Smeltz: We won’t be daunted

If the All Whites are to make history, it is likely that in-form goal-getter Smeltz will play a pivotal role.After a slow start to his career Smeltz has hit rare form in recent years, with a brace against Wales in a 2007 international friendly the high-water mark of both his club and national team career….

Dresden Castle was the spectacular venue for the official group stage with representatives from each of the 16 qualified nations learning their fate at the tournament which takes place between 13 July and 1 August in the four host cities of Augsburg, Bielefeld, Bochum and Dresden.The Junior Football Ferns have been drawn in what has…

The initiative, designed for children aged 6-12, is based around structured activity programmes as well as the distribution of equipment packs containing balls, cones, bibs, activity manuals and other resources that enable children to play football at anytime and in any situation. Volunteers and teachers, who are trained by OFC in cooperation with its member…

That was the lasting impression for an OFC delegation who departed Vanuatu’s outer island of Malakula yesterday after a successful launch of the Just Play grassroots programme. It was a fitting end to the day with the impromptu kick-about embodying the very premise of the Just Play programme: football can be played anywhere, anytime by…

Local hero Kema Jack scored a goal in each half while Solomon Islands import Alick Maemae added a third to help Hekari move a step closer to the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010.As Papua New Guinea’s first representative in an O-League Final, Hekari stepped up against the two-time champions with a classy display in…

Due to internet problems, live text updates from the stadium were not possible on this occassion but see below for the key moments from the match.Starting line-upsHekari United [PNG]: 20. Gure GABINA [GK], 2. Gideon OMOKIRIO, 4. Cyril MUTA, 9. Tuimasi MANUCA, 12. David MUTA (c), 16. Pita BOLATONGA, 17. Kema JACK, 19. Koriak UPAIGA,…

Earlier today, the Solomon Islands scored a last minute winner to beat Papua New Guinea 1-0 to claim second spot. See below for the play-by-play action from North Harbour Stadium in Auckland. Starting lines-ups:New Zealand: 20. Jessica REDDAWAY (GK), 2. Rachel HEAD, 3. Tessa McPHERSON , 5. Brittany DUDLEY-SMITH, 6. Evie MILLYNN, 8. Kate LOYE…

The crucial first-leg final kicks off at 3:00pm on Saturday at PMRL Stadium in Port Moresby with both teams looking to take an advantage into the return leg at Fred Taylor Park in Waitakere on Sunday 2 May. With a place at the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010 on offer, the stakes couldn’t be…

New Zealand will go on to represent Oceania at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup this September alongside hosts Trinidad and Tobago plus Japan, Korea DPR and Korea Republic (Asian zone); Canada and Mexico (North, Central America and Caribbean zone); Brazil, Chile and Venezuela (South American zone) as well as African and European representatives who…