OFC U12 Festival of Football - Danone Cup

VANUATU STEAL THE SHOW AND HEAD FOR LYON

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-12 Festival of Football came to a thrilling conclusion in Port Moresby last week with Vanuatu taking the honours and a place at the Danone Nations Cup 2007 in Lyon, France 28 th June to 1 st July.

Vanuatu secured the title and qualification for the Danone Nations Cup with one match to spare after beating PNG's Southern Region 1-0 in their sixth round clash at the Port Moresby Rugby League Stadium.

The Vanuatu team - comprising students from the St. Joseph School that won the Vanuakids U-12 Schools competition last year - was led ably by school teacher Haoul Raoul and Philemon John.

Closest rivals New Zealand finished the tournament on a high defeating PNG Kokopo Schools (2-0) and Solomon Islands (1-0) but the two victories were not enough to overhaul Vanuatu. The Kiwis conceded only one goal in the whole tournament - against Vanuatu - and it proved costly enough to deny them top spot.

The most frustrating story of the tournament will be that of New Caledonia who finished the competition in third place unbeaten in seven match run that comprised two wins and five draws. New Caledonia won plaudits on and off the pitch not only for their exciting brand of football but their willingness to embrace the culture and spirit of the OFC U-12 Festival of Football.

Solomon Islands finished fourth tied on points and goal difference with New Caledonia finishing higher based on their penalty shoot-out victory on Match Day Two. Solomon Islands will be remembered for their colourful cultural performances at Saint Theresa School on the Cultural Day and their wonderful repeat performance at the Opening Ceremony.

Papua New Guinea's four teams finished in the bottom four with Kokopo Schools fifth thanks to scoring more goals than Southern Region (sixth) and possessing a better goal difference than Goroka. PNG Bugandi finished in eighth place winless and without scoring a goal but proving one of the most popular teams off the pitch with their friendly demeanour and commitment to fairplay and the cultural element of the tournament.

The winner of the OFC U-12 Festival of Football will get the chance to take part in the Danone Nations Cup in France as New Zealand's United Soccer 1 did in 2006. Reunion Island won their second Danone Nations Cup title but the chance to engage their peers in a unique atmosphere learning about different cultures captivated the team.

The opportunity to take the best of the Oceania Football Confederation's youngsters to showcase their talents and learn more about the other cultures from around the world at the Danone Nations Cup provides another aspect to the OFC U-12 Festival of Football….

REUNION ISLAND CAPTURE DANONE NATIONS CUP

Three days of competition, a flawless progression to the final, knocking out frightening rivals such as South Africa, Japan, Indonesia and finally Switzerland...That's what the "Men in Green" did to deserve the Cup.

Congratulations to our 14 little champions and a special bravo to Etienne Lebon, the best goalkeeper 2006.

"My dream became reality. I'm happy, we won, I have met Zidane, I the Cup... These beautiful images are engraved forever on our memories."

We hope so, not only for their captain, Sylvio Ouassiero, but also for the 450 kids who participated in the Danone Nations Cup 2006!

The most famous French footballer has been the ambassador of the Danone Nations Cup since 2003. The French team's number 10 tells us how he feels about the most prestigious international tournament for 10-12 year olds.

“The Danone Nations Cup is a fantastic adventure for all these children who come from all around the world. I would have loved to have had the chance to experience that when I was their age.

The message I want to give the children is: Make the most of it! The Danone Nations Cup is an unforgettable experience; it's playing to enjoy yourself, to collect exceptional memories that will stay with you for a very long time!”

FOR MORE ABOUT THE DANONE CUP VISIT THE WEBSITE: http://www.danonecup.com