AUCKLAND – One of the world’s greatest living footballers, Edgar Davids, has been announced to join the Oceania All Stars to play in the exhibition match against the LA Galaxy next Saturday (6 December) at Mt Smart Stadium.
Davids, a Dutch international with 74 caps for the Netherlands, was one of the players chosen by Pelé to be featured in the FIFA 100, a compilation of the world’s greatest living footballers.
He has played for Ajax Amsterdam, AC Milan, Juventus FC, FC Barcelona, Internazionale Milano (Inter Milan), Tottenham Hotspur and again for Ajax.
Davids distinctive look has made him both popular with fans and recognisable on the world stage. He suffers from glaucoma, which requires him to wear protective goggles during football, together with dreadlocked hair, this has become Davids’ trademark look.
Oceania Football Confederation General Secretary Tai Nicholas says Davids brings experience, flair and a passionate playing style to the Oceania All Stars team.
“Davids is renowned as a hard working defensive midfielder. We are delighted that he has accepted our offer to join the team and look forward to see him lining up with our other guest players Christian Karembeu and Mark Bosnich.
“The Oceania All Stars boasts a fine selection of talented players from across the Oceania region, all of whom are looking forward to playing alongside Christian, Mark and Edgar,” he says.
As well as Davids, French international Christian Karembeu (captain) and former Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich, the Oceania All Stars has (present and former) All Whites Ivan Vicelich, Jacob Spoonley, Steven Old and Jarrod Smith, Solomon Island internationals Alick Maemae, Judd Molea, Henry Faarodo and Nelson Sale. From the Vanuatu national team comes captain Fedy Vava, Suele Soromon and Francois Sakama and New Caledonia is represented by Benjamin Longue and Pierre Wajoka. Tahitian national Raimana Lee Fung Kuee and David Muta, the Papua New Guinea Under 23 captain, make up the squad.
The Oceania All Stars will be coached by former Football Federation Australia National Instructor Coach and OFC Technical Director Jim Selby and former All Whites international and Auckland City FC coach, Colin Tuaa.
They will be assisted by former Tahitian international and FIFA Technical Development Officer Patrick Jacquemet.
The Oceania All Stars will be captained by Christian Karembeu.
The Oceania All Stars squad:
Goalkeepers
Mark BOSNICH – Australia Former Manchester United, Chelsea and Australia international.
Jacob SPOONLEY – New Zealand – Recently won his first All Whites cap in a 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Fiji
Defenders
Benjamin LONGUE – New Caledonia – Former Ligue 1 defender with French club Bastia.
Nelson SALE – Solomon Islands – Auckland City FC defender and Solomon Islands international
Steven OLD – New Zealand – Currently with Macarthur Rams former Wellington Phoenix defender
Fedy VAVA – Vanuatu – Port Vila Sharks and Tafea FC player and captain of the national team
Ivan VICELICH – New Zealand – Auckland City FC captain and former Roda JC player
Raimana Lee FUNG KUEE – Tahiti AS Dragon defender and Tahitian national team player
Midfielders
Pierre WAJOKA – New Caledonia – Captain of New Caledonia and AS Magenta
Judd MOLEA – Solomon Islands – Solomon Islands U-20, U-23, and senior full international
Francois SAKAMA – Vanuatu – Port Vila Sharks midfielder and Vanuatu international
David MUTA – Papua New Guinea – Papua New Guinea U-23 captain
Cole PEVERLEY – New Zealand – NZ U23 international appeared at Beijing Olympics
Alick MAEMAE – Solomon Islands – Former Youngheart Manawatu striker now with Auckland City FC and current Solomon Islands international
Henry FAARODO – Solomon Islands – Played Hyundai A-League with Perth Glory
Christian KAREMBEU – New Caledonia/France Real Madrid, Sampdoria, Olympiakos, Middlesbrough – France international; FIFA World Cup winner, UEFA Champions League winner
Edgar DAVIDS – Netherlands Juventus, AC Milan, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Ajax, Tottenham Hotspur – Netherlands international; 1998 FIFA World Cup Tournament Team; Euro 2000 Tournament Team; Series A winner x3
Strikers
Jarrod SMITH – New Zealand – Plays in Major League Soccer with Toronto FC in Canada
Esala MASINISAU – Fiji – Former Woollongong Wolves and Newcastle Jets
Suele SOROMON – Vanuatu – Vanuatu international currently with Hawkes Bay United in NZFC
Head Coach: Jim SELBY (Australia)
Assistant: Colin TUAA (New Zealand)
Assistant: Patrick JACQUEMET (Tahiti)
Manager: Seamus MARTEN (New Zealand)
Media Officer: Gordon Glen WATSON (New Zealand)
The LA Galaxy including David Beckham will take on the Oceania All Stars in ‘The Beautiful Game’ at Mt Smart Stadium on 6 December. Kick off is at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from www.ticketek.co.nz or 0800 TICKETEK.