New Zealand referee Peter O’Leary and his assistants Brent Best (NZL) and Matthew Taro (SOL) have been appointed to the Round of 16 match between Ghana and South Africa kicking off at 16:30 (local time) on Tuesday 6 October in Ismailia.
The trio, who performed credibly during the group stages of the tournament, are in the running for an appointment at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and Tuesday’s match will act as an important part of the screening process.
Meanwhile, FIFA Referees’ Committee member Harry Atisson from Vanuatu will also be representing Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) in Egypt after being selected as a referee assessor for the clash between Brazil and Uruguay in Port Said on Wednesday. Atisson says it will be an honour to fly the flag for Oceania.
“We are very proud to represent Oceania Football Confederation in this important FIFA U-20 World Cup tournament in Egypt,” says Atisson, who officiated at the FIFA U-17 World Championship Trinidad and Tobago 2001.
OFC places high importance on developing world class match officials. In 2008 referee development received a huge boost thanks to a brand new FIFA-funded Refereeing Assistance Programme (RAP).
Under the supervision of Referee Development Officer Massimo Raveino (TAH), Referee Instructor Neil Poloso (SOL) and Fitness Trainer Kader Touati (FRA), the programme is helping to create a more organised, professional approach to refereeing in Oceania.
The RAP team facilitates a range of courses throughout the region aimed at the wide spectrum of match officials – from elite to community referees, from futsal to beach soccer referees. These initiatives have helped to increase the level of representation for Oceania at international tournaments.