OFC Nations Cup - Stage One Teams

American Samoa’s old sinking feeling

With room only for improvement, American Samoa once again proved themselves whipping boys of the Oceania region. Failing to progress from Oceania’s FIFA World Cup preliminary competition in Apia, Samoa, the consummate outsiders struggled from the outset. A 0-4 loss to blood brothers Samoa, a 1-9 hammering at the hands of much-improved Vanuatu, and a 0-11 loss to Fiji before one final humiliation (0-10) to Papua New Guinea proved the side are still miles away from respectability in the Oceania region.

A member of FIFA since 1998, American Samoa is also one of the most recent beneficiaries of FIFA's GOAL Programme to take part in the qualifiers. The programme provides financial assistance to help build new football facilities and supports national football associations in developing and promoting the sport in their respective countries. Work at Pago Pago Park in the nation’s capital is near completion with the facility likely to be in use as American Samoa prepares for the XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007 football competition.

The team from Oceania was forced to learn things the hard way in its first bid to qualify for a FIFA World Cup™ in April 2001. They were drawn against the teams from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Australia in the preliminaries for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan held in the international sports stadium in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. Even their heaviest defeat against the Socceroos (0-31) failed to dampen their spirits as they battled on courageously in every single game.

And with more reasons for despair following the Germany 2006 qualifiers, it’s back to the drawing board for American Samoa.

Cook Islands on the right path

The Cook Islands, a group of 15 South Pacific islands, first joined FIFA in 1994. Since then they have competed in a number of international tournaments, launching their first campaign for FIFA World Cup™ qualification in 1996.

Football is still very much in a state of development on the islands, and FIFA's GOAL project has supported the national association in building and developing sports facilities. The latest achievement is a national training centre in Matavera that is home to a new Football Academy and two international standard pitches.

Despite their best efforts, the Cook Islands were on the receiving end of some rough results yet again in 2006 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers.
Drawn into a group alongside Tahiti, the Salomon Islands, Tonga and New Caledonia, the islanders only scored once while letting in 17 goals. The courageous Cook Islanders ended up bottom of the pile and will hope for better luck next time.

Current national team coach Tim Jerks has embarked upon a careful preparatory programme ahead of the XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007 and will draw most of his squad from clubs in Australia, Cook Islands and New Zealand.

Long serving goalkeeper Tony Jamieson will be the key man in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers alongside Thomas Le Mouton who features for New Zealand regional league club Albany United.

Fiji seeking to close the gap

Fiji are one of the leading island-based football nations in the Oceania Football Confederation. Witness a series of outstanding displays in qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™ where they finished second in their group behind regional big guns Australia.

The Fijians won all their qualifying fixtures at the Coffs Harbour International Sports Stadium in April 2001 with just one exception, a 2-0 defeat against Australia which spelled elimination from the tournament, as only the group winners progressed. But the islanders show an impressive amount of skill in games such as the emphatic 13-0 defeat of American Samoa.

A temporary setback was to follow as the islanders slipped to second behind Tahiti in their 2002 Nations Cup group, but they bounced back to claim the 2003 South Pacific Games title with a 2-0 victory over New Caledonia in front of a 10,000-strong crowd at the National Stadium in Suva.

Fiji received a boost from FIFA's GOAL programme in February 2003 with the launch of the Dr. M.S. Sahu Khan Football Academy, a facility boasting two international-class pitches, a football academy, modern offices and a residential block.

Early evidence of the stimulus provided by the new Academy came in the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ preliminary qualifying group, where Tony Buesnel's men finished just a point off Vanuatu in second and impressed observers with a formidable 11-0 demolition of American Samoa.

The runners-up spot sealed a trip to Adelaide where Australia and New Zealand lay in wait for the island states. Fiji proved one of the surprise packages of the tournament, retaining an outside chance of joining Australia in the final play-off until the last match day. However, Buesnel's men fell to New Zealand in the decisive clash and had to make do with a fourth-place finish.

Fiji are red hot favourites to clinch a XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007 gold medal and a berth at the 2nd phase of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers. Fiji’s performances at age group level and in club competition at home and abroad suggest the gap has closed between New Zealand and the Melanesian nation.

New Fiji coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti performed a major miracle when his Vanuatu side defeated New Zealand 4-2 in the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers and Fiji fans expectations of a similarly exciting campaign are high.

With a raft of talented players at Buzzetti’s disposal such as Osea Vakatalesau, Roy Krishna and Esala Masi, to name but a few, the question of who is top dog in Oceania may not be so clear cut.

SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES SQUAD:
1. Simione Moci Tamanisau; 2. Alvin Avinesh ; 3. Waisake Sabutu; 4. Samuela Vuluma Vula; 5. Ronil Kumar; 6. Lorima Dau; 7. Ratu Inosi Tuwai Vatucicila; 8. Pita Baleitoga Senibiaukula; 9. Josaia Junior Sauturaga Bukalidi; 10 Osea Vakatalesau; 11. Thomas Moore Vulivuli; 12. Peni Lesubulamailepanoni (Captain); 13. Taniela Evo Waqa Lautoka; 14. Villiame Dawai Toma; 15. Salesh Kumar; 16. Malakai Tiwa; 17.Malakai Kainihewe; 18. Pita Rabo (Vice-Capt.); 19. Roy Krishna; 20. Benaminio Mojito Mateinaqara.
Coach: Juan Carlos Buzzetti

Assistant National Coach: Saiyad Ali
Assistant National Coach: Iosefo Vosaboto

New Caledonia showing signs of improvement

The islanders came excruciatingly close to reaching the second round of Oceania qualifying in Adelaide. Finishing with seven points from four matches in Group 1 of the preliminary competition, the minnows will have to put their efforts into South Africa 2010 as their Germany 2006 dreams were cruelly dashed. Though a scoreless draw with Tahiti, an 8-0 win over the Cook Islands and another 8-0 win over Tonga will have spirits high, a slim loss to the much-improved Solomons saw them tumble unfortunately out of the preliminary competition in Honiara.

Admitted to FIFA in 2005, New Caledonia have actually been competing regularly with their South Pacific island neighbours since at least the early 1950s and produced a FIFA world champion in 1998 in Lifou-native Christian Karembeu, who played for France.

And though officially they are relative newcomers, the French Overseas Territory has already shown its mettle in the Oceania region with an impressive showing at the OFC U-20 Men’s Championship in 2007 with the U-20 national side coming within a whisker of upsetting eventual champions New Zealand.

Although New Caledonia’s club champions AS Mont Dore featured in the OFC Champions League 2007 (O-League), they finished bottom of a group that featured eventual winners Waitakere United (NZL) and FIFA Club World Cup participants Auckland City.

New Caledonia’s prospects of progressing further in FIFA World Cup qualifying appear healthy if their record at previous South Pacific Games football tournaments is anything to go by.

New Caledonia has won four gold medals in 1963, 1969, 1971 and 1987 and with the South Pacific Games doubling as the first phase of qualification for the FIFA World Cup, no one will take the islanders for granted as they hunt for a spot in South Africa.
Preparations for XIII South Pacific Games saw les Cagous take in a tour of Australia with the national team losing 5-0 to Central Coast Mariners of the Hyundai A-League.

Samoa face future with optimism

Samoa will play host to the XIII South Pacific Games 2007 at the Taleofoa J.S.Blatter Playing Fields with team captain Chris Cahill - brother of FA Premiership and Australia international star Tim Cahill – leading Manumea in their quest for football credibility.

Drawn in a group featuring Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Polynesian rivals Tonga and American Samoa, Manumea will cause a major stir if they can eliminate one of the Melanesian giants from a semi-final slot.

Preparations for the South Pacific Games consisted of a three week training camp in Auckland, New Zealand, against a variety of regional club sides that yeilded mixed results suggesting Manumea will face a difficult task to progress further than the first phase.

At their last attempt to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, the Samoans kept alive their tradition of underachievement as they tumbled out before the secondary group stage in Adelaide. A 1-4 loss to Papua New Guinea, a 0-4 drubbing from Fiji and a 0-3 loss to Vanuatu saw the Samoans’ slim dream disappear. Though they did manage a 4-0 win over their incompetent neighbours American Samoa, the three points were not enough to see them progress. They will now have to hope that their status improves some before South Africa 2010 qualifiers get underway.

A group of nine South Pacific islands, Samoa have been a FIFA member since 1996. Football has been given huge impetus on the islands through FIFA's GOAL Programme initiatives including the construction of the first football stadium in the country, the "J. S. Blatter Football Playing Fields Complex" in Apia. This magnificent facility on a six hectare site encompasses two international standard pitches and has been the venue for Oceania Nations Cup qualifying games.

On that occasion the host team missed out on a place in the final tournament, finishing in third place behind Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia, having recorded two wins and two defeats. Eventual Oceania Nations Cup winner New Zealand went on to compete in the FIFA Confederations Cup France 2003.

In April 2001 Samoa competed for a place in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™ in Coffs Harbour/New South Wales. Richmond Faaisuaso scored half of their tally of 8-0 in their one and only win over American Samoa. Coached by Vic Fernandez, the team was eliminated after finishing in fourth position.

Samoa’s last outing at an international event ended in comprehensive defeat with the U-20 national team losing all seven matches at the OFC U-20 Men’s Championship – New Zealand 2007. Only star defender Damian Fonoti caught the eye as his team struggled to stem a steady stream of goals.

Solomon Islands favourites to progress

Solomon Islands have much to live up too if they are to be judged on their previous attempt to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
No one will forget the Solomon Islands' sensational 2006 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying performance in a hurry. The minnows battled to a 2-2 draw against regional superpowers Australia in the final match of the qualifying tournament to pip New Zealand to a play-off spot against the Aussie team.

The Solomons under coach Alan Gillett thus took full advantage of the opportunity thrown up by New Zealand's shock defeat at the hands of Vanuatu. The English coach was hired specifically for the qualifiers and asked to fashion a highly motivated, winning team out of an amateur squad. The Solomons duly ran up a comfortable group victory over Tahiti, New Caledonia, Tonga and the Cook Islands in the preliminary qualifying tournament on home soil, conceding just a solitary goal in a 1-1 draw with Tahiti.

The squad then travelled to Adelaide brimming with confidence and sent the island state into raptures with their hitherto undreamed-of success.
The Solomons were among the first recipients of assistance from FIFA's GOAL project, and the dramatic improvement in the nation's footballing fortunes is undoubtedly explained in part by the accelerated pace of development since. The Lawson Tama stadium in Honiara was upgraded to international class and provides one of the best playing surfaces in the region, contributing to the praiseworthy success both at home and in Adelaide.

Solomon Islands remain one of the big three in Oceania following those memorable performances in Adelaide and the draw for the XIII South Pacific Games has been kind with the Melanesians faced with rivals Vanuatu and the lightweight Polynesian trio of American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga.

Preparations for the South Pacific Games have been patchy with a disappointing 3-1 defeat against a Honiara XI and less than convincing wins over the U-23 national team and Papua New Guinea that drew sharp criticism from local observers.

Despite this, Brazillian-born coach Airton Andriloi possesses a squad brimming with talent including Alick Maemae, Benjamin Totori, George Suri and James Naka. Andrioli’s biggest challenge will be to bind that talent together into a cohesive and co-operative unit capable of fulfilling it’s undoubted potential.

A 1-1 draw with Hyundai A-League side Queensland Roar suggests Solomon Islands are hitting their straps at exactly the right moment.

Tahiti with reputation to uphold

Tahiti’s reputation for underachievement has proved frustrating for their fans. After being touted as strong contenders in the OFC U-17 and U-20 age group catergories the French Polynesians flattered to deceive finishing well outside the qualification stakes.

By contrast the national team has had a reasonable year featuring two 0-0 draws against New Zealand and a respectable performance in the OFC Champions League (O-League) by club champions AS Temanava.

The draw for the XIII South Pacific Games has thrown up a tricky assignment with Tahiti facing a powerful Fiji and French-speaking rivals New Caledonia. Cook Islands and Tuvalu round off the group in which Tahiti have a reputation to live up too.

Like New Caledonia, Tahiti has dominated the men’s football tournament at the South Pacific Games winning five goal medals in the competition stretching back to 1966.

With Fiji and Solomon Islands heavily favoured to progress, Tahiti will look to inspirational skipper Naea Bennett if they wish to finish amongst the medallists – and a berth at phase two of FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Tahiti’s last attempt at qualification for the FIFA World Cup began with a paltry four points from five matches, the Tahitians only just edged out Vanuatu to avoid propping up the rest of the table. A 0-0 draw with Fiji was a good start. But a 0-9 loss to Australia was no good for the minnows’ confidence. The Solomons then had their way – 4-0, before New Zealand tore them apart (0-10). Their final match saw them edge out Vanuatu 2-1 for a bit of pride at the end of a long and bumpy road.

Despite the result, Tahiti, also known as French Polynesia, have emerged as one of the most improved island-based teams in Oceania since gaining admission to FIFA in 1990. After a period of rapid progress, Tahiti recorded their greatest triumph to date at the 2002 OFC Nations Cup, consigning Fiji to fourth place and finishing an eye-opening third behind local superpowers Australia and New Zealand.

Finishing third at the 2002 OFC Nations Cup was significant for the balance of power in the region as Tahiti have surged past their rivals Fiji in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings. And, the islanders were just two minutes away from condemning mighty Australia to the third-place play-off. Tahiti were leading the semi-final through Teva Zaveroni until 120 seconds from the end, but the Aussies levelled to take the game into extra time, where the Socceroos dug deep and grabbed a match-winning Golden Goal.

Talismanic midfield maestro Naea Bennett will be missing from the XIII South Pacific Games and is a major loss to the French-Polynesians. However, Bennett’s absence may allow other players to step up to ensure Tahiti uphold their traditionally strong showing at the Games.
With a firm foundation to build on, bet on Tahiti getting right back in the saddle before the preliminaries for South African 2010.

Tonga hope for improved showing at South Pacific showpeice

Tonga’s football activity has been dependant upon the performances of it’s women’s international teams at the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship – Samoa 2006 and OFC Women’s Championship – Papua New Guinea 2007. The men’s team has rarely ventured into competitive matches which suggests the XIII South Pacific Games will be nothing less than a shock to the system.

Drawn against Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, American Samoa and arch-rivals and host nation Samoa, Tonga will rely on the derby nature of the clashes with their Samoan rivals if they wish to secure points.

Tonga were admitted to FIFA in 1994 and have since proved one of Oceania's most ambitious nations with a careful programme of continuous development. The side put out by the south-west Pacific island has achieved modest success so far -- they finished third in their 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™ qualification group, with the biggest highlight being Lokoua Taufahema's hat-trick in a 5-0 victory over American Samoa. The striker was also on target for the winner against Samoa, although a true reflection of relative standards was Tonga's 22-0 hiding at the hands of Australia.

Tonga has received important financial and structural support from FIFA's Goal project. FIFA President Joseph S Blatter laid the foundation stone for a new Football Academy in May 2002, also providing a headquarters for the national association and four high-quality pitches.

However, the Germany 2006 first qualifying round showed Tonga still have plenty to learn, as they finished below the Solomon Islands, Tahiti and New Caledonia and only avoided last place in the group thanks to a 2-1 victory over the tiny Cook Islands.

There was little to separate the bottom pair in terms of goal difference, as Tonga shipped 17 goals in four matches, including an 8-0 reverse against New Caledonia, and scored just two of their own. The Tongans clearly have work ahead of them before the next round of qualifiers.

Vanuatu football on a high

Vanuatu football has been on a rollercoaster ride ever since it set the Oceania region on its ear with a 4-2 qualifying victory over regional giants New Zealand in 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ preliminaries, but the result was not enough to keep the islanders alive in the increasingly tricky Oceania zone.

While the second qualifying round win over the Kiwis may not have been enough to see Vanuatu into the play-offs, it did prevent their rivals from claiming an accustomed spot in the next round.

In fact, Vanuatu's victory not only opened the door, but in many ways, inspired the upsurge in underdog mentality that saw the Solomon Islands into the home-and-away final with Australia.

Sadly, Vanuatu football failed to build on the legacy of that result, losing coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti to Fiji, losing an OFC Champions League (O-League) berth and the performance of the U-20 national team at the OFC U-20 Men’s Championship a major let down for fans back home.

Despite this, Vanuatu has experienced a major turn around in the fortunes and popularity of football with the U-12 national team winning the OFC U-12 Festival of Football – Port Moresby 2007 and qualifying for the Danone Nations Cup in France. Club champions Tafea FC kept up the feel good factor by romping home in the OFC Champions League (O-League) Preliminary qualifying competition in New Caledonia.
OFC Technical Development guru Jim Selby kept the ball rolling with the launch of the Just Play coaching programme in schools across Vanuatu and the implementation of a national Futsal championship played amongst school children.

Vanuatu two runners-up slots at OFC Beach Soccer Championship in 2006 and 2007 showing that holistic progress in the game has been achieved.

Advancing to the second phase of FIFA World Cup – South Africa 2010 in Oceania is an achievable target with Vanuatu likely to prove too strong for American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga.

The Vanuatu national association has received support from the FIFA Goal programme, and with an excellent youth development scheme in place the future looks bright on the island. Indeed, Vanuatu's U-16 side defeated their New Zealand counterparts on the way to the final of a recent tournament. Uruguayan coaching expert Carlos Buzzetti has been handed an important role in the nation's football future. He was in charge as Vanuatu battled to the Nations Cup semi-final and has been tasked with integrating the most talented youths into the senior side.

In Germany 2006 qualifying, the Valiant Vanuatu side ultimately finished bottom of the group, but their famous victory will serve as an inspiration to all the island states as they seek to break the stranglehold exerted by regional superpowers Australia and New Zealand.