OFC News

AUCKLAND - Waitakere United’s Head coach Chris Milicich is calling on his side’s professionalism and big game mentality to turn around a 3-1 deficit in the return leg of the Oceania Champions League final against Kossa FC at Trusts Stadium on Sunday.

Over the summer the West Auckland side won everything on offer domestically – an NZFC grand final win and minor premiership to go along with a Youth League title for the club’s academy – and Milicich is relying on the professional attitude of his semi-pro and amateur players to retain the Oceania trophy they won last year.

“Yes, we’ve been successful this season but the irony is it’s because when the big games come round we’ve been able to put everything else aside and do the job in front of us,” Milicich said.

“Now it comes down to one huge game.”

“It’s about getting out there and doing our job. We could have made excuses about the heat and conditions in the Solomons but we just didn’t play well enough and have got to go out on Sunday and play well.”

With the two-legged final delicately poised after Kossa’s stunning victory in Honiara and Waitakere fully aware that a 2-0 win would get them through on away goals, Milicich is out to grab the early initiative in Sunday’s decider.

“We’ll get onto the front foot as quick as we can, but will be dictated to slightly by the way they set up.”

“If you chase something really hard from the outset you can open yourself up to the counterattack but we’ll definitely be out to control the game early.”

Waitakere were met by hostile conditions in the Solomon Islands a fortnight ago – the soaring mid-afternoon temperatures matched by a vocal 20,000 strong home crowd – and Waitakere hope to turn the tables with a Trusts Stadium crowd boosted by the offer of free entry for members of football clubs or parents with children.

“A lot of kiwi fans don’t realise that when our teams play in the islands it’s a true away game – 20,000 people dead silent when your team does something but a roar of absolute noise if it’s their team,” Milicich said.

“Kossa now have to come and confront us at our place, and we want as many people there as we can, making plenty of noise. Kiwi crowds can be a little too nice at times but when you’re up there you certainly know you’re not the one they want to win.”

Should Waitakere retain their O-League title and claim Oceania’s spot alongside other continental champions at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, New Zealand’s wider footballing community also stands to benefit with the US$500,000 prize spread across the eight NZFC clubs and New Zealand Football.

O-League final return leg
Waitakere United v Kossa FC

Sunday 11 May
Kick off: 2pm
Douglas Field, Trusts Stadium
Henderson
Kossa FC lead 3-1 from the first leg

Live coverage of the O-League final return leg is available on Sky Sport and Radio Sport, with text updates available from www.oceaniafootball.com

Story - NZF Media, for more information visit www.nzsoccer.com

Joseph S. Blatter held a round table with journalists from the main press agencies on 7 May 2008. Ahead of the forthcoming FIFA Congress (29-30 May 2008), the FIFA President explained why in his opinion the so-called '6+5' rule, which will be discussed at the Congress, is crucial to the future of football.

Read on to see what the president of world football's governing body had to say...

On the '6+5' rule and other topics for discussion at the Congress

The '6+5' rule will be one of the subjects discussed at the FIFA Congress. It represents the extension of a series of measures taken by FIFA at the May 2007 Congress and finalised by the Executive Committee in October and whose aims are to protect minors, protect youth training, adapt the transfer system to today's realities and ensure tighter control over the actions of players' agents. Moreover, we will also discuss another "related" problem at the Congress - that of players taking on other nationalities. At the moment, after a two-year period a player can receive nationality from another country. Based on the misuse of this system that we have already seen, we want to increase this period to five years. If we do not, I would not be surprised if in 2014, half the players in the World Cup were of Brazilian origin...

On the aims of the '6+5' rule

We need to ask supporters around the world the following questions: are you in favour of a strong national team? Are you in favour of national team players playing for the top clubs in your country's league? Are you in favour of youth players being trained and then getting access to the first team at their original club? Do you want players who have come through the youth system at a club to sign their first pro contact with that club? If you answer "yes" to all these questions, then like me you are in favour of the '6+5' rule.

On the compatibility of the '6+5' rule with European laws

Contrary to what may have been said, the '6+5' rule does not contravene the European Labour Law on the freedom of movement. Clubs will still be free to take on as many foreign players as they want. When a match kicks off however, they will have to have six players on the pitch who are eligible for the national team of the country in question. Furthermore, the '6+5' rule supports another European Law, namely regarding having the broadest and fairest possible competition and restricting the concentration of finances and economic monopolies. This is the direction that football is going in. In the five main European championships at the moment, four-fifths of the teams are battling to avoid relegation to a lower division. This is not a sign that football is in good health. It is the proof that a minority of clubs control everything - money, players and means.

We are not trying to defy the laws that are in place. We have to struggle all year round against governmental interference in the affairs of Member Associations so we are not about to start interfering ourselves! Having said that, if we do not intervene, the fairness of the sport will be further endangered and identification with national teams is going to disappear. In the end it will all be down to money, there will be no more sporting competition or local or regional sentiment.

On the various stages of implementation of the '6+5' rule

I am going to make a suggestion to the Congress and ask the FIFA members for a mandate. I hope that they will give me this mandate so that we can start discussions with everybody involved in football - the leagues, the players, the national associations and the clubs - as well as those from the political scene - notably the European Union and the governments. I will of course be accompanied by UEFA President Michel Platini in my dealings with the European Union.

On the measures proposed by UEFA

The 4+4 or 'home-grown rule' proposed by UEFA has one major shortcoming - it does not protect players who are eligible for the national team of the club in question. Under this system, the richest clubs would merely have to buy players at an even younger age than they are currently doing. Michel Platini is in favour of the '6+5' system, he just thinks that it will be difficult to implement. But we have a lot of support. Many of our member associations have come out in favour of it as have famous players and coaches such as Gianfranco Zola, Roy Keane, Alex Ferguson, Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer.

Personally, I am convinced that it is far from impossible to solve the problem. The figures from the five main European championships (Germany, England, Spain, France and Italy) are not that far away from '6+5'. 43% of squads are made up of players who are not eligible. England and Germany are the only ones who are above 50%. Of course, rich clubs will always be able to buy the best players in the country. We are not fighting over money, we are fighting to keep a minimum of local, regional or national identity. We are fighting for youth training and this goes all the way up to the national teams. Rich clubs will stay rich but those less well off will stand a chance, that's all we ask for.

On the solidarity created by the '6+5' rule

Let's be honest: the Champions League is the biggest league in the world, but 80 per cent of the income it generates goes directly to the 32 participating clubs, and even more to the clubs who progress further in the competition. This season has been symptomatic. There were three English clubs in the semi-finals and two in the final, who will get even more money. Europe cannot carry on being so selfish. We need to have solidarity and to help others in order to maintain a balance in football. Europe looks after its rich clubs well but needs to look after those that are less well off. The '6+5' rule will redress the balance in sporting terms and I can guarantee that continents like South America and Africa are behind us on this, as they are the suppliers for the big European clubs and they are suffering from the exodus of their players. The President of the CAF Issa Hayatou for example defended the '6+5' rule at the African Confederation's Congress last January.

On how to convince the European Union

On behalf of FIFA I have been fighting for the past 33 years to defend the universality of our sport. There is room for us to discuss this with Europe and the governments, the door is not closed, and we are not alone in this. The Olympic Committee supports us, and the international volleyball, basketball and rugby federations are looking to introduce similar rules. It is easy to talk about solidarity but more difficult to actually implement it. We need to convince the world and the media, but I'm an optimist by nature and I'm convinced that we'll manage it.

For more stories and information on world football visit www.fifa.com

HONIARA: The Honiara Football Association has given Kossa a week off from the DJ League’s Top 8 challenge to ensure they are 100 percent fit and injury free ahead of their crucial away match against Waitakere FC at Trusts Stadium in Auckland on May 11.

Kossa was schedule to play Makuru this afternoon but the Honiara Football Association Normalisation Committee has rescheduled the match for another date.

In accepting Kossa’s request, HFA Normalisation Committee spokesman Aloysio Ma’ahanoa said Kossa will be flying Solomon Islands flag therefore it is only proper that they be given assistance every possible way to ensure they achieve their goal.

The National Clubs Champion lost its opening match against Marist 0-3 but bounced back to win their second against Walas 4-2 on Saturday and was due to play its final match this afternoon.

But the committee in their meeting on Saturday decided to rest Kossa and set a new date for their much awaited showdown with the minor premiers, Makuru FC.

Meanwhile Koloale FC bounced back from their narrow 1-0 defeat in the hands of Uncles FC in their midweek clash to thrash Naha 5-1 when the two teams met on Saturday at Lawson Tama.

Naha played without their key striker Lawrence Fonaota and were outplayed by a well-drilled Koloale outfit who knocked the ball around with precision passes.

Veteran Henry Koto commanded well their midfield with some telling passes which caught Naha flatfooted on many occasions.

Naha has vowed to step their game up a gear when they play Uncles tomorrow at Lawson Tama.

Meanwhile, Makuru maintained its winning form when it thrashed Walas 7-0 last week to lead pool A and also confirm its place in the semifinals. The runner up position is between Marist and Kossa.

In Pool B, Uncles and Koloale share equal match points but the former looks set to lead their pool if they win their match tomorrow against Naha. 

Waitakere United have confirmed that former All White skipper Danny Hay has a fracture in his ankle and is an unlikely starter for the crucial O-League final return leg at Trusts Stadium this Sunday.

The Waitakere captain picked up the injury in the New Zealand Football Championship Grand Final three weeks ago but did not realise the severity of the injury until scans late last week revealed he had a small fracture, leaving a chip ‘floating’ in the ankle joint.

Waitakere United head coach Chris Milicich is resigned to not having the services of his inspirational captain.

“The news is not good on Danny and I have effectively crossed his name out from my thinking. It is a blow for him personally and also for us as a team but we will box on and are fortunate to have great experience and quality to call upon in this sort of scenario.

“The onus will fall on the likes of Neil Emblen and Jonathan Perry to marshal the side as they have done all year. We will look at our options during the week but I’m not short of players ready willing and able to step in.”

Waitakere did not sit idle on the weekend, playing a closed-door friendly to keep the players minds and bodies on the job. The approach from Milicich in Sunday’s game is to attack from the outset to overturn the 3-1 deficit from the first leg in Honiara.

The match has implications for the wider football community with the US$500,000 prize spread across the eight NZFC clubs and New Zealand Football.

The winner earns the money as Oceania’s representative at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December.

Story courtesy www.waitakereunited.co.nz

OFC O-LEAGUE FINAL 2nd LEG

WAITAKERE UNITED (NZL) vs. KOSSA FC (SOL)

DOUGLAS FIELD

TRUSTS STADIUM

HENDERSON

AUCKLAND

NEW ZEALAND

AUCKLAND - Waitakere United are calling on the wider football community for support when they tackle Kossa FC in the O-League final second leg on Sunday’s and offering free entry to the season finale in return.

Waitakere trail Solomon Islands side Kossa FC 1-3 after the Honiara leg a fortnight ago but are banking on an innovative approach to boost home support for the crucial return.

Any person who presents proof of paid up club membership will gain free entry to the ground, plus any adult attending with a child U15 will also get through the turnstile at no charge.

Waitakere United Chairman Rex Dawkins says the reason is twofold.

“Clubs do not get rich off gate money.

It would be nice to think that in the future the NZFC does drive regular gates of 2 to 3 thousand people each home game but right now we are some way off that mark, unless it is a derby game against Auckland City.”

“We decided we wanted to reward the fans who have been loyal to us throughout the season but also generate a good crowd for our final home game.

Victory to Waitakere means something to the wider football community with money [the US$500,000 is split amongst the game] going to New Zealand Football and the other NZFC franchises, this is our way of saying ‘make the commitment to come and support us on Sunday’.

Our players faced a hostile crowd of close to 20,000 in Honiara a few weeks back; it would be great if we can get at least 3 or 4 thousand on Sunday to make some noise in our favour.”

“Children are free and we are encouraging parents to come with them at no charge, or if they don’t have kids, bring their club membership cards or the flyer and they are free also.

The only requirement is that they bring their voices and make plenty of noise to help us overcome the first leg deficit.”

 

PORT MORESBY - Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Technical Director Jim Selby has challenged attendees at his Coaching Instructors course to channel their enthusiasm, passion and willingness to identify the next wave of coaching talent in Papua New Guinea.

Selby recently completed a Coach Instructors course for the PNG coaches at the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) academy in Lae, PNG.

The course started 8th April and ran for seven days with Selby working alongside a group of PNG's brightest coaching talents. The theory and practical based course was conducted to give the PNG coaches a taste of professional football coaching and to use the new found contact to help improve the game at all levels.

"This was one of the best experiences I have had in coaching within Oceania. The quality of work performed by the course participants was high and their enthusiasm excellent.

It was a joy to impart the course elements to this group and I am optimistic they will take forward what they have learned to the rest of the Papua New Guinea football family," Selby told www.pngfootball.com.pg and www.oceaniafootball.com

Papua New Guinea's recent Olympic Football Tournament performances showed the country possessed a strong base of raw talent with the men's team under George Cowie turning in some exciting displays where attacking football was the order of the day.

Unfortunately for the team that commitment to attack didn't translate into a sound commitment to defence ensuring some lopsided results were earned.

The women's international team showed a huge improvement despite losing 0-2 to New Zealand in the play-off for Beijing. New Zealand defeated Papua New Guinea 7-0 in the FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifying tournament in Lae in 2007.

This course is conducted in line with the Papua New Guinea Football Association aim to develop the technical areas of football in the country. These areas included refereeing, coaching and player development which are crucial to the improvement of the game particularly for the fledgling Telikom Cup National Soccer League (NSL) competition's continuing growth.

Vali said he was very happy with the arrangement and negotiations initiated by Waiwai, who also heads the marketing division of the club, mainly in selling players to Brisbane clubs.

Vali said while he was happy with the players playing pro football Down Under, he strongly warned them to lift themselves in discipline and commitment.

“The onus is on you. If you do well, more players are likely to follow you but if you mess up, you would shut the doors for other PNG players,” he stressed.

Queensland bound: Tau Winnie 

The franchise owner said it is a new challenge. “All of you leave the country as ambassadors of Gelle Hills and PNG,” he said. “Be diplomatic in all your actions.”

Vali said this is an initiative started by NSL and we must make full use of the opportunities that are presented.

He thanked all the stakeholders of Gelle Hills including parents, supporters, water boys and the coaching staff for their hard work in nurturing the three players to be finally recognized for their talent.

He said playing overseas on contract is a dream true. “Not every soccer player has such an opportunity.”

Vali said the departure of trio to Redland Devils is also part of a long term partnership that Hills and the Devils have established.

He said not only will the players benefit from stints with the club but officials as well, particularly the technical department of the clubs.

Waiwai said Gelle Hills does not promise its players goodies in terms of money but “we provide them football opportunities for them to go higher in their football career in line with NSL motto ëkick higher’.”

He said at least the players have now realized their dream instead of just playing in the NSL competition only.

The export of the players has raised the number of PNG players playing in Queensland State League to six. The other players are David Muta, Kema Jack (Sunshine Coast) and Alexander Davani (Brisbane Strikers)

HONIARA - The Super Eight competition is under way in Honiara with Makuru and Uncles getting off to perfect starts in their respective groups.

The top two teams in each pool will continue into the semi-final and finals which will be played on an elimination system. HFA has to produce three teams from Honiara for the National Club Championship mid next month.

The crowd figures have improved greatly since the start of the Super 8 Championship. On Tuesday the turn-out was around 3,000 with the same on Wednesday which then dropped to around 1,500 on Thursday due to rain.

Gate takings for the Super 8 games have been agreed to be shared out with 30% going to SIFF, and 70% to HFA of which 20% goes to the participating clubs.

HFA is responsible for the league costs especially referee’s charges, doctors, ball boys and other statutory commitments.

In the four matches played so far there have been 10 yellow cards and one red card recorded.

The Super 8 Championship has allowed the participating teams five guest players each. This has created a higher skilled competition since the best and upcoming players in the non-participating teams are fielded to strengthen the 8 teams. It has been noted that Uncles have the services of Molis Gagame and Gibson Daudau from Jr. Flamingo in Division 2, the sensational Kakamora star Ian Naghu from Kukum Bombers also of Division 2 and Bata Furai from Sunbeam FC.

Koloale has got the services of Shadrack Ramoni the Solympics goalkeeper from Hana FC.

Makuru has taken in Lyson Wate from Real Burns and three players from Zome Mars, Max Ruku, Hadi Kwasi and Edgar Maeta.

KOSSA has taken in Gerald Boka, Defe Faisi and John Dudley from Sunbeam as well as Eddie Tobi and Lawrence Maelava from a club not mentioned in their registered team list.

Naha decided not to take in any guest players.

The Super 8 Championship hopes to be completed by May 14 and the National Club Championship commencing thereafter.

Super 8 Pool A

	P	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Makuru	2	2	0	0	9	1	8	6
Marist	2	1	1	0	4	2	2	3
Kossa	1	0	1	0	0	3	-3	0
Walas	1	0	1	0	0	7	-7	0

Super 8 Pool B

	P	W	L	D	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Uncles	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	3
Koloale	1	0	1	0	0	1	-1	0
*Rangers	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
*Naha	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

SUVA - NI-Vanuatu import Joseph Nimariau was the toast of the Suva side as they dumped Ba 2-1 in the New World National Football League at the National Stadium on Sunday.

The win saved Suva’s season and has seen the Whites qualify for the Super Six Series.

Suva joins Lautoka, Labasa, Nadi, Rewa and Ba in the Super Six while Navua has been relegated