The Solomon Islands men’s Futsal team have secured their first point at the Alfateh Confederations Cup in Libya on Friday, drawing with Guatemala 6-6.

The result is the Kurukuru’s best at a major international tournament and will help to erase the pain of their agonising 5-6 opening game loss to the Cup hosts Libya.

The Solomon Islanders leapt out to a 2-0 lead which Guatemala were able to cancel out with two strikes of their own to draw level at halfime.

Guatemala continued their form revival by going ahead early in the second half, but this sparked the Kurukuru to lift their play again, establishing an imposing 6-3 lead.

But Guatemala also proved they weren’t prepared to surrender and began to utilize their goal keeper as a fifth attacker and the tactic paid off as they scored three straight goals. The final equalizing Guatemalan goal came with just 1:24 left on the clock.

Solomon Islands captain Elliot Ragomo scored four goals for his team and could have had more had he been able to capitalize on three 10 metre penalty opportunities.

Story courtesy of SIFF Media

DUBAI – One final training session at Bahrain National Stadium is all that lies between the All Whites and the biggest game of their lives – the first of two matches against the Arabic island kingdom for a place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

After four intense training sessions over the first two days in camp in Dubai, the All Whites were given the chance to refresh and recharge their batteries on Thursday with just a solitary afternoon session.

It turned out to be their final run out in Dubai – the official walkover at the match venue in Manama on Friday night is still to come – but coach Ricki Herbert has sensed his players are mentally and tactically prepared and is now taking steps to ensure their physiological readiness.

“I think managers are going to have different styles,” Herbert said, “and on the brink of a massive game like this my reflections have always been it’s an important time for the players now. I was probably the same as a 21 year old going to a World Cup.

“We have some very good players here, who understand the enormity of the challenge. Friday would have been around rehearsing set plays but we extended Thursday’s session to cater for that, and instead we’ll put the players in the pool in the morning.”

“There’s a good vibrancy around the group but also a deep sense of the reality of what Saturday night’s about now.”

All Whites assistant coach Brian Turner and technical advisor Raul Blanco travelled to Bahrain a day earlier than the rest of the group to make sure there are no surprises when the All Whites fly into opposition territory.

Herbert is due to name his starting eleven on Saturday morning (NZ time).

FIFA World Cup™ Intercontinental Playoff

First Leg
Bahrain v New Zealand
October 10, kick-off 6.30pm local (4.30am Oct 11 NZDST)
National Stadium, Manama
Live on Sky Sport
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)

Second Leg
New Zealand v Bahrain
8pm, November 14
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Tickets from www.oneshotforglory.co.nz or 0800 TICKETEK

Story courtesy of NZF Media

The Solomon Islands men’s Futsal team has lost a nail biting tournament opening match against host nation Libya by one goal at the Alfateh Confederations Futsal Cup on Wednesday.

The hosts came away with a 6–5 win against the young Kurukuru side despite the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) defending champions at one early stage leading their hosts by three goals.

Kurukuru team manager Mapuru Tausinga reported that the game was played with high intensity throughout, describing the pace of the match as “frantic.”

It was the Kurukuru who came out with all guns blazing as captain Elliot Ragomo netted his first and then quickly added a second. Jack Wetney added his name to the scorer’s sheet as the touring team leapt out to a 3-0 lead.

But Libya quickly adjusted their tactics and with some clever play drew level. Despite a further two goals to Solomon Islands players Micah Lea’alafa and Jenan Kapu, Libya were able to gain the lead 6-5.

As the game neared its conclusion the Libyan goal keeper made a string of excellent saves to keep his team one goal ahead in the dying minutes.

Despite the loss, Mapuru Tausinga was delighted that his young team had played at the high standard expected of them.

“When we arrived many people here had no idea where the Solomon Islands are. But now I believe they will want to find out,’ Tausinga said.

“The boys, especially Elliot Ragomo and Jack Wetney, made a big impression on the crowd with their skills.”

On day two of the tournament the Kurukuru struggled to back-up their opening day form and were soundly beaten 11-1 by Uruguay.

Courtesy of SIFF Media 

Influential All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen has been declared fit to start New Zealand’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bahrain in Manama on Saturday night.

Nelsen took full part in a training session on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning NZT) and showed few signs of the back injury that ruled him out of Blackburn Rovers match against Arsenal last week.

Team medical staff monitoring the central defender’s fitness later gave Nelsen the all clear to start in the first leg of the FIFA World Cup playoff with assistant coach Brian Turner describing it as a significant lift.

“Ryan’s a huge influence on this team. His presence on and off the park is immense and it would’ve been a body blow if he wasn’t available. He’s the consummate professional, he’s looked after himself and he’s 100 percent fit so that’s a real bonus for us,” Turner said.

Nelsen’s presence means Ricki Herbert and his coaching staff can pick from the full quota of senior players and draw on their collective experience of professional football in England, Holland, Scotland, the USA, and Australia.

“This team’s been four years in the making," Turner said.
 
"The players are now in their twenties some of them late twenties so there is a lot of experience, and in games like this you need to tap into that experience of playing in big leagues around the world because we’ll need it on Saturday night.”

FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Playoff

First Leg
Bahrain v New Zealand
October 10, kick-off 6.30pm local (4.30am Oct 11 NZDST)
National Stadium, Manama
Live on Sky Sport
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)

Second Leg
New Zealand v Bahrain
8pm, November 14
Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Courtesy of NZF Media

DUBAI – The All Whites have wasted no time in switching on for the first leg of their crucial World Cup playoff against Bahrain, hitting the training pitch almost as soon as they reached their plush Dubai hotel.

The final eight players of a 19-man All Whites squad touched down in the UAE early Tuesday morning and were soon lacing up their boots for the first of six precious trainings before Saturday night’s mammoth playoff for a place at next year’s FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

“Every second we have together is priceless,” said All Whites coach Ricki Herbert, “and so it’s important to get everyone into the environment and switched on to what we need to do on Saturday night.”

Herbert, Shane Smeltz and five Wellington Phoenix players arrived in Dubai on Sunday, joined by five US- and UK-based squad members a day later.

Influential captain Ryan Nelsen – who missed Blackburn’s weekend fixture through injury – took part in light activities in a positive start to his race to be fit for Bahrain.

Temperatures topped 30 degrees centigrade in a short but sharp mid morning session, not that fazed Herbert or the players.

“We’ve played in similar conditions – if not more humid – during the qualifying campaign in the Pacific so we’ll adjust quickly, and it’ll be a productive week on the training pitch,” Herbert added.

FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Playoff

First Leg
Bahrain v New Zealand
October 10, kick-off 6.30pm local (4.30am Oct 11 NZDST)
National Stadium, Manama
Live on Sky Sport
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)

Scond Leg
New Zealand v Bahrain
8pm, November 14
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Tickets from www.oneshotforglory.co.nz or 0800 TICKETEK

Story courtesy of NZF Media

For the latest in NZ Football news visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

Oceania referees will feature prominently in the crucial knock-out stage of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt this week.

New Zealand referee Peter O’Leary and his assistants Brent Best (NZL) and Matthew Taro (SOL) have been appointed to the Round of 16 match between Ghana and South Africa kicking off at 16:30 (local time) on Tuesday 6 October in Ismailia.

The trio, who performed credibly during the group stages of the tournament, are in the running for an appointment at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and Tuesday’s match will act as an important part of the screening process.

Meanwhile, FIFA Referees’ Committee member Harry Atisson from Vanuatu will also be representing Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) in Egypt after being selected as a referee assessor for the clash between Brazil and Uruguay in Port Said on Wednesday. Atisson says it will be an honour to fly the flag for Oceania.

“We are very proud to represent Oceania Football Confederation in this important FIFA U-20 World Cup tournament in Egypt,” says Atisson, who officiated at the FIFA U-17 World Championship Trinidad and Tobago 2001. 

OFC places high importance on developing world class match officials. In 2008 referee development received a huge boost thanks to a brand new FIFA-funded Refereeing Assistance Programme (RAP).

Under the supervision of Referee Development Officer Massimo Raveino (TAH), Referee Instructor Neil Poloso (SOL) and Fitness Trainer Kader Touati (FRA), the programme is helping to create a more organised, professional approach to refereeing in Oceania.

The RAP team facilitates a range of courses throughout the region aimed at the wide spectrum of match officials – from elite to community referees, from futsal to beach soccer referees. These initiatives have helped to increase the level of representation for Oceania at international tournaments.

Two of the world’s top women’s football coaches are in New Zealand this week to impart their knowledge with 30 elite coaches selected from around the Oceania region.

Belgium’s national women’s coach Anne Noë and former USA national coach April Heinrichs are leading the FIFA/OFC follow-up technical course for women’s football from 5-10 October at Kristin College on Auckland’s North Shore.

With participants from the member associations of Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), the course aims to build on the success of the FIFA/OFC women’s football coaching course held in Auckland last October as part of the ‘legacy’ activities surrounding the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup New Zealand 2008.

A minute silence was held during the opening on Monday as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in last week’s tsunami tragedy in American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga. FIFA Development Officer for Oceania Glenn Turner then addressed the audience followed by Kristin College Executive Principal Peter Clague and New Zealand Football CEO Michael Glading before OFC Deputy General Secretary Greg Larsen officially opened proceedings.

FIFA Instructor Anne Noë, who has returned to New Zealand after leading the initial course, says she is looking forward to seeing how the coaches have developed over the past 12 months. 
 
“Last year we had the opportunity to watch and analyse some of the World Cup matches in New Zealand and we asked the participants to take what they had learned into their own environments,” says the former goalkeeper who gained 60 caps for Belgium.

“Now this week’s course will be more advanced and the participants will be challenged to go deeper in their way of thinking about the game.”

Assisting Noë is American April Heinrichs who has experience as a national team player, captain, coach and technical director. She was the first female player to be inducted into the USA National Soccer Hall of Fame. Her glittering career included 47 national caps, a FIFA Women’s World Cup title in 1991 (as captain) and a Gold medal at the 2004 Olympics (as coach).

Heinrichs says the course is about raising the level of professionalism within each member association.

“These coaches already have the passion to develop the women’s game, now it’s about equipping them with the tools they need to improve the overall standards.”

Heinrichs says the course is based around seminars, videos, demonstrations and practical sessions but what happens outside of that structure in terms of social interaction and networking is just as important.

Diane Justus, who works as the women’s development officer for Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF), says they are encouraged to share strategies with other participants.

“Last year was my first FIFA coaching course and I learned a lot from the instructors as well as the other coaches.”

Justus, who currently holds a senior coaching licence, says she is delighted to be back in New Zealand participating in her second FIFA course.

“My goal is to help develop women’s football across the Solomon Islands including the provinces and rural areas. I also hope to achieve the highest level coaching licence.”

OFC U-17 champions New Zealand will travel to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria later this month with a clear aim of creating a small slice of history for the local game.

Never before has a New Zealand team reached the knockout stages at any FIFA tournament but Young All Whites coach Steve Cain and his charges are quietly aiming on being the generation to make the breakthrough.

The tournament, including 24 of the world's best teams, will be held across eight venues from 24 October to 15 November.   

The Young All Whites may have avoided some traditional heavyweights but still face a challenge in Group D, based in the southern city of Enugu. The Kiwis will open against Costa Rica, before taking on African qualifiers Burkina Faso and rounding out their group fixtures against Turkey.

"African teams have won it five times so on African soil I think Burkina Faso will be the team to watch in our pool. Turkey knocked out England in qualifying and have got the potential to go all the way in this World Cup, while Costa Rica's stock is rising quickly in world football and will no doubt bring a technically gifted team to the event."

Looking for history
New Zealand have competed at three previous FIFA U-17 World Cups, including the last tournament in Korea Republic, but have yet to progress beyond the group stage at any level. The Young All Whites debut in 1997 ended in disappointing manner with a record loss against Spain. Two years later as host nation proved a different story, but New Zealand again fell short of progressing despite recording the nation's first FIFA World Cup win with a 2-1 triumph over Poland. Two years ago the New Zealanders lost all three group games, including a slim 1-0 defeat against Korea DPR.

After the disappointment of the Under-20s side missing out on Egypt 2009, the nation's youngest national team have a steely resolve to create their own niche. "I said to this group from the start, we will be looking to be the first New Zealand team to qualify out of the group, so that is our stated ambition," says Cain, who is renowned in New Zealand for a strong coaching record on the domestic front.

"We are not going to make up the numbers, though we fully realise the extent of the challenge ahead of us. Each opponent will present their own challenge, but we will back ourselves. We are tactically st

rong, we have a few players capable of really making things happen and we back ourselves to get into the next stage."

Team building
Since the qualification campaign earlier this year the majority of the squad have been competing on a weekly basis in a regional Auckland league. The team spirit further enhanced with solid recent showings against local OFC O-League representatives Waitakere United and Auckland City. "The benefits (of the competition) have been to get the boys battle hardened in term of physical contests and also team strengthening so it has been a very useful exercise," says Cain.

New Zealand have just a handful of players at overseas clubs with midfielder Cameron Lindsay at Blackburn Rovers and forward Andrew Milne at Rangers. More recently flanker Michael Built joined Northampton Town and midfielder Jamie Doris linked with Scottish club Hibernian.

"We have had the advantage of keeping the squad together, except for a handful of players who are based in professional leagues," Cain continues. "Many other countries have the advantage of having their players in a professional environment, but we have the advantage of staying together and playing as a group, which obviously has its own advantages."

Striker Chris Wood, who has started to make waves with the senior national team and at his club West Bromwich Albion, is a graduate of the class of 2007 and is making the kind of impact which Cain hopes to see from the current squad. "One of our markers will be seeing players progress after the tournament," he says.

"We have some players capable of picking up a contract overseas after the tournament, similarly players looking to gain a USA university scholarship. In the next two or three years we would hope to see some of these players in the senior team, certainly the Olympic team, and then go about making a mark on the world stage."

Story courtesy of FIFA.com

All Whites assistant coach Brian Turner is confident New Zealand skipper Ryan Nelsen will be fit to lead the side out against Bahrain in the first leg of a FIFA World Cup playoff in Manama on Sunday morning (NZT).

Nelsen missed Blackburn’s 6-2 English Premier League defeat to Arsenal this morning with a back injury sustained against Aston Villa last week, but Turner said the team’s influential captain was determined to win his fitness race and start what is the most important match New Zealand has played since qualifying for the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

“Our physio Roland Jeffery spoke to Ryan overnight and while he couldn’t take part against Arsenal, he’s having treatment and we’re confident he’ll be right to play against Bahrain,” Turner said.

The All Whites will base themselves in Dubai until the eve of the match, with players and staff arriving in the emirate by Tuesday morning local time.

Nelsen is expected to miss the first few training sessions and his progress will be closely monitored by New Zealand medical staff.

While coach Ricki Herbert and the All Whites’ Wellington Phoenix have already touched down in Dubai, Turner and the remaining New Zealand-based players departed Auckland this afternoon.


201 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Intercontinental Playoff

First Leg
Bahrain v New Zealand
October 10, kick-off 6.30pm (4.30am Oct 11 NZT)
National Stadium, Manama
Live on Sky Sport
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)

Second Leg
New Zealand v Bahrain
8pm, November 14
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Tickets from www.oneshotforglory.co.nz or 0800 TICKETEK

Story courtesy of NZF Media

For the latest in NZ Football news visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

With the Solomon Island’s National men’s Futsal team readying to depart today for the Alfetah Continental Futsal Cup in Libya, Oceania Football Confederation is pleased to bring you an interview with Win In Oceania (WIO) Futsal Instructor Scott Gilligan.

The Alfetah Futsal Cup is an invitational tournament, approved by FIFA, where the top futsal playing nation from each FIFA Confederation will compete from 5-11 October for a winner’s cheque of $69,978 (NZD).

The less successful teams won’t be left empty handed either, the last placed national team will walk away with $13,994 (NZD).

The two year OFC Futsal champions were invited to the lucrative tournament by the Libyan Football Federation with most of the major expenses for the trip generously covered by the host Federation. 

The Alfetah Futsal Cup will be played under a two group round robin format with the top two qualifiers from each group playing off in seeded knock-out semifinals to determine the finalists. The bottom two teams will play-off to determine fifth and sixth placings.

The Cup field consists of: Guatemala, Iran, Libya, Solomon Islands, Spain and Uruguay (Brazil had to withdraw).

OFC – Scott in your own words can you explain to our readers why this invitation and opportunity is so valuable to the Solomons Futsal team?

After the Kurukuru qualified for last year's World Cup the team learnt valuable lessons from their matches in Brazil against seasoned international opposition. That same squad demonstrated they had learnt from that 2008 World Cup campaign by their hugely dominant performance at the OFC Futsal Championship this year - they were much better in defence, they were more clinical in attack and they rectified their main deficiency by bringing in a more senior goalkeeper.

I see this as a perfect perfect test for the Kurukuru to see how far they have come since their initiation at the highest level and to see how much they still need to improve. It is also an opportunity for some of the squad members to stand up individually and showcase their phenomenal skills on a world stage. 

OFC – What do you expect from the other teams participating at the Alfetah Cup?

This invitation will see them take on the best country from each Confederation. So like the World Cup, there will be some extremely tough matches for the Kurukuru. But it should also be noted that Iran have proven that they have improved massively and are on the brink of breaking the top two (Brazil and Spain) countries’ dominance of this code. Both Guatamala and Libya have also proven that they take futsal seriously and their recent performances have shown that they too are starting to get closer to the powerhouses.

OFC - What do you think the team should be expecting to achieve and what do they most need to improve on at this tournament?

Realistically they shouldn't be expecting to win the tournament, however, I would hope that they can further improve their defensive play. While Spain clearly stands-out as the formidable opponents, all the international teams that the Kurukuru come up against in Libya will be fast and very dangerous in attack.

Tahiti have ended their debut FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign on a disappointing note with a 0-5 loss to Nigeria in Cairo on Thursday evening in a game where two brothers were sent off for the Islanders.

It could have been worse for Tahiti as Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, who were runners-up in the tournament four years ago, had a total of 31 shots during the match but wasteful finishing might hamper the Africans’ hopes of advancing.

Group B winners Spain (nine points) and runners-up Venezuela (six points) have qualified for the final 16 automatically while Nigeria (three points)  now have to wait for other results to go their way in order to go through as one of the best third-place teams. Tahiti meanwhile finish bottom of the group with a winless record.

Nigeria were dominant in the opening stages of their final group match but had to wait 15 minutes for their first goal. Wingers Omatsone Aluko and King Osanga combined well to supply Obiora Nwankwo, who fired past Teave Teamotuaitau.

Tahiti went close four minutes later when Steevy Chong Hue raced past Daniel Adejo to present him with a one-on-one opportunity. However, Uche Okafor raced off his line to stop the ball with his legs.

Nigeria doubled their advantage in the 24th minute when Ibok Edet headed home from King Osanga's corner. Ten minutes later it was 3-0; Kehinde Fatai latching onto another Osanga corner.

Chong Hue had an opportunity from the edge of the box, but fired straight into the arms of the keeper, and Danny Uchechi should have done better with a glorious chance, but the stand-in skipper failed to hit the target.

Two minutes before half-time, Tahiti were reduced to 10 men when Lorenzo Tehau was dismissed for his second yellow of the night. With the final kick of the first half, Nigeria scored their fourth, when Nurudeen Orelesi's speculative cross curled into the net.

The second half was dominated by missed opportunities by the Africans. Uchechi hit the post with a downward header, but their cause was given a further boost in the 74th minute when Tahiti were reduced to nine men; this time it was Alvin Tehau, brother of Lorenzo, who saw red for a second bookable offence.

But still Nigeria could not find a breakthrough. Substitute Raheem Lawal stung the hands of Teamotuaitau from the edge of the box and many more Flying Eagles chances were wasted. Adejo made it five in the final minute, but Samson Siasia and his side face a nervy wait with a goal difference of plus-two to see if they will end up as one of the four best third-placed sides.

For match details and full tournament coverage visit http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/index.html 

Tahiti and Nigeria have similar objectives going into their Group B finale at Cairo's International Stadium on Thursday. While the Nigerians need a big win to press their claims for a place in the last 16, Tahiti are looking to collect an unlikely three points and sneak in through the back door themselves.

The game
Tahiti-Nigeria, Cairo, Thursday 1 October, 18:45 (local time)

The stakes
Though logic dictates that both sides are staring elimination in the face, the Nigerians can at least harbour realistic hopes of scoring a big win and sneaking into the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams. To do that, however, they will need to improve the wayward finishing that afflicted them in their opening two games, in which they failed to score. For their part the Tahitians are still in with a mathematical chance, but simply making life difficult for their opponents would represent an achievement in itself.

The stat
24 - The number of years since Nigeria recorded their first win over an Oceania side in the competition. By way of coincidence, current coach Samson Siasia was a member of the side that defeated Australia 3-2 on that occasion at USSR 1985.

The words
"We are well aware of the differences between the two teams on an individual level, but my players have been gaining in confidence despite the results and they know we can still qualify if we beat Nigeria. Of course it's going be very tough to do that, but anything can happen in football." Tahiti coach Lionel Charbonnier

"We have absolutely no margin for error now. We need to start doing all the things we've failed to do so far, and that's winning and scoring goals. And even then that might not be enough. So what we need to do first and foremost is concentrate on getting the win." Nigeria coach Samson Siasia

Story courtesy of FIFA.com

Next week’s OFC U-20 Women’s Championship New Zealand 2009 involving two of the countries directly affected by yesterday’s earthquake and tsunami tragedy has been postponed until January 2010.

Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) made the announcement today after reports out of American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga – three of OFC’s 11 member associations – painted a devastating picture with an estimated death toll of over 100.

American Samoa and Tonga had been scheduled to take part in the championship along with the Cook Islands and New Zealand from 5-9 October at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium to determine Oceania’s representative at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany next July. But the OFC Emergency Committee and OFC President Reynald Temarii concluded there was no other option but to postpone the event.

“As a sign of solidarity and respect for the tragic loss of life in American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga, OFC has decided to postpone the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship. It will now take place at the end of January giving all participating member associations an extended period of preparation,” President Temarii. 

“Our sole focus now is on the devastating events that took place yesterday and the affects they’ve had on our Pacific family. We sincerely hope that all those affected by the disaster can find some amount of peace and solace in this distressing time.”

Football Federation American Samoa (FFAS) headquarters was in the direct path of the tsunami that hit at dawn on Tuesday local time. Fortunately no staff were at Pago park when the massive wave swept through and only the groundsman was reported to be injured. However the FIFA-funded complex was left in ruins with the maintenance building swept away and FFAS offices badly damaged.

All passports and travel documents for the American Samoa U-20 women’s team that were being held at the offices in preparation for the team’s departure on Thursday were swept away.

Yesterday’s disaster began with a series of earthquakes that struck between American Samoa and Samoa, the largest a magnitude 8.3, setting off several tsunamis up to six metres high. Reports out of Samoa said the waves travelled as far as 1.6 kilometres inland leaving a path of destruction and sweeping its victims back out to sea.

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Bill English said last night that 62 people were confirmed dead in Samoa and 142 injured. At least 30 were dead in American Samoa with up to 10 deaths in Tonga.

The Red Cross have said there is an urgent humanitarian crisis in the making with dozens of villages destroyed and thousands of people left homeless.

Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has offered its sympathies to the people of American Samoa and Samoa after the two countries bore the brunt of a massive earthquake and subsequent tsunamis this morning.

Dozens are feared dead after a magnitude 8.3 earthquake struck midway between the two island nations at 6:48am on Tuesday (local time) causing a series of towering tsunami waves.

The Red Cross have said at least 28 have been killed while unconfirmed reports put the death toll much higher.

OFC President Reynald Temarii has offered his sympathies to those caught up in the disaster.

“On behalf of OFC and the Oceania football family we wish to extend our condolences and support to people in American Samoa, Samoa and any other Pacific Islands who have been affected by this tragedy,” said Temarii.

Sarai Bareman, Finance and Administration Manager for the Samoa Football Soccer Federation (SFSF), says many people have sought refuge at the J.S. Blatter Football Complex in Tuanaimato, just 10 minutes from downtown Apia, due to its significant height above sea level.

“I walked to work and there were hundreds of people here at the complex waiting for news,” said Bareman.

“I called all the SFSF staff and thankfully no-one is hurt and everyone has been accounted for. The Red Cross arrived and we opened up our medical room to allow them to treat anyone that needed medical attention. I am pleased that we were able to provide a safe haven for these people during this distressing time and my prayers go out to all the families and villages that have lost loved ones today.” 

OFC is actively trying to contact staff at the Football Federation American Samoa (FFAS) but cellular network issues are hampering efforts.

The American Samoa U-20 women’s team are scheduled to fly out to Auckland this Thursday to compete in the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship from 5-9 October while coaches from both countries are expected in Auckland for a FIFA women’s coaching course next week. It is unclear at this stage if these plans will go ahead unchanged.

Meanwhile, an OFC elite refereeing training course which began in Auckland today also involves participants from American Samoa and Samoa.



SFSF J.S. Blatter Football Complex, Tuanaimato

AUCKLAND – The Junior Football Ferns will be without Oceania Player of the Year Rosie White for next week’s U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Auckland after the 16-year-old striker was ruled out through injury.

The Three Kings forward – who grabbed headlines last year by scoring hat-tricks at the FIFA U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups in New Zealand and Chile respectively – has been ordered to rest to prevent a potential stress fracture in her foot.

The loss of White brings to four the number of senior internationals missing from the New Zealand squad for qualifiers against American Samoa, Tonga and Cook Islands at North Harbour Stadium and coach Tony Readings admits the firepower and experience of that quartet will be hard to replace.

You can’t really replace players like Rosie and it may alter the way we want play,” Readings said.

“She’s a big loss and it just adds to the challenge we face as we’re without Football Ferns Merissa Smith, Renee Leota and Betsy Hassett as well.

“It makes the task more difficult but it gives opportunities for other players to stake a claim for the team to go to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany next year by helping us qualify next week.”

Claudelands Rovers striker Jackie Pretswell – the Northern League’s golden boot – and Glenfield midfielder Katie Bowen have been called into camp to restore the squad to its full compliment of 18, and Readings was adamant the selection door was wide open for Monday’s tournament opener against American Samoa.

“These new players are in the same boat as everyone else, in that they can push for starting spots as well. If there’s an upside to the injuries it’s that a number of players are going to have to step up in training this week and in the matches next week.”

Junior Football Ferns Squad for OFC U-20 Women’s Championship
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, 5-9 October

Goalkeepers:
Victoria ESSON (Fencibles United)
Megan SHEA (Woolston Technical)

Defenders:
Bridgette ARMSTRONG (Glenfield Rovers)
Anna GREEN (Three Kings United)
Briony FISHER (Lynn Avon United)
Elizabeth MILNE (Lynn Avon United)
Jessica ROLLINGS (Glenfield Rovers)
Chelsey WOOD (Eastern Suburbs)

Midfielders:
Caitlin CAMPBELL (Lynn Avon United)
Emily COOPER (Lynn Avon United)
Claudia CRASBORN (Napier City Rovers)
Annalie LONGO (Three Kings United)
Lauren MATHIS (Glenfield Rovers)
Nadia PEARL (Three Kings United)
Katherine ROBINSON (Claudelands Rovers)
Hannah WALL (Waterside Karori)
Katie BOWEN (Glenfield Rovers)

Forwards:
Sarah MCLAUGHLIN (Claudelands Rovers)
Lauren MURRAY (Three Kings United)
Jackie PRETSWELL (Claudelands Rovers)

Head Coach: Tony Readings
Assistant Coaches: Ali Grant and Paul Temple
Manager: Kristy Hill

Story courtesy of NZF Media

For the latest in NZ Football news visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

Ruben Luvu, American Samoa U-20 women’s national team coach, is satisfied that his team is ready to compete at the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship starting next week in Auckland, New Zealand.

Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) will stage the round-robin championship at North Harbour Stadium on Auckland’s North Shore from 5-9 October. American Samoa, Cook Islands, New Zealand and Tonga will compete for a place at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany next July.

The Football Federation American Samoa (FFAS) squad had a robust final practice match on home soil last Saturday ahead of their departure for Auckland this weekend.

Luvu says he was satisfied with the team's performance after they had matched up respectably against a team consisting of FFAS male referees at Pago Park Soccer Stadium.

The U-20 women lost 0-3 to the ‘Referees Eleven’ but Luvu was pleased with his squad’s physical competitiveness and improved cohesiveness.

The FFAS coaching staff saw added value in matching up the male players against the U-20 women’s team because of their superior strength and speed, especially since their first opponent at next week’s championship is New Zealand, the reigning Oceania U-20 champions.

The New Zealand squad also includes 14 players that represented their country at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup NZ 2008, so Luvu is well aware that his American Samoan squad face a huge challenge on the opening day of the tournament.

“Against the referees on Saturday, I was happy with my team’s performance because they did a number of things well,” said Luvu. 
 
“They read the game better and executed really well on the things we have been working on since we first started training. They were focused on what was going on in the field, closed down on the gaps much faster and their communication with one another was much better."

He went on to say that he saw a huge improvement but wants them to build on that form even further when the tournament begins on Monday.

“There are a few things we still need to work on but I was really happy with their performance, especially with a few players that I’ve been keeping an eye on."

Two players, Fetu Lakisa and Jermaima Fuatino Kaleopa, went down with ankle injures last week and their status is uncertain at the moment. There are two players who had been eliminated from the final confirmed traveling squad after initially training with the wider trial squad. A final judgment on whether they will now rejoin the touring squad will be made shortly. 

Team management will name the team’s captain later this week and Luvu says he has decided on the 11 players he expects to start in next Monday’s championship opener against New Zealand.

Ricki Herbert has named the most important squad yet in his four years as All Whites coach, selecting the 19 players to face Bahrain in Manama on October 10.

The match between the Oceania champions and the Arabic island nation that finished fifth in Asian World Cup qualifying is the first leg of a home and away playoff – the return leg is Westpac Stadium in Wellington on November 14 – with the winner progressing to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Herbert has named 13 previous squads since taking the reins in 2005 but says all of those – and the 30 matches played under his tenure - have been stepping stones to the most important game the All Whites have played since last qualifying for the World Cup in 1982.

“This is absolutely the biggest one yet,” Herbert said.

“You know we’ve had opportunities over the last four years to shape the team to where it’s got to now. It’s an incredibly important couple of fixtures and I’m delighted to be able to name the squad.”

Ryan Nelsen will captain the side that is relatively unchanged from the squad that earned a 3-1 victory over Jordan in Amman in September.

Striker Rory Fallon and attacking midfielder Michael McGlinchey retain their places after impressive debuts in that match while Chris Killen and Chris Wood – late withdrawals from that squad through injury – predictably come back into the mix.

In fact, the only change from the squad named for Jordan is the addition of Auckland City custodian Jacob Spoonley as goalkeeping cover for Mark Paston and James Bannatyne.

The squad is notable for its continuity with goalkeeper Glen Moss the only player unavailable for selection due to a four-match World Cup suspension earned in the All Whites’ final Oceania group qualifier against Fiji in November 2008.
Moss’ unavailability aside, Herbert has finally enjoyed the luxury of a fully fit squad to choose from, something that had so far eluded the All Whites boss.

“I think that’s been the biggest frustrations over my time is not been able to have the best side together for a long period of time but the flipside is that some other players have been given opportunities and some have really solidified their position in the team.”

“Touch wood that we go into training in Dubai with a full complement of players as that will be important to the outcome in Manama as well.”

Nelsen, McGlinchey, Fallon and Spoonley are the only players in the squad who didn’t travel to South Africa for the FIFA Confederations Cup in June, with Moss, Kris Bright, Chris James, Steven Old, Duncan Oughton, Jeremy Brockie and Jeremy Christie dropping out in for this smaller squad.

Bahrain enter the fixture match-hardened by an 18-game qualifying campaign but Herbert believes that has also has an upside for New Zealand.

“Bahrain had to put their best foot forward against Saudi Arabia so that information is fresh and current. We’ve broken down that information and will roll it out to the players.

“We’re pretty comfortable. Raul Blanco, Brian Turner and I have done a lot of research and as soon as we hit that first training session in Dubai we’ll be rolling out what we think is going to be important for the first game.”

Herbert and the Wellington Phoenix’s All Whites contingent depart for Bahrain from Australia after Friday’s round 9 clash against Shane Smeltz’s high flying Gold Coast United, while remaining New Zealand based players and staff depart from Auckland on Monday.

The All Whites assemble in Dubai, where they will be based until October 9 in preparation for the match in Manama on October 10.

New Zealand Squad for FIFA World Cup Asia/Oceania Playoff (first leg)
October 10, Manama

Goalkeepers:
James BANNATYNE (Team Wellington – 5/0)
Mark PASTON (Wellington Phoenix – 21/0)
Jacob SPOONLEY (Auckland City – 1/0)

Defenders:
Andrew BOYENS (New York Red Bulls – 14/0)
Tony LOCHHEAD (Wellington Phoenix – 19/0)
David MULLIGAN (Wellington Phoenix – 30/3)
Ryan NELSEN (Captain, Blackburn Rovers – 39/9)
Aaron SCOTT (Waitakere United – 5/0)
Ben SIGMUND (Wellington Phoenix – 10/1)
Ivan VICELICH (Auckland City – 70/7)

Midfielders:
Andy BARRON (Team Wellington – 12/1)
Leo BERTOS (Wellington Phoenix – 28/0)
Tim BROWN (Wellington Phoenix – 25/0)
Simon ELLIOTT (San Jose Earthquakes – 65/8)
Michael MCGLINCHEY (Central Coast Mariners – 1/0)

Forwards:
Rory FALLON (Plymouth Argyle – 1/1)
Chris KILLEN (Celtic – 24/17)
Shane SMELTZ (Gold Coast United – 29/17)
Chris WOOD (West Bromwich Albion – 3/0)

Management: Ricki Herbert (Coach), Brian Turner (Assistant Coach), Clint Gosling (Goalkeeper Coach), Raul Blanco (Technical Advisor), Phil Warbrick (Manager), Roland Jeffery (Physiotherapist), Wade Irvine (Massage Therapist), Celeste Geertsema (Doctor), Kenny McMillan (Sports Scientist), Jamie Scott (Media Officer).

2010 FIFA World Cup Asia/Oceania Playoff

First Leg

Bahrain v New Zealand
October 10, kick-off 6.30pm (4.30am Oct 11 NZT)
National Stadium, Manama
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)

Second Leg

New Zealand v Bahrain
8pm, November 14
Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Story courtesy of NZF Media

For the latest in NZ Football news visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

Tahiti have again found themselves on the wrong side of an 8-0 score line, this time going down to Venezuela in Cairo on Monday night in a match that saw two Tahitians sent off before halftime.

After losing to Spain by the same margin on Friday, Tahiti are now out of the running for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 while Venezuela have booked their place in the last 16 along with Italy who beat Nigeria 2-0 in the other Group B match.

Venezuela proved too strong for the World Cup debutants at Al Salam Stadium putting away three goals in the first half and a further five after the break – making the most of a two-man advantage. Yonathan Del Valle and Jose Rondon led the way with hat-tricks while Jose Manuel Velasquez and Oscar Rojas also got on the score sheet.

La Vinotinto opened the scoring in the fourth minute, when Francisco Flores' cross from the left was headed home by Jose Rondon, who rose above the challenge of Jay Warren to loop the ball over goalkeeper Teheipuari Hauata.

Fifteen minutes later it was 2-0, the unmarked Jose Manuel Velasquez diverting Louis Pena's corner into the net at the far post. Tahiti were dealt a hammer blow in the 26th minute when Stephane Faatiarau received his marching orders for a professional foul on Del Valle and Rondon made no mistake from the resulting spot-kick.
 
Worse was to come for the islanders seven minutes before half-time when Garry Rochette received his second yellow for a foul on Pena.

With the match over as a meaningful contest, the pace slowed considerably in the second half. In the 71st minute the game was reignited when Oscar Rojas curled a left-footed free-kick over the wall and past the outstretched dive of Hauata.

Del Valle added a fifth with 12 minutes to go when he slotted the ball past the keeper after being played in by Rondon. He then latched onto a Rojas left-wing cross to grab his second and Venezuela’s sixth before completing a 13-minute hat trick after collecting Jose Parra's side-footed pass and firing past the keeper.

Although Lorenzo Tehau and Steevy Chong Hue flashed shots just wide of the upright for Tahiti in the first half, the opportunities in the second half were few and far between.

Venezuela will now look to defeat Spain in their final group game to secure their place at the section's summit, while Tahiti will have a chance to salvage some pride against Nigeria on Thursday.

For match details and full tournament coverage visit http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/index.html