OFC Release – New Caledonia has now been confirmed to face Australia in the 2003 OFC U-17 Qualifying Tournament final playoff.

The OFC Executive Committee by majority decision has agreed that consistent to the previous decision of the Executive Committee relating to the 2002 OFC Nations Cup, New Caledonia is to proceed to the play off series (as winners of Group A) with the winner of Group B.

In accordance with the tournament regulations, Soccer Australia and the Federation de Football Ligue de Nouvelle have agreed to stage both playoff matches in Noumea, New Caledonia.

The first playoff match will be held tomorrow, Thursday 27 February with the kick-off time scheduled for 4:00pm local time. The second match will be played on Saturday morning, 1 March with the kick-off time scheduled for 9:00am.

The Match Officials for both playoff matches are as follows.

Playoff Match 1

Referee: Peter O’Leary (New Zealand)

Assistant Referee 1: Teariki Goodwin (Cook Islands)

Assistant Referee 2: Sam Hunt (Samoa)

Fourth Official: Derek Rugg (New Zealand)

Match Commissioner: Tautulu Roebeck (Samoa)

Playoff Match 2

Referee: Derek Rugg (New Zealand)

Assistant Referee 1: Sam Hunt (Samoa)

Assistant Referee 2: Teariki Goodwin (Cook Islands)

Fourth Official: Peter O’Leary (New Zealand)

Match Commissioner: Tautulu Roebeck (Samoa)