Young Socceroos take first step towards 2005

ASA: The Young Socceroos will take the first step in their campaign to qualify for the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship with a two-week camp in France over the coming fortnight. Australian Under 20 Coach Ange Postecoglou and his 20-man squad will depart today for Europe where they will be based in Lievin on the…

AUSTRALIA: Vanuatu pair Richard Iwai and Etienne Mermer were again the star performers of Oceania’s Island contingent in Australia’s State Leagues at the weekend. A late goal, accredited to Mermer, was the difference in Mitchelton’s 1-0 victory away to Eastern Suburbs. Mermer’s goal, his third of Mitchelton’s campaign, came after he was introduced to the…

FFA, Suva: Navua beat Nadi 2-1 at Prince Charles Park on Sunday to round up the weekends National Soccer League matches. Nadi led the first half with a goal from Eliki Ravai. Navua started the second half strong with ga oal from former Ba rep Taito Bula. Navua applied more pressure which led to a…

PORT VILA: The visiting Solomon Islands national team came back from a 0-1 half-time deficit to upset Vanuatu 2-1, in a friendly international in Port Vila. The two sides face off again today with Vanuatu determined to redress last Saturday’s result which clearly exposed their lack of fitness compared to the slick Solomons outfit prepared…

NOUMEA: Magenta will face Mont Dore in New Caledonia’s championship final this Saturday. The French territory’s reigning club champion have been the benchmark for the past two seasons after capturing the league crown the previous season and adding the French Overseas Territories Crown late last year. But they will be wary of Mont Dore who…

ASA: Throughout the season Nick Mrdja had the knack of coming off the bench and scoring vital goals for Perth Glory, but none proved more crucial than the one he scored today, his 98th minute `golden goal’ earning his side its second successive NSL Championship. Mrdja broke the deadlock after both Parramatta Power and Perth…

SFSF, Apia: Sogi still remains undefeated in Samoa’s GM Bakery Cup after a 1-0 victory over Lupe ole Soaga on the weekend. In a hotly contested game, Sogi sealed victory with an early penalty by central defender Iupele Ioane, after Ben Timo was unceremoniously upended by the Lupe keeper. On a day when little quality…

ASA: Parramatta Power striker Ante Milicic has won the NSL Players’ Player of the Year Award (Warren Medal) for the first time at the NSL Awards’ presentation held today in Sydney. Milicic was a clear winner from nearest competitors Tom Pondeljak (Perth Glory), Simon Colosimo (Parramatta Power), Nick Carle (Marconi Stallions) and Ahmad Elrich (Parramatta…

SFSF, Apia: Samoa National Coach, David Brand, has announced the squad of players who will tour New Zealand in late April and represent Samoa at the OFC Nations Cup/World Cup Qualifiers stage 1-group 2 tournament in Samoa on 10-19 May, 2004. The Manumea Samoa squad will resume training at the J.S. Blatter Fields, Tuanaimato, Apia…

SIFF, Honiara: Solomon Islands interim National Coach, Alan Gillett, has named his 18-strong squad for two friendly matches against Vanuatu this weekend. The Englishman who arrived in early March says he will use the matches to identify the best possible side to represent the country in the combined OFC World Cup and Nations Cup qualifying…