SOLOMON ISLANDS – FOOTBALL FOR PEACE

SIFF president Martin Alufurai says football can play a major part in promoting peace and stability in Solomon Islands, in the wake of recent events in the Melanesian country. He says there is great need to contain the youths by involving them in organized activities such football leagues thus minimizing their likelihood to involve in…

New Zealand All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has drafted five familiar faces into his 19-man squad to play Chile in the whistlestop tour, fullbacks David Mulligan and Tony Lochhead, central defender Che Bunce and midfielders Raf De Gregorio and Kris Bouckenooghe come in for the friendly internationals against Chile on April 25 and 27 after…

NEW ZEALAND HEAD OFC NATIONS AHEAD OF BUSY SCHEDULE New Zealand (120) has dropped five places in the latest FIFA/ Coca-Cola World Rankings, due to a mixture of inactivity and a flurry of internationals with their rivals in Asia. In all only 39 international matches have been played this month, with two thirds of them…

Australian referee Mark Shield will be joining the Socceroos in Germany after being selected as one of just 23 referees to attend this year’s FIFA World Cup. Brisbane-based Shield, who was recently announced the Australian A-League referee of the year, also officiated at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan where he controlled the 1st…

SIFF President predicts bright future for youth football SIFF President Martin Alufurai predicts a bright future for football in the ‘happy Isles’ following the successful completion of the U-12 competition at the Allan Boso National Soccer Academy. The standard displayed had impressed Alufurai so much so that could not stop talking about the level of…

HELPING THE `BEAUTIFUL GAME’ BECOME MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR WOMEN OFC Technical Director Jim Selby is buoyed by the growing number of former internationals giving back to the sport. Eleven former internationals were involved with either their national teams or OFC’s technical study group at the 2006 OFC U-20 Championships recently held in Samoa. Vanuatu had…

New Zealand will be represented at a FIFA World Cup for just the fifth time after beating Tonga 6-0 to capture the 2006 OFC U-20 Women’s Championship in Samoa on Saturday. Goals from Caitlin Campbell, Ali Riley, Emma Humphries, Annalie Longo and second half substitutes Helen Collins and Emma Harrison saw New Zealand predictably secure…

Tonga have caused a major boilover in sizzling Samoa by pipping the hosts 3-2 to reach the final of the Oceania U-20 Women’s Championship. Kilifi Ueles’ Tongans will meet New Zealand for a place at the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Russia after the pre-tournament favourites reached Saturday’s final with a 5-1 win…

Florence Lam Sam was the toast of Samoa on Tuesday as the hosts edged ever closer to a dream final appearance at the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship in Apia. The striker’s 50th minute goal was enough to see Samoa pip Papua New Guinea 1-0 at the Toleafoa JS Blatter Football Fields in the match of…

New Zealand produced the fast start they desired but not the finish despite thumping Tonga 7-0 to comfortably top Group A, while neighbours Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands drew 1-1 at the 2006 OFC U-20 Women’s Championship in Samoa. Tonga were content on a damage limitation job at the Toleafoa JS Blatter Football Fields, defending…