PORT MORESBY - Welcome to the OFC Women's Olympic Football Tournament Play-Off coming to you from Port Moresby Rugby League Stadium on this International Women's Day (IWD).

Its a hot day in Port Moresby where the temperature is expected to reach beyond a predicted high of 30 degrees celsius with clear blue sky.

The humidity is likely to play a signifcant part in today's match with both teams certain to feel the effects of the afternoon sun.

Papua New Guinea's squad resembles the one that defeated Tonga 3-1 after extra time at the XIII South Pacific Games - Samoa 2007 - but that was the last match the team played nearly 7 months ago.

New Zealand appear to be at full-strength with the one exception the absence of Ali Riley who left the squad following its three match preparatory tour of Australia last week.

Hayley Moorwood will captain the side in the absence of the influential Rebecca Smith who is still out with a knee injury.

Updates from Port Moresby will occur at approximately ten minute intervals.

This service is brought to website visitors in association with EMTV - Nambawan To Watch, Fiji TV, Papua New Guinea Football Association to mark International Women's Day (IWD).

LIVE TEXT UPDATES:

0'- The start sheets have been submitted at Port Moresby Rugby League Stadium and we're almost set for a start here in Papua New Guinea.

5'- Papua New Guinea win a corner but it comes to nothing as New Zealand clear the danger

9'- A physical start to this match by Papua New Guinea as they attempt to shut down New Zealand's midfield.

12'- Merissa Smith is making in-roads for New Zealand but her delivery from the right hasn't been her usual high standard

13'- Papua New Guinea has deployed a back five - the last time they used a central three and New Zealand tore them to peices down the flanks with Ria Percival and Ali Riley.

15'- The score is Papua New Guinea 0, New Zealand 0, with New Zealand making a cagey start to this match.

19'- Emily McColl shoots for goal but its wide

23'- This is turning into an impressive performance by Papua New Guinea with Daisy Winas and Deslyn Siniu turning in inspirational displays

25'- Simone Ferrara and Merissa Smith are the best performers for New Zealand so far

28'- Papua New Guinea have learned from the last time the two teams played - but can their fitness withstand the Football Ferns for an entire 90 minutes...?

31'- New Zealand and Papua New Guinea have struggled to create clear cut chances so far - Ara Midi is holding the ball up well for Papua New Guinea and bringing Daisy Winas into play

35'- This match is turning into a more difficult prospect than John Herdman could have imagined - the home crowd has got right in behind the Papua New Guinea team

37'- The pace of the match continues to be played at a fast clip despite the conditions

40'- New Zealand has yet to find a way past Papua New Guinea's defensive backline

45'- HALFTIME: PNG 0 NZL 0

It's half-time at Port Moresby Rugby League Stadium as Papua New Guinea and New Zealand fight it out for Oceania's qualifying berth at the Olympic Women's Football Tournament - Beijing 2008.

New Zealand will have to change something in its approach if it wants to find a way past this brave Papua New Guinea performance.

SECOND HALF

46'- SUBSTITUTION: 10. Annalise LONGO in - New Zealand

50'- Longo makes a big difference for New Zealand as she probes for openings for New Zealand

55'- GOAL! Renee LEOTA picks up a poor clearance on the edge of the box, composes herself, takes a right foot shot that finishes up in the bottom left hand corner - sweet finish!

Papua New Guinea 0 New Zealand 1

60'- Substitute Samantha Peninsa is through on goal with Rachel Howard but hits a weak shot straight at the keeper! A real chance for the host nation gone begging!

65'- Papua New Guinea has thrown its heart and soul into this match and haven't let Leota's special strike affect their approach - a fascinating match!

70'- New Zealand has introduced Kirsty Yallop and Wendi Henderson and they've made the world of difference.

73'- Annalise Longo continues to play well as Papua New Guinea limbs begin to tire

78'- New Zealand's experience and composure is looking likely to win the day for John Herdman

81'- GOAL! Kirsty Yallop finds space in the box and applies a calm finish to make it 2-0! A messy build-up - Papua New Guinea's brave resistance is starting to break down

84'- Ria Percival has been immense for New Zealand this afternoon

86'- Papua New Guinea continue to plug away gamely but their energy levels look spent - they're dangling a leg into tackles as New Zealand look to have Beijing in its sights

90'- It's all over! New Zealand has won 2-0 and qualified for the Beijing Olympics - but credit most certainly deserved by Papua New Guinea who gave a brilliant effort live on television for the first time in history!

New Zealand coach John Herdman will be delighted with his charges as they continue to go from strength to strength as the Football Ferns eye Beijing

FULLTIME: PNG 0 NZL 2 

OFC WOMENS OLYMPIC FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

PAPUA NEW GUINEA vs. NEW ZEALAND

PORT MORESBY RUGBY LEAGUE STADIUM

PORT MORESBY

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

SATURDAY 8 MARCH 2008

KICK-OFF: 14H00 (PNG TIME)

PNG: 3. Katherina SALAIAU; 5. Helen BAKI; 7. Julie ALAU; 9. Deslyn SINIU; 10. Catherine MOEDER; 11. Daisy WINAS; 14. Tracey KIG; 15. Miriam LANTA ©; 16. Ara MIDI; 19. Lydia BANABAS; 20. Linda BUNAGA [gk].

SUBS: 1. Roxanne KOMENG; 4. Martha KIAPIN; 8. Pauline TURAKAUR; 12. Samantha PENINSA; 13. Katherine KUSUNAN; 17. Cathy AGUNAM; 18. Sakapu MARK.

COACH: Francis MOIYAP (PNG)

CAUTIONS:

RED CARDS:

GOALS:

NZL: 2. Ria PERCIVAL; 3. Melissa SMITH; 4, Emily McCOLL; 5. Abi ERCEG; 6. Maia JACKMAN; 7. Simone FERRARA; 8. Hayley MOORWOOD ©; 13. anna BROMLEY; 14. Renee LEOTA; 15. Emma KETE; 16. Rachel HOWARD [gk].

SUBS: 1. Jenny BINDON [rgk]; 9. Wendi HENDERSON; 10. Annalise LONGO; 11. Kirsty YALLOP.

COACH: John HERDMAN (ENG)

ABSENT: 12. Ali RILEY.

CAUTIONS:

RED CARDS:

GOALS:

REFEREE: Tammy OGSTON (AUS)

ASSISTANT REFEREE 1: Sara HO (AUS)

ASSISTANT REFEREE 2: Airiie KEEN (AUS)

FOURTH OFFICIAL: Rita GANI (MAL)

AUCKLAND - After breaking a long drought with three goals in their last two matches against Australia, the Football Ferns are expecting more to flow in Saturday’s one-off Olympic qualifier against Papua New Guinea.

Thunderstorms and heavy rain are forecast for Port Moresby along with temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius but New Zealand coach John Herdman is confident his side has enough composure to keep their powder dry in the early running and enough class to prevail despite trying conditions.

“Most of our players have experience of playing in Papua New Guinea [in World Cup qualifying last year] so know what to expect,” said Herdman.

Story and photograph courtesy of New Zealand Football Media (NZF)

For the full story click here

PORT MORESBY - Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA), New Zealand Football (NZF) and EMTV will mark today’s OFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Playoff by celebrating International Women’s Day.

EMTV has partnered with OFC to broadcast live coverage of the match between Papua New Guinea and New Zealand throughout Papua New Guinea – the first time a women’s international football match has been shown live on television in this country.

Fiji TV will show a delayed broadcast throughout the Oceania region on its Sky Pacific channel (check local listings for details).

OFC President/FIFA Vice-President Reynald Temarii congratulated NZF and PNGFA for their support of the initiative.

“Both countries are to be congratulated for their support of the Olympic ideal and International Women’s Day.

It is important that people across Oceania can see women’s football, its excitement, its skill, to combat domestic violence and address issues such as HIV/AIDS prevention.

Young women need role models to aspire too and it is my hope that today’s match will achieve this.

Around the world, women’s health, freedom, safety and rights are still threatened globally.

OFC, PNGFA, NZF and EMTV are proud to be associated with this match and International Women’s Day,” Temarii said.

Papua New Guinea Minister of Community Development Dame Carol Kidu has given her support to the cause and said it was another example of OFC’s commitment to women’s development using the power of football to educate and inform.

 

OFC WOMEN’S OLYMPIC FOOTBALL PLAY-OFF

Papua New Guinea vs. New Zealand

Saturday 8 March 2008

Port Moresby Rugby League Stadium

Port Moresby

Papua New Guinea

Kick-off: 14H00hrs (Papua New Guinea time)

TELEVISION (LIVE)

EMTV (PAPUA NEW GUINEA)

Join commentator and Papua New Guinea men’s international Andrew Lepani for live coverage of Papua New Guinea vs. New Zealand’s Football Ferns as the race for the Beijing Women’s Olympic Football Tournament reaches its climax.

XIII South Pacific Games gold medal winners face off against FIFA Women’s World Cup and OFC Women’s champions the New Zealand Football Ferns for a berth at the XXIX Olympiad – Beijing 2008.

Please visit www.emtv.com.pg

FIJI TV – SKY PACIFIC (DELAYED)

Check local listings for further details.

Please visit www.fijitv.com.fj

INTERNET

Join all the action from Port Moresby as OFC Media brings you live text updates from Port Moresby Rugby League Stadium.

Please visit www.oceaniafootball.com for all your news and text updates.

PORT MORESBY - “We know we are going in as underdogs but our girls have the hearts to play and exceed expectations. Everyone is very excited.”

Those were the words of Papua New Guinea coach Frank Yallop on the eve of the OFC Women’s Olympic Qualifier at Telikom Park, Port Moresby.

The one-off match will decide who earns the right to compete for Oceania at the Olympic Games in Beijing in August and Yallop knows his side is up against it.

“We know we are below the current standard of New Zealand but if we can get the whole team to come together and work as a unit, we have a chance,” he said.

“For my girls tomorrows match is part of the learning process. We didn’t get the proper lead up matches to see where we stand so it will be a good measuring stick.”

The 2pm kick off will be broadcast Live throughout Papua New Guinea thanks to EMTV. It is the first time in PNG history that a woman’s match has been shown live on television and will be a great day for women’s soccer.

“The girls know they will be in the shop window tomorrow,” Yallop said. “While they’re very excited I Know it won’t have any negative effect on their performance tomorrow.”

Papua New Guinea has enjoyed the status as Oceania’s “second power” in women’s football since the departure of Australia to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2006.

The country finished in it’s highest ever position at an OFC Women’s Championship in 2007 when it finished runners-up to New Zealand in the race to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup – China 2007.

Daisy Winas and Julie Alau were the star turns for PNG in a campaign that saw the host nation defeat Tonga 1-0 and Solomon Islands 6-1 before eventually losing out to the “Football Ferns” 0-7 at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae.

Yallop is dissapointed that his side only had three weeks together to prepare for tomorrow's match but says his girls have been excellent in the build up.

"We have no star players but instead are one unit. That is the way I have been coaching them and this is the way it must be."

PNG earnt their spot in the Olympic qualifiers by winning the gold medal at the XIII South Pacific Games with a hard fought 3-1 win over Tonga in extra time.

Meanwhile New Zealand will be competing in the Women’s Olympic Qualifiers for the first time since the tournaments conception.

Australia qualified directly in 2000 and New Zealand did not compete in the 2004 qualifiers meaning this year’s Young Ferns will have the first opportunity to reach the Olympics.

Coach John Herdman is not taking the qualifying match lightly and has just competed a three match series with Australia (ranked 12th in the world)in preparation.

While New Zealand lost all three matches Herdman’s side will have learnt a lot about themselves on the tour and rediscovered their goal scoring boots, managing to notch three goals in the three games.

Nine of New Zealand’s sixteen squad members have graduated from the U-20 World Cup squad in Russia two years ago and they will be looking for Leadership from Wendi Henderson, who is eyeing a historic 61st cap to move beyond Maureen Jacobson as the most capped Football Fern.

OFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament – Papua New Guinea 2008
Papua New Guinea vs. New Zealand
14H00(PNG Time)
March 8
Telikom Park
Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea

AUCKLAND – A goal from Emma Kete ended the Football Ferns’ 10-year barren period against Australia but the Matildas took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match trans-Tasman series with a 2-1 win on the Sunshine Coast on Monday night.

Introduced from the bench after just half an hour – with New Zealand already behind to a Kate Gill header – Kete immediately posed problems for Australia’s back four, twice getting through on goal within minutes of coming on.

Story courtesy NZF Media...

Click here for the full story... 

AUCKLAND - The Football Ferns have lost 2-0 to Australia in the first match of a three-game trans-Tasman series on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday night.

An uncharacteristic mistake from goalkeeper Jenny Bindon gifted the Matildas the lead in the 35^th minute and Joanne Burgess sealed the victory with a superb long-range effort on the hour.

After an evenly contested first half-hour in which neither team could get the upper hand, Australia were gifted the lead in the easiest of fashion.

Under little pressure, the normally unflappable Bindon misdirected a pass straight into the path of a grateful Sarah Walsh who slotted home from the edge of the 18 yard box.

Despite footing it for long periods with an Australian side featuring the bulk of their World Cup stars New Zealand coach John Herdman was disappointed to again see a strong start ultimately come to nothing.

Story courtesy NZF Media

For the full story and match analysis click here

 

 

PORT MORESBY – Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and EMTV are pleased to announce live coverage of the OFC Women’s Olympic Games Qualifying match between Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

 

OFC and EMTV will bring live coverage throughout Papua New Guinea of the do-or-die qualifier from 14H00hrs local time on Saturday 8^th March, 2008, with match commentary from Papua New Guinea international Andrew Lepani and former Papua New Guinea women’s international Cathy Davani.

 

The match will be played on International Women’s Day and has won the endorsement of Dame Carol Kidu, Papua New Guinea Minister for Community Development.

 

Dame Carol said the broadcast of a women’s football match on such a momentous occasion was a first for Papua New Guinea and would help raise awareness of key social issues in the region such as HIV/AIDS awareness and domestic violence.

 

Fiji TV will screen the match delayed with details yet to be finalised.

 

OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas said the broadcast was a direct outcome of the OFC Television Seminar in Tahiti last year and paid tribute to EMTV CEO Glenn Armstrong and PNGFA President David Chung in helping make television history.

 

“EMTV and the PNGFA have worked diligently to ensure this match was broadcast and OFC is delighted to have played a key role in facilitating this process.

 

OFC is making great progress in developing its television strategy across the region and we’re hopeful of making further announcements in the near future,” Nicholas said.

 

Papua New Guinea qualified for this play-off after winning the XIII South Pacific Games Women’s Football Tournament gold medal after a 3-1 extra-time victory over Tonga in Apia, Samoa.

 

That followed up an earlier runners-up finish at the OFC Women’s Championship held in Lae, Papua New Guinea, in April, 2007 – Papua New Guinea’s highest ever placing at an OFC women’s tournament.

 

New Zealand will start as red-hot favourites to win the play-off after making its debut appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup – China 2007 and playing host to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in November, 2008.

 

Coach John Herdman will take his team to play warm-up matches against Australia prior to arriving in Port Moresby.

AUCKLAND - Do you want tips on how to make it to the top in coaching or refereeing – or simply some advice on starting out in these areas? 

Then come along and listen to England coach Hope Powell and FIFA'S Head of Women's Refereeing, Sonia Denoncourt, who will be holding seminars for elite and grassroot coaches/referees in February

The roadshow - taking in the four host cities of Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch - is part of the legacy approach to the FIFA U-17 Women's Women's World Cup to be hosted by New Zealand Football from October 28-November 16.

England Coach - Hope Powell OBE    
Distinguished by her dreadlocks, Hope played street football with her brothers before starting as an 11-year-old with Milwall Lionesses. Five years later, she played her first game for England and gained 66 international caps. On her retirement as a player in 1998, Powell was appointed England women's national team coach, with responsibility for the senior, Under-19s, Under-17s and Under-15s sides. At the age of 31 she was the youngest ever person to be given the job. Powell leads the way in motivating women to succeed at all levels in football; she is the first woman to achieve the UEFA Pro Licence; is a member of the English Football Hall of Fame, and in 2002 became an Officer of the British Empire for her services to women’s football.  Hope is also a FIFA Coaching Instructor.

Link courtesy New Zealand Football Media 

Click here for the full story 

The OFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea has been changed from a home and away play-off to a single fixture to be played on Saturday, 8 March 2008 in Papua New Guinea.

The change was requested and agreed by mutual consent between the two associations and approved by FIFA together with OFC.

The winner of the match will progress to the Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing in August.

The format for selecting Oceania's women's representative at the Olympic Games Women's Football Tournament, has changed each year since Oceania first gained entry in 2000.

In 2000, Australia, as host nation of the 2000 Olympic Games, qualified. In 2004, a tournament was held in Fiji, featuring the host nation, Australia and Papua New Guinea.

2008 marks the first Olympic Qualifiers since Australia switched confederations from OFC to Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on January 1, 2006. The winner of the tournament will be awarded direct entry to Beijing 2008.

New Zealand will head into the fixtures as hot favorites but will face a Papua New Guinea team who achieved its highest ever placing at an OFC/FIFA World Cup Qualifying event last year when it finished runners-up to New Zealand.

Papua New Guinea qualified for an Olympic Games showdown with the Football Ferns after winning the gold medal at the XIII South Pacific Games Women’s Football Tournament in Samoa last year.

Papua New Guinea defeated Tonga 3-1 after extra-time to secure the South Pacific Games gold medal and clinch the Olympic Games qualifying berth against New Zealand.

New Zealand were seeded to the playoff stage and did not compete at the XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007.

OFC Olympic Football Tournament Draw

Papua New Guinea vs. New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 8 March 2008
Venue: PRL Telikom Park, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Time: 14H00
*Match Officials to be confirmed

Papua New Guinea recent international results:

OFC/FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers – Papua New Guinea 2007

Vs. Solomon Islands (H) won 6-1
Vs. Tonga (H) won 1-0
Vs. New Zealand (H) lost 0-7

XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007

Vs. American Samoa (N) won 6-0
Vs. Solomon Islands (N) won 4-0
Vs. Fiji (N) lost 0-1
Vs. Cook Islands (N) won 4-1
Vs. Tahiti (N) won 5-0
Vs. Tonga (N) won 3-1*

* Papua New Guinea won after extra-time score 1-1 after 90 minutes

Results from OFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament – Fiji 2004

Australia (1st)
Vs Papua New Guinea won 10-0
Vs Fiji won 7-0

Papua New Guinea (2nd)
Vs Australia lost 0-10
Vs Fiji won 2-0

Fiji (3rd)
Vs Australia lost 0-7
Vs Papua New Guinea lost 0-2

Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has released the draw for the OFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament 2008 and it pits Oceania heavyweights New Zealand against Papua New Guinea side in a two legged, home and away qualifier.

The tournament will run over two match days with New Zealand travelling to Port Moresby on March 8, and then hosting Papua New Guinea in the return leg on March 12 in Auckland.

The format for selecting Oceania's women's representative at the Olympic Games Women's Football Tournament, has changed each year since Oceania first gained entry in 2000.

In 2000, Australia, as host nation of the 2000 Olympic Games, qualified. In 2004, a tournament was held in Fiji, featuring the host nation, Australia and Papua New Guinea.

2008 marks the first Olympic Qualifiers since Australia switched confederations from OFC to Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on January 1, 2006. The winner of the tournament will be awarded direct entry to Beijing 2008.

New Zealand will head into the fixtures as hot favorites but will face a Papua New Guinea team who achieved its highest ever placing at an OFC/FIFA World Cup Qualifying event last year when it finished runners-up to New Zealand.

Papua New Guinea qualified for an Olympic Games showdown with the Football Ferns after winning the gold medal at the XIII South Pacific Games Women’s Football Tournament in Samoa last year.

Papua New Guinea defeated Tonga 3-1 after extra-time to secure the South Pacific Games gold medal and clinch the Olympic Games qualifying berth against New Zealand.

New Zealand were seeded to the playoff stage and did not compete at the XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007.

OFC Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Draw

1st Leg – Papua New Guinea vs. New Zealand*
Date 8 March 2008
Venue Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

2nd Leg – New Zealand vs. Papua New Guinea*
Date 12 March 2008
Venue Auckland, New Zealand

*Kick-off times and stadiums to be confirmed

Papua New Guinea recent international results:

OFC/FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers – Papua New Guinea 2007

Vs. Solomon Islands (H) won 6-1
Vs. Tonga (H) won 1-0
Vs. New Zealand (H) lost 0-7