Last chance for Tahiti

While the Nigerians need a big win to press their claims for a place in the last 16, Tahiti are looking to collect an unlikely three points and sneak in through the back door themselves.The gameTahiti-Nigeria, Cairo, Thursday 1 October, 18:45 (local time)The stakesThough logic dictates that both sides are staring elimination in the face,…

Dozens are feared dead after a magnitude 8.3 earthquake struck midway between the two island nations at 6:48am on Tuesday (local time) causing a series of towering tsunami waves.The Red Cross have said at least 28 have been killed while unconfirmed reports put the death toll much higher.OFC President Reynald Temarii has offered his sympathies…

Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) will stage the round-robin championship at North Harbour Stadium on Auckland’s North Shore from 5-9 October. American Samoa, Cook Islands, New Zealand and Tonga will compete for a place at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany next July.The Football Federation American Samoa (FFAS) squad had a robust final practice…

After losing to Spain by the same margin on Friday, Tahiti are now out of the running for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 while Venezuela have booked their place in the last 16 along with Italy who beat Nigeria 2-0 in the other Group B match.Venezuela proved too strong for the World Cup…

With four goals in the first half and four in the second, it was Spain’s biggest win at a FIFA U-20 World Cup.Luis Milla’s side showed why there are considered one of the tournament favourites with a dominant display in the first half including a share of over 70 percent of possession and three goals…

The French Polynesian island of Tahiti has long evoked – in European minds at least – the mythical trappings of a tropical paradise. Until now there has been little room for football in this idyll, but the island’s shock qualification for this month’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt may help change perceptions, and demonstrate…

O’Leary, a New Zealander, is part of a trio of Oceania match officials selected by FIFA and OFC to attend the World Cup and will preside over the second match of the championship tomorrow between Group A favourites Paraguay and Italy – a match that is being tipped as critical to both nations’ chances.O’Leary is…

The fervent support of the Egyptian fans, the presence of a well-balanced field of 24 teams, some spectacular venues, and the promise of new champions – after Argentina’s unexpected failure to qualify – are all raising hopes that this will be a vintage edition of FIFA’s second-oldest competition.As always, the tournament will offer many fans…