American Samoa look to repeat heroics

Half of the players have international experience while the other half will be making their debuts for their country in Taupo, where the tournament will be held from March 16 to 24.Of the experienced crop, most were part of the senior national squad that wrote themselves into the record books at the Stage 1 2014…

A total of 13 matches will be played at Owen Delany Park with American Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu all trying to keep their Olympic dreams alive.The countries have been divided into two pools and will compete in a round-robin format with the group stage followed by semi-finals…

Current All Whites Jake Gleeson and Marco Rojas, who have been released by Portland Timbers and Melbourne Victory respectively for the event, are the biggest coups for Emblen’s squad with Rojas joining after his side’s home match against Wellington Phoenix on Friday night, thus missing New Zealand’s opener against Papua New Guinea the same day.Emblen…

The New Zealand-based mentor spent eight days working with the ‘Solympics’ squad and local coaches as preparations continued for the qualifying tournament, which is set to take place in Taupo, New Zealand, from March 16 to 24.He spent a lot of time with the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) technical department staff during his stay…

Ryan De Vries fired the defending champions into the lead after just four minutes but Canterbury replied swiftly with Aaron Clapham guiding a Daniel Glozier cross past Danny Robinson only four minutes later.In a match coloured by a total of 12 cards, Ross McKenzie and Matt Cunneen were dismissed for second cautions to leave the…

Samoa vs. Vanuatu Match Summary: Download HereSee below for the play-by-play action.Starting line-ups:Samoa: 1. Marielene PAPALII (GK) (c), 2. Tanya BRYCE, 5. Lanuola MULIPOLA, 6. Rosemary ALAUNI, 8. Faanunu ROPETI, 9. Faata O’BRIEN, 10. Tamasailau LEUTA, 11.Malelega SEKO, 12. Sa FAAPUSI, 13. Lelaua LAUPEPA, 15. Aliialofaifaleupolu MOATAACoach: Tala SALAMASINA (SAM)Vanuatu: 20. Jane KASU (GK), 2….

Papua New Guinea vs. Tonga Match Summary: Download HereSee below for the play-by-play action.Starting line-ups:Papua New Guinea: 20. Linda BUNAGA (GK), 2. Aida GEROTA, 3. Kathrina SALAIAU, 4. Linah HONEAKII, 8. Esther KENATSI, 10. Barbra MUTA, 13. Daisy WINAS, 15. Deslyne SINIU (c), 17. Rumona MORRIS, 18. Zeen LIMBAI, 19. Fatima RAMACoach: Steven MUNE (PNG)Tonga:…

Vanuatu also have much to celebrate after securing the country’s first ever win in women’s football with a triumph by the same scoreline over Samoa in the 3rd/4th play-off.Pacific Games champions and 2010 OFC Women’s Nations Cup runners-up Papua New Guinea were favourites going into the tournament and have justified that reputation with a string…

Thanks to a Memorandum of Understanding signed between OFC and the Royal Spanish Football Association in May 2011, López spent five days at the end of February in Solomon Islands to assist the national team in their preparations for the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 before heading to New Zealand.His presence in Oceania is a…