O-LEAGUE CLUBS SET FOR KUWAIT

AUCKLAND – O-League clubs Auckland City FC and Waitakere United are relishing the opportunity to face international competition this week in the form of Kuwait’s national football team. Kuwait arrived in New Zealand last week and will play both Auckland-based teams as part of their preparations for the 2011 Asian Cup qualifier against Australia on…

Qantas Socceroos Head Coach Pim Verbeek has selected a squad of 24 players for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2011 Qualifier match, presented by FOXTEL, against Kuwait in Canberra on Thursday 5 March (kick-off 8.00pm AEDT). Twelve players from the Qantas Socceroo squad will be involved in this weekend’s Hyundai A-League 2009 Grand Final where…

AUCKLAND – Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) General Secretary Tai Nicholas has confirmed that the governing body for football in Oceania will sponsor the Auckland Samoa Soccer Association’s 2009 Pasefika Cup and the inaugural Wahine Toa o le Pasefika Women’s Football Tournament. The women’s installment kicks off on 28 February at Riverside Park in Avondale, with…

After a dissapointing loss in the O-League last week, Ba has bounced back to beat Lautoka 1-0 in the opening leg of Fiji’s Champion Versus Champion series at Govind Park this weekend. Striker Osea Vakatalesau was the toast of the Ba side on Saturday as his lone goal proved the only difference between the two teams. The 23 year old…

AUCKLAND – A freak goal from goalkeeper James Bannatyne helped Team Wellington take the New Zealand Football Championship playoff race to the wire with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Canterbury United in the capital on Sunday. With just one match of league play remaining, Wellington moved to 20 points with the victory, jumping from sixth…

AUCKLAND – The Football Ferns will be back to full strength when they reach the Cyprus Cup in early March. The Ferns line up against Canada, Russia and the Netherlands in Group B of the eight-nation tournament, boosted by the return of three overseas players who missed New Zealand’s tour of China in January. Olympic…

AUCKLAND – Two New Zealand Football Championship players on All Whites coach Ricki Herbert’s shortlist for 2009 will be given an extra opportunity to stake a claim for a call up when Kuwait visit Auckland next week. Team Wellington midfielder Andy Barron and Otago United goalkeeper Liam Little have been drafted into Auckland City’s squad…

TAHITI – The semi finals of the 2009 Coupe de Polynesie kick off this weekend with Temanava, Tahiti U-20, AS Vaiete and AS Manu Ura all looking for a strong start. Earlier in the week Vaiete eased past TAC 4-1 in the 2nd leg of the quarter finals so the team’s confidence will be high…

HONIARA: The first ever FIFA MA Beach Soccer Referees course to be held in the Solomon Islands will involve around 30 referees after registrations closed this week. Starting on Saturday, the course will be held at the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Academy. Of the 30 registered participants, three are women.  Refereeing Development Officer Massimo Raveino…

AUCKLAND – The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Executive Committee has issued a stern warning to rogue members of the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) who are in breach of PNGFA, OFC and FIFA Statutes. Gathering in Rarotonga at the weekend, the Executive Committee gave notice to Fabien Chow and Seth Daniel to stop their…