullet shot from Wilson.

BYU sealed the win in the 70th minute when Brent Jensen caught Tuba napping with his low pile driver from 25 metres ricocheting off the upright and trickling to the back of the net.

Lautoka Football Association coach Dennis Singh said they would need to build the combinations with the new recruits coming in.

The BYU team lost to Ba 1-0 on Wednesday but bounced back to defeat the Fiji under-20 selection side 2-0 on Thursday.

The visitors will take on Suva in its final tour fixture tomorrow.

BYU: Bryan Black, Steven Fellows, Jordan Cushman, Daniel McKinley, Brent Jensen, Brett Osborne, Garrett Losee, Clay Christiansen, Drew VanWagenen, Morgan Gilliam, Curtis Graham.

Lautoka: Laisenia Tuba, Manueli Kalou, Alvin Avinesh, Arvindra Naidu, Marika Madigi, Joshua Wilson, Nuimaia Tagi, Valerio Nawatu, Muele Vuti, Malakai Waqa, Jone Vono Junior.

The laughter, fun, culture and football is on its way to Noumea.

Stade Pentecost and Stade Numa Daly will host the 3rd edition of the OFC Youth Festival and the scene is set for the biggest and best event yet.

Teams from around Oceania will gather in Noumea in a spirit of peace and cultural understanding at a football tournament where winning isn’t the most important element.

Erakor Primary School are making the trip from Vanuatu and their 14 strong squad is excited about a trip they will never forget.

Created in 1981 after the Independence, Erakor is the only bilingual primary school from Vanuatu. Erakor was established when two primary school’s merged - the French school created in 68 with the English school created in 1950.

Last year, Erakor School finished second in the national “together kids” tournament which has recently been dominated by Abuanga’s school from Pentecost.

The school plays and train on the close-by community field where Erakor’s Football Team also plays.

Erakor is coached by Willie Jacob who has coached teams of youths from Port Vila’s Amical FC Club. Last year, he also trained Tusker Futsall Club and the “Westtan Verts” FC club in Port Vila.

Jacob singled out Tony Kaltack, Jacky Ruben and Yvanah Kasso as key components of the Erakor machine.

Kaltack is a two footed offensive midfielder, while Ruben is a central defender and Kasso a midfielder who finished second in a national juggling competition.

The Erakor Village has been among the first villages to play football in Vanuatu around 1930. Today, Erakor’s club plays in the First League within the Port Vila Association Championship.  They won three times in Port Vila before Tafea FC dominated the domestic scene.

Erakor – Vanuatu

1. Kerry Kaltang
2. Tony Kaltack
3. Tonly Kalotang
4. Remy Kalsarap
5. Yvanah Kassou
6. Kenneth Godshem
7. Erickan Kalonuk
8. Kaltsev Kaltack
9. Menita Tasaruru

 Fresh from a successful coaching course in Papua New Guinea, Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Technical director Jim Selby turned his attention to the development of Cook Island football during a seven day visit early this month.

Selby’s visit targeted the Cook Island Football Association (CIFA) U-16 training squad, CIFA Administration and technical staff and local coaches.

Selby’s course included coaching demonstrations, mentoring, match analysis and facility mapping.

Selby was in the country for several reasons. He assisted with the set-up of a talented players program for potential World Cup players at U-17 and U-20 age levels.

He also helped set up age appropriate small sided games for children aged from 6-13 on age appropriate sized fields.

Getting kids active and playing at a young age is part of an active and healthy for life program implemented by CIFA.

“If kids can be active, enjoy the game and play just for fun at an early age, then it will carry with them for the rest of their lives,” Selby said.

Selby also helped set up an education program where local instructors deliver OFC courses to the local coaches

Selby will return to the Cook Islands in July while a number of Cook Island coaches have confirmed they will attend an instructor’s course Selby will run in Fiji in June.

“The idea is to build skills in local people so they can run their own coach education and development courses. This way you don’t have to bring people in all the time, instead you have locally based people with those skills.”

Waitakere United will once again represent Oceania at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan after beating Kossa FC 5-0 in the second leg of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) O-League final today at Trusts Stadium in Henderson.

Waitakere turned around a 3-1 deficit from the first leg in Honiara to win the final 6-3 on aggregate and can now look forward to another lucrative pay day and chance to rub shoulders with the world’s elite.

A powerful shower prior to kick off didn’t deter the 3,000 fans who packed the grandstand at Douglas Field though looked to have an effect on Kossa with players losing their footing on the slippery surface on a number of occasions.

After losing the first leg in Honiara Waitakere knew that a good start was imperative and they got just that when Benjamin Totori fired home a left footed drive into the Kossa net in the 8th minute.

Waitakere dominated the early stages of the match with Jason Hayne, Danijel Koprivcic and Benjamin Totori all testing the Kossa goalkeeper.

But it was the set plays where Waitakere looked the most dangerous and in the 25th minute Chris Bale rewarded a series of dangerous crosses when he got the last touch from a Neil Sykes corner to make it 2-0.

Kossa looked the livelier side at the beginning of the second half and their individual flair was evident even on the wet slippery surface.

They nearly silenced the Auckland faithful in the 68th minute when Paul Wale created some room for himself in the Waitakere box before firing a half volley into the top corner, only for Richard Gillespie to make a great sprawling save and maintain his sides lead on the away goals rule.

Waitakere made it 3-0 from another set play in the 72nd minute when Allen Pearce headed home a Neil Sykes corner. The goal looked to suck some life out of Kossa and they were made to pay again five minutes later when Pearce added his second with a well timed volley.

Jake Butler completed the rout with a low side footed drive from outside the box in the 85th minute and sent the Waitakere players and fans into celebration mode.

Kossa can look back on an inspirational O-League journey which has exceeded expectations and has provided invaluable experience for the many young members of the squad.

Waitakere will be looking forward to Japan in December and Coach Chris Milicich is excited about being able to prepare for another World Club Cup campaign.

“We did what we planned to do,” Milicich said, “our shape, structure and strategy were all designed to put pressure on Kossa across the board and that’s what we did.”

“We knew that if we just played the goals would come. We were always pretty confident we would get two goals, I didn’t think we’d get five.”

“Now our focus turns to Japan and we’re going to turn up and be as well prepared as we can with the best team we can find and try and do the job.”

Kossa coach Jacob Moli was disappointed with the result but proud of his team for the journey they have taken him on.

“We knew they were going to be very dangerous from set pieces and that proved to be a big problem for us.”

“Now we have to re-group and focus on our domestic competition. To our fans I would like to thank you for all your support, it was a great ride for Solomon Island football.”

Extra Information:

WAI: 1. Richard GILLESPIE; 2. Jonathan PERRY; 5. Danny HAY; 7. Jason HAYNE; 9. Benjamin TOTORI; 10. Allen PEARCE; 11.Neil SYKES; 13. Danijel KOPRIVCIC; 15. Christopher BALE; 16. Neil EMBLEN; 17. Jake BUTLER;

COACH: Chris MILICICH (NZL)

SUBS: 6. Darren BAZELEY; 8. Commins MENAPI; 20. Jason ROWLEY; 21. Graham PEARCE; 22. Simon EADDY (RGK); 24. Tim MYERS;

Absent: 14. Hoani Edwards;

Yellow Cards: 5. Danny Hay 21’;

Red Cards: None

Goals: Benjamin Totori 8’; Chris Bale 25’; Allen Pearce 72’, 78’;Jake Butler 85’;

KOSS: 4. Tome FAISI; 5. Samson TAKAYAMA; 6. Mahlon MAEMANIA; 10. Franco NEE; 11. Joe LUWI; 13. James NAKA; 15. Seni NGAVA; 16. Paul WALE; 17. Gideon OMOKIRIO; 19. Reginald DAVANI; 21. Severino AEFI (GK)

COACH: Jacob MOLI (SOL)

SUBS: 3. Sam MAENA; 8. Phillip ASHLEY; 9. Samson WAAHERO; 12. Roy ENORI; 14. Terry OIAKA; 20. Willie SADE;

Yellow Cards: none

Red Cards: none

Referee: Benjamin WILLIAMS (AUS)

Assistant Referee 1: Tevita MAKASINI (TON)

Assistant Referee 2: Michael JOSEPH (VAN)

Fourth Official: Norbert HAUATA (TAH)