New Caledonia women emerge as surprise threat

Les Cagous, who picked up the wooden spoon in their only other appearance at the Games four years ago, defeated the Solomon Islands 3-0 in their Group A clash to make it a perfect start for the hosts after their male counterparts outclassed Vanuatu 5-0.Celine Xolawawa got the scoring underway with poise and class, controlling…

In a series of matches leading up to the Games’ official opening ceremony, 23 goals were scored and, remarkably, the losing team failed to get on the scoresheet in any of the five games. The play began in the high-scoring manner that would prove a constant when Tuvalu, written off as minnows by some, showed…

See below for the play-by-play actionStarting line-ups:Solomon Islands:1. Betty SADE (GK); 4. Brenda MASAE; 5. Audrey GALO; 6. Mesalyn SAEPIO; 8. Ileem PEGI; 9. Betty MAENU’U; 10. Prudence FULA; 13. Cathy AIHUNU; 14. Belinda SUSANA; 15. Mary MAEFITI; 17. Vanessa INIFIRI.Coach: Timothy INIFIRI.New Caledonia:1. Beatrice TOLUAFE (GK); 2. Glenda JAINE; 3. Marie WANAKAIJA; 4. Claire…

See below for the play-by-play action.Starting line-ups:Papua New Guinea:23. Linda BUNAGA (GK); 3. Agai MAX; 7.Janie NORI; 8. Cecilia DOBBIN 9. Esther KURABI; 10. Docas SESEVO; 12. Deslyne SINIU; 13. Miriam LOUMA; 15 Sandra BIRUM; 19. Alexia STEPHEN; 20. Ara MIDI.Coach: Stiggy MUNETahiti Nui: 1. Poronui TURANA (GK); 2. Mariko IZAL; 3. Maruina TOM SING…

See below for the play-by-play action.Starting line-ups:New Caledonia:1. Jean Yann DOUNEZEK (GK), 2. Joel WAKANUMUNE, 5. Cesar LOLOHEA, 6. Dominique WACALIE, 8. Marius BAKO, 10. Pierre WAJOKA (c), 17. Georges BEARUNE, 18. Emile BEARUNE, 19. Georges GOPE-FENEPEJ, 20. Dimitri PETEMOU, 22. Olivier DOKUNENGO, 23. Jean Patrick WAKANUMUNECoach: Christophe COURSIMAULTVanuatu:1. Enest BONG (GK), 2. Alphonse BONGNAIM,…

See below for the play-by-play action. Starting line-ups:Solomon Islands:1. Shadrack RAMONI (GK), 2. Hardies AENGARI, 4. Tome FAISI, 5. Samson TAKAYAMA , 6. Nelson SALE , 9. Benjamin TOTORI, 10. Joe LUI, 13. Mostyn BEUI, 16. James NAKA, 18. Henry FA’ARODO (c), 19. Joses NAWO, 20. Dida QWAINACoach: Jacob MOLIGuam:1. Brett MALUWELMENG (GK), 3. Matthew…

See below for the play-by-play actionStarting line-ups:Tuvalu:16. Jelly SELAU (GK), 2. Kolone POKIA, 3. Alamoana TOFUOLA, 4. Etimoni TIMUANI, 5. Alinesi TAKATAKA, 6. Mau PENISULA (c), 7. Vaisua LIVA, 9. Lutelu TIUTE, 10, James LEPAIO, 11. George PANAPA, 12. Alopua PETOACoach: Foppe de HaanAmerican Samoa:1. Nicky SALAPU (GK), 2. Terrence SINAPATI, 5. Tala LUVU, 6….

Those were the words exclaimed by Iuli Alex Godinet, Football Federation American Samoa president, soon after arriving in Noumea for the Pacific Games.“We thank you for your support and prayers for our wellbeing and safety.”Iuli has foregone staying at a lush hotel in the city in order to be with the team, bunking with them…

See below for all the play-by-play action.The starting line-ups were as follows:Papua New Guinea: 1. Lesly KALAI (GK), 3. Valentine NELSON, 4. Cyril MUTA, 7. Gari MOKA, 10. Reginald DAVANI, 12. David MUTA (c), 13. Andrew LEPANI, 14. Neil HANS, 16. Jeremy YASASA, 17. Mauri WASI, 18. Eric KOMENGCoach: Frank FARINACook Islands: 1. Tony JAMIESON…

Referees Anna-Marie Keighley, Chris Kerr and Glen Lochrie will officiate in the men’s and women’s football competitions at the Games, which kick off in Nouméa tomorrow and run until September 9.The Kiwis are delighted to have been given the opportunity to control matches outside of their homeland and Keighley, one of the country’s leading female…