AUCKLAND – A late first half goal from Jeremy Brockie spearheaded a New Zealand fightback but it wasn’t enough for the Thai Airways Oly-Whites who went down 1-2 to the Indonesian national team in Jakarta on Thursday night.

New Zealand’s U-23 side fell behind to their senior opposition after just 12 minutes when Firman Utina fired a powerful free kick past Jacob Spoonley with the help of a deflection from Cole Tinkler, and went two goals down through Bambang Pamungkas after half an hour.

Brockie brought New Zealand back into the game a minute before halftime with a low drive just inside the left hand upright of the Indonesian goal, and would have levelled the scores just moments later had Indonesian goalkeeper Markus Horison not got a touch to his next effort.

Neither team could add to the score after the break although Shaun van Rooyen (twice), Craig Henderson and Brockie went close to finding an equaliser.

Fresh-off-the-plane striker Chris Killen played 75 minutes and Simon Elliott came off the bench for the last half hour, with New Zealand coach Stu Jacobs pleased with the introduction the two over-age players.

“It’s really encouraging. Chris gave us a great platform up top. He’s a seasoned pro playing in one of the best leagues in the world and gives us the ability to go forward off his play,” Jacobs said.

“Simon’s been chomping at the bit to play but we’re just holding him back a wee bit yet. His organisation, quality and experience showed when he came on and even in training he’s taking the sessions up a level.”

Despite temperatures still topping 30 degrees as the sides kicked off, New Zealand had enough in the tank to finish strongly with Jacobs seeing it as a sign his side were acclimatising well and peaking at the right time just two weeks out from their Olympic opener against China in Shenyang on August 7.

“We came away with plenty of positives. We finished the game really well, had three or four gilt-edged chances and for the last 15 or 20 minutes the Indonesians weren’t even in it,” Jacobs said.
“I think physically we’re right there, we just need to turn those nearlies into goals.

“Indonesia were a step up from the Olyroos and the Mariners but I’m pleased with the way we competed against a senior national team.

“We created some really good opportunities from some promising passages of play. We were getting the ball into Killy’s feet and our wide players played really well. They had two very sharp players up front but our players coped with what they had.”

The Oly-Whites finish their Olympic build-up with a match against Indonesian Super League club Persija Jakarta on Saturday night.

Thai Airways Oly-Whites 1 (Jeremy Brockie 44) Indonesia 2 (Firman Utina 12, Bambang Pamungkas 30). Halftime 1-2

Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta

Thai Airways Oly-Whites: Jacob Spoonley (GK), Aaron Scott (captain / Jack Pelter 77), Steven Old, Michael Boxall, Ian Hogg, Craig Henderson, Cole Peverley, Cole Tinkler (Simon Elliott 60), Daniel Ellensohn (Shaun van Rooyen 77), Jeremy Brockie, Chris Killen (Sam Messam 75).
Substitutes not used: Liam Little (RGK), Sam Jenkins.
Head Coach: Stu Jacobs.

Story provided by NZF Media. For full story visit www.nzsoccer.com

Italy-Spain; Portugal-Brazil. These were the Marseille 2008 semi-finals that were set today when the aforementioned quartet eliminated France, Argentina, Uruguay and Russia respectively. Oceaniafootball.com reflects on quarter-final day on Prado beach.

The big match
Brazil 6-4 Russia
Goals - Buru, Bruno, Daniel (3), Benjamin for Brazil; Egor Shaykov (2), Dmitry Shishin, Ilya Leonov for Russia

It was 36 minutes of pure edge-of-the-seat action. For a majority of these, the mighty Brazil's title dreams hung in the balance. Russia, with goalkeeper Andrey Bukhlitskiy in inspirational form and Shaykov, Shishin and Leonov forming a probing outfield triumvirate, took 2-0 and 3-2 leads. The Seleção needed a hero - and they found one. Daniel's equaliser sent them out for the final restart all square, and his two goals thereafter propelled Alexandre Soares' side, who lost Buru to a red card, to an intensely hard-fought success.

The other games
Portugal started and finished strongly against Uruguay to win 6-3 and become the first team to reach the last four. There, they will play Brazil, who will be trawling through footage of the admirable performances of Madjer, Alan and man-of-the-moment Belchior. Spain followed their Iberian neighbours into the semi-finals after a 2-0 reverse of Argentina. The Albiceleste's strategy was to limit Amarelle's output, which they did, but they were unable to stop Nico, whose double sent his country through to Saturday's first match. The battle to oppose them in this fixture was won by Italy, much to the dismay of the Marseille crowd, who attempted to roar France back from a five-goal deficit. Ultimately, the Azzurri's first-period dominance proved too high a hurdle for Les Bleus to overcome, and their challenge ended with a 5-2 defeat.

The player
Simone Feudi (ITA)
Playing in his opponents' backyard did not hinder the Italy No5. He was the driving force behind the Azzurri's victory over France, covering every inch of sand, scoring twice and almost adding a third with the most audacious of chips.

The stat
32 - The number of years Spain's Nico turned today. It took the birthday boy just three seconds of his side's quarter-final with Argentina, the country in which he was born, to score La Roja's 50th goal in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup history, and he completed his brace thereafter to seal victory.

What they said
"We're delighted to have reached the semi-finals. Uruguay are strong opponents but we played as a team and got the victory. We think we can beat anybody in this tournament and that includes Brazil," Belchior, Portugal player.

All the results
Portugal 6-3 Uruguay
Argentina 0-2 Spain
Brazil 6-4 Russia
France 2-5 Italy

Story and photo provided by FIFA Media. For more information visit www.fifa.com

Exciting strikes by some of the region's most prolific goal scorers kept the 11,000 strong crowd warm on a chilly Laucala evening at the Battle of the Giants tournament in Fiji yesterday..

First it was Solomon Islands ace Commins Menapi, who struck twice for Navua to break the hearts of Rewa fans with a 3-0 drubbing.

Solomon Islander Aldrine Kilua’s goal also gave Nasinu a 1-0 win over Lautoka whose side included the likes of New Zealand-based Peni Finau and Osea Vakatalesau.

Then the loudest roar erupted when Vodafone Labasa scored twice in five minutes against defending champions Ba.

Goals by Fiji's top marksman Roy Krishna and Vanuatu's Jopesh Namiriau gave Labasa a 2-1 win.

New Zealand-based striker Krishna said he enjoyed playing with Namiraiu in the FMF/Blue Gas Battle of the Giants at the National Stadium last night.

"He is more experienced than I and I am learning a lot from him,"Krishna said.

Krishna and Namiriau were on the scoresheet for the 10-man Babasiga Lions while Maciu Dunadamu got Vodafone Ba's lone goal,

Krishna was brought back by Labasa in the June transfer window, after he played for Waitakere United in NZ earlier in the season.

Namiriau, who played for Suva previously, also made the switch in June and the duo proved to be a deadly strike force.

Krishna said he was satisfied to have scored against the defending champions.

"But it wasn't me alone, who got this win, as the whole team and coaching staff did a lot as well."

He thanked the fans for their support saying they will play be an intergral part in Labasa's quest to win the title at Laucala.

Labasa coach Anand Sami heaped praises on his two marksmen.

"They played with a lot of confidence and showed good skills. They should get sharper as we progress," Sami said.

Ba without Coach Yogendra Datt was a shadow of a side, as it committed numerous mistakes.

Datt did not travel with the side because of job commitments and he is likely to be absent against Lautoka today.

Ba soccer president Rishi Kumar said two mistakes committed cost the side the match.

"We have to work harder now," Kumar said.

In the 18th minute, Namiriau won the ball off the Ba defenders and fed Krishna, who applied the sublime finish. The Siberia lad rifled a shot past a hapless Ba goalkeeper Jone Sorolo.

With their tails up, the Babasiga Lions backed by patriotic fans made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute.

Namiriau got the ball from the midfield and placed it calmly past Sorolo.

With all counting Ba out, skipper Avinesh Swamy marshaled his troops and led by example.

With two minutes to go in the first half, Swamy's pile driver was saved by Labasa goalie, Shamal Kumar.

But Dunadamu was at the right place and he narrowed the deficit to 2-1 as the teams headed to the break.

Defender Samu Kautoga was shown the red card three minutes before time, for a second bookable offence.

Ba: Jone Sorolo, Avinesh Swamy, Jone Vesikula, Maciu Dunadamu, Shalen Lal, Maueli Kalou, Roneel Kumar, Kiniviliame Naika (Pita Bolaitoga), Alvin Singh, Malakai Tiwa, Josaia Bukalidi.

Labasa:Shamal Kumar, Apisalome Turuva, Roy Krishna, Joseph Namiriau (Jope Lomu), Alvin Avinesh, Taniela Waqa, Samu Kautoga, Henry Dyer, Sandip Nair, Dinesh Mudaliar (Ajesh), Nemani Rasiga.The second half saw the match in a balance but neither side managed to get on the score sheet.

Pundits have tipped the Vodafone Ba soccer side to reign supreme at the Battle of the Giants, which starts at the National Stadium today.

This is despite the defending champions having already lost the Champion versus Champion and the Fiji FACT titles earlier this year.

Based on form the Men in Black are still favoured to top the lot when the dust settles at Laucala on Sunday.

Prominent soccer commentator Raymond Stoddart and national coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti, have rated Ba as the team to beat.

Stoddart, a former Suva rep, said with the inclusion of Roneel Kumar, Maciu Dunadamu and Pita Bolaitoga, Ba will start as favorites.

"Ba is in the same pool with Shop and Save Lautoka and Labasa, and one of them will have to bow out," Stoddart said.

"The Ba side has lost the FACT, but will be out to make amends.

"Lautoka look very strong on paper with the inclusion of Peni Finau and Osea Vakatalesau who will boost the side."

The Vodafone Labasa side with the services of strikers Roy Krishna and Joseph Namiriau has a formidable strike force. "I tip Ba and Lautoka to make the semi-finals from this pool," he said.

From Pool 2, Stoddart has picked Southern Forest Navua and Power Electric /Vodafone Suva to make the last four.

"Suva at home will be strong," he said.

"Looking at Nadi and Rewa which are in this pool, they will find it hard, if their performance from last week is anything to go by.

"Tavua will cause a lot of problems in this pool, but I stick my head out and tip Navua and Suva."

He has predicted a Ba-Lautoka final, with the Men in Black to win.

"I am tipping Ba purely on experience and the players they have," Stoddart said.

He said after every tournament a national team should be selected, as this would give the players an added incentive.

"We need to have the national team assembled after each tournament and play matches, as this will give the players a boost," he said.

Buzzetti said all teams will be out to nail the top prize, adding the standard at the tournament would go up a notch from the Fiji FACT. "There will be a big difference in fitness now as the season is half way," Buzzetti said.

"On paper Ba and Labasa look the top bets."

He said there were certain factors, which would affect teams.

"Things like how tired the players are and how fast they recover and the yellow cards they get," he said.

Fiji Football Association chief executive Bob Kumar said teams like Ba, Lautoka, Navua and Labasa were the stand outs, but it would be very hard to predict the winner.

AUCKLAND - The Football Ferns have struck goal scoring form in their penultimate pre-Olympic hit-out, winning 14-0 against Singapore in the city-state on Wednesday night.

Strikers Amber Hearn, Emma Kete and Renee Leota all scored their first international hat tricks with Hearn and Kete finding the back of the net four times.

Midfielders Kirsty Yallop (twice) and Merissa Smith also netted as New Zealand ran riot in each of the training match’s three periods, scoring four goals in the first half hour and five each in the next two 30 minute spells.

The lop-sided win is the Football Ferns’ largest in five years and eclipses a 9-0 victory over Thailand in 1991 as their biggest win against non-Oceania opposition.

The Football Ferns opened the scoring through a back post Yallop header in the second minute and never looked back with long range efforts from Hearn and Kete the pick of the night’s plentiful offerings.

New Zealand coach John Herdman praised the nature of the Ferns performance but quickly turned his attention to the New Zealand’s next game against Canada – the side’s final warm-up match before meeting Japan in their Olympic opener on August 6.

“Tonight was important. We always go into fixtures as the underdogs but we knew tonight we were the better team, and we played with confidence professionalism and ruthlessness,” Herdman said.

“The key now is they take this into the Canada game on Friday.”

“It’s our last opportunity to scalp a top 10 team and send out a message before the Olympics.

“We’ve had the attitude in the games against Australia and China, but tonight they had the killer instinct and players were prepared to put their bodies on the line to score goals. There was just that extra bit of quality tonight.

“It was a step we needed to take. We’ve worked hard on our finishing in the last few days and internally the team asked some questions of our attacking players. Tonight they all stood up.”

New Zealand play Canada at Jurong West Stadium in Singapore on Friday at 11.30 (NZ time).

The Football Ferns are in Group G of the 12 team Women’s Olympic Football Tournament along with Japan, Norway and USA.

Football Ferns 14 (Amber Hearn (4), Emma Kete (4), Renee Leota (3), Kirsty Yallop (2), Merissa Smith) Singapore 0

Queenstown Stadium, Singapore
Wednesday 23 July

Football Ferns line-ups:
First third: Rachel Howard, Ria Percival, Rebecca Smith, Abby Erceg, Marlies Oostdam, Ali Riley, Katie Hoyle, Hayley Moorwood (Captain), Kirsty Yallop, Amber Hearn, Emma Kete.

Second third: Rachel Howard, Ria Percival, Rebecca Smith, Kristy Hill, Marlies Oostdam, Merissa Smith, Kirsty Yallop, Emily McColl, Anna Green, Amber Hearn, Renee Leota.

Final third: Jenny Bindon, Katie Hoyle, Abby Erceg, Kristy Hill, Anna Green, Merissa Smith, Emily McColl, Hayley Moorwood (Captain), Renee Leota, Emma Kete, Rebecca Tegg.

Head coach: John Herdman

Story courtesy of NZF Media. For full article visit www.nzsoccer.com

Russia, Brazil and Spain completed the line-up for the quarter-finals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Marseille 2008 on a day when United Arab Emirates, Mexico and Japan came up short. FIFA.com reflects on the conclusion to an appetizing group stage.

The quarter finalists are Russia, Brazil, Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, Uruguay, Argentina.

The big match
Spain 6-1 Japan
Goals - Amarelle (3), Cristian Torres, Nico, Javi Alvarez for Spain; Tomoya Uehara for Japan.
Almost 15 minutes had gone. Spain were struggling to break down their opponents, and only the reactions of Roberto Valeiro had denied Japan the opener. But cometh the hour, cometh the man. That man, when Spain are concerned, is perennially Amarelle. The inventive No10 produced a stunning overhead-kick to break the deadlock, scored again from the penalty spot, and then added his side's fifth goal with another sublime bicycle-kick as they clinched their place in the last eight.

Other games
Benjamin's phenomenal shooting from distance made absolutely sure of Brazil's place in the quarter-finals, and condemned Mexico to elimination after their repeat of last year's final. The Seleção No10 struck the first from a free-kick taken close to his own goalkeeper, and added another long-range set-piece as the defending champions eased to a 7-1 success. Earlier, Argentina had become the first team to advance with maximum points, sending Cameroon home pointless in the process. However, it was the battle to join the Albiceleste that took precedence in Group C, and it was Russia who emerged with the runners-up ticket following a convincing 5-0 win over United Arab Emirates. Andrey Bukhlitskiy kept an unprecedented second successive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup clean sheet to aid this result, and Egor Shaykov played his part with two goals.

The player
Facundo Minici (ARG)
Argentina are not just about goalkeeper Marcelo Salgueiro and the impressive Hilaire brothers. Minici's three-goal performance against Cameroon will have certainly underlined this to Spain.

The stat
70 - The number of matches Brazil have gone unbeaten following today's reverse of Mexico.

What they said
"We now have two days to rest and prepare for our next game, which will serve us well. We'll do our best to reach the semi-finals. It will not be easy but we believe we can do it. We'll have to be even more efficient than we were today against the UAE," Nikolai Pisarev, Russia coach.

All the results
United Arab Emirates 0- 5 Russia
Cameroon 0-3 Argentina
Spain 6-1 Japan
Brazil 7-1 Mexico

Story provided by FIFA media. For all your FIFA Beach Soccer news and information visit www.fifa.com

FIJI- After the completion of the first round of games at the FMF/Blue Gas Battle of the Giants tournament, Vodafone Labasa, Shop and Save Lautoka and Southern Forest Navua have set the pace.

Labasa beat Nasinu 3-0, with a brace from Samuela Kautoga and one strike from Waitakere United striker, Roy Krishna.

Veteran marksman, Salesh Sami and Isimeli Naresia got the goals for Lautoka in its 2-0 win over Nadroga. Pranil Chand and lanky Apisai Smith gave Navua a 2-0 win over Tavua while Rewa and Nadi played out a 1-1 draw in another match.

Olympian Alvin Prasad got the opener for Rewa, but it was former national rep Viliame Toma, who got the equalizer deep in the second half.

Labasa coach Anand Sami although happy with his teams outcome was disappointed at his side’s failure in converting many chances especially since play was largely confined within the Nasinu half.

“It was a bit of a lackluster performance from the boys. There could have many more goals,” Sami said.

Lautoka coach Dennis Singh said they will have to brush up their attacking game. Singh said their players wasted many scoring opportunities.

“If you don’t score then you don’t win matches, it’s as simple as that,” he quipped. Navua boss Anil Sharma was satisfied with the win and also praised Tavua.

"We always knew it was going to be tough. I'm satisfied with the win and I also salute Tavua for giving us a tough game because everybody expected Navua to win by a big margin. Tavua will be a strong team in the tournament.''

"On the day Tavua played really well. We created opportunities but Tavua made it tough for us. I think we can use this week to perfect our finishing,'' Sharma said.

Rewa coach Kamal Swamy said while his teams played a better match than Nadi, a lapse in concentration saw the side give away the lead.

“We came away with a point, which is far better than losing,” Swamy said.

Games proper will start on Thursday at the National Stadium.

Solomon Islands bowed out of Marseille 2008 in style by beating El Salvador 6-3 in the battle for third place in Group B. James Naka headlined the victory, scoring four goals to take his tournament tally to eight.

Naka opened the scoring in the early stages, and he doubled his side's lead 13 seconds after the first restart. Jose Ruiz and Elias Ramirez got on the score-sheet for the Salvadorans in the second period, but Naka added another two to send Solomon Islands out for the last 12 minutes holding a 4-2 lead.

Tomas Hernandez pulled the Central Americans to within one goal of their opponents, but a double from Omo put the game out of their reach.

The win capped off a memorable tournament for James Naka who was undoubtedly the standout player for the Bilikiki Boys.

 "We played much better in our final game and I'm really happy with the result. We've had a great experience and it was great to finish the tournament with a victory. We'll hope to do better next year," Naka said.

El Salvador Coach Rudis Mauricio Gonzalez Gallo also had praise for the Solomon Island star.

 "I was really pleased with the attitude of my players. The problem today was that we couldn't contain Naka. But it was great to be here. The organisation from FIFA was excellent and really like Marseille and its fans. I hope France win tonight and can go to the final," Gallo said.

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Marseille 2008

Solomon Islands 6 (NAKA (4'12", 12'13", 15'27", 22'45")OMO (27'51", 34'41) El Salvador 3 (12'54")Elias RAMIREZ (23'07")Tomas HERNANDEZ (27'22")

El Salvador: 12 Jose PORTILLO (GK); 4 Jose LOBOS (C); 9 Elias RAMIREZ ; 10 Tomas HERNANDEZ ; 11 Jose RUIZ

SUBS: 1 Luis RODAS (GK); 2 Wilber ALVARADO; 3 Jose MEMBRENO; 5 Saul BLANCO; 6 Jose CASTRO; 7 Walter TORRES; 8 Jose QUINTEROS

Coach: GONZALEZ GALLO Rudis Mauricio (SLV)

Solomon Islands: 12. (GK) Fred HALE; 2.TAKA; 8. (C) OMO; 10. James NAKA; 11.
Gibson HOSEA;

SUBS: 1. (GK) Henry PADAVERANA; 3. Franco NEE; 4. Eddie NGAITIN; 5. Hickly RENCE; 6. Nicholas MURI; 7. Michael TAEMAN; 9. Joe LUWI;

Coach: KOTO Henry (SOL)

Officials

Referee: GENG Zhiwei (CHN)
Second referee: JACOB Denis (BEL)
Third referee: PALHIES Sylvain (FRA)
Timekeeper: RODRIGUEZ Juan (ARG)

Solomon Island Results at FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Marseille 2008

17 July
14.45 Hrs (Local Time)
Italy   7   Solomon Islands  4

19 July
16.15 Hrs (Local Time)
Solomon Islands 4  Portugal   13

21 July 22
16.15 Hrs (Local Time)
El Salvador  3  Solomon Islands 6

Solomon Island Goal Scorers:

James Naka   8
Gideon Omikirio  2
Gibson Hosea   2
Franco Nee   1
Nicholas Muri   1

Photos provided by FIFA media. For more visit www.fifa.com

It takes a lot to wipe the smile from the face of Solomon Islands goal-getter James Naka, and even in the wake of the Bilikiki Boys' 13-4 defeat by Portugal on Matchday 3 of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008, the striker was accentuating the positive. The Kossa FC player underlined his international scoring credentials by notching his 13th goal in seven appearances in the tournament.

"I'm delighted to be taking part in my third World Cup," he told FIFA.com in an exclusive post-match interview. "It was a really tough couple of opening games against some of the top sides. We did our very best to stand up to them but I don't think we had any luck at all. Scoring a goal doesn't really mean anything when your team ends up losing."

Nevertheless, the Oceania representatives could at least console themselves with having edged the second period 3-2 against Italy. And as far as their No 10 is concerned, he and his team-mates could have given the Italians plenty more to ponder had they had more time to get used to the conditions in Marseille. "I think we arrived here a little late. The sand here is a little different to our beaches and it's far more tiring to play on this pitch than the ones we train on," he said.

Naka was called up to the Solomon Islands' national team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifiers last year, just before jetting off to Rio de Janeiro for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2007. It was an experience he took in his stride. "To be honest, I find the Beach Soccer World Cup tougher than the qualification matches. The standard is a lot higher here," he explained.

Henry Koto's side will have one last chance to bring home some points from the tournament when they face El Salvador on Tuesday morning (local time). With both sides locked at the bottom of the group a win would help to put a shine on the tournament for the Bilikiki Boys.

Personally for Naka it will provide another stage to showcase his skills. Naka has scored 4 goals so far at this World Cup and 13 goals from seven world cup matches over 3 years.

Record at FIFA Tournaments: