Oceania Football Confederation’s U-20 champions Tahiti have been drawn with Spain, Nigeria and Venezuela in Group B of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 after the official draw took place in Luxor overnight.

The draw has thrown up a number of mouth-watering clashes for FIFA’s leading junior competition set to take place from 24 September to 16 October in the five host cities of Alexandria, Ismailia, Cairo, Port Said and Suez.

Tahiti’s opening match in Cairo will be against Spain who won the tournament in 1999 and were runners-up in 2003.

Venezuela will be next up and arguably the easiest opposition for Tahiti but the South Americans should not be taken lightly after their impressive form during the qualifiers where they drew with Argentina and beat Uruguay and Colombia.

Lionel Charbonnier’s side will then play African powerhouse Nigeria who were runners in the 2005 edition.

In qualifying for Egypt 2009, Tahiti made history last December by becoming the first island nation from Oceania to qualify for a FIFA field football event. The team is preparing for this year’s tournament by playing in Tahiti’s premier senior competition – Championnat de Tahiti – where they are currently placed second behind Manu Ura in the playoff race.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup draw ceremony at the Temple of Luxor was attended by a large number of VIP guests. FIFA Director of Competitions Jim Brown conducted the draw, assisted by Shawki Gharieb, assistant coach of Egypt's national team, Aya Medany, the female modern pentathlon world champion, and a trio of distinguished former Egypt internationals: Hazem Emam, Hady Khashaba and Taher Abou Zeid.

Intriguing matchups include Germany against USA in Group C, African champions Ghana taking on England in Group D and South American top dogs Brazil facing the challenge posed by Czech Republic in Group E.

Hosts Egypt will meet Trinidad and Tobago in the opening match on Thursday 24 September at the Egyptian Army Stadium in Alexandria.

Photo courtesy of Franck Chevillard

Tahiti at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009

Tahiti vs. Spain
Friday 25 September
Al Salam Stadium, Cairo

Tahiti vs. Venezuela
Monday 28 September
Al Salam Stadium, Cairo

Tahiti vs. Nigeria
Thursday 1 October
Cairo International Stadium, Cairo

FIFA U-20 World Cup 2009 Official Draw

Group A (Cairo)
Egypt
Trinidad & Tobago
Paraguay
Italy

Group B (Cairo)
Nigeria
Venezuela
Spain
Tahiti

Group C (Suez)
USA
Germany
Cameroon
Korea Republic

Group D (Ismailia)
Ghana
Uzbekistan
England
Uruguay

Group E (Port Said)
Brazil
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
Australia

Group F (Alexandria)
United Arab Emirates
South Africa
Honduras
Hungary

TAHITI – Six goals, one red card, a bizarre tactical switch, a hat-trick and a penalty shoot-out win for the underdogs – those were the ingredients for a Coupe de Polynesie thriller in Papaeete as Tahiti U-20 continued its season of dreams last night.

Tahiti U-20’s 3-3 draw with AS Dragon was the match of the Coupe de Polynesie Round of 16 as the identities of the competitions quarter-finalists was determined. AS Temanava, AS Tiara Tahiti, holder AS Tefana and AS TAC joined giant killers AS Venus, D1 champions AS Manu Ura and AS Vaiete in the last eight.

The outstanding individual performance of the round came from Oceania All Star and Tahiti senior international Raimana Lee Fung Kuee who hit a hat-trick for AS Dragon but will be wondering how his efforts weren’t enough to prolong Dragon’s interest in this year’s competition.

 Tahiti U-20’s Teheipuarii Hauata’s penalty stopping heroics mark him down for special mention, particularly as he is usually deployed as an outfielder! The full draw for the Coupe de Polynesie Quarter Finals will be made later this week.

TAHITI U-20 ON NEW ADVENTURE

AS Dragon (1) 3 (Raimana Lee Fung Kuee 38’, 55’, 88’)
Tahiti U-20* (1) 3 (Rainui Tzeyu 36’, 47’, Jay Warren 82’)

*Tahiti U-20 wins 5-4 on penalties

Tahiti U-20 extraordinary season of achievement shows no sign of stopping after they prevailed in a six goal thriller with AS Dragon. A hat-trick from Oceania All Stars and Tahitian international Raimana Lee Fung Kuee was not enough to derail the Tahitian youngsters in the match of the round.

Dragon’s Christian Shan Sei Fan and Simon Vincent both went close midway through the first-half.
Sei Fan saw his effort on 17 minutes hit the post while Vincent’s long range shot forced goalkeeper Ralph Heita into a superb save on 31 minutes.

Tahiti U-20 hit Dragon with a classic sucker punch when Rainui Tzeyu headed home a Stephan Faatiarau cross just five minutes later. The joy was shortlived. Raimana Lee Fung Kuee pulled Dragon level on 38 minutes when his free-kick deflected off a defender and wrong-footed Heita. Tahiti U-20 coach Lionel Charbonnier made a bizarre tactical switch at halftime when Stanley Atani was withdrawn through injury.

Teheipuarii Hauata – normally an outfield player – was put in goal and Ralph Heita – goalkeeper during the first-half – emerged in the outfield for the second-half.

The tactic seemed to have the desired effect on 47 minutes when Rainui Tzeyu grabbed his second goal of the match to give Tahiti U-20 the lead. Raimana Lee Fung Kuee was the hero for AS Dragon once again on 55 minutes when a cross by team-mate Efrain Araneda Estay evaded a posse of Tahiti U-20 defenders that allowed Fung Kuee all the time in the world to score with new goalkeeper Hauata immobile on his line.

With the match entering the final stages Tahiti U-20 took the lead for the third time in the match when the influential Jay Warren scored from a corner on 82 minutes. But an already dramatic match took yet another exciting plot twist when Tauirai Teiva was sent off sixty seconds later, leaving Tahiti U-20 with just ten players.

With just two minutes left, Raimana Lee Fung Kuee completed his hat-trick with a blistering long range shot that left Hauata without a chance and drew the match level at 3-3.
The match went to a penalty shoot-out with Tahiti U-20 goalkeeper Teheipuarii Hauata living up to coach Lionel Charbonnier’s expectations when he saved from Efrain Araneda Estay with the score level at 4-4.

The usually reliable Jay Warren then missed Tahiti U-20’s fifth spot-kick to force the issue to sudden death penalties. Hauata saved AS Dragon’s first kick from the hapless Kenny Nui allowing Lorenzo Tehau to convert for Tahiti U-20, taking the match 5-4 on penalties and guaranteeing his team a place in the Coupe de Polynesie Quarter Finals.

The meeting opened by U20 is enclosed with the finish on the second stop of the guard after its partner Lorenzo Tehau made a success of his shooting with the goal. The door of the quarterfinals opens with the U20 selection!

TEMANAVA TOO SHARP FOR PUNARUU
AS Temanava (2) 3

AS Punaruu (0) 0

AS Temanava cruised into the last eight of the Coupe de Polynesie after a comfortable 3-0 win over Championnat D2 leaders AS Punaruu last night. Temanava scored two early first half goals to establish a strong advantage and completed their victory midway through the second half. AS Temanava’s tradition of strong performances in the Coupe de Polynesie looks set to continue this season. The Moorea-based club will look ahead to the quarter-finals with confidence as the competition focus switches to the island of Tahiti.  AS Temanava last won the Coupe de Polynesie in 2006 when they defeated AS Dragon 2-1.

TIARA THROUGH AS JT SEASON OF MISERY CONTINUES

AS Tiara Tahiti (1) 2
AS JT (0) 0

AS Tiara Tahiti joined fellow Moorea qualifiers AS Temanava in the Coupe de Polynesie Quarter Finals after a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Championnat D1 strugglers JT. JT’s season has gone from bad to worse as the Blues sit bottom of Tahiti’s top flight some three points adrift of newly promoted AS Vaiete and AS Excelsior. This latest setback may allow JT to focus on its deepening relegation play-off concerns but confidence will be at an all-time low with only weeks remaining before the play-offs.

HOLDERS THROUGH TO LAST EIGHT

AS Tefana (1) 2
AS Samine (0) 0

Coupe de Polynesie holders AS Tefana stayed on course for a third consecutive victory in this competition after an easy 2-0 win over AS Samine. Memories of Tefana’s wins over Central Sport and AS Manu Ura will be uppermost in the minds of club supporters ahead of the Quarter Final draw later this week. The Faa’a club are now strong favourites to lift the Tahitian league and cup double, with Tefana winning twelve consecutive matches in Championnat D1 and making it as far as the eighth round of the Coupe de France after a win over SR Colmar on penalties before losing 0-2 to French club, Arras.

TAC HOLD NERVE IN SHOOT-OUT

 AS Tamarii Faa'a (0) 0
AS TAC* (0) 0

*AS TAC win 3-1 on penalties

AS TAC edged its way into the Coupe de Polynesie Quarter Finals with a 3-1 penalty shoot-out win over fellow D1 side AS Tamarii Faaa. The evenly matched sides produced a drab 0-0 draw in regulation time before TAC held their nerve in a low-scoring shoot-out. Both clubs are mid-table in D1 with TAC enjoying a two point lead over their rivals in the competition.

COUPE DE POLYNESIE - Round of 16

Results

AS Dragon 3, Tahiti U-20 3*

AS Temanava 3, AS Punaruu 0

AS Samine 0, AS Tefana 2

AS Tamarii Faa'a 0, AS TAC 0**

AS Tiara Tahiti 2, AS JT 0

* Tahiti U-20 win 5-4 on penalties

** AS TAC win 3-1 on penalties

COUPE DE POLYNESIE QUARTER FINALISTS (from):

AS Tefana, AS Temanava, AS Manu Ura, AS Vaiete, AS TAC, AS Tiara Tahiti, Tahiti U-20, AS Venus

PAPEETE - Tahiti won their first ever Oceania Football tournament today, after beating Fiji 2-0 in Match Day Three of the OFC U-20 Championship in Tahiti.

On an evening of high drama, in which three teams started the final round of matches with a shout of winning, tournament honours see-sawed back and forth between Tahiti and New Caledonia in matches which were played concurrently.

But Tahiti finally edged it thanks to a 2-0 win over a Fiji team which finished the match with nine payers. Meanwhile New Zealand fought back to level 2-2 against New Caledonia, which eventually allowed Tahiti the relative luxury of a two-point margin at the top of the table in the battle of the French-speaking nations.

Had New Caledonia managed one more goal, they would have been the ones going to the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 in September, but it was not to be, and the day belonged to the determined Tahiti side and their Coach Lionel Charbonnier.

“Winning the championship is incredible, both for us and the people of Tahiti who can now be confident in the quality of our youth players,” Charbonnier said.

“We were ranked at 487 in the latest FIFA ranking and now we have qualified with the 20 best teams in the world for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, I am so proud of the team.”

Charbonnier said he was closely monitoring the score line from the game between New Caledonia and New Zealand – played at the same time - and admitted being worried at one stage.

“All the time we kept getting updates on the score from the other game, and we followed it closely because it was so important.

“I was afraid when New Caledonia went up 2-1 because I knew that New Caledonia had the talent and potential to beat New Zealand.”

Charbonnier said his sides preparation for Egypt had already begun by being involved in the Tahitian D1 Championnat – their national league.

“We will follow on with our participation in the championship of Tahiti. It’s the first time an age group team has played in the competition and we plan on playing to the end and getting good experience.

“We have a lot to learn from playing with these senior teams, and after the season we will make plans for a tour of Europe, where I know personally that we can have a good preparation.”

Tahiti got off to a dream start when Alvin Tehau put the hosts ahead in the tenth minute. Things got worse for Fiji when Nasoni Mereke was shown a straight red card in the 31st minute.

Hiva Kamoise gave Tahiti a margin of comfort with his strike seven minutes into the second half before Fiji were reduced to nine players when Monit Chand picked up his second bookable offense.

Meanwhile at Stade Paea New Caledonia looked set to progress through as winners of the tournament until the 73rd minute when New Zealand struck an equalizer.

Alan Hnautra put New Caledonia ahead in the 15th minute with a sublime individual goal. Hnautra used his pace to glide through the New Zealand defence to the by-line where he slapped the ball home from a very acute angle.

New Zealand replied in the 28th minute when Greg Draper equalized from the penalty spot, before New Caledonia took the lead again six minutes later.

Roy Kayara put his side back in front with a sublime free kick from 25 yards out which sparked great celebrations from the bench.

But New Zealand spoiled their party in the 73rd minute when Jonathan Raj connected with a header from a free kick and swung the championship pendulum back in favour of Tahiti.

After a third placed finish, New Zealand coach Stu Jacobs was under no illusions about the improvement of the two French territories.

“It’s a wake up call for this group and perhaps the organisation too,” Jacobs said.

“You look at Tahiti and New Caledonia and they are both very good technically and have tremendous pace.

“They are now very formidable sides who have been playing together for a long time.

“Tahiti have even invested in bringing Lionel Charbonnier out from France to coach, so they’re not sitting back and waiting for New Zealand.

“We can’t take anything for granted.”

“But it’s not just lack of time or preparation, you have to be on your game on the night as well, get your systems right and have the right players out on the pitch.”

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008
Match Day Three
Stade Paea
Papeete
Tahiti
Kick Off: 18H30 (Local Time)/ 15H30 (NZL T)

New Caledonia U-20 (2) 2 (12. Alan HNAUTRA 15’; 9. Roy KAYARA 34’;)
New Zealand U-20 (1) 2 (9. Greg DRAPER 28’; 14. Jonathan RAJ 73’ )

NCL: 2. Joris GORENDIAWE; 3. Edmond IPUNESSO; 4. Jonathan KAKOU; 5. Jean Claude JEWINE; 6. Cesar LOLOHEA; 7. Maxime CHEVRY; 8. Jean WAHNYAMALLA; 9. Roy KAYARA; 12. Alan HNAUTRA; 14. Jean Philippe SAIKO (10. Rony ATTI 80’); 20. Nicolas IWA (GK);

Substitutes not used: 1. Jean Daniel CAEE (RGK); 11. Warren NAXUE; 13. Vincent VAKIE; 17. Yoahn AUSU; 15. Jihovany LOLOHEA; 16. Theodore HNANGANYAN; 18. Jean TYEA; 19. Yoann BAKO;

Coach: Didier CHAMBARON (FRA)

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None

NZL: 2. Tim MYERS; 3. Ian HOGG (C) (4. Fin MILNE 27’); 5. Sam CAMPBELL; 6. Michael EAGER; 7. Costa BARBAROUSES; 9. Greg DRAPER (11. John NIYONSABA 68’); 14. Jonathan RAJ; 15. Michael PICKERING;17. Jake MATHEWS (10. Milos NIKOLIC 52’); 19. Nick KEOWN-ROBSON; 20. Jake GLEESON;

Substitutes not used: 1.Rhyss KEANE; 12. Cory CHETTLEBURGH; 13. Ash SOLLY; 16. Alex BARLOW; 18. Sam BLACKBURN;

Suspended: 8. Adam McGeorge

Coach: Stu JACOBS

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None

Referee: Jacques Averii (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Mahit Chilia (VAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Phillipe Revel (TAH)
Fourth Official: Norbert Hauata (TAH)

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008
Match Day Three
Stade Mahina
Papeete
Tahiti
Kick Off: 18H30 (Local Time)/ 16H30 (FIJ T)

Tahiti U-20 (1) 2 (21. Alvin TEHAU 10’; 9. Hiva KAMOISE 54’)
Fiji U-20 (0) 0

TAH: 3. Stephane FAATIARAU; 4. Teheivarii LUDIVION; 5. Ariihau TERIITAU; 6. Heimano BOUREBARE; 7. Garry ROCHETTE; 9. Hiva KAMOISE; 11. Stanley ATANY; 19. Marama AMAU; 20. Lorenzo TEHAU; 21. Alvin TEHAU; 22. Teheipuarii HAUATA (GK);

Substitutes not used: 2. Tauirai TEIVA;  23. Ralph HEITAA; 8. Heiarii TAVANAE;12. Rangitea BENETT; 15. Rainui TZE YU; 17. Nahui TEIEFITU; 18. Tehau BENETT;

Injured; 13. Steeve CHONG HUE

Coach: Lionel CHARBONNIER

Yellow Cards: 5. Ariihau TERIITAU 15’; 21. Alvin TEHAU; 6. Heimano BOUREBARE 73’;

Red Cards: None

FIJ: 1. Wasim ALI; 2.Peniame DROVA; 6. Esava NAQELECA; 9. Taione KEREVANUA (4. Josefata NEIBULI 83’); 10. Nasoni MEREKE; 11. Monit CHAND; 13. James MCKAY; 15. Jese ILIMOTAMA; 16. Ranjesh PRASAD; 18. Joseva BASUDRA; 19. Maciu TUILAU (17. Samuela DRUDRU 70’);

Substitues not used: 3. Amani MAKOE; 7. Sumeet KRISHAN; 8. Ratu Vula BONAVEIDOGO; 12. Archie WATKINS; 14. Velagio DRAUNIMASI; 20. Filimone BOLETAWA;

Coach: Carlos BUZZETTI (FIJ)

Suspended: 5. ROMUERO

Yellow Cards: 11. Monit CHAND 45’, 77’; 1. Wasim ALI 52’;

Red Cards: 11. Monit CHAND 77’;

Referee: Laurent QUERE (NCL)
Assistant Referee 1: Mark RULE (NZL)
Assistant Referee 2: Ganhenerik HINT (NZL)
Fourth Offical: Matthew TONJER (NZL)

Papeete - Tahiti have won their first ever Oceania football tournament.

But their margin of victory at the Oceania Under 20 Championships was in doubt right until the end of play in Papeete tonight.

On an evening of high drama, in which three teams started the final round of matches with a shout of winning, tournament honours see-sawed back and forth between Tahiti and New Caledonia in matches which were played concurrently.

But Tahiti finally edged it thanks to a 2-0 win over a Fiji team which finished the match with nine payers. Meanwhile New Zealand fought back to level 2-2 against New Caledonia, which eventually allowed Tahiti the relative luxury of two-point margin at the top of the table in the battle of the French-speaking nations.

Had New Caldeonia managed one more goal, they would have been the ones going to Egypt rather than Tahiti.

0' - The match has kicked off with Tahiti hoping to be OFC champions at the end of the 90 minutes and Fiji looking for their first win.

10' - GOAL. TAHITI 1 FIJI 0. Alvin Tehau has given Tahiti a dream start.

15' - Yellow card - Ariihau Teriitau is booked for Tahiti.

31' - RED CARD. Nasoni Mereke is sent off for Fiji, in what could be a critical blow not just for the match, but the outcome of the tournament.

45' - Yellow card. Fiji's Monit Chand picks up a caution.

HALF TIME: Tahiti lead, but need more goals if they are to edge out New Caledonia for tournament honours.

52' - Yellow cards for Fiji keeper Wasim Ali and Tahiti's Tehau following a clash.

54' - GOAL. TAHITI 2 FIJI 0. Tahiti finally make their extra man advantage count with a goal to Hiva Kamoise.

70' - Substitution for Fiji. Samuela Drudru replaces Maciu Tuilau.

73' - Yellow cards for Tahiti's Heimano Bourebare and Fiji's Drudru.

77' - RED CARD. Fiji's Monit Chand is sent off, leavign his team with just nine players on the pitch.

83' - Substitution for Fiji, with Taione Kerevanua replaced by Josefata Neibuli.

FULL TIME - TAHITI 2 FIJI 0. Tahiti win the tournament.

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008
Match Day Three
Stade Mahina
Papeete
Tahiti
Kick Off: 18H30 (Local Time)/ 16H30 (FIJ T)

Tahiti U-20
Fiji U-20

TAH: 3. Stephane FAATIARAU; 4. Teheivarii LUDIVION; 5. Ariihau TERIITAU; 6. Heimano BOUREBARE; 7. Garry ROCHETTE; 9. Hiva KAMOISE; 11. Stanley ATANY; 19. Marama AMAU; 20. Lorenzo TEHAU; 21. Alvin TEHAU; 22. Teheipuarii HAUATA (GK);

Substitutes not used: 2. Tauirai TEIVA;  23. Ralph HEITAA; 8. Heiarii TAVANAE;12. Rangitea BENETT; 15. Rainui TZE YU; 17. Nahui TEIEFITU; 18. Tehau BENETT;

Injured; 13. Steeve CHONG HUE

Coach: Lionel CHARBONNIER

Yellow Cards:

Red Cards:

FIJ: 1. Wasim ALI; 2.Peniame DROVA; 6. Esava NAQELECA; 9. Taione KEREVANUA; 10. Nasoni MEREKE; 11. Monit CHAND; 13. James MCKAY; 15. Jese ILIMOTAMA; 16. Ranjesh PRASAD; 18. Joseva BASUDRA; 19. Maciu TUILAU;

Substitues not used: 3. Amani MAKOE; 4. Josefata NEIBULI; 7. Sumeet KRISHAN; 8. Ratu Vula BONAVEIDOGO; 12. Archie WATKINS; 14. Velagio DRAUNIMASI; 17. Samuela DRUDRU; 20. Filimone BOLETAWA;

Coach: Carlos BUZZETTI (FIJ)

Suspended: 5. ROMUERO

Yellow Cards:

Red Cards:

Referee: Laurent QUERE (NCL)
Assistant Referee 1: Mark RULE (NZL)
Assistant Referee 2: Ganhenerik HINT (NZL)
Fourth Offical: Matthew TONJER (NZL)

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008 Standings:

PAPEETE - Welcome to Stade Paea in Tahiti for the third and final match day of the OFC U-20 Championships.

In this match New Zealand will face New Caledonia, with both sides requiring a win to have a chance at winning the title.

New Zealand have made three changes to the squad that lost 2-1 to Tahiti on Match Day Two, with goalkeeper Jake Gleeson replacing Rhyss Keane, Nick Keown Robson stepping in for the suspended Adam McGeorge and Corey Chettleburg making way for Michael Eager.

For New Caledonia Cesar Lolohea replaces Rony Atti.

Oceaniafootball.com will bring you live updates from the match... stay tuned. 

0' - The match has kicked off with both sides desperate to turn the fixture into three points.

15' - GOAL. NEW CALEDONIA 1 NEW ZEALAND 0. Alan Hnautra scores to put New Caledonia ahead and leave them head of the group for the time being.

27' - Substitution for New Zealand. Skipper Ian Hogg is replaced by Fin Milne.

28' - GOAL. NEW CALEDONIA 1 New ZEALAND 1. Greg Draper equalises for New Zealand.

32' - GOAL. NEW CALEDONIA 2 NEW ZEALAND 1. Roy Kayara puts New Caledonia back in front.

HALF TIME - As things are poised at the break, New Caledonia are set to win the tournament.

52' - Substitution for New Zealand. Jake Mathews is replaced by Milos Nikolic.

68' - Substitution for New Zealand. John Niyonsaba comes on for Greg Draper.  

73' -  GOAL. NEW CALEDONIA 2 NEW ZEALAND 2. Jonathan Raj draws New Zealand level.

80' - Substitution. New Caledonia's Jean Philippe Saiko is replaced by Rony Atti.

FULL TIME - NEW CALEDONIA 2 New ZEALAND 2. A result which prevents either team winning the tournament.

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008
Match Day Three
Stade Paea
Papeete
Tahiti
Kick Off: 18H30 (Local Time)/ 15H30 (NZL T)

New Caledonia U-20
New Zealand U-20

NCL: 2. Joris GORENDIAWE; 3. Edmond IPUNESSO; 4. Jonathan KAKOU; 5. Jean Claude JEWINE; 6. Cesar LOLOHEA; 7. Maxime CHEVRY; 8. Jean WAHNYAMALLA; 9. Roy KAYARA; 12. Alan HNAUTRA; 14. Jean Philippe SAIKO; 20. Nicolas IWA (GK);

Substitutes not used: 1. Jean Daniel CAEE (RGK); 10. Rony ATTI; 11. Warren NAXUE; 13. Vincent VAKIE; 17. Yoahn AUSU; 15. Jihovany LOLOHEA; 16. Theodore HNANGANYAN; 18. Jean TYEA; 19. Yoann BAKO;

Coach: Didier CHAMBARON (FRA)

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None

NZL: 2. Tim MYERS; 3. Ian HOGG (C); 5. Sam CAMPBELL; 6. Michael EAGER; 7. Costa BARBAROUSES; 9. Greg DRAPER; 14. Jonathan RAJ; 15. Michael PICKERING;17. Jake MATHEWS; 19. Nick KEOWN-ROBSON; 20. Jake GLEESON (GK);

Substitutes not used: 1.Rhyss KEANE; 4. Fin MILNE;10. Milos NIKOLIC; 11. John NIYONSABA; 12. Cory CHETTLEBURGH; 13. Ash SOLLY; 16. Alex BARLOW; 18. Sam BLACKBURN;

Suspended: 8. Adam McGeorge

Coach: Stu JACOBS

Yellow Cards:

Red Cards:

Referee: Jacques Averii (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Mahit Chilia (VAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Phillipe Revel (TAH)
Fourth Official: Norbert Hauata (TAH)

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008: Standings

Match Day Two of the OFC U-20 Championship - Tahiti 2008 saw six goals, two red cards and a whole lot of rain.

New Caledonia defeated Fiji 3-0 in the opening match, before Tahiti triumphed 2-1 over New Zealand later in the day.

Oceaniafootball.com brings you pictures of the all the action from Stade Mahina in Tahiti.

FIJI Vs NEW CALEDONIA

Fiji Coach Carlos Buzzetti

New Caledonia Coach Didier Chambaron

The New Caledonian substitutes bench

Teams line up for the national anthems

Jese Ilomatama watches on as Fiji clear the ball

GOAL: New Caledonia's opening goal whistles past the Fijian keeper

New Caledonia celebrate

New Caledonia keeper Nicolas Iwa watches Fiji take the restart

The match was a physical game, with lots of passion.

Monit Chand from Fiji avoids a New Caledonian challenge

The New Zealand party watches on

Tahiti vs New Zealand

Lencie Fred, Revel Phillipe and Oito Pari warm up for the match

The New Zealand starting eleven

Tahiti during the national anthem

Lorenzo Tehau heads the ball forward for Tahiti

New Zealand defender Ian Hogg makes a move upfield

Red Card: New Zealand cant believe it as Adam McGeorge is shown a straight red card.

New Zealands Michael Eager battles with Tahiti's Lorenzo Tehau

New Zealand keeper Rhyss Keane attempts to clear a goalmouth scramble

Stanley Atany narrowly misses goalkeeper Rhyss Keane

Sam Campbell shepards the ball away from Alvin Tehau

Winners: The Tahiti squad salutes the crowd

Emotions ran high as Tahiti celebrated their win

A great day for Tahiti football

Photos: Franck Chevillard

PAPEETE – New Caledonia and Tahiti have pushed themselves into pole position to take out the OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008 after both scoring exciting wins on Match Day Two of the tournament.

New Caledonia sunk three first half goals past Fiji en route to a comfortable 3-0 win while Tahiti left it till the 89th minute to clinch a vital three points over New Zealand in a passionate encounter.

New Caledonia and Tahiti now lead the four team tournament and will head into the final match day on Wednesday (local time) knowing that a win could potentially send them to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt next year.

Tahiti will face the winless Fijian side, while New Caledonia are up against New Zealand, who could also still qualify should they beat New Caledonia and Fiji upset Tahiti.

Tahiti had to fight back from a goal down against the Kiwi’s who took an early lead through Wellington Phoenix striker Costa Barbarouses in the 23rd minute.

But Tahiti battled to stay in the game which was preceded by a 15 minute downpour of rain which made the field slick and the air very muggy.

With New Zealand looking quite composed in the early stages, Tahiti began to take the game to the visitors as the match developed and looked dangerous on the counter attack, stretching the Kiwi’s out wide with their pace on the wings.

One minute before half time the complexion of the match changed as New Zealand midfielder Adam McGeorge was shown a straight red for a dangerous challenge.

Tahiti came out buzzing in the second half, sensing a real opportunity and made their one man advantage count in the 66th minute when Garry Rochette scored the goal of the tournament. His 30 yard rocket flew no higher than six yards from the ground throughout its journey into the New Zealand net.

Tahiti always looked dangerous from set pieces and they finally got reward from one in the 89th minute when Ariihau Teriitau bundled the ball home after receiving a knockdown from a corner.

For Tahiti Coach Lionel Charbonnier the win was the result of a solid preparation campaign and an incredible team spirit.

“The team played very well and did exactly what I asked of them,” Charbonnier said.

“But our mission is to win the tournament and that is not yet complete so our celebrations are a little muted.

“I thought we defended extremely well, and showed great concentration at the back.

“We didn’t play to our potential against New Caledonia and I felt that was a bad draw for us, but I was confident heading into the game against New Zealand because we always play well against the good teams.

“During our championship here in Tahiti we meet big teams like AS Manu Ura and Pirae, and we always rise to the big occasion so I was confident we could do it again.”

Charbonnier dedicated the win to ‘the teams biggest fan”, the 23 year old sister of squad member Stephane Faatiarau who passed away two days before the start of the tournament.

“When the winning goal went in it was a very happy moment for me and the team. We have had a week full of difficult moments and adversity, with the loss of our team’s biggest fan and also our leading goal scorer Steeve Chong Hue who broke his shoulder, so it was tough for the team, but we are so happy to triumph through this adversity.”

New Zealand Coach Stu Jacobs admitted Egypt 2009 now seemed a long way away but still vowed New Zealand would do their part of the equation against New Caledonia and pile the pressure on Tahiti.

“We just have to go and beat New Caledonia,” Jacobs said.

“On form you’d say Fiji’s chances of beating Tahiti aren’t good but that’s what you cling to when that’s your route through to a World Cup.”

In the days opening match New Caledonia scored a resounding 3-0 win over Fiji with a positive, slick performance.

They got off to the perfect start in the third minute when Alan Hnautra put his side ahead, capitalizing on a defensive error to slide the ball past the Fijian goalkeeper.

New Caledonia made it difficult for Fiji to settle into the match and compounded their misery in the 22nd minute when Jean Wahnyamalia tucked away a penalty to double the lead.

Wahnyamalia capped off a fine individual performance with a solo goal in the 34th minute, outpacing the Fijian defence before slotting the ball in the bottom corner.

Fiji were reduced to ten men in the second half when Romuero picked up his second bookable offence earned him his marching orders.

Fiji Coach Carlos Buzzetti had to ring a number of changes to his squad after a sickness had brought some key performers down with the flu, and the loss coupled with their earlier loss to New Zealand means their hopes of qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt are over.

New Caledonia now face an epic final round encounter with New Zealand on Wednesay (local time) needing a win to advance to the finals.

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008
Match Day Two
Stade Mahina
Papeete
Tahiti
Kick Off: 16H00 (Local Time)/ 14H00/13H00 (FIJ/NCL)

New Caledonia U-20 (3) 3 (12. Alan HNAUTRA 3', 8. Jean WAHNYAMALLA 22', 34')
Fiji U-20 (0) 0

NCL: 2. Joris GORENDIAWE; 3. Edmond IPUNESSO; 4. Jonathan KAKOU (13. Vincent VAKIE 46'); 5. Jean Claude JEWINE; 7. Maxime CHEVRY; 8. Jean WAHNYAMALLA; 9. Roy KAYARA; 10. Rony ATTI (17. Yoahn AUSU 74') ; 12. Alan HNAUTRA; 14. Jean Philippe SAIKO; 20. Nicolas IWA (GK);

Substitutes not used: 1. Jean Daniel CAEE (RGK); 6. Cesar LOLOHEA; 11. Warren NAXUE; 15. Jihovany LOLOHEA; 16. Theodore HNANGANYAN; 18. Jean TYEA; 19. Yoann BAKO;

Coach: Didier CHAMBARON (FRA)

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None

FIJ: 2.Peniame DROVA; 5. ROMUERO; 6. Esava NAQELECA; 7. Sumeet KRISHAN (9. Taione KEREVANUA 35'); 11. Monit CHAND; 14. Velagio DRAUNIMASI; 15. Jese ILIMOTAMA; 16. Ranjesh PRASAD (8. Ratu Vula BONAVEIDOGO 72'); 17. Samuela DRUDRU (4. Josefata NEIBULI 70'); 19. Maciu TUILAU; 20. Filimone BOLETAWA;

Substitues not used: 1. Wasim ALI; 3. Amani MAKOE; 10. Nasoni MEREKE; 12. Archie WATKINS; 13. James MCKAY; 18. Joseva BASUDRA;

Coach: Carlos BUZZETTI (FIJ)

Yellow Cards: 5. ROMUERO 55', 69';

Red Cards: 5. ROMUERO 69'

Referee: Lencie FRED (VAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Revel PHILLIPE (TAH)
Assistant Referee 2: Oito PARI (TAH)
Fourth Official: Jacques AVERII (TAH)

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008
Match Day Two
Stade Mahina
Papeete
Tahiti
Kick Off: 18H30 (Local Time)/ 17H30 (NZL T)

Tahiti U-20 (0) 2 ( 7. Garry ROCHETTE 66’; 5. Ariihau TERIITAU 89’;)
New Zealand U-20 (1) 1(7. Costa BARBAROUSES 23’;)

TAH: 3. Stephane FAATIARAU; 4. Teheivarii LUDIVION; 5. Ariihau TERIITAU; 6. Heimano BOUREBARE; 7. Garry ROCHETTE; 9. Hiva KAMOISE; 11. Stanley ATANY; 19. Marama AMAU; 20. Lorenzo TEHAU; 21. Alvin TEHAU; 22. Teheipuarii HAUATA (GK);

Substitutes not used: 2. Tauirai TEIVA;  23. Ralph HEITAA; 8. Heiarii TAVANAE;12. Rangitea BENETT; 15. Rainui TZE YU; 17. Nahui TEIEFITU; 18. Tehau BENETT; 23. Jason Mathieu;

Injured; 13. Steeve CHONG HUE

Coach: Lionel CHARBONNIER

Yellow Cards: 21. Alvin TEHAU;

Red Cards: None

NZL: 1.Rhyss KEANE; 2. Tim MYERS; 3. Ian HOGG (C); 5. Sam CAMPBELL; 6. Michael EAGER; 7. Costa BARBAROUSES; 8. Adam MCGEORGE; 9. Greg DRAPER (19. Nick KEOWN-ROBSON 62’); 12. Cory CHETTLEBURGH (15. Michael PICKERING 46’) 14. Jonathan RAJ; 17. Jake MATHEWS;

Substitutes not used: 4. Fin MILNE;;10. Milos NIKOLIC; 11. John NIYONSABA; 13. Ash SOLLY; 16. Alex BARLOW; 18. Sam BLACKBURN; 20. Jake GLEESON;

Coach: Stu JACOBS

Yellow Cards: 1. Rhyss KEANE 40’

Red Cards: 8. Adam McGEORGE 44’;

Referee: Varman Rakesh (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 1: Michael Joseph (VAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Mahit Chilia (VAN)
Fourth Offical: Laurent Quere (NCL)

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008 Standings:

Welcome to Stade Mahina for the second game of Match Day Two of the OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008 between Tahiti and New Zealand.

New Zealand have named an unchanged lineup from the team that beat Fiji 3-0 in the opening round while Tahiti have made one change from the side that drew 0-0 with New Caledonia with Tauirai Teiva replaced by Hiva Kamoise.

It looks set to be an exciting an entertaining match, and Oceaniafootball.com will bring you live updates right here.

Live Updates:

5' - Game is underway, both sides making an aggressive start but no goals.

20' - An open game but few clearcut chances.

23' - GOAL 1-0 NEW ZEALAND - Costa Barbarouses puts New Zealand ahead.

40' - Yellow card for New Zealand goalkeeper Rhyss Keane.

44' - RED CARD for New Zealand's Adam McGeorge.

45' - Substitution for New Zealand. Cory Chettleburg replaced by Michael Pickering.

HALF TIME: New Zealand go into the break ahead, but facing an uphill battle in the second half with just 10 men against the home team.

60' - Yellow card for Tahiti's Alvin Tehau.

62' - Substitution for New Zealand with midfielder Nick Keown-Robson replacing striker Greg Draper.

66' - GOAL. TAHITI 1 NEW ZEALAND 1. Tahiti finally make their one-man advantage count with a goal to Garry Rochette.

89' GOAL. TAHITI 2 NEW ZEALAND 1. Ariihau Teriitau may have clinched it for Tahiti with a late goal.

90' FINAL SCORE Tahiti 2 New Zealand 1.

Tahiti U-20
New Zealand U-20

TAH: 3. Stephane FAATIARAU; 4. Teheivarii LUDIVION; 5. Ariihau TERIITAU; 6. Heimano BOUREBARE; 7. Garry ROCHETTE; 9. Hiva KAMOISE; 11. Stanley ATANY; 19. Marama AMAU; 20. Lorenzo TEHAU; 21. Alvin TEHAU; 22. Teheipuarii HAUATA (GK);

Substitutes not used: 2. Tauirai TEIVA;  23. Ralph HEITAA; 8. Heiarii TAVANAE;12. Rangitea BENETT; 15. Rainui TZE YU; 17. Nahui TEIEFITU; 18. Tehau BENETT; 23. Jason Mathieu;

Injured; 13. Steeve CHONG HUE

Coach: Lionel CHARBONNIER

Yellow Cards:

Red Cards:

NZL: 1.Rhyss KEANE; 2. Tim MYERS; 3. Ian HOGG (C); 5. Sam CAMPBELL; 6. Michael EAGER; 7. Costa BARBAROUSES; 8. Adam MCGEORGE; 9. Greg DRAPER;  12. Cory CHETTLEBURGH; 14. Jonathan RAJ; 17. Jake MATHEWS;

Substitutes not used: 4. Fin MILNE;;10. Milos NIKOLIC; 11. John NIYONSABA; 13. Ash SOLLY; 15. Michael PICKERING; 16. Alex BARLOW; 18. Sam BLACKBURN;19. Nick KEOWN-ROBSON; 20. Jake GLEESON;

Coach: Stu JACOBS

Yellow Cards:

Red Cards:

Referee: Varman Rakesh (FIJ)

Assistant Referee 1: Michael Joseph (VAN)

Assistant Referee 2: Mahit Chilia (VAN)

Fourth Offical: Laurent Quere (NCL)

New Caledonia have scored a resounding 3-0 win over Fiji in the opening game of Match Day Two at the OFC U-20 Championships in Tahiti.

It was a positive, slick performance from the New Caledonia side who dominated the match from the third minute when Alan Hnautra put his side ahead, capitilizing on a defensive error to slide the ball past the Fijian goalkeeper.

New Caledonia made it difficult for Fiji to settle into the match and compounded their misery in the 22nd minute when Jean Wahnyamalia tucked away a penalty to double the lead.

Wahnyamalia capped off a fine individual performance with a solo goal in the 34th minute, outpacing the Fijian defence before slotting the ball in the bottom corner.

Fiji were reduced to ten men in the second half when Romuero picked up his second bookable offence earned him his marching orders.

Fiji Coach Carlos Buzzetti had to ring a number of changes in his squad after a sickness had brought some key performers down with the flu, and the loss coupled with their earlier loss to New Zeland means their hopes of qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt are over.

New Caledonia now face an epic final round encounter with New Zealand in two days time, needing a win to advance to the finals.

LIVE UPDATES:

3' - GOAL 1-0 NEW CALEDONIA - New Caledonia have gotten off to the perfect start as Alan Hnautra puts them ahead in the third minute.

7' - The game has settled down a little after a frantic start, with Fiji beginning to get back into the game

22' - GOAL 2-0 NEW CALEDONIA - New Caledonia double their advantage through Jean Wahnyamalla after 22 minutes. New Caledonia have proved clinical in the attacking third.

34' - GOAL 3-0 NEW CALEDONIA - Wahnyamalia gets his second of the afternoon as New Caledonia surge out to a 3-0 lead. New Caledonia look to have this one under control.

35' - Substitution for Fiji - Coach Carlos Buzzetti looks to fix the run of goals by replacing Summeet Krishan with Taione Kerevanua

HALFTIME - New Caledonia look in control of this one as they bounced out to an early three goal lead. Fiji Coach Carlos Buzzetti will have some stern words to share with his team at halftime.

46' - Substitution for New Caledonia - Jonathan Kakou is replaced by Vincent Vakie

55' - Yellow Card for Fijian - Romuero

67' - Substitution for New Caledonia  - Jean Saiko replaced by Cesar Lolohea

69' - RED CARD - Things go from bad to worse for Fiji as Romuero picks up his second yellow card and is subsequently sent from the field. Fiji down to ten men.

70' - Substitution for Fiji - Samuela Drudru is replaced by Josefata Neibuli as Buzzetti looks to reshuffle the deck.

72' - Substitution for Fiji - Ranjesh Prasad is replaced by Ratu Vula

74' - Substitution for New Caledonia - Rony Atti replaced by Yoahn Ausu

90' - FINAL SCORE: New Caledonia 3 - Fiji 0

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008
Match Day Two
Stade Mahina
Papeete
Tahiti
Kick Off: 16H00 (Local Time)/ 14H00/13H00 (FIJ/NCL)

New Caledonia U-20 (3) (12. Alan HNAUTRA 3', 8. Jean WAHNYAMALLA 22', 34')
Fiji U-20 (0)

NCL: 2. Joris GORENDIAWE; 3. Edmond IPUNESSO; 4. Jonathan KAKOU (13. Vincent VAKIE 46'); 5. Jean Claude JEWINE; 7. Maxime CHEVRY; 8. Jean WAHNYAMALLA; 9. Roy KAYARA; 10. Rony ATTI (17. Yoahn AUSU 74') ; 12. Alan HNAUTRA; 14. Jean Philippe SAIKO; 20. Nicolas IWA (GK);

Substitutes not used: 1. Jean Daniel CAEE (RGK); 6. Cesar LOLOHEA; 11. Warren NAXUE; 15. Jihovany LOLOHEA; 16. Theodore HNANGANYAN; 18. Jean TYEA; 19. Yoann BAKO;

Coach: Didier CHAMBARON (FRA)

Yellow Cards:

Red Cards:

FIJ: 2.Peniame DROVA; 5. ROMUERO; 6. Esava NAQELECA; 7. Sumeet KRISHAN (9. Taione KEREVANUA 35'); 11. Monit CHAND; 14. Velagio DRAUNIMASI; 15. Jese ILIMOTAMA; 16. Ranjesh PRASAD (8. Ratu Vula BONAVEIDOGO 72'); 17. Samuela DRUDRU (4. Josefata NEIBULI 70'); 19. Maciu TUILAU; 20. Filimone BOLETAWA;

Substitues not used: 1. Wasim ALI; 3. Amani MAKOE; 10. Nasoni MEREKE; 12. Archie WATKINS; 13. James MCKAY; 18. Joseva BASUDRA;

Coach: Carlos BUZZETTI (FIJ)

Yellow Cards: 5. ROMUERO 55', 69';

Red Cards: 5. ROMUERO 69'

Referee: Lencie FRED (VAN)

Assistant Referee 1: Revel PHILLIPE (TAH)

Assistant Referee 2: Oito PARI (TAH)

Fourth Official: Jacques AVERII (TAH)

Two former Old Firm goalkeeping foes will rekindle an old rivalry in the tropical setting of Tahiti on Match Day Two of the OFC U-20 Championship as hosts and favourites clash in a match that could determine which team qualifies for Egypt 2009.

If New Zealand can defeat Tahiti they will all but secure qualification for the FIFA U-20 Men's World Cup - Egypt 2009 and retain the title won by Stu Jacobs in Auckland in 2007. A draw will strengthen New Zealand's position at the top of the table and mean a big win over Fiji combined with an upset result in the final match between New Caledonia and New Zealand will be required for Tahiti to progress to the finals.

Two men at the centre of the action on Match Day Two are no strangers to this type of pressure.

Former Celtic and Scotland goalkeeper Jonathan Gould is New Zealand’s goalkeepers coach while former Rangers and France goalkeeper Lionel Charbonnier will sit in the opposite dug out as head coach and technical director for Tahiti U-20.

Both men represented their respective countries at the FIFA World Cup France ’98 though neither goalkeeper started for their country. Gould sat behind Neil Sullivan and Jim Leighton while Charbonnier’s path was blocked by Bernard Lama and Fabien Barthez.

Gould’s career could not have been more itinerant: as a teenager he found himself in New Zealand playing for Napier City Rovers as an outfielder before returning to the UK determined to win himself a professional contract. Gould achieved his aim but only after following the advice of his father Bobby Gould and becoming a goalkeeper.

“I had a job at a bank for three months and it just didn’t work out for me. It made me more determined than ever to become a professional,” Gould said.

 Jonathan’s success was remarkable given the transformation from outfielder to custodian but his rise through the ranks was hardly stellar. Spells with Clevedon Town, West Bromwich Albion, Coventry City, Halifax Town and Bradford City saw Gould unable to hold down the number one jersey for any extended length of time.

 Then opportunity struck. A goalkeeping crisis at Celtic during the 1997-98 season saw Gould plucked from Bradford City and thrust into the cauldron of the Glasgow derby at a time when arch rivals Rangers were making a charge for a record-breaking tenth Scottish Premier League title in a row.

“Everything was about stopping Rangers achieving ten-in-a-row at that time. Fans would come up to us and ask, ‘Please, just stop them this once, stop them getting ten-in-a-row and breaking our record’,” Gould told the BBC in a documentary about the Old Firm rivalry several years later.

Celtic did stop Rangers breaking the jointly held nine-in-a-row record on the last day of the 1997-98 season with Henrik Larrson and Harald Brattbakk goals enough to dispose of St.Johnstone and hand the Wim Jansen-coached team the title. Gould would go on to make 110 appearances for Celtic and although born in England, qualified to play for Scotland through the grandparent rule and won two caps.

 Celtic’s joy was short-lived. The arrival of Dutch coach Dick Advocaat combined with an open chequebook transfer policy saw in excess of 50 million pounds worth of talent imported to the Ibrox-based club. The list of players included Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, Arthur Numan, Gabriel Amato, Danny Wallace, Andrei Kanchelskis and Lionel Charbonnier.

 The eccentric Charbonnier was an instant hit with Rangers fans and his off-field exploits included owning a stable of race horses and a deep interest in art which included painting, displaying and selling some of his work in local Glaswegian art galleries – a radical departure from the norm for a professional footballer.

As a FIFA World Cup winner and long-time servant of French club Auxerre (including one heroic performance for the club in a UEFA Champions League win over Rangers several years earlier) Rangers fans sang “La Marseillaise” every time he touched the ball.

“Rangers fans were special for me,” Charbonnier said, “the fans sang ‘La Marseillaise’ when I played and this is something fans in France don’t do. Even in other countries such a gesture is reserved for players of the calibre of Eric Cantona.”

By the time Gould and Charbonnier met head-to-head in an Old Firm derby much had changed. Rangers dominated their Old Firm rivals and it was the Frenchman who enjoyed a treble winning debut season as the Ibrox club clinched the Scottish League Cup, Scottish Cup and Scottish Premier League title.

Charbonnier recalls his favourite moments for the Scottish club but insists fans remember him for different reasons.

“My favourite matches for Rangers were in Europe. We went to Turkey in the Champions League and won in Besiktas. Another match I remember well was our match with Parma when we won 2-1 on aggregate. Fans don’t remember these games.

 Rangers fans remember me for two saves I made against Henrik Larrson. He broke through our defence twice in one-on-one situations and the first I saved with my legs. The second I hooked over the bar with my arm. Beating Celtic meant more to the fans,” Charbonnier said.

 Charbonnier’s international career – like Gould’s – earned only modest recognition with just one cap for France supplemented by the small matter of a FIFA World Cup winners medal.

Now the two reunite in the South Pacific at the OFC U-20 Championship.

 Gould’s return to New Zealand with Hawkes Bay United and New Zealand Football is a classic case of a player ready and willing to put something back into the game in a region that provided a platform for a flourishing professional career.

For Charbonnier the pathway to Oceania was less obvious although the ties between Federation Tahitienne de Football (FTF) where former Nantes professional and current FIFA Vice-President Reynald Temarii lives are stronger than ever.

Charbonnier and FTF thrust Tahiti U-20 into the Championnat D1 with a series of big victories over Tamarii Faaa (5-2), AS JT (5-1) and champions AS Manu Ura (3-1). In recent weeks the Tahiti U-20 form has dipped with defeat against lowly TAC (0-1), a draw with newly promoted Excelsior (2-2) and an unconvincing win over JT (1-0).

Despite New Zealand’s role as favourites, the former Auxerre star says closing the gap between Tahiti and New Zealand is achievable.

“I believe the gap between Oceania and the rest of the world is very big and closing that gap will be difficult. But can the gap close between Oceania and New Zealand? Of course, I think this is realistic.

We should be optimistic about our chances of making this goal happen if we behave more professionally in how we do things,” Charbonnier told a press conference in Noumea in May.
New Zealand U-20 has played one preparation match for this tournament with a defeat against high-flying Waikato FC (0-1) at Auckland Grammar in Epsom.

In Match Day Two's other showdown New Caledonia face Fiji in a similar do-or-die encounter. Fiji's hopes of qualification look slim after its 3-0 loss to New Zealand. Only two consecutive wins over New Caledonia and Tahiti by big margins will be good enough to help Fiji qualify and even then results in other matches will have to swing their way before Carlos Buzzetti's team can dream of Egypt.

New Caledonia's opening day draw with Tahiti means victory will be essential to force the qualification issue to the last day. Another draw will mean Didier Chambaron's charges will have to beat New Zealand at Stade Puurai to get to Egypt.

OFC U-20 CHAMPIONSHIP

TAHITI U-20 vs. NEW ZEALAND U-20

STADE MAHINA

TAHITI

Monday 15 December 2008/Tuesday 16 December 2008 (NZT)

Kick-Off: 18h30 (local time)/17h30 (NZT)

www.oceaniafootball.com will bring text updates of the match as the action unfolds

OFC U-20 CHAMPIONSHIP

NEW CALEDONIA U-20 vs. FIJI U-20

STADE MAHINA

Monday 15 December 2008 (local)/Tuesday 16 December 2008 (FIJI/NCL)

Kick-Off: 16h00 (local time)/14h00/13h00 (FIJI/NCL)

Lionel Charbonnier in his Rangers days - image courtesy www.jamd.com

Jonathan Gould during the 1998-99 season starring for Celtic - image courtesy of www.jamd.com

For more information please contact:

Steve Holloway

OFC Media and Communications Officer

Mobile: +64 (0)21-884-018

Email: steve@oceaniafootball.com

 New Zealand have shot to the top of the group at the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-20 Championship in Tahiti after defeating Fiji 3-0 in sweltering hot conditions at Stade Paea.

New Zealand lead the four-team tournament – which decides Oceania’s representative at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt next year – ahead of New Caledonia and Tahiti who played out a 0-0 draw in a late kick-off.

Temperatures soared to 37 degrees before the 4pm kick-off but the New Zealanders remained cool to dispatch Fiji with second half goals to Costa Barbarouses, Adam McGeorge and Greg Draper.

Despite a goal-less first half, head coach Stu Jacobs said he was always confident the breakthrough would come.

“The signs were always there in the first half with Barbarouses hitting the post and Draper going one-on-one with the keeper, so there was always a good chance we could open them up in after halftime,” Jacobs said.

The breakthrough came in the 58th minute when Wellington Phoenix striker Costa Barbarouses latched on to a ball played over the defence and neatly lobbed the advancing keeper from 20 yards.

Adam McGeorge extended the lead six minutes later when he met Greg Draper’s cross with a classy first time volley, before Draper grabbed one himself three minutes from fulltime with a neat turn inside the penalty area and a top-corner finish.

Jacobs lauded an overall team performance made more pleasing given the limited build-up and extreme conditions.

“Our defensive display was outstanding. Our back four were solid and the defensive work of midfield pair Michael Eager and Adam McGeorge – with all the second phase possession they won for us – was immense considering that on Thursday we didn’t know what system we would be playing.

“All three goal scorers deserved their reward. Costa looked like the Costa of old, Draper always looked likely and Adam McGeorge – along with Tim Myers – was probably the player of the day.”

The second match of the afternoon told the story of two strong defences as Tahiti and New Caledonia both battled hard but were unable to unlock the respective backlines.

Tahitian goalkeepers Teheipuarii Hauata and New Caledonian stopper Nicolas Iwa both made a string of fine saves to keep their sides in the match and keep their championship hopes alive.

Jacobs see’s New Zealand’s next match against Tahiti on Monday (local time) as make or break.

“We saw Tahiti as the main threat going into this tournament,” Jacobs said.

“They’ve been together a long time as a group and have been playing in their national league this season. They’ll be very good technically and have the crowd on their side, but if we can step up again we have the quality to see off their challenge.”

Fiji preparing for their opening match with New Zealand

New Zealand

Fiji

New Caledonia

Tahiti

New Caledonia v Tahiti

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008 - Match One
Saturday 14 December 2008
Stade Paea, Papeete
Tahiti

New Zealand (0) 3 (7. Costa BARBAROUSES 58'; 8. Adam MCGEORGE 64'; 9. Greg DRAPER 87';)
Fiji (0) 0

FIJ: 1. Wasim ALI; 2.Peniame DROVA;3.Amani MAKOE;4.Josefata NEIBULI (15. Jese ILIMOTAMA 56’); 5. ROMUERO; 6. Esava NAQELECA; 11. Monit CHAND; 12. Archie WATKINS (18. Joseva BASUDRA 69’); 16. Ranjesh PRASAD; 17. Samuela DRUDRU (10. Nasoni MEREKE 77’) ; 19. Maciu TUILAU;

Substitues not used: 7. Sumeet KRISHAN; 8. Ratu Vula BONAVEIDOGO; 9. Taione KEREVANUA; 13. James MCKAY14. Velagio DRAUNIMASI; 20. Filimone BOLETAWA;

Coach:  Carlos BUZZETTI (FIJ)

Yellow Cards: 6. Esava NAQELECA 66'

Red Cards: None

NZL: 1.Rhyss KEANE; 2. Tim MYERS; 3. Ian HOGG (C); 5. Sam CAMPBELL; 6. Michael EAGER; 7. Costa BARBAROUSES; 8. Adam MCGEORGE (15. Michael PICKERING 83’); 9. Greg DRAPER;  12. Cory CHETTLEBURGH (18. Sam BLACKBURN 25’) ; 14. Jonathan RAJ; 17. Jake MATHEWS (10. Milos NIKOLIC 86’);

Substitutes not used: 4. Fin MILNE; 11. John NIYONSABA; 13. Ash SOLLY; 16. Alex BARLOW;19. Nick KEOWN-ROBSON; 20. Jake GLEESON;

Coach: Stu JACOBS (NZL)

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008 - Match Two

Saturday 14 December 2008
Stade Paea, Papeete
Tahiti

Tahiti (0) 0
New Caledonia (0) 0

TAH: 2. Tauirai TEIVA (9. Hiva KAMOISE 27'); 3. Stephane FAATIARAU; 4. Teheivarii LUDIVION; 5. Ariihau TERIITAU; 6. Heimano BOUREBARE; 7. Garry ROCHETTE; 11. Stanley ATANY (15. Rainui TZE YU 90'); 19. Marama AMAU (8. Heiarii TAVANAE 69'); 20. Lorenzo TEHAU; 21. Alvin TEHAU; 22. Teheipuarii HAUATA (GK);

Substitutes not used: 23. Ralph HEITAA;  12. Rangitea BENETT; 17. Nahui TEIEFITU; 18. Tehau BENETT; 23. Jason Mathieu;

Injured; 13. Steeve CHONG HUE

Coach:   Lionel CHARBONNIER (FRA)

Yellow Cards: 7. Garry ROCHETTE 44';

Red Cards: None

NCL: 2. Joris GORENDIAWE; 3. Edmond IPUNESSO; 4. Jonathan KAKOU; 5. Jean Claude JEWINE; 6. Cesar LOLOHEA (14. Jean Philippe SAIKO 60'); 7. Maxime CHEVRY; 8. Jean WAHNYAMALLA (18. Jean TYEA 89'); 9. Roy KAYARA; 10. Rony ATTI (19. Yoann BAKO 73'); 12. Alan HNAUTRA; 20. Nicolas IWA (GK);

Substitutes not used: 1. Jean Daniel CAEE (RGK); 11. Warren NAXUE; 13. Vincent VAKIE;  15. Jihovany LOLOHEA; 16. Theodore HNANGANYAN; 17. Yoahn AUSU;

Coach: Didier CHAMBARON (FRA)

Yellow Cards: 12. Alan HNAUTRA 42'; 3. Edmond IPUNESSO 82';

Red Cards: None

Standings:

The second game of Match Day One between Tahiti and New Caledonia is underway and OFC Media will endeavour to keep you up to date with all the action. 

The match is still goal less at half time, with neither side able to break down two tough looking defences.

27' - Substitution for Tahiti - Tauirai Teiva is replaced by Hiva Kamoise

41' - Yellow Card for New Caledonia - Alan Hnautra

41' - Yellow Card for Tahiti - Garry Rochette

60' - Substitution for New Caledonia - Cesar Lolohea is replaced by Jean Philippe Saiko

69' - Substitution for Tahiti - Marama Amau is replaced by Heiarii Tavane

73' - Substitution for New Caledonia - Rony Atti is replaced by Yoann Bako

82' - Yellow Card for New Caledonia - Edmond Ipunesso picks up a caution

89' - Substitution for New Caledonia - Jean Wahnyamalla is replaced by Jean Tyea

90' - Substitution for Tahiti - Stanley Atani is replaced by Rainui Tze Yu

Full Time - Final Score Tahiti 0 New Caledonia 0

Halftime 0-0

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008
Saturday 14 December 2008
Stade Paea, Papeete
Tahiti

Tahiti (0) 0
New Caledonia (0) 0

TAH: 2. Tauirai TEIVA (9. Hiva KAMOISE 27'); 3. Stephane FAATIARAU; 4. Teheivarii LUDIVION; 5. Ariihau TERIITAU; 6. Heimano BOUREBARE; 7. Garry ROCHETTE; 11. Stanley ATANY (15. Rainui TZE YU 90'); 19. Marama AMAU (8. Heiarii TAVANAE 69'); 20. Lorenzo TEHAU; 21. Alvin TEHAU; 22. Teheipuarii HAUATA (GK);

Substitutes not used: 23. Ralph HEITAA;  12. Rangitea BENETT; 17. Nahui TEIEFITU; 18. Tehau BENETT; 23. Jason Mathieu;

Injured; 13. Steeve CHONG HUE

Coach:   Lionel CHARBONNIER

Yellow Cards: 7. Garry ROCHETTE 41';

Red Cards:

NCL: 2. Joris GORENDIAWE; 3. Edmond IPUNESSO; 4. Jonathan KAKOU; 5. Jean Claude JEWINE; 6. Cesar LOLOHEA (14. Jean Philippe SAIKO 60'); 7. Maxime CHEVRY; 8. Jean WAHNYAMALLA (18. Jean TYEA 89'); 9. Roy KAYARA; 10. Rony ATTI (19. Yoann BAKO 73'); 12. Alan HNAUTRA; 20. Nicolas IWA (GK);

Substitutes not used: 1. Jean Daniel CAEE (RGK); 11. Warren NAXUE; 13. Vincent VAKIE;  15. Jihovany LOLOHEA; 16. Theodore HNANGANYAN; 17. Yoahn AUSU;

Coach: Didier CHAMBARON

Yellow Cards: 12. Alan HNAUTRA 41'; 3. Edmond IPUNESSO 82';

Red Cards:

New Zealand have shot to the top of the group at the OFC U-20 Championship in Tahiti after scoring a convincing 3-0 win over Fiji in the opening match of the tournament.

In blistering hot conditions New Zealand scored two second half goals in the space of six minutes to take control of the fixture before adding a third with three minutes left on the clock.

Wellington Phoenix duo Costa Barbarouses and Greg Draper scored goals for New Zealand either side of a Adam McGeorge strike.

The final match of the day between Tahiti and New Caledonia is up next

58 minutes - GOAL FOR NEW ZEALAND - 1-0 - Costa Barbarouses opens the scoring for the kiwis.

64 minutes - GOAL FOR NEW ZEALAND - 2-0 - Adam McGeorge doubles the kiwis lead.

87 minutes - GOAL FOR NEW ZEALAND - 3-0 - Greg Draper makes sure of the result with another goal for New Zealand.

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008
Saturday 14 December 2008
Stade Paea, Papeete
Tahiti

New Zealand (0) 3 (7. Costa BARBAROUSES 58'; 8. Adam MCGEORGE 64'; 9. Greg DRAPER 87';)
Fiji (0) 0

Squads:

FIJ: 1. Wasim ALI; 2.Peniame DROVA;3.Amani MAKOE;4.Josefata NEIBULI (15. Jese ILIMOTAMA 56’); 5. ROMUERO; 6. Esava NAQELECA; 11. Monit CHAND; 12. Archie WATKINS (18. Joseva BASUDRA 69’) ; 16. Ranjesh PRASAD; 17. Samuela DRUDRU (10. Nasoni MEREKE 77’) ; 19. Maciu TUILAU;

Substitues not used: 7. Sumeet KRISHAN; 8. Ratu Vula BONAVEIDOGO; 9. Taione KEREVANUA; 13. James MCKAY14. Velagio DRAUNIMASI; 20. Filimone BOLETAWA;

Coach:  Carlos BUZZETTI (FIJ)

Yellow Cards: 6. Esava NAQELECA 66'

Red Cards:

NZL: 1.Rhyss KEANE; 2. Tim MYERS; 3. Ian HOGG (C); 5. Sam CAMPBELL; 6. Michael EAGER; 7. Costa BARBAROUSES; 8. Adam MCGEORGE (15. Michael PICKERING 83’); 9. Greg DRAPER;  12. Cory CHETTLEBURGH (18. Sam BLACKBURN 25’) ; 14. Jonathan RAJ; 17. Jake MATHEWS (10. Milos NIKOLIC 86’);

Substitutes not used: 4. Fin MILNE; 11. John NIYONSABA; 13. Ash SOLLY; 16. Alex BARLOW;19. Nick KEOWN-ROBSON; 20. Jake GLEESON;

Coach: Stu JACOBS (NZL)

Yellow Cards:

Red Cards:

AUCKLAND – Thai Airways Junior All Whites coach Stu Jacobs is looking to light the fire in the belly of his New Zealand players ahead of the Oceania U-20 Championship opener against Fiji in Tahiti on Sunday.

New Zealand play Fiji, New Caledonia and hosts Tahiti in the five day tournament with all eyes on the prize of a place at next September’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

Jacobs has named a side full of NZFC-calibre players with Wellington Phoenix strikers Greg Draper and Costa Barbarouses adding extra professionalism up front, but the coach sees passion and drive as the catalysts to successfully blend individual skills into collective success.

“We spoke about passion as a team during the week, because if there’s one thing we lack here in this group it’s that little bit of drive. They’re a quiet bunch but we need them to drop into Tahiti, know what they need to do, and go achieve it.”

Memories of last year’s heated 3-2 win over Fiji – that helped the last group of  Junior All Whites pip Fiji for a place in the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada – still burn fresh in the minds of Jacobs and his opposite, Uruguayan Carlos Buzzetti, and Jacobs for one is expecting more of that emotion this time round.

“What you get with Fiji is what you get previously with them, they’ll be pretty passionate about the game and Carlos will have them fired up and pretty organised. That’s the way they normally play and they’re always hard to play against because of that.

“We just need to be organised and out-passion them really.”

Jacobs said two midweek games – a last minute 0-1 loss to Waikato FC on Tuesday and a 3-0 win over Waitakere United’s Academy on Thursday – had helped him settle on a formation before the side flew out for Tahiti on Friday,  while he also indicated his starting 11 was “pretty close” to being finalised.

Question marks remained over two Olympians with Draper sitting out the Waitakere match with a groin injury and newly-elected Captain Ian Hogg exiting that match with a tight hamstring.

New Zealand and Fiji kick off the tournament in mid-afternoon heat at Stade Paea with Tahiti and New Caledonia following with a French Polynesian derby later on Sunday night (NZT).

Story courtesy of NZF Media. For more visit www.nzsoccer.com

AUCKLAND – New Zealand and Fiji will kick off the OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008 on Saturday (local time) when the two sides meet in the first game of the opening round at Stade Paea in Papeete.

The tournament will run from December 13 - 17 and the winner of the competition will represent OFC at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009.

The four team tournament – also including hosts Tahiti and New Caledonia will follow a round robin format and be played across three venues in Papeete – Stade Paea, Stade Mahina and Stade Puurai.

New Zealand will head into the tournament as favourites on the back of last year’s OFC U-20 Championship win  in New Zealand after defeating teams from Fiji, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tahiti and Vanuatu.

New Zealand boast the only professional partnership at the tournament with Wellington Phoenix strikers Greg Draper and Costa Barbarouses leading the kiwi line.

Fijian Coach Carlos Buzzetti knows just what it takes to beat New Zealand after coaching the senior national team to a 2-0 win over their rivals in the OFC Nations Cup last month.

Buzzetti will be keen to improve on Fiji’s result against New Zealand at the OFC Olympic qualifiers in Fiji earlier this year when a 90th minute Steven Old header stole a 2-1 victory for the kiwis in the last minute of normal time.

The second game of Match Day One will see tournament hosts Tahiti open their account against New Caledonia.

The Tahiti U-20 side currently sit in mid table in the Tahitian D1 Championnat and will be tough to beat on their home soil. The side has played 11 games together so far this season and that added familiarity mixed with home support will give them a great advantage.

New Caledonia Coach Didier Chamberon will be able to call on the experience of Jonathan Kakou and Roy Kayara who both featured for the full national side in the recent home and away World Cup Qualifiers with New Zealand.

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008 Draw

Match Day 1 – Saturday 13 December 2008

Time                                     Fixture                 Venue
16H00 (Local time)  New Zealand vs Fiji          Stade Paea
18H30 (Local time)  Tahiti vs New Caledonia   Stade Paea

Match Day 2 – Monday 15 December 2008

Time                                     Fixture                  Venue
16H00 (Local time)   New Zealand vs Tahiti   Stade Mahina
18H30 (local time)    New Caledonia vs Fiji     Stade Mahina

Match Day 3 – Wednesday 17 December 2008

Time                                    Fixture                            Venue
16H00 (Local time)   New Caledonia vs New Zealand Stade Puurai
18H30 (Local time)   Fiji vs Tahiti                                 Stade Puurai

Squads:

Fiji: 1. Wasim ALI; 2.Peniame DROVA;3.Amani MAKOE;4.Josefata NEIBULI; 5. ROMUERO; 6. Esava NAQELECA; 7. Sumeet KRISHAN; 8. Ratu Vula BONAVEIDOGO; 9. Taione KEREVANUA; 10. Nasoni MEREKE; 11. Monit CHAND; 12. Archie WATKINS; 13. James MCKAY14. Velagio DRAUNIMASI; 15. Jese ILIMOTAMA; 16. Ranjesh PRASAD; 17. Samuela DRUDRU; 18. Joseva BASUDRA; 19. Maciu TUILAU; 20. Filimone BOLETAWA;

Head of Delegation: IBRAHIM
Coach:   Carlos BUZZETTI
Assistant Coach: Norman SARJU
Assistant Coach: Kamal SWAMY

New Zealand:1.Rhyss KEANE; 2. Tim MYERS; 3. Ian HOGG; 4. Fin MILNE; 5. Sam CAMPBELL; 6. Michael EAGER; 7. Costa BARBAROUSES; 8. Adam MCGEORGE; 9. Greg DRAPER;10. Milos NIKOLIC; 11. John NIYONSABA; 12. Cory CHETTLEBURGH; 13. Ash SOLLY; 14. Jonathan RAJ; 15. Michael PICKERING; 16. Alex BARLOW; 17. Jake MATHEWS; 18. Sam BLACKBURN;19. Nick KEOWN-ROBSON; 20. Jake GLEESON;

Manager:  Jim HOGG
Coach:   Stu JACOBS
Assistant Coach: Sean DOUGLAS
GKCoach:  Jonathan GOULD
Physio:  Andrew IMRIE
Sports Science: Andy SMITH

Tahiti: 23. Ralph HEITAA; 2. Tauirai TEIVA; 3. Stephane FAATIARAU; 4. Teheivarii LUDIVION; 5. Ariihau TERIITAU; 6. Heimano BOUREBARE; 7. Garry ROCHETTE; 9. Hiva KAMOISE; 10. Jay WARREN; 11. Stanley ATANY; 12. Rangitea BENETT; 13. Steeve CHONG HUE; 14. Guillaume CHEVALIER; 15. Rainui TZE YU; 17. Nahui TEIEFITU; 18. Tehau BENETT; 19. Marama AMAU; 20. Lorenzo TEHAU; 21. Alvin TEHAU; 22. Teheipuarii HAUATA;

Head of Delegation: Maco PLOTON
Coach:   Lionel CHARBONNIER
Assistant Coach: Samuel GARCIA
GK Coach:  Reihia DAVIO
Physio:  Jean-Claude LINTZ
Doctor:   Jean-Marie DEBRUYNE

New Caledonia: 1. Jean Daniel CAEE; 2. Joris GORENDIAWE; 3. Edmond IPUNESSO; 4. Jonathan KAKOU; 5. Jean Claude JEWINE; 6. Cesar LOLOHEA; 7. Maxime CHEVRY; 8. Jean WAHNYAMALLA; 9. Roy KAYARA; 10. Rony ATTI; 11. Warren NAXUE; 12. Alan HNAUTRA; 13. Vincent VAKIE; 14. Jean Philippe SAIKO; 15. Jihovany LOLOHEA; 16. Theodore HNANGANYAN; 17. Yoahn AUSU; 18. Jean TYEA; 19. Yoann BAKO; 20. Nicolas IWA;

Coach   Didier CHAMBARON
Coach   Nicolas BACH
Physio   Bruno  TEZENAS

AUCKLAND – Thai Airways Junior All Whites coach Stu Jacobs is relying on the experience of his newly-announced 20-strong squad to get them through short and sharp Oceania U-20 World Cup qualifiers campaign in Tahiti later this month.

Jacobs has largely drawn his squad from the New Zealand Football Championship although Wellington Phoenix pair Costa Barbarouses and Greg Draper, and 16-year-old West Brom academy striker Chris Wood are notable exceptions.

Australia-based goalkeeper Rhyss Keane (Manly United) and former Auckland City striker John Niyonsaba (North Carolina University) are the other players drawn from outside the national league.

New Zealand play Fiji, Tahiti and New Caledonia in the space of five days beginning December 14 (NZ time), with a place in the 24 team FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 up for grabs.

But after close wins over all three nations in an Auckland-based qualifying series for the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada, Jacobs is understandably weary of slip-ups.

“You saw that even with the All Whites when they couldn’t take their best squad – that the Oceania nations are capable of upsets,” Jacobs said.

“And I guess the draw is geared up for an upset with all our games at 4pm and the others at 6.30.”

However Jacobs was taking more big-game experience into these set of qualifiers with a squad that contains two Olympians, two recently-capped All Whites, three veterans from the 2007 U-20 World Cup and six graduates from the 2007 U-17 World Cup.

“That experience is money in the bank”

“Those are the players you’re relying when you hit rough patches in a match, and there will be rough patches over there. They drive the team forward and have enough experience to pull the team out.”

While the attacking mainstays of the U-20 class of 2007 graduated to the Jacobs-coached Oly-Whites and – in two cases the All Whites – the Wellington-based coach says the current crop measures up favourably.

“Last year we had Jeremy Brockie, Craig Henderson and Greg Draper, but in this group with Niyonsaba, Draper, Barbarouses and Wood plus any one of five or six contributing from midfield we’re arguably in even better shape.”

“In defence we’ve got Finn Milne, Tim Myers, Sam Campbell and Ian Hogg all playing regularly in the NZFC so we’re looking reasonably good in that department as well but I still need to get my head around the shape of the midfield and who we use there.”

Waitakere supply four players to the squad with two – Tim Myers and Ian Hogg – facing a tough decision over which World Cup to aim for.

After playing for their club in NZFC and O-League this season, the pair were in contention for places in Waitakere’s FIFA Club World Cup squad but instead elected to help the Junior All Whites qualify for Egypt.

“I guess it’s a tough call for them, and there’s an element of deciding which event could have the biggest impact on their future. If they get on the field in Japan they might get seen but equally if they in Egypt next year there’ll be opportunities as well.

“But the two players are committed to New Zealand and Waitakere have been very open and supportive throughout.”

The squad assembles in Auckland on Monday for a five-day camp, departing for Tahiti on Friday 12 December.

Eleven of the 24 spots for Egypt next September have already been filled with UAE, Australia, Korea Republic and Uzbekistan qualifying from Asia and Czech Republic, England, Spain, Germany, Italy, Hungary and Spain representing Europe.

Africa will supply four more teams to join the hosts, while North and Central America will send four teams and South America five.

Thai Airways Junior All Whites Squad for OFC U-20 World Cup Qualifiers – Dec 14-18

Goalkeepers:
Jake GLEESON (Team Wellington)
Rhyss KEANE (Manly United - Australia)

Defenders:
Sam CAMPBELL (Auckland City)
Ian HOGG (Waitakere United)
Finlay MILNE (YoungHeart Manawatu)
Tim MYERS (Waitakere United)
Ash SOLLY (Waitakere United)
Jonathan RAJ (Auckland City)

Midfielders:
Alex BARLOW (Hawke’s Bay United)
Sam BLACKBURN (Team Wellington)
Cory CHETTLEBURGH (YoungHeart Manawatu)
Michael EAGER (Team Wellington)
Jacob MATHEWS (Waitakere United)
Adam McGEORGE (Auckland City)
Michael PICKERING (Team Wellington)
Nick KEOWN-ROBSON (Waikato FC)

Forwards:
Costa BARBAROUSES (Wellington Phoenix)
Greg DRAPER (Wellington Phoenix)
John NIYONSABA (North Carolina University – USA)
Chris WOOD (West Bromwich Albion – UK)

Staff: Stu Jacobs (Coach), Sean Douglas (Assistant Coach), Jonathan Gould (GK Coach), Jim Hogg (Manager), Andrew Imrie (Physio), Andy Smith (Sports Science)

Notes:
All Whites: Greg Draper and Costa Barbarouses
Olympians: Draper and Ian Hogg
FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007: Draper, Hogg and Rhyss Keane.
FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007: Barbarouses, Jake Gleeson, Tim Myers, Jacob Mathews, Cory Chettleburgh, and Chris Wood.

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008 Draw

Sunday 14 December, Stade Paea
New Zealand vs Fiji, (5pm NZT)
Tahiti vs New Caledonia, (7.30pm NZT)

Tuesday 16 December, Stade Mahina
New Zealand vs Tahiti (5pm NZT)
New Caledonia vs Fiji (7.30pm NZT)

Thursday 18 December, Stade Puurai
New Caledonia vs New Zealand, (5pm NZT)
Fiji vs Tahiti, (7.30pm NZT)

Story provided by NZF Media. For more visit www.nzsoccer.com

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has released the draw for the OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008, and it pits OFC champions New Zealand against Fiji in the opening round.

The tournament will run from December 13- 17 and the winner of the four team competition will earn a spot at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009.

The four team tournament – also including hosts Tahiti and New Caledonia will follow a round robin format and be played across three venues in Papeete – Stade Paea, Stade Mahina and Stade Puurai.

New Zealand won last year’s OFC U-20 Championships in New Zealand after defeating teams from Fiji, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tahiti and Vanuatu and won a spot at the FIFA U-20 World Cup – Canada 2007.

In Canada, New Zealand faced some of the best young players in the world and suffered defeats by Portugal 0-2, Gambia 0-1 and Mexico 1-2 and missed out on qualification for the round of 16.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 will run from 25 September to 16 October.

OFC U-20 Championship Tahiti 2008 Draw

Match Day 1 – Saturday 13 December 2008

Time                        Fixture                                 Venue
16H00 (Local time)  New Zealand vs Fiji             Stade Paea
18H30 (Local time) Tahiti vs New Caledonia       Stade Paea

Match Day 2 – Monday 15 December 2008

Time                         Fixture                                  Venue
16H00 (Local time)  New Zealand vs Tahiti        Stade Mahina
18H30 (local time)   New Caledonia vs Fiji         Stade Mahina

Match Day 3 – Wednesday 17 December 2008

Time                         Fixture                                    Venue
16H00 (Local time) New Caledonia vs New Zealand Stade Puurai
18H30 (Local time) Fiji vs Tahiti                                 Stade Puurai

SUVA - Members of the Fiji U20 soccer team bound for the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-20 Men's Championship next month in Tahiti have exchanged football boots with books as they take time off from training to concentrate on their external school examinations.

The squad currently in camp at the Dr Sahu Khan academy in Ba comprises mainly of students who are in forms six and seven.

Fiji team director, Rajesh Patel said they always made it a priority to look after the educational welfare of the players while they were in camp so their academic future is not affected and are giving the players all the time to concentrate on the exams.

“The boys are having examinations and the management has been looking after them very well in terms of their welfare and this gives them a lot of time to concentrate on their examinations.

“We always ensure the boys get ample time for studies and do not want any distractions to their studies that’s why we did not allow the main national team to camp at the academy as their presence would have somewhat disturbed the boys.

“The qualifiers are just a month away and we will really get back to business once the students complete their examinations as we are racing against time and need to field a competitive team which can do wonders at the qualifiers” added Patel.

The Fiji U-20 squad comprises of players like Suva’s Esava Naqeleca and Filimone Bolatawa, Lautoka’s Zibraaz Sahib and Samuela Drudru, Nadi’s Vinit Nadan, Navua’s Monit Chand, Labasa’s Amani Makoe and Rewa’s Ranjesh Prasad, Nasoni Mereke and James McKay.

Fiji finished runners-up to New Zealand at the last OFC U-20 Men's Championship held at Trusts Stadium in Henderson last year with Roy Krishna winning the golden boot award scoring 8 goals. New Zealand's Chris James finished second with six strikes to his name as the Kiwis qualified for the FIFA U-20 Men's World Cup - Canada 2007.

Fiji's match with New Zealand attracted a crowd of 4000 spectators as Stu Jacobs' charges edged Fiji 3-2 in a controversial and pulsating encounter. Fiji had earlier defeated Samoa (7-0), Vanuatu (2-0), Solomon Islands (3-0), New Caledonia (2-1).

New Zealand's last gasp win over New Caledonia was enough to see the Kiwis home after Fiji stumbled in its final match of the section when it lost to Tahiti (0-2) in a major upset.

The OFC U-20 Men's Championship kicks-off on December 13-19, 2008.

Story provided by Fijilive Sports. For more visit www.fijilive.com/sports 

PAPEETE - Tahiti U-20 coach and FIFA World Cup winner Lionel Charbonnier has named his training squad for the next season's Federal Championship.

Charbonnier named his squad last week as Federation Tahitienne de Football (FTF) prepares to host the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-20 Men's Championship in December.

Tahiti finished fifth at the last edition of the OFC U-20 Men's Championship in New Zealand in January 2007 while the U-17 team finished runners-up to New Zealand as the Colin Tuaa-coached kiwis qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup - Korea 2007 ahead of the Tahitians.

Charbonnier's impact on Tahitian football has been a welcome boost for the game in French Polynesia with the graduates of last year's U-17 team widely regarded as one of the countries best crop of youngsters in recent years.

The former Auxerre and Rangers goalkeeper said Tahiti and other Oceania nations would struggle to close the gap on the rest of the world but was optimistic gains within the region could still be made.

"Closing the gap in Oceania is more realistic.

The technical gap between New Zealand and the rest of Oceania is not that great.

This is a realistic target for teams like Tahiti," Charbonnier told www.oceaniafootball.com.

Charbonnier says December will see how much progress has been made toward that aim.

"It will be an interesting tournament and I believe we have a good chance to show what we have learned," Charbonnier said. 

The Tahiti U-20 team will play in the Federal Championship as part of its preparation programme for the big event.

The winner of the OFC U-20 Men's Championship will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup - Egypt 2009. 

TAHITI U-20

Jason MATHIEU (AS Central); Teheipuarii HAUATA (AS Tefana); Ralph HEITAA (AS Vaiari Nui); Alvin TEHAU (AS Tefana); Stephane FAATIARAO (AS Tefana); Edson LEMAIRE (AS Vairao); Keni NUI (AS Pirae); Tauirei TEIVA (AS Venus); Marama AMAU (AS Venus); Kaurani VOIRIN (AS Pirae); Teheivarii LUDIVION (AS Venus); Heimano BOUREBARE (TAC); Teiefitu NAHUI (AS Tefana); Stanley ATANY (AS JT); Ricky AITAMAI (AS Venus); LOrenzo TEHAU (AS Tefana); Garry ROCHETTE (TAC); Jay WARREN (AS Pirae), Steeve CHONG HUE (AS Samine); Tuheirarii TETUANUI (AS Vairao);Rainui TZE YU (AS Venus); Moe ROHI (AS Punaruu).

Coach: Lionel CHARBONNIER (FRA)

TAHITI U-20 RESULTS (2007)

vs. Samoa (N) won 3-1

vs. New Caledonia (N) lost 1-2

vs. Vanuatu (N) drew 2-2

vs. New Zealand (A) lost 0-2

vs. Solomon Islands (N) lost 1-2 

vs. Fiji (N) won 2-0 

Final position: 5th