SOLOMON ISLANDS – COURSES HELP GROW FUTSAL, BEACH SOCCER

HONIARA – Two successful courses held in the Solomon Islands are proof that Futsal and Beach continue to develop within the Oceania region. The OFC Futsal Coaching Programme and the FIFA MA Beach Soccer Referees Courses have been held at the Solomon Islands Football Federation Academy over the past two weeks and received praise from participants…

AUCKLAND – The dates of the first two New Zealand Football Championship semi-finals have been locked in. Fourth placed Team Wellington will host Minor Premiers and defending champions Waitakere United on Saturday 14 March in a 4.30pm kick-off, while three-time winners Auckland City will travel to Palmerston North to take on YoungHeart Manawatu at 2pm…

Tahiti’s U-20 team have got off to the perfect start in the play-offs of the Championnat de Tahiti making it two wins from two. The team’s 2-0 win against AS Tiare Tahiti at the weekend has left them level on points with Manu Ura at the top of the table. After scoring chances for both…

Fiji’s defending National League champions Ba kicked off its 2009 campaign on a high note thumping Tavua on Saturday while Labasa, Lautoka and Navua also enjoyed wins in their first round matches. Continuing their form from the Champions Versus Champions, Ba overpowered their neighbours 4-0 at Govind Park. The hosts scored two goals in the first…

AUCKLAND – The Kuwait national football team grabbed a late penalty on Friday night to beat O-League champions Waitakere United 2-1 at Allen Hill Stadium in Auckland. The visitors were helped by a numerical advantage when Waitakere defender Neil Sykes was sent off for a dangerous tackle late in the first half. Kuwait striker Fahad Al-Rashidi…

The 2009 New World National League begins in Fiji this weekend with a total of six matches to be played. Five matches will be played in the southern division while a lone match will be played in the west. The first match is expected to kick off on Friday with Suva hosting Labasa at Telecom…

Solomon Islands football star Commins Menapi has joined a school vistitation programme and is proving popular among local students. The former Waitakere United player is assisting Diane Justus, Women’s Development Officer for the Solomon Islands Football Federation, who initiated the programme aimed at introducing football at an early age – particularly to girls – so as to increase playing numbers. Justus believes securing…

AUCKLAND – In the final week of the NZFC regular season, five teams are still battling for the three remaining top-four playoff spots. Waitakere United are assured of finishing top (and by a record margin) but, in what has become the tightest NZFC playoff race ever, the fate of Auckland City, YoungHeart Manawatu, Team Wellington,…

Going into week 11, the Super Ligue in New Caledonia is heating up as play-off spots remain up for grabs. Mount-Gilds took positive steps towards making the cut with a win against Thio this week while Hienghène sent out a clear warning message thrashing Témala 1-9. The loss leaves Témala bottom of the table on…

AUCKLAND – Two first half goals were good enough for ten-man Kuwait to get past Auckland City in a friendly at Kiwitea Street on Tuesday night. After goals to Bader Almutwa and Fahed Al-Rashidi Kuwait – in New Zealand to prepare for an Asian Cup qualifier against Australia in March – looked set to go…