OFC News

AUCKLAND - The focus may be on the two teams for today's Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) O-League decider at Trusts Stadium but there will be individual baubles up for grabs as Kossa FC team-mates Joe Luwi and James Naka chase the top goalscorer award - with Waitakere United's Allan Pearce close behind.

Waitakere United's freescoring midfielder Allan Pearce has two goals could leapfrog both Solomon Islanders today - providing he scores a hat-trick; a brace would leave Pearce level on four goals with Naka and Luwi.

The stage is set for Pearce who was the hero for Waitakere United last year when his 55th minute headed goal handed United the OFC O-League title on away goals over Fiji champions Ba.

Pearce was the scourge of Kiwi rivals Auckland City FC scoring in both matches against the Colin Tuaa-coached outfit.

Pearce is something of a big game player in the OFC O-League and could heap misery on the Kossa FC defence if given too much space. 

Keryn Jordan of Auckland City FC and Avinesh Suwamy of Ba are both on two goals.

Last season's top scorer in the OFC O-League was Commins Menapi who scored five times on Waitakere United's way to the championship. So far Menapi has been unable to score in this year's edition.

A total of 35 goals have been scored in 13 OFC O-League matches so far this season.

Last season's competition saw 43 goals scored in the 14 matches with Commins Menapi's rivals for the Golden Shoe Award included then Marist FC striker Joe Luwi (3), Auckland City FC duo Grant Young (3) and Paul Urlovic (3), and Waitakere United's Daniel Koprivcic (3).

UNITED WE STAND: Waitakere United's Allan Pearce in the hunt for the OFC O-League golden shoe

GOLDEN SHOE AWARD - OFC O-LEAGUE 2008

NAT	NAME	GOALS	CLUB
SOL	James NAKA	4	Kossa FC
SOL	Joe LUWI	4	Kossa FC
SAF	Keryn JORDAN	2	Auckland City FC
FIJ	Avinesh SUWAMY	2	Ba
NZL	Allan PEARCE	2	Waitakere United
TAH	Billy MATAITAI	1	AS Manu Ura
TAH	Hiashi KAKE	1	AS Manu Ura
NZL	Jeff CAMPBELL	1	Auckland City FC
NZL	Chad COOMBES	1	Auckland City FC
KOR	Ki-Hyung LEE	1	Auckland City FC
SOL	George SURI	1	Auckland City FC
NZL	Paul URLOVIC	1	Auckland City FC
SAF	Grant YOUNG	1	Auckland City FC
FIJ	Josaia BUKALIDI	1	Ba
FIJ	Shalen LAL	1	Ba
PNG	Reginald DAVANI	1	Kossa FC
SOL	Paul WALE	1	Kossa FC
VAN	Jean NAPRAPOL	1	Tafea FC
VAN	Samson OBED	1	Tafea FC
VAN	Alphonse QORIG	1	Tafea FC
VAN	Francois SAKAMA	1	Tafea FC
WAL	Chris BALE	1	Waitakere United
ENG	Neil EMBLEN	1	Waitakere United
NZL	Jonathon PERRY	1	Waitakere United
SOL	Benjamin TOTORI	1	Waitakere United
	Own Goal	1

 

AUCKLAND - Waitakere United's Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) O-League hopes could receive a massive boost today if former New Zealand international defender Danny Hay passes a late fitness test.

The Herald on Sunday reports that Hay will be given as long as he wants to prove his fitness ahead of the 14H05 kick-off time at Trusts Stadium as Waitakere bid to overturn a 1-3 deficit from its first leg brush with Kossa FC at Lawson Tama Stadium two weeks ago.

Hay injured his ankle in the New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC) Grand Final against Team Wellington but travelled to Honiara for the OFC O-League Final 1st Leg despite not playing.

Hay is seen as an integral part of Waitakere United's defence of the Oceania club title and could undergo a cortisone injection to help him through today's match.

Kossa FC assistant coach Willie Lai said his team was optimistic ahead of the match and paid a big compliment to ground staff at Trusts Stadium yesterday after the team had a walk over the playing surface.

"The pitch is in great condition, I'm very impressed. I think the team will be satisfied with the playing surface the way it is and it will be a good game," Lai told www.oceaniafootball.com

Kossa FC's last match - a Super 8 clash with struggling club Walas FC - ended in a 4-2 victory.

Any concerns about Kossa's ability to defend were quickly countered by Lai who said that the three goals scored in the first leg would prove handy.

"I am confident we are capable of scoring one goal today. If we can then this match will change."

Waitakere United's build-up to today's game saw the Chris Milicich-coached O-League champions defeat United Soccer 1 Premiership club Hibiscus Coast 7-0 last weekend.

If Danny Hay can make a surprise return to lead Waitakere United the West Auckland club has every chance of overturning the fixture with Hay and Neil Emblen likely to cause Kossa FC goalkeeper Severino Aefi all sorts of pressure in the six yard box.

Aefi was all at sea during set-plays in Honiara but Waitakere United failed to deliver quality ball into the penalty area and - despite getting physically close to the diminiutive custodian - didn't provide any robust challenges to test the former international's mettle.

That is likely to change today with Waitakere United sure to ask searching questions of a Kossa FC back four that can boast only one player with proven aerial prowess - Samson Takayama.

One area of vulnerability for the host club could ironically be Hay himself; James Naka, Paul Wale, Joe Luwi and Reginald Davani possess enough skill to test the former All White although his vast experience of professional football will give that quartet its own problems.

Jonathan Perry is the only player from the Honiara leg in a white shirt that played anywhere near his potential and Waitakere United will again look to the former Football Kingz defender for a repeat performance.

Perry scored Waitakere's crucial away goal after 49 minutes - and away goal that could prove as crucial as Commins Menapi's strike during United's 2-1 first leg defeat against Fijian club champions Ba at Govind Park, Ba, in 2007.

Waitakere survived a torrid opening 30 minutes in the first leg to prevail 1-0 and clinch a berth at the FIFA Club World Cup - Japan 2007 by virtue of the away goals rule.

The match will screen live in American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands with the match being screened delayed in Vanuatu on VBTC.

Live radio coverage is available from Radio Sport and Solomon Islands Broadcast Corporation.

Check www.oceaniafootball.com main page for more details.

OFC O-LEAGUE FINAL 2nd LEG

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

DOUGLAS FIELD

TRUSTS STADIUM

HENDERSON

KICK-OFF: 14H05 (NZLT)/13H05 (SOLT)

The 2008 O-League Final [2nd Leg] will be broadcast live on radio and the internet and will be shown on live TV in New Zealand, Fiji and the Solomon Islands with delayed coverage in PNG. See below for more information.

MEDIA:

Television

NEW ZEALAND - Sky Sports (NZL viewers only) – Sky Sports 1 will broadcast live coverage of the match from 14H00. Kick-off is at 14H05

SOLOMON ISLANDS - Match Shown live on One News Television: Kick off 13H00 (SOLT)

FIJI - Fiji TV’s Sky Pacific network will broadcast the following*:

    Date       Start Time              Match                   Duration    Type of coverage     Service Channel
11-May-08   14:00 FJT    Waitakere vs. Kossa FC    2 Hours     Live Sky Pacific        CH11 Bollywood Xtra
14-May-08   10:30 FJT    Waitakere vs. Kossa FC    2 Hours     Repeat Sky Pacific   CH10 Super Channel
14-May-08   17:00 FJT    Waitakere vs. Kossa FC    2 Hours     Repeat Sky Pacific   CH10 Super Channel
14-May-08   20:15 FJT    Waitakere vs. Kossa FC    2 Hours     Delayed Sky Fiji       CH2 Sky Plus

*Broadcast available on Sky Pacific platform in Cook Islands, Niue, Solomon Islands

PAPUA NEW GUINEA -EMTV will broadcast the following:

Date         Start Time    Match                           Duration   Type of coverage    Channel
11-May-08 14:00 PNG   Waitakere vs. Kossa FC  2 Hours     Delayed                EMTV

Radio:

Radio Sport (NZL) will be providing live commentary of the match starting from 14H00 (NZT)/ 13H00 (SOLT)

To listen live online, visit www.radiosport.co.nz  and click the ‘Listen live’ link on the homepage.

Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) will be providing live commentary of the match starting from 13H00 (NZT) /12H00 (SOLT)

Radio Sport frequencies:
Auckland: 1332 AM
Dunedin 693 AM
Christchurch 1503 AM
Hamilton 792 AM
Wellington 1503 AM
Check website for more local listings

Internet
OFC will provide live text updates online at www.oceaniafootball.com

AUCKLAND - On Sunday the 2007/08 season of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) O-League will draw to a close when current champions Waitakere United take on Kossa FC in the 2nd Leg Final at Trusts Stadium in Henderson.

The competition has grown from the OFC Club Championship in Fiji in 1999 which incorporated 10 teams over 10 days and attracted 1000 spectators, to this season’s format, where six teams have played games over five countries in front of an estimated 80,000 fans.

The 2nd Leg final will mark the 14th game of this O-League season and the battle to reach the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December is as hot as ever with Kossa holding a 3-1 advantage from the first leg.

Waitakere United Head Coach Chris Milicich will be relying on his side’s professionalism and big game mentality to turn the tie around with eight of his squad members boasting professional football experience.

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

Waitakere know that conceding an early goal would mean needing to score four in order to win the game.

“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.”

Kossa will bring a solid pedigree of international experience over from Honiara with six Solomon Island Internationals (John Morgan, Samson Takayama, James Naka, Terry Oiaka, Gideon Omokirio, Severino Aefi) and one from PNG (Reginald Davani).

Coach Jacob Moli will be looking to Honiara hero James Naka – who was inspirational in their first leg win- to lead the attack again, and the 24 year old has a chance to make a name for himself on the biggest stage in the history of Solomon Island club football.

The 2008 O-League Final [2nd Leg] will be broadcast live on television, radio and the internet.

Match Details 2008 O-League Final [2nd Leg]

Date:   Sunday, 11 May 2008   

Match:   Waitakere United (NZL) vs. Kossa FC (SOL)  

Venue:    Auckland, New Zealand

Stadium:  Douglas Field, The Trusts Stadium

Kick Off:  14H00 (NZT) 13H00 (SOLT)

Squads:

Waitakere: 1. Richard GILLESPIE; 2. Jonathan PERRY; 5. Danny HAY; 6. Darren BAZELY; 7. Jason HAYNE; 8. Commins MENAPI; 9. Benjamin TOTORI; 10. Allen PEARCE; 11. Neil SYKES; 13. Danijel KOPRIVCIC; 14. Hoani EDWARDS; 15. Christopher BALE; 16. Neil EMBLEN; 17. Jake BUTLER; 20. Jason ROWLEY; 21. Graham PEARCE; 22. Simon EADDY (GK); 24. Tim MYERS

Coach: Chris Milicich (NZL)

Kossa: 1. John MORGAN (GK); 3. Sam MAENA; 4. Tome FAISI; 5. Samson TAKAYAMA; 6. Mahlon MAEMANIA; 8. Philip ASHLEY; 9. Samson WAAHERO; 10. Francis NEE; 11. Joe LUWI; 12. Roy ENORI; 13. James NAKA; 14. Terry OIAKA; 15. Seni NGAVA; 16. Paul WALE; 17. Gideon OMOKIRIO; 19. Reginald DAVANI; 20. Willie SADE; 21. Severino AEFI;

Coach: Jacob MOLI (SOL)

Referee: Benjamin WILLIAMS (AUS)

Assistant Referee 1: Tevita MAKASINI (TON)

Assistant Referee 2: Michael JOSEPH (VAN)

Fourth Official: Norbert HAUTUA (TAH)

2008 OFC O-LEAGUE – MATCH-BY-MATCH

GROUP A

Auckland City FC (NZL) vs. Waitakere United (NZL)  0-1 
          Allan Pearce 57’

Waitakere United (NZL) vs. AS Manu Ura (TAH)  2-1 

Neil Emblen 79’          Hiashi Kake 49’
Benjamin Totori 70’

Auckland City FC (NZL) vs. AS Manu Ura (TAH)  6-0
Keryn Jordan 6’, 34’ pen
Grant Young 44’
Chad Coombes 52’
Jeff Campbell 68’
Paul Urlovic 70’

AS Manu Ura (TAH) vs. Auckland City FC (NZL)  0-1
      George Suri 82’

AS Manu Ura (TAH) vs. Waitakere United (NZL)  1-1
Billy Mataitai 93’   Chris Bale 63’

Waitakere United (NZL) vs. Auckland City (NZL)  1-1
Allan Pearce 30’ pen  Ki-Hyung Lee 3’

		PL.	W.	D.	L.	GF.	GA.	PTS.	GD.
1.	Waitakere United	4	2	2	0	5	3	8	+2
2.	Auckland City	4	2	1	1	8	2	7	+6
3.	AS Manu Ura	4	0	1	3	2	10	1	-8

2008 OFC O-LEAGUE – MATCH-BY-MATCH

GROUP B

Ba (FIJ) vs. Tafea (VAN)     1-0
Shalen Lal 93’

Kossa FC (SOL) vs. Tafea FC (VAN)    1-1
Joe Luwi 61’       Alphonse Qorig 71’

Tafea FC (VAN) vs. Ba (FIJ)     2-1
Jean Naka Naprapol 14’ Avinesh Suwamy 58’
Samson Obed 84’

Kossa FC (SOL) vs. Ba (FIJ)     2-0
Own Goal 7’
James Naka 10’

Tafea FC (VAN) vs. Kossa FC (SOL)    1-1
Francois Sakama 60’  James Naka 40’

Ba (FIJ) vs. Kossa (SOL)     2-4
Avinesh Suwamy 43’  Reg Davani 12’
Josaia Bukalidi 84’  Joe Luwi 51’
    James Naka 75’
    Paul Wale 90’

		PL.	W.	D.	L.	GF.	GA.	PTS.	GD.
1.	Kossa FC	4	2	2	0	8	4	8	+4
2.	Tafea FC	4	1	2	1	4	4	5	-
3.	Ba	4	1	0	3	4	8	3	-4

OFC O-LEAGUE FINAL 1st LEG

Kossa FC (SOL) vs. Waitakere United (NZL)   3-1
Joe Luwi 21’, 41’ Jonathan Perry 49’
James Naka 85’

Waitakere United will host Kossa FC in the Second Leg Final of the OFC O-League on Sunday and www.oceaniafootball.com will bring you all the information and news building up to the big day, including the Match Day program.

By clicking the links below you will be able to download and print out your very own O-League Final program.

For a copy of the program from the First Leg of the O-League Final from Honiara click here

For a copy of the program for the upcoming Second Leg Final in Auckland click here

To acess these programs at any time, click on the drop down 'O-League' menu from the homepage and you will find a link to the programs on the right hand navigation bar.

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Inc., a non for profit organization, is the regional body mandated by FIFA to develop Soccer in the South Pacific.

OFC has 15 national football associations as members and is involved in international events and programmes within these 15 countries.

We are requiring an Accounts and Finance Manager (full time position).

Reporting to senior management the main duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

 - Day to day management of the accounts and finance department (only one direct report)

 - Developing financial policies, procedures and internal control

 - Month end reporting and analysis (including cash flow)

- Year end reporting and preparation of annual audit

- Budgeting and costs analysis

- Payroll

 - GST and FBT tax returns

 - Relationship management with OFC stakeholders and various departments.

- Advisory role to senior management Key skills and attributes of the successful candidate will include:

- a strong fundamental accounting background with an understanding of accounting principles and practices

– qualifications would be an advantage (open to recent graduates) but experience would be taken into consideration

 - Advanced Microsoft excel and powerpoint skills

 - Able to prepare and present well focused financial reports and data analysis

- Attention to detail and works to a high level of accuracy

- A good sense of humour with a strong team ethic

- Good communication skills and be able to work in a young and multi-cultural environment

 – requirement to learn French as part of the position.

- Be able to work under pressure and deadline in a fast paced environment.

 - A full driving license

Salary: up to NZ$50,000 per annum + company car provided depending on qualifications and experience.

To submit your application (CV + cover letter) please send an email to Frederic Guillemont, OFC Deputy General Secretary, Frederic@oceaniafootball.com - alternatively for a confidential discussion phone on 09 / 525 81 64.

(OFC website www.oceaniafootball.com )

Applications to be received no later than 15 May 2008.

Only people with the right to work in New Zealand may apply for this position.

For advice on obtaining New Zealand Work or Residence visas visit the New Zealand Immigration Service (www.immigration.govt.nz)