NEW ZEALAND IN POLE POSITION

When Australia, Oceania’s powerhouse for so long, left for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2006, New Zealand were widely expected to become the leading nation in the region. The Oceania qualifying series for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ has done nothing to alter that assessment. New Zealand have gained three wins from…

New Vodafone Labasa signing Joseph Nimariau played an important role in getting his side maximum points in two matches in the New World National Football Super Six competition. The former Suva marksmen was in top form as he netted on his debut against Viva Rewa on Friday night which saw the Babasiga Lions win 3-2 at…

NOUMEA – New Caledonia beat Vanuatu 3-0 at Stade Numa Daly over the weekend as both nations sought to bolster their respective 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™/OFC Nations Cup 2008 campaigns. The win preserves New Caledonia’s unbeaten record and means they must win their  two remaining matches against New Zealand to keep their World Cup hopes alive. New Zealand has three wins…

NOUMEA – Live television coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Qualifier Oceanian Zone will be broadcast in New Caledonia courtesy of state television station RFO and available throughout the French Overseas Territory. Radio Vanuatu will provide live coverage for Vanuatu listeners courtesy of football commentator Simo Jackson. For full details of how…

PORTLAND – Solomon Islands international striker Benjamin Totori faces a four week lay-off after suffering a sprained right medial collateral ligament injury during a match against Montreal Impact a fortnight ago. Totori’s injury is a setback for the 22 year old former Waitakere United striker who has made just two appearances for his new club…

HONIARA – Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) has named an enlarged 64-man squad for the forthcoming Wantok Cup competition to be played during the Solomon Islands Anniversary week celebrations. Solomon Islands has not played a full international since September 2007’s shock XIII South Pacific Games defeat to Vanuatu in Apia. With the opportunity to play…

NOUMEA – Last time New Caledonia faced Vanuatu in Noumea, Didier Chambaron’s team finished up 0-2 losers, a result if repeated this weekend will almost certainly end ‘les Cagous’ interest in qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. New Caledonia’s fortunes on the international stage have soared since the 36-year-old former Aurillac amateur…

  PORT MORESBY – The Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA)is ready to go to the polls PNGFA chief executive officer Dimirit Mileng said in a press release yesterday. Mileng said nominations for the position of PNGFA president and six executive committee members for the association were open after the 30th executive committee meeting had…

  PORT VILA – Only three changes will be made to the Vanuatu national team for Saturday’s crucial 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Qualifier/OFC Nations Cup 2008 return match against New Caledonia in Noumea. Fredy Vava, Chikau Mansale and Jacques Yaput all return for Robert Calvo’s team as Vanuatu goes in search of its…

AUCKLAND – The Football Ferns are aiming to shake the hangover of Monday’s history-making Peace Queen Cup win over Argentina by claiming the scalp of world number nine Canada in Suwon on Wednesday. A confidence boosting but energy sapping 1-0 win over the South American champions – their first outside Oceania since 1993 – kept…