LOCAL SIDES SHARE SPOILS IN WANTOK CUP OPENER

HONIARA:  The Telekom Wantok Cup got off to a perfect start on Thursday with the two local sides, Solomon Bonito and Solympic sharing competition points following a 3-all draw. It was the Bonitos that opened the scoring when national striker Godwin Bebeu got on the end of a perfectly weighted through ball which fell just behind the Solympic…

An invitation to officiate at a FIFA tournament is an honour for any referee or assistant referee. For three OFC officials, their invitation to the Beijing Olympics later this year is a very prestigious appointment and a positive sign of OFC’s growing focus on referee development. “In terms of recognition, the Olympics is probably only…

The arrival of the Vanuatu Senior National Soccer team this afternoon will add colour to the country’s independence anniversary celebrations. Sun Sport caught up with the Vanuatu Head Coach Malas Williams shortly after they arrived at the Honiara International Airport Henderson field and asked him what his thoughts are about the competition. “We are excited…

Oceania Football Patriarch Charlie Dempsey was farewelled yesterday at St Columba Church in Auckland in a moving tribute from a large turnout of more than 600 friends and family. The former OFC Presidents life was celebrated from his childhood days in Scotland through to yesterday’s service – conducted by a Catholic Priest in a Presbyterian…

PAPEETE – Tahiti U-20 coach and FIFA World Cup winner Lionel Charbonnier has named his training squad for the next season’s Federal Championship. Charbonnier named his squad last week as Federation Tahitienne de Football (FTF) prepares to host the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-20 Men’s Championship in December. Tahiti finished fifth at the last edition…

NOUMEA – A five goal haul by 18-year-old international player Alexandre Rosso handed FC Ferrand the first national futsal title after it disposed ASPR Foa 6-3 on Sunday. The Ferrand FC goal hero starred for New Caledonia at the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Futsal Championship despite the team achieving only modest results. Ferrand’s defensive performance…

NOUMEA – One of New Caledonia’s favourite football sons former Paris Saint Germain and Aberdeen defender Antoine Kombouaré has extended his stay with French Ligue 1 club Valenciennes by signing an extension that will carry through to 2013. Kambouare arrived at Valenciennces in 2005 and signed a five year agreement as part of the coaching…

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) advises that the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa TM, OFC Preliminary Competition – Stage 2 match between New Zealand and Fiji has been rescheduled to take place in Fiji on November 19, 2008. The fixture was originally scheduled to be played in Auckland on October 13, 2007 at North…

Vanuatu will field a full strength side for the Telekom Wantok Cup which kicks off this Thursday at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara. Their squad is the same one that recently lost 3-0 to New Caledonia in the World Cup qualifiers in Noumea. They will come with the intention of winning the inaugural Telekom Wantok…

Although New Zealand will be competing in their first ever Men’s Olympic Football tournament in Beijing next month, ‘Oly-Whites’ captain Steven Old will certainly not be over-awed by the occasion. The confident, classy 22-year-old defender has not only garnered plenty of professional experience thanks to his stints in the Australian A-League with the Newcastle United…