OFC News

TAHITI - AS Manu Ura capped off a memorable season in Tahiti's Division Federale after successfully defending the title it won last season heading off strong competition from AS Tefana, AS Dragon and AS Temanava.

Manu Ura's superiority in Division Federale was supported by its participation in the 2008 Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) O-League competition where the 'Mauves' were drawn against New Zealand heavyweights Auckland City FC and New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC) title winners and defending OFC O-League champions Waitakere United.

The exposure to international club competition helped give Manu Ura an edge over its Division Federale rivals as the Paea-based club completed its fourth Division Federale title to go alongside championships won in 1996, 2004 and 2007.

AS Manu Ura finished bottom of OFC O-League Group A after losing three of its four matches but can point to a narrow loss (0-1) against Auckland City FC and a creditable draw (1-1) against Waitakere United.

Manu Ura's latest result in Division Federale - a 3-1 win over Central Sport - was enough to give the 'Mauves' a five point advantage over its nearest title rivals AS Tefana and AS Dragon. 

The Coupe de Polynesie Francaise Final between AS Tefana and Central Sports has finally been rescheduled. The first leg will take place on Friday 23 May 2008 at Puurai kick-off at 19H30 (Local Time)with the 2nd leg scheduled for Saturday 31 May 2008 at Stade Pater kick-off 19H00 (Local Time).

AS Manu Ura in OFC O-League action against defending champions Waitakere United earlier this season - photo courtesy Phototek 

NOUMEA - AS Mont Dore has won the Coupe de Nouvelle Caledonie after a comprehensive 3-0 victory over holders and Super Ligue Nestle rivals AS Lossi at Stade Numa Daly at the weekend. It was a poignant victory for AS Mont Dore after they suffered the ignominy of a 1-0 defeat against AS Lossi in last year's final on the very same ground.

AS Mont Dore's Super Ligue Nestle campaign is still very much alive after its recent run of hot form and the addition of the 54th Coupe de Nouvelle Caledonie sets up the cup winners for a unque league and cup double.

Victory in the Coupe de Nouvelle Caledonie has helped sweeten a bitter lead-in to the final after AS Mont Dore was docked two points for fielding Dominica Sawa - an ineligible player - in its last Super Ligue Nestle outing against AS Kirikitr that ended in a 1-1 draw.

The loss of those points puts AS Magenta and AS Mont Dore level on points.

Regardless of what takes place in the exciting finish to the Super Ligue Nestle AS Mont Dore can at least point to qualification for the Coupe de France for the 2008/09 season.  

The winners of the Coupe de Nouvelle Caledonie and Coupe de Polynesie Francaise qualify for the Coupe de France each season, a unique privilege in world football.  

AS Lossi - last season's surprise packet after winning promotion to Super Ligue Nestle alongside its upset Coupe de Nouvlle Caledonie win - were no match for AS Mont Dore  in what proved to be a torrid 90 minutes for the cup holders.

Lossi's reputation for playing in a freescoring manner evaporated at the Stade Numa Daly as AS Mont Dore put a halt to their rivals attack to ensure a red letter day for last season's beaten finalists.

AS Mont Dore Coupe de Nouvelle Caledonie winners 2008

For all your football news from New Caledonia please visit www.fedcalfoot.com

For the latest news and updates from AS Mont Dore please visit www.asmdfoot.net

AS Mont Dore - Coupe de Nouvelle Caledonie winners 2008 - photo courtesy Alain Vartane 

FRANCAISE - www.fedcalfoot.com

L'AS Mont-Dore a déjoué la plupart des pronostics en rapportant la 54ème Coupe de Nouvelle-Calédonie en inscrivant 3 buts à zéro à l'AS Lössi.

Les supporters des deux équipes étaient venus en nombre au stade de Magenta pour aider leurs joueurs à conquérir ce trophée tant convoité synonyme d'une participation d'ici la fin de l'année à la Coupe de France contre une équipe métropolitaine au stade Numa Daly.

Rendez-vous est donc pris pour cette date à déterminer. 

AS Mont Dore in action during the 2007/08 season 

FRANCAISE - www.asmdfoot.net

Les Mont-Doriens remportent la Coupe de Calédonie avec brio. Dès l'entame les joueurs de C. Téamboueon ont imposé leur tempo en incrivant le premier but à la première minute.

Menés 2-0 à la mi-temps les oranges n'inquièteront pas suffisamment leurs adversaires pour créer le doute et espérer reverser la tendance.

D'ailleurs les rouges et noirs marqueront un troisième but parmi les nombreuses occasions. En effet outre un tir sur le poteau et une transversale les Mont-Doriens ont à plusieurs reprises mis à contribution de gardien adverse.

C'est sur le score sans appel de 3-0 que le Mont-Dore inscrit son nom sur la prestigieuse Coupe qui ouvre les portes de la Coupe de France.

A time to celebrate as AS Mont Dore raise the Coupe de Nouvelle Caledonie after its 3-0 win over AS Lossi 

NOUMEA - Federation Caledonienne de Football (FCF) U-13 and U-16 Women's Championships were concluded with Paita FC and AS Wetr taking out the honours in both age groups.

The popularity of women's football in the French-speaking territory has hit a new high since the inclusion of a New Caledonia international women's team at the XIII South Pacific Games - Samoa 2007 in August/September last year.

Despite New Caledonia suffering three 2-0 defeats to Tonga, Samoa and Tahiti, the performances of the team earned plenty of praise from observers with the average age of the FCF team in the late teens.

The final placings were as follows:

FCF U-13 Women's Championship

1. Paita FC

2. AS Wetr

3. Yate FC

FCF U-16 Women's Championship

1. AS Wetr

2. Yate FC 

FRANCAISE - courtesy www.fedcalfoot.com

AUCKLAND - New Zealand Football chairman John Morris today confirmed he will not seek re-election at the sport’s annual congress (AGM) in June.

Morris, who has been chairman for the past six years, will continue in the role until the June 25 congress, after which one of the newly elected/appointed seven member board will assume the role.

The Auckland Grammar headmaster and former All White acknowledged that the recent few months had been “challenging” for the organisation but cited the time demands of the board’s new direction as the main reason for his decision.

“This change in the role of the board to become more operational, at least in the medium term, requires a greater time commitment than I could possibly give as chairman given the demands and expectations of my paid employment at Auckland Grammar School,” Morris said.

Story courtesy NZF Media...

For the full story click here

HONIARA - Marist FC handed Kossa FC a harsh lesson in the realities of fighting campaigns on two fronts after it defeated the Jacob Moli-coached club 3-0 at a rain-soaked Lawson Tama Stadium yesterday.

Solomon Islands former OFC O-League club representatives Marist scored three second half goals to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Top 8 semi-finals alive against an understrength Kossa side.

John Wayne, Aloysio Orosua and Joachim Waroi scored spectacular goals to see off a strong challenge from Kossa's depleted ranks in front of a parochial Marist FC support excited to witness a vital victory.

Waroi and Wayne had a couple of chances just before half-time to open the scoring for Marist FC but suqandered them when it looked easier to score.

Orosua who came in as Marist FC substitute made sure he got on the score sheet when he scored a scintillating goal to set up a memorable victory for his team.

Marist FC caretaker coach, Jerry Allen  - filling in for the absent Patrick Miniti - said he made a number of changes in the line up taking into account Kossa’s form of late including their win over Waitakere last Saturday when planning how they would approach this match.

“I told my boys at training and before the match that Kossa is in top form and to match them, they must lift their performance and that was exactly what they did,” he said.

Kossa coach Jacob Moli was philosophical about the defeat.

"We were without James Naka, Joe Luwi and Samason Takayama and only used five players from the match against Waitakere United and it made a difference.

It's no excuse to lose the game and if we had taken chances in the first half we may have won this match," Moli said.

Meanwhile, Kossa will take on Walas on Saturday and Makuru on Monday in must-win matches.

The Kossa coaching staff will go back to the drawing board to assess their weakness before they play their final matches.

MARIST FC vs. KOSSA FC

LAWSON TAMA STADIUM

HONIARA

SOLOMON ISLANDS  

HALFTIME: 0-0

FULLTIME: 3-0 

MARIST: Francis Aruwafu 1 – gk, Joseph Lani 7, Jerry Sam 6, Martin Ruhasia 16, David Houpere 3, Clifford Huta 12, Michael Misitana 10, John Wayn 13, Joachim Waroi 9, Johan Doiwale 11.

SUBSTITUTES: Philip Samani 20, Arnold Keni 1B, Francis Saemala, Stanley Araha 14, Gibson Hosea 5, Alford Po’o 4, Aloysio Orosua 15.

GOALS: John WAYNE, Aloysio OROSUA, Joachim WAROI.

KOSSA John Morgan 1, Gideon Omokirio 17, Tome Faisi 4, Eddie Kairi 15, Terry Oiaka 2, Gerald Boka 10, Mahlon Maemania 6, Willie Sade 11, Paul Wale 7, Reginald Davani 14, Sammy Wa’ahero 9.

SUBSTITUTES: Severino Aefi 21, Moffat Deramoa 13, John Duddley 16, Sam Maena 3, Apolos Letade 12, Roy Enori 5, Philip Ashley 8.

REFEREE: Chris SAENI

ASSISTANT REFEREE 1: Hamilton SIAU

ASSISTANT REFEREE 2: John ROY

FOURTH OFFICIAL: Robert HITE

HONIARA - Kossa’s goal scoring heroes James Naka and Joe Luwi will not feature in this afternoons Top 8 match against Marist FC.

The two key players along with Franco Ne’e and Samson Takayama have been rested for this match with one eye on next weekend’s OFC O-League final against Waitakere United in Auckland. Naka is understood to have gone home to visit his family.

Going into the match this afternoon, Kossa will start as favourites but Marist coaching team is confident they will come away with three match points following their disappointing loss to Makuru in the opening match on Tuesday.

Playing without their key and experienced players in Abraham Iniga, Jack Samani, Benjamin Mela and Jacob Pekau, Marist will rely on its young guns to outshoot a  Kossa FC side still bouyed by its recent victory over NZFC and OFC O-League champions Waitakere United.

Kossa FC striker Reginald Davani said it was difficult for his team to face such a big match so quickly after their OFC O-League exploits but he explained how important domestic success was to Jacob Moli and the Kossa FC supporters.

"We know we have to do well in the NCC. Its more important than the OFC O-League in some ways because if we don't perform here we might not get back into the OFC O-League next season.

Jacob has recruited a strong squad and we will have to use them for today's match," Davani said.

A quick check on results of their previous meetings indicated that Kossa had won two of its most recent matches against Marist – in the Honiara Football Association league (2-1) and also in the 2007 National Clubs Championship (4-1).

Marist was eliminated in the semifinals by Kossa last season as Jacob Moli's side clinched Solomon Islands OFC O-League berth for 2008.

It is likely Marist will use the same line up that lost 1-2 against Makuru on Tuesday this afternoon when it takes on the OFC O-League finalists.

Marist obviously has injected some young players into their side. There was urgency in their counter attacks against Makuru FC but they were unfortunate in not having the goal-scoring instincts of Aba, Jack Samani and Mela who can not play due to their ineligibility after starring in the PNGFA National Soccer League Telikom Cup.

Kossa will play only five players from last week's historic win with Maemania, Davani, Faisi, Wale and Omokirio all named in the starting eleven.

SOLOMON ISLANDS FOOTBALL FEDERATION (SIFF)

NATIONAL CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP (NCC)

MARIST FC vs KOSSA FC

THURSDAY 1st MAY 2008

LAWSON TAMA STADIUM

HONIARA

SOLOMON ISLANDS

KICK-OFF:  16H00 (ST)/17H00 (NZT)

MARIST (from): Fred HALE (gk), Joseph LANI, Arnold KENI, David HOUPERE, Luke TALOI, Jerry SAM, Gibson HOSEA, John WAYNE, Michael MISITANA, Joachim WAROI, Aloysio OROSUA, Francis ARUWAFU (GK), Phillip MISINI, Clifford HUTA, Stanley ARAHA, Francis SAEMALA, Michael PATITI, Johan DOIWALE.

Coach: Patrick MINITI

KOSSA FC: John MORGAN (gk), Terry OIAKA, Gideon OMOKIRIO, Tome FAISI, Eddie KAIRI, Paul WALE, Mahlon MAEMANIA, Gerald BOKA,  Willie SADE, Reginald DAVANI, Samson WA'AHERO.

SUBSTITUTES: Severino AEFI (rgk), Phillip ASHLEY, Moffat DEAMOA, Roy ENORI, Sam MAENA, John DUDLEY, Apollos LETADE.

Coach: Jacob MOLI. 

Tafea FC has increased their lead atop the PVFA Super 5 Series after trashed Tupuji Imere FC 5-1 last Saturday at the Port-Vila Stadium.

It only took Francois Sakama seven minutes to grab the lead for Tafea when he collected a corner from Moise Poida and opened the score with a perfect diving header.

Tafea put the pressure on Tupuji early and added to their lead after 23 minutes when Moise Poida added a second goal , running through the defense after a good one-two- with Samson Obed and slotted the ball inside the net.

Four minutes later, Sakama scored his second goal of the day when his Free-kick was diverted by an opponent in the wall and gave no chance to Goalkeeper Mansale.

Jean Nako added a fourth goal at the 38 minutes in this first half and put Tafea FC in a comfortable position at the break.

Tupuji were reduced to 10 players in the second half after Kalsuru Matautava was sent-off for receiving his second yellow card.

Kalpy Serveux reduced the deficit in the 75th minute when he smashed a powerful shot past substitute keeper Chris Song.

But within minutes, Jacques Yaput replied, smashing a shot inside the penalty box that went straight to the back of the net and put the score at 5-1.

Tafea FC’s win has ensured the team to finish at the top position of the Super 5 Series Round Robin and has qualified for the final.

Despite Tupuji’s heavy loss, it still has a remote mathematical chance of making it to the Super 5 series Final if it beats Erakor GS FC and Westtan Verts FC and Yatel FC lose against Tafea FC.

All of these predictions are yet to be decided as the games gets more interesting and tougher.

In other action Westtan Verts FC and Yatel FC fought out a 1-1 draw which has killed off Westtan’s chances in the Super 5 series.

Yatel FC started the game sharply with Brian Melar and Ricky Tari determined to gain an extra three points out of the game to push for a position at the top.

Westtan opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Noel Stephen headed a rebound under the Yatel Keeper and into the back of the net.

Yatel’s Midfield - led by national midfielders Kaison Maki and Sitty Thompson managed to adjust to the early deificit and delivered some good balls to Brian Melar who did not make good use of the opportunities given.

Jeffrey Tess had a golden opportunity to increase the lead for Westtan in the second half but hit his shot straight at the keeper in a one on one situation.

Yatel equalized in the 75th minute when Remy Kency slotted an easy rebound past the advancing Westtan keeper.

Yatel pushed hard in the last 15 minutes through Remy Kency and Victor Malep but could not add to the score and the match finished 1-1.

With the result Westtan is now out of the Super 5 Series while Yatel still maintains the second place behind Tafea FC in the current standings.

The result makes things difficult for Yatel as they must now overcome Tafea FC to win the lucrative 200,000 cash price for the tournament. 

Tupuji and Erakor FC also still have a chance to qualify for the finals as they both have outstanding games yet to play.

As the tournaments draws towards the final matches, it will be very interesting to see which of the three teams, Yatel FC, Erakor FC and Tupuji Imere FC, will qualify to join Tafea in the Final. Tafea currently enjoy a 9 points lead at the top of the table.

Waikato Football Club is seeking applicants for the positions of head coach and assistant coach for the 2008-2009 NZFC season.

“Having completed a thorough review process we would like to open the coaching and manager positions to the wider public” said Waikato FC board Chairman Keith Ward.

“I would like to personally extend my gratitude to Roger Wilkinson, Mark Cossey and Mark Ball and invite all three to reapply for their positions if they wish.”

Roger Wilkinson held the position for a season and a half and led the club to a 5th placed finish this year.

Mark Cossey was appointed as Wilkinson's assistant and the Waikato academy coach for the 2007-08 season.

It is understood that Mark Ball has made himself unavailable to continue in his role as team manager due to other commitments.

Anyone interested in the positions can send their CV’s and an expression of interest through to James Raffan at Waikato Football Club, PO Box 1230 Hamilton or via email at James@waikatofc.co.nz

Applicants will need to hold a New Zealand national coaching licence or international equivalent.

Applications close May 16 at 5pm.

A much improved performance from Mitchelton FC was not enough to overcome league leaders Rochedale Rovers on Saturday night.

Rochedale found themselves 2-0 up at halftime and were on cruise control until Mitchelton staged a spirited second half fight back.

Fenedy Mausavakalo and man of the match Richard Iwai proved a handful for the Rochedale defence all night and were unlucky not to pull a goal back from their side.  Midway through the second half Fenedy played a beautiful through ball for Iwai who struck a fierce shot on goal only to have his shot hit one post, fly across the goal and hit the other post before coming back out to the Rochedale defender to clear.
 
With twenty minutes to go, Fenedy Mausavakalo sent the Mitchelton supporters into raptures when he received the ball wide on the left hand side, beat three defenders and hit a stunning shot from 30 metres that exploded into the back of the net. 

The home crowd and players went wild with joy and Fenedy also enjoyed the celebration.

Mitchelton dominated the later stages of the game but couldn’t equalize.  The Mitchelton team was pleased with the result as in the previous two games against Rochedale this season, they were beaten 8-0 and 9-0.

Mitchelton’s next game is in two weeks time against Brisbane Wolves.

Rochedale coach Kieran Cooper was surprised with the improvement from Mitchelton, who are yet to win a game after eight rounds.

“We beat them 9-0 in the Premier Cup last week but they changed their tactics. Tactically they did very well in defence and we were fairly comfortable until they scored. It was a bit scary after that. If they keep playing like that Mitchelton will soon get some good results and will start beating teams.”

HAMILTON - The well-performed New Zealand Under 17 girls soccer team will be playing in Hamilton on Saturday.