Fiji look to reassert dominance

OFC Nations Cup ProfilesFijiThe current crop of Fijian stars has plenty to live up to as the country has a long and proud history of competing in FIFA World Cup qualifying, a quest that began 11 years earlier than any other Pacific Islands nation in 1981.While yet to come close to reaching the world’s greatest…

Reid has been carrying the injury since the end of the East London club’s promotion-winning season and New Zealand‘s potential schedule in the Solomon Islands – which could see them play five games in 10 days – would risk further damage.All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has called up 21-year-old Waitakere United defender Tim Myers to…

Samoa and Tahiti have the honour of opening the tournament when they meet at 12:00pm local time while Vanuatu and New Caledonia will square off in the afternoon’s second match at 3:00pm local time.The winner of the Nations Cup will qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 while the four semi-finalists will go on…

The respective squads have been arriving in Honiara throughout the week and defending champions New Zealand became the last side to touch down this afternoon, following hot on the heels of yesterday’s arrival of Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tahiti. They join New Caledonia, Samoa and Vanuatu, who all checked into the football-mad nation on…

OFC Nations Cup ProfilesTahitiTahitian football is currently on somewhat of a high and coach Eddy Etaeta will be hoping to capitalise on that momentum by creating some memorable moments in Honiara.The nation’s most recent feat took place on the club stage with Papeete-based outfit Tefana making it all the way to the 2012 O-League final…

The Lautoka custodian was named as captain today while it was also announced that defender Peni Lesubulamailepanoni has completed his comeback by forcing his way into the squad and being handed the vice-captaincy.The news was much worse for influential midfielder Malakai Tiwa, who has lost his race against time to return from injury and been…

Smeltz’s 18th international goal, a well-placed header from an exquisite Jeremy Brockie cross, led New Zealand to a 1-0 win over Honduras in Dallas on Sunday, a result that came on the back of a 2-2 draw against El Salvador on Thursday. If Ricki Herbert’s men retain their Oceania title they will qualify for both…

OFC and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have welcomed New Caledonia, Samoa and Vanuatu while the hosts have returned to the capital after completing a training camp in Malaita as part of their final preparations before kick-off at Lawson Tama Stadium on Friday 1 June.Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tahiti are expected to touchdown on…

Smeltz rose between the two centre backs to meet Jeremy Brockie’s pinpoint left-foot cross and give the All Whites a timely boost ahead of the OFC Nations Cup – which doubles as New Zealand’s first World Cup qualifiers – starting on 1 June in the Solomon Islands.“The guys were fantastic tonight,” New Zealand coach Ricki…