AUCKLAND – The Young All Whites were on the receiving end of a ruthless start and strong finish from hosts and defending FIFA U-17 World Cup champions Nigeria, ending their groundbreaking run with a 0-5 loss in the round of 16 in Abuja on Friday morning (NZT).

An unbeaten record throughout the group stages had earned the Young All Whites a place in the history books as the first kiwi team to reach the knockout stages of a FIFA event, but three goals in 30 minutes and a 35 minute red card to Cameron Lindsay for a rash tackle effectively ended the match as a contest.

New Zealand coach Steve Cain was quick to praise his side’s effort in reaching the last 16 and label the hosts favourites to claim a record fourth U-17 crown.

“I’m immensely proud of my team’s performance,” Cain said.

“It was a bridge too far for us tonight. They were too quick, too strong and too clever. With eleven men on the park it was difficult, with ten it was impossible. They’re a hell of a side.”

“I’ve always thought Nigeria were favourites, but didn’t say it because I didn’t want to frighten my players. If any one beats them they’ll deserve to win the tournament.”

Edafe Egbedi helped himself to a first half double, his goals sandwiching Stanley Okoro’s 24th minute effort, with two of Nigeria’s first three goals taking deflections on their way past Coey Turipa.

In the second half, the three-time champions were content to reserve energy for an impending quarterfinal against Korea, until super-sub Sani Emmanuel came off the bench to score a quick fire double and extend the final damage to 5-0.

After soaking up early pressure, New Zealand captain Gordon Murie headed an early chance over the bar but it wasn’t long before the weight of Nigerian chances told with Egbedi strolling to the edge of the New Zealand 18-yard box and unleashing a shot which Turipa appeared to have covered until an attempted block by Murie deflected it past him.

The kiwis could have been back on level terms just moments later but Lindsay misdirected his unmarked header from a Zane Sole free-kick.

That was as much warning as the Golden Eaglets needed, with fullback Aigbe Oliha unleashing a thundering volley which Turipa did well to beat away, but only as far as Okoro whose close range follow up bounced off the leg of a desperate defender.

Egbedi’s second, a first time scoop with the outside of his foot into the far top corner of the goal, was the goal of the game, although Emmanuel’s late cameo with two clinical goals set up by the impressive Okoro made sure the 35,000 strong home crowd went home singing.

There were plenty of other chances for a dominant Nigerian side, with New Zealand defenders chasing shadows for large portions of the game, especially when down a man, and while there was to be no dramatic comeback as with New Zealand’s previous two games, the kiwis departed with their heads held high.

“With what this group has achieved in a very short space of time, we should be very proud of them,: Cain said.

Today, against a World-class opponent, became a lesson that we need to go back to the drawing board on a number of things, learn from it and come back stronger next time.”

FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009
October 25 - November 15
Round of 16
Abuja

New Zealand: 0
Nigeria: 5 (Edafe EGBEDI 14, 28, Stanley OKORO 24, Sani EMMANUEL 75, 79)
Halftime: 0-3

New Zealand: 1-Coey TURIPA (GK), 3-Adam THOMAS, 5- Gordon MURIE (Captain / 4-Luis ESTEVEZ 66), 7-Josh MORRISON, 10-Zane SOLE,13-Michael BUILT (19-Andrew BEVIN 79), 14-Thomas SPRAGG (12-Tane GENT 60), 15-Andrew MILNE, 16-Jamie DORIS, 17-Cameron LINDSAY, 18-Ashton PETT.
Substitutes not used 2-Matt GIBBONS, 6-Tim PILKINGTON, 8-Stephen KIBBY, 9-Nikolai MOLIJN, 11-Jack Hobson-MCVEIGH, 20-Alex CARR (RGK), 21-Patrick GEORGE (RGK).
Coach: Steve CAIN (ENG)

Nigeria: 1-Dami PAUL (GK), 2-Aigbe OLIHA, 3-Mohammed ALIYU, 5-Fortune CHUKWUDI, 6-Kenneth OMERUO, 8-Stanley OKORO, 9-Abdul AJAGUN (15-Yusuf OTUBANJO 83), 11-Terry ENVOH, 13-Omoh OJABU (14-Sani EMMANUEL 74), 18-Edafe EGBEDI (10-Olarenwaju KAYODE 76), 20-Ramon AZEEZ.
Substitutes not used: 4-Ogenyi ONAZI7-White AGWUOCHA, , 12-Chukwujike MGBAM, 16-Amos IZUCHUKWU (RGK), 17-Obinna OKORO, 19-Deji JOEL, 21-John FELAGHA (RGK).
Coach: John OBUH (NGA)

Cautions: Jamie DORIS (NZL)
Red Cards: Cameron LINDSAY (NZL)

Story courtesy NZF Media

For the latest FIFA U-17 World Cup news visit FIFA.com

AUCKLAND – New Zealand U-17 coach Steve Cain has been quick to consign the Young All Whites’ groundbreaking exploits to history and call for full focus from his players ahead of Friday morning’s second round clash with FIFA U-17 World Cup hosts Nigeria in Abuja.

The unbeaten teenagers dramatically achieved a notable first for New Zealand football teams by reaching the knockout stage of a FIFA event with Jack Hobson-McVeigh’s stunning injury-time strike securing a 1-1 draw against Group D winners Turkey, on Sunday.

But their coach admitted he acted swiftly to extinguish any thoughts from his players that the playoffs were now “bonus territory,” instead demanding that the bar be raised higher.

“I gave them all a real dressing down on Monday because at the end of the day we’re not here to make up the numbers, we’re here to win the tournament,” Cain said.

“No-one is going to sit back on their laurels because we haven’t won anything yet.”

“If we lift the trophy, we’ll say yeah, well done, but for now we are going to into this match with 100 per cent focus aiming to make it into the quarterfinals.”

After three tough group games, all ending in 1-1 draws, and requiring second-half fight backs in the last two matches, a few New Zealand players were understandably showing signs of wear and tear.

Gordon Murie (dead leg), Tim Pilkington (concussion), Thomas Spragg (ankle) all picked up injuries against Turkey while Jamie Doris is the latest player to pick up a 24-hour stomach bug that has so far swept through two-thirds of the camp and is currently in isolation.

Cain was confident each would be fit for selection and could now welcome back Waitakere United midfielder Zane Sole back from a one game suspension.

Sole, Doris, Hobson-McVeigh, Stephen Kibby and Cameron Lindsay have all been used in different combinations within a central midfield trio, and present Cain with his toughest selection choice. Not even the goalscoring hero from Sunday, Hobson-McVeigh was assured of a start against the Golden Eaglets.

“He [Hobson-McVeigh] has certainly done enough to cause me a selection problem. We can’t fit six or seven players into five spots so one or two of them will have to miss out. But they will all have a part to play.”

Patience and pressure will be the key for a New Zealand side that has shown that it has the mental resilience and defensive organisation to stay in games against more fancied opposition.

“If we stay organised and don’t make mistakes, which has been a strength of ours so far, we can frustrate these teams quite significantly.

“With the pressure on Nigeria as the home nation, and the expectation from the crowd of a home win, we can build that frustration and take advantage when they find things aren’t going their way.”

“There’s pressure on us as the underdogs but there’s a lot more of them.”

The match kicks off at 7am on Friday (NZT)

FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009
October 25 - November 15
Round of 16

November 6
New Zealand v Nigeria
Abuja
Kick off: 7am (NZT)
Live coverage on Sky Sport 1

New Zealand (from): 1-Coey TURIPA (GK), 2-Matt GIBBONS, 3-Adam THOMAS, 4-Luis ESTEVEZ, 5- Gordon MURIE (captain), 6-Tim PILKINGTON, 7-Josh MORRISON, 8-Stephen KIBBY, 9-Nikolai MOLIJN, 10-Zane SOLE, 11-Jack Hobson-MCVEIGH, 12-Tane GENT, 13-Michael BUILT, 14-Thomas SPRAGG, 15-Andrew MILNE, 16-Jamie DORIS, 17-Cameron LINDSAY, 18-Ashton PETT,19-Andrew BEVIN, 20-Alex CARR (GK), 21-Patrick GEORGE (GK).
Coach: Steve CAIN (ENG)

Nigeria (from): 1-Dami PAUL (GK), 2-Aigbe OLIHA, 3-Mohammed ALIYU, 4-Ogenyi ONAZI, 5-Fortune CHUKWUDI, 6-Kenneth OMERUO, 7-White AGWUOCHA, 8-Stanley OKORO, 9-Abdul AJAGUN, 10-Olarenwaju KAYODE, 11-Terry ENVOH, 12-Chukwujike MGBAM, 13-Omoh OJABU, 14-Sani EMMANUEL, 15-Yusuf OTUBANJO, 16-Amos IZUCHUKWU (GK), 17-Obinna OKORO, 18-Edafe EGBEDI, 19-Deji JOEL, 20-Ramon AZEEZ, 21-John FELAGHA (GK).
Coach: John OBUH (NGA)

Story courtesy NZF Media

Photo courtesy Action Images

OFC President Reynald Temarii has passed on his congratulations to the New Zealand U-17 team who became the first Kiwi side to qualify for the knock-out stages of a FIFA tournament at the weekend.
 
As Oceania’s representative at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009, New Zealand qualified in dramatic fashion with an injury-time strike by Jack Hobson-McVeigh against Turkey in Calabar on Saturday evening to give the unbeaten Young All Whites their third straight draw (1-1) of the tournament.
 
Turkey progressed as Group D winners, while Burkina Faso – who won their final group match against Cost Rica in Enugu – finished second and New Zealand went through as one of the top third-place finishers.

New Zealand are now the only Oceania country outside of Australia to qualify for the second round of a FIFA event.

President Temarii says the historic achievement is a positive sign for Oceania football.
 
“OFC is continually striving to improve the standard of football in the region and prepare Oceania’s representatives for success on the world stage and we are now seeing those efforts paying off,” said President Temarii. 
 
“Reaching the knock-out stages of a FIFA World Cup is a remarkable feat and I would like to congratulate New Zealand Football on behalf of the entire Oceania football family. I know the team will now be looking to go even further in the tournament and I wish them the best of luck against Nigeria in the second round later this week.”

The Young All Whites face Nigeria on Thursday evening (local time) at Abuja National Stadium where an expected crowd of over 40,000 will be cheering on the home side. The Golden Eaglets qualified top of a ‘group of death’ after defeating Honduras (1-0) and Argentina (2-1) and drawing with Germany (3-3). Other second round action will see Argentina vs. Colombia, Italy vs. USA, Switzerland vs. Germany, Turkey vs. UAE, Spain vs. Burkina Faso, Mexico vs. Korea Republic and Iran vs. Uruguay.

The highest placing by an OFC representative at the FIFA U-17 World Cup was in 1999 when Australia finished runners-up behind Brazil.

For the latest FIFA U-17 World Cup news visit FIFA.com

AUCKAND – The Young All Whites’ second round opponents at the FIFA U-17 World Cup will be hosts Nigeria in front of an intimidating crowd of over 40,000 and their coach couldn’t be happier.

With group play completed this morning and the top 16 teams all confirmed, the final pieces of the playoff puzzle could be placed.

While Nigeria qualified top of a ‘group of death’ featuring Argentina, Germany and Honduras, taking on the hosts at the 60,000 seat Abuja National Stadium is a prospect that excites New Zealand coach Steve Cain.

“The occasion will be absolutely fantastic. The crowd will be huge and the atmosphere will be absolutely magical,” Cain said.

“The African people have been very friendly to us and very complimentary to us when we’ve played. We’ve won some hearts and minds and we’d like to continue that with a game against the host nation.”

“It’s exactly what we’d hope for. It’s an occasion and something that will stick in the boys’ minds for a lifetime.

At a World Cup, every team you play is going to be hard so you’d rather have a game in front of a full house. We’ve backed ourselves all tournament and we’ll do so again against Nigeria. We’ve shown we’re a very hard team to beat.

FIFA U-17 World Cup
Round of 16

Nov 4
Argentina v Colombia, Ijebu Ode
Italy v USA, Kaduna
Switzerland v Germany
Turkey v UAE, Enugu

Nov 5
Spain v Burkina Faso, Kano
Mexico v Korea Republic, Bauchi
Iran v Uruguay, Calabar
Nigeria v New Zealand, Abuja (7am Friday Nov 6 NZT)

Vanuatu striker Seule Soromon has put New Zealand Football Championship (NZFC) defences on red alert after he bagged all four goals in YoungHeart Manawatu's 4-0 win over Team Wellington at Newtown Park today.
 
The win capped off the perfect start to the season for YoungHeart Manawatu coach Bob Sova, whose team moved into second place.

Elsewhere, reigning champions Auckland City remained in top spot despite a 0-0 draw at Otago United while Waitakere United moved into third thanks to a 1-0 win at home to Canterbury United. Waikato FC – thrashed 5-0 by Auckland City last week – enjoyed their first win of the season with a 4-2 win over Matt Chandler’s Hawke’s Bay United.

Soromon began the YoungHeart Manawatu rout with a 25th minute close range tap in while Team Wellington nearly drew level in the 39th minute only for Greg Draper’s effort to hit the post. Seule Soromon put the match beyond the hosts when he scored two quickfire strikes in the 54th and 55th minutes to give the visitors a commanding 3-0 lead.
 
YoungHeart Manawatu confirmed victory in the 73rd minute after another coolly taken finish by Soromon. Soromon could have grabbed his and YoungHeart's fifth goal after he rounded goalkeeper Jim Bannatyne only to see his effort cleared off the line by Team Wellington’s Chris Davies with eight minutes remaining.
 
Otago United’s draw with Auckland City ended a run of seven consecutive defeats against the champions that stretches back to season 2006-07. Otago has only beaten Auckland City once in their last ten attempts. Despite a draw City maintained it’s unbeaten start to the season and has yet to concede a goal in it’s three competitive matches in all competitions to date while Otago sit in 5th place in the table.

Former New Zealand international striker Brent Fisher repaid the faith of coach Neil Emblen with a debut headed goal from a Neil Sykes’ freekick after 31 minutes to hand Waitakere United an opening day NZFC victory. The 1-0 victory ensured Waitakere sit among the early leaders in the race for an NZFC play-off spot and guarantees that competition for places in United’s frontline remains intense with Fijian striker Roy Krishna only used as a late substitute.

Meanwhile, Centennial Park, Ngaurawahia was the scene of a six-goal thriller as Waikato FC defeated Hawke’s Bay United for the first time in three seasons.

Goals by Waikato FC strikers Dan Peat and Michael Gwyther helped kick-start their club’s campaign with a 4-2 win at home over the visitors.
 
A first half brace by Dan Peat in the 19th and 27th minutes complemented a 23rd minute close range header by Michael Gwyther.
 
Leon Birnie threw Hawke’s Bay a lifeline with a goal on the stroke of halftime but Waikato FC restored their two goal buffer in the 71st minute through a Joey Simpkins penalty after Mikael Munday was brought down in the box. 
 
A 76th minute Andrew Abba volley set up a tense finish but it wasn’t enough to deny a first ever NZFC win for new player/coach Che Bunce.

Story and photo courtesy NZF Media

For the latest NZFC news visit NZFC.co.nz

Football Fern Kirsty Yallop led the way for reigning Lion Foundation Women’s League champions Auckland Football, helping herself to four goals in a resounding 7-1 win over the New Zealand U-17 team in Pakuranga on Sunday.

The defending champions were given the bye in week one and two goals in as many minutes from Yallop midway through the first half showed Auckland weren’t keen to waste any more time in their Northern Conference opener.

A fine solo goal from Brittany Dudley-Smith pulled a goal back for the teenagers in the 66th minute but from the kickoff Auckland surged forward and earned a corner which Kristy Hill nodded home to restore the two goal cushion.

Dana Humby fired a fourth in from long-range in the 75th before Yallop completed her hat trick five minutes later.

Auckland weren’t finished there as Rebecca Tegg got in on the action as the clock ticked down before setting up Yallop for her fourth in injury time.

Meanwhile in the Southern conference, Capital Football got their campaign underway with a 2-0 win over Mainland Pride thanks to a goal in each half from Sarah Gregorius.

Gregorius’ day didn’t happily, leaving the field with a knee injury late in the second half with her side also losing Football Fern Hannah Wall and age-group international Yumi Nguyen in an injury-plague second half.

The Pride still lead the Southern standings on goal difference thanks to a heavy win over Football South last weekend, but Capital can leapfrog them next week by avoiding defeat in Dunedin next Sunday.

Auckland are also on the road, travelling to Taupo to take on Waikato-BOP Football on Saturday.

Story and photo courtesy NZF Media

New Zealand have made history today by becoming the first Kiwi side to advance to the knock-out round of a FIFA World Cup tournament.

In dramatic fashion, an injury-time strike by Jack Hobson-McVeigh against Turkey in Calabar on Saturday evening gave the Young All Whites their third straight draw (1-1) of the tournament and was enough to send them through to the round of sixteen.

Even with four regular starters waiting in the wings, Turkey looked a far superior side in the early going. After just five minutes they carved out an opening via some lovely midfield interplay, but Engin Bekdemir could only hammer his shot high and wide from 20 yards. The move deserved better than the finish provided. Five minutes later, Ahmet Sari had the ball in the net, but the header was waved away for a foul on the Kiwi goalkeeper.

Just up the other end, captain Gordon Murie fired a warning by bullying the ball home from close range after a deflection. The strike, however, was also ruled out, this time for offside. The dream of keeping up with the Turks didn't last, though, as Bekdemir wriggled around his man and lobbed the keeper from 18 yards to open the scoring an t he 17th minute.

The Kiwis were keen to keep themselves in the game, but their spirits must have sunk when Josh Morrison missed the chance of a lifetime in the 29th minute. Getting first to the ball after a goal-mouth scramble, he could only conspire to hit over from five yards out.  Minutes later, Sari saw a try cleared off the line as the action was getting fast and furious.

The hard-charging Kiwis seemed to go off the boil a bit at the start of the second half, just as the Turks began to up the tempo in search of a second goal.  Enes Baykan had a chance to score in the 60th minute, but he couldn't steer his close-range shot through a forest of legs.  Seconds later, a free-kick by the busy Bekdemir stung the palms of Coey Turipa in the New Zealand goal.
Just as it looked like it was all over for the tired Kiwis, Hobson-McVeigh fired a stunning goal to the top corner in stoppage time to, miraculously, send the islanders through when all seemed lost

The Turks are through to the round of sixteen as section winners, while Burkina Faso - who won their game in Enugu - finish second and New Zealand sneak through as one of the top third-place finishers. Costa Rica are officially out.

Photo courtesy Action Images

For the latest news and results from the FIFA U-17 World Cup visit FIFA.com

AUCKLAND – All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has backed the same 18 players from the away leg of a World Cup playoff against Bahrain to finish the job of qualifying in Wellington on November 14.

A gutsy goalless draw in Manama on October 10 and a capacity 35,000 home crowd have created a mouth-watering challenge for the All Whites, who would earn a place at the World Cup finals for the first time since 1982 with a win on home soil.

While Herbert has ultimately retained the same matchday 18 from the first leg, the All Whites coach says it wasn’t necessarily a straightforward decision.

“It’s never easy to go with final squad for the most important game but I think there has been consistency with this group of players that has gone through Jordan and Bahrain and we just feel it’s important to keep that intact,” Herbert said.

Injury and illness concerns over two key players have been allayed with captain Ryan Nelsen confirmed to have avoided the swine flu scare at Blackburn Rovers and Rory Fallon recovering well from a calf strain that saw him hobble out of Plymouth Argyle’s match against Ipswich Town last weekend.

“Rory is making very good progress and I spoke to Ryan last night and he’s in good health so as we stand we’ve got no injury concerns or medical problems.”

As injury cover, Herbert has named five players on a non-travelling standby list comprising Steven Old, Jeremy Brockie, Jeremy Christie, Kris Bright and also Jacob Spoonley, who provided goalkeeping cover in Manama but did not make the matchday 18.

The All Whites assemble in Wellington on Tuesday 10 November, and while the eight Wellington-based players won’t need to travel far, the northern hemisphere contingent of players will need to quickly shake of the jet lag and adjust their body clocks before playing the biggest game of their careers.

While a New Zealand victory would confirm qualification for South Africa, a score draw would be enough for Bahrain to progress on the away goals rule.

A repeat of the 0-0 first leg score line would send the fixture into extra time and then to a penalty shootout if no further goals were scored. FIFA confirmed to NZF this week that [away] goals scored by Bahrain in extra time would also count double if the match remains tied after the extra 30 minutes.

New Zealand Squad for FIFA World Cup Asia/Oceania Playoff (second leg)
November 14, 2009

Goalkeepers:
James BANNATYNE (Team Wellington – 5/0)
Mark PASTON (Wellington Phoenix – 22/0)

Defenders:
Andrew BOYENS (New York Red Bulls – 14/0)
Tony LOCHHEAD (Wellington Phoenix – 20/0)
David MULLIGAN (Wellington Phoenix – 30/3)
Ryan NELSEN (Captain, Blackburn Rovers – 40/9)
Aaron SCOTT (Waitakere United – 5/0)
Ben SIGMUND (Wellington Phoenix – 11/1)
Ivan VICELICH (Auckland City – 71/7)

Midfielders:
Andy BARRON (Team Wellington – 12/1)
Leo BERTOS (Wellington Phoenix – 29/0)
Tim BROWN (Wellington Phoenix – 26/0)
Simon ELLIOTT (San Jose Earthquakes – 66/8)
Michael MCGLINCHEY (Central Coast Mariners – 2/0)

Forwards:
Rory FALLON (Plymouth Argyle – 2/1)
Chris KILLEN (Celtic – 25/17)
Shane SMELTZ (Gold Coast United – 30/17)
Chris WOOD (West Bromwich Albion – 4/0)

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 (October 10, Manama)
Bahrain 0
New Zealand 0

Second Leg
New Zealand v Bahrain
November 14, 2009
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Local kick-off: 8pm

Story and photo courtesy NZF Media

AUCKLAND – The chance to achieve two notable firsts is driving the Young All Whites in the FIFA U-17 World Cup clash against Burkina Faso in Enugu, Nigeria on Thursday morning (NZT).

After a promising draw against Costa Rica on Monday, the heat goes on the Young All Whites in more ways than one as a victory over the Africans in mid afternoon Enugu heat and humidity will almost certainly earn them a place in the second round – a first for a New Zealand team at a FIFA event.

But victory over an African team on their home continent would be another first, and New Zealand coach Steve Cain is weary of a side wounded after a 0-1 loss to Turkey on Monday morning.

“It’s shaping as a mini final this one as both teams will be looking for three points to get some sort of foothold in the final 16,” Cain said.

“We’ve never beaten an African team in Africa and playing at four o’clock in 30 degree temperatures and 95 per cent humidity so it’ll be difficult but these are the things we have to deal with.”

Thunder storms are scheduled for the region on match day but the Young All Whites are brimming with a quiet belief that they can produce another lightning strike after leading the Costa Ricans early in their Group D opener.

“We have to back ourselves heading into this game and if we can repeat the defensive effort from the Costa Rica match and can be a bit more sensible and positive with the ball at our feet then we can get something out of this game.”

Recovery has been the focus in the immediate 24 hours of a match that saw New Zealand lose three players to cramp in the stifling conditions. Birkenhead midfielder Jack Hobson-McVeigh returns from a suspension he picked up in qualifying to give Cain the option of fresh in midfield, although the performance of Jamie Doris, Cameron Lindsay and the combative Zane Sole may prompt a retention of the status quo.

While Nigerian and Ghanaian teams have dominated previous World Cups and the Burkinabe finished third in 2001, the current side remain somewhat of an unknown quantity for the Young All Whites although video analysis will go someway to removing that mystery.

But a brief glimpse of their opponents at the stadium hasn’t changed the New Zealand players’ view that they can rise to the challenge.

“From the 20 minutes of the match we saw before our game it was clear they press high and all over the pitch,” said New Zealand winger Thomas Spragg.

“While we need to treat them with respect there is not reason not to go into the game confident of causing an upset.”

FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009
October 25 - November 15

Group D
New Zealand vs. Burkina Faso
Enugu
October 29

New Zealand: 1-Coey TURIPA (GK), 2-Matt GIBBONS, 3-Adam THOMAS, 4-Luis ESTEVEZ, 5- Gordon MURIE (captain), 6-Tim PILKINGTON, 7-Josh MORRISON, 8-Stephen KIBBY, 9-Nikolai MOLIJN, 10-Zane SOLE, 11-Jack Hobson-MCVEIGH, 12-Tane GENT, 13-Michael BUILT, 14-Thomas SPRAGG, 15-Andrew MILNE, 16-Jamie DORIS, 17-Cameron LINDSAY, 18-Ashton PETT,19-Andrew BEVIN, 20-Alex CARR (GK), 21-Patrick GEORGE (GK).
Coach: Steve CAIN (ENG)

Burkina Faso: 1-Germain SANOU (GK), 2-Adama HAIKI, 3-Mouhamed OUATTARA, 4-Delwende YANOGO, 5-Ibrahim BARRY, 6-Ismael ZAGRE, 7-Louckmane OUEDRAOGO, 8-Victor NIKIEMA, 9-Abdoulaye IBRANGO, 10-Fadil SIDO, 11-Abdoul NIKIEMA, 12-Zidane ZOUNGRANA, 13-Moussa DAO, 14-Dalhata SORO, 15-Ousmane DERRA, 16-Lassane NIKKIEMA (GK), 17-Bertrand TRAORE, 18-Farouck KABORE, 19-Aboubacar TRAORE, 20-Patrick MALO, 21-Abdouraziz GUIRE (GK)
Coach: Rainer WILLFELD (GER)

Group D Standings

Team	MP	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
Turkey	1	1	0	0	1	0	3
Costa Rica	1	0	1	0	1	1	1
New Zealand	1	0	1	0	1	1	1
Burkina Faso	1	0	0	1	0	1	0

FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009 – New Zealand results/fixtures
October 25 - November 15

October 26
New Zealand 1 (Michael BUILT 18)
Costa Rica 1 (Joel CAMPBELL 35)

October 29
New Zealand v Burkina Faso
Enugu

November 1
New Zealand v Turkey
Calabar

Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) is pleased to confirm the FIFA-appointed match officials for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ second leg play-off match between New Zealand and Bahrain in Wellington on 14 November.

Urguay’s Jorge Luis Larrionda Pietrafesa will referee the match at Westpac Stadium with compatriats Pablo Javier Fandino Abate and Mauricio Espinosa Rodriguez as his assistants plus Roberto Carlos Silvera Calcerrada, also from Uruguay, as the fourth official.

Larrionda has been an international referee since 1998 and has officiated at a number of FIFA tournaments including the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™. 

The referee assessor will be Carlos Alberto Alarcon Rios from Paraguay while USA’s Joseph Machnik will serve as the match commissioner.

2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA™ – PRELIMINARY COMPETITION

Intercontinental Play-off Matches – Second leg

New Zealand vs. Bahrain
14 November 2009
Westpac Stadium
Wellington
Local kick-off: 20H00

Referee: LARRIONDA PIETRAFESA Jorge Luis [Uruguay]
Assistant Referee 1: FANDINO ABATE Pablo Javier [Uruguay]
Assistant Referee 2: ESPINOSA RODRIGUEZ Mauricio [Uruguay]
Fourth Official: SILVERA CALCERRADA Roberto Carlos [Uruguay]
Referee Assessor: ALARCON RIOS Carlos Alberto [Paraguay]
Commissioner: MACHNIK Joseph [USA]

Photo courtesy FIFA.com

AUCKLAND – The chances of Mike Hester and Peter O’Leary officiating at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa have been boosted by extra appointments at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria.

Hester, along with his assistants Jan Hintz (New Zealand) and Tevita Makasina (Tonga) were in charge during Switzerland’s 2-0 upset of Mexico on Sunday and their performance has been rewarded with an appointment to Thursday morning’s clash between Group C leaders Iran and Colombia in Calabar.

Meanwhile, Peter O’Leary, who has barely finished refereeing duty at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt with assistants Brent Best (New Zealand) and Mathew Taro (Solomon Islands), was given the role of fourth official for a pair of matches at the U-17 edition in Kaduna today.

O’Leary has previously refereed at the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada and both of the previous two FIFA Club World Cups in Japan, while Hester has officiated at the Beijing Olympics and the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Both Kiwi-led trios are on a FIFA shortlist of 38 vying for selection for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Story courtesy NZF Media

Photo courtesy FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

AUCKLAND – New Zealand have opened their FIFA U-17 World Cup account with a fighting 1-1 draw against Costa Rica in Enugu, Nigeria on Sunday night.

The Young All Whites ignored the script when winger Michael Built gave them an 18th minute lead but first-half pressure from Costa Rica – and oppressive humidity – caught up with New Zealand when an uncharacteristic defensive lapse allowed Joel Campbell to equalise in the 35th minute.

The draw – New Zealand’s first after a solitary win and eight losses in three previous FIFA U-17 World Cup campaigns – leaves the Steve Cain-coached Young All Whites two points shy of Turkey who lead Group D after a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso.

“I’ve been told it’s the second best result for a New Zealand team at a FIFA U-17 World Cup but to be honest we’re a little disappointed because we’ve set our stall out to score goals and not concede,” Cain said.

“I think we did very well but all in all we should’ve been good enough to keep the lead and we’re very disappointed that we didn’t.”

“We gave the ball away very cheaply just before their goal and it’s a lesson for young players, and let’s not forget these are 16- and 17-year-olds, that you if you give the ball away against quality opposition they’ll punish you.

“Costa Rica are very strong and skilful, but the longer the game went on the more comfortable we looked and if out set piece runs had been better we may have even found a winner.”

The Young All Whites play the Africans on Thursday seeking an upset victory then or next Sunday against Turkey to become the first New Zealand team to reach the second round of a FIFA tournament.

“The Burkina Faso game is a huge one for both of us as they’ve got zero points and we’ve got one.”
“With an afternoon kick off, the heat and humidity will be even tougher and playing an African team in Africa will always be difficult.”

“But we’ve got a good team here and we back ourselves in every game we play.”

From the outset New Zealand were quicker into the match than the Costa Ricans and the first chance came in just the 8th minute when captain Gordon Murie headed a near post chance wide.

An Ashton Pett speculator drifted over the bar minutes later but Built made no mistake when Andrew Milne held up a Josh Morrison throw inside the area long enough for Built to lash it past Costa Rican goalkeeper Mauricio Vargas.

Rosbin Mayorga squandered a close range chance to equalise almost immediately but for the most part New Zealand’s back four of Murie, Adam Thomas, Josh Morrison and Ashton Pett looked calm and composed.

After a bright start in 30 degree heat and 90 per cent humidity, New Zealand sat back on their lead allowing Costa Rica to enjoy more possession.

A mix up between Adam Thomas and Gordon Murie – the only blot on New Zealand’s defensive copybook – allowed the ever-threatening Joel Campbell in to slide the ball past Turipa and level the scores.

Just before halftime a powerful swerving shot from Thomas Spragg drew a the very best out of Vargas to keep it out of the top corner of his goal and the scores locked at halftime.
Refreshed after the break, the Young All Whites pushed forward with more frequency and looked a threat from set pieces.

Midway through the half Cameron Lindsay flicked a Zane Sole free kick just inches out of Milne’s reach at the back post, while a late long range effort from substitute Luis Estevez looked briefly like it might claim all three points for New Zealand.

The young Al Whites lost Spragg and goal scorer Built to cramp in the second half but stood firm amongst a couple of injury time Costa Rican efforts to claim a well-deserved point.
Elsewhere on Monday, Iran shot to the top of Group C with a 2-0 win over Gambia in Calabar while Colombia lie in second place after a 2-1 win over the Netherlands.

The top two in each of six four-team groups are joined in the second round by the four best third-placed teams.

FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009
October 25 - November 15

Group D
Enugu
October 26
New Zealand: 1 (Michael BUILT 18)
Costa Rica: 1 (Joel CAMPBELL 35)
Halftime: 1-1

New Zealand line-up: 1-Coey TURIPA (GK), 3-Adam THOMAS (8-Stephen KIBBY 67), 5- Gordon MURIE (captain), 7-Josh MORRISON, 10-Zane SOLE, 13-Michael BUILT (12-Tane GENT 64), 14-Thomas SPRAGG (4-Luis ESTEVEZ 89), 15-Andrew MILNE, 16-Jamie DORIS, 17-Cameron LINDSAY, 18-Ashton PETT.
Substitutes not used: 2-Matt GIBBONS, 6-Tim PILKINGTON, 9-Nikolai MOLIJN, 19-Andrew BEVIN, 20-Alex CARR (GK), 21-Patrick GEORGE (GK).
Unavailable: 11-Jack Hobson-MCVEIGH (suspended).
Coach: Steve CAIN (ENG)

Costa Rica line-up: 18-Mauricio VARGAS (GK), 5-Pablo MARTINEZ, 6-Jeisson PENA, 8-Juan GOLOBIO, 10-Deyver VEGA (12-Dylan FLORES 64), 11-Joel CAMPBELL (19-Irving HUERTAS 87), 14-Rosbin MAYORGA (7-Danny BLANCO 60), 15-Joseph MORA, 16-Ariel SOTO, 17-Yeltsin TEJEDA, 20-Adrian MORA.
Substitutes not used: 1-Ricardo ROJAS (GK), 2 -Nicholas ARLERS, 3-Josue AGUILAR, 4-Alejandro CALDERON, 9-Jonathan MOYA, 13-Federico CRESPO, 21-Luis RODRIGUEZ (GK).
Coach: Juan Diego QUESADA (CRC)

Cautions: Pablo MARTINEZ (CRC), Yeltsin TEJEDA (CRC), Zane SOLE (NZL), Jeisson PENA (CRC).

Story and photo courtesy NZF Media

For the latest results visit FIFA.com

oceaniafootball.com brings you photos of all the action at Stade Numa Daly in Noumea where AS Magenta held Waitakere United to a 1-1 draw in their Group A clash on Saturday.

The draw on Match Day 1 of the 2010 O-League leaves both teams second equal behind Group A leaders Auckland City FC while Lautoka sit top of Group B ahead of Hekari United FC, Tafea FC and Marist.

All photos courtesy of AS Magenta official photographer Alain Vartane. 

O-League newcomers AS Magenta have held Waitakere United to a 1-1 draw at Noumea’s Stade Numa Daly on Saturday afternoon to leave Auckland City FC two points clear at the top of Group A after the first round of matches.

The New Caledonians had fortune on their side when United defender Aaron Scott inadvertently headed the ball into his own goal in the 78th minute to cancel out Brent Fisher’s first-half strike. Moments earlier Fijian speedster Roy Krishna had been shown a red card leaving the visitors with 10 men to defend the slender lead. 

United, who won the O-League title in 2007 and 2008, will now have to play catch up after cross-town rivals and defending champions Auckland City beat Tahiti’s AS Manu Ura 5-0 at Kiwitea Street last Saturday.

Coach Neil Emblen says he was disappointed not to get a result but was pleased with how his side played in what was their first competitive match of the season. 

“We dominated for three quarters of the match but obviously the sending off and own goal changed things,” said Emblen, who has taken over the coaching role after the departure of Chris Milicich last season.

“They were bigger and more physical than I had expected and fair play to them because they came back into it at the end.”

United dominated the first half playing into a strong breeze and found the breakthrough in the 37th minute when Neil Sykes drove a corner clearance back into the box for Fisher to head over goalkeeper Jean Yan Dounezeck. It was his first goal for the club after playing three seasons for Bodens BK in Sweden.

In a contrasting second half, AS Magenta started to exploit United down the flanks and enjoyed plenty of possession through midfield standouts Noel Kaudre and Pierre Wajoka.

With much at stake for both teams, tempers flared in the 75th minute when Krishna was shown a red card for retaliation. The send off proved costly as AS Magenta went on a fast break minutes later and a deep cross found United defender Aaron Scott whose unchallenged header went into the back of his own net.

United and Magenta now sit second equal in Group A behind Auckland City while Fiji’s Lautoka are top of Group B ahead of Hekari United FC, Tafea FC and Marist FC.

AS Magenta: 1 (own goal 78)
Waitakere United: 1 (Brent FISHER 37)
Half time: 0-1
Saturday 24 October 2009
Stade Numa Daly
Noumea, New Caledonia

Referee: Norbert HAUATA [TAH]
Assistant Referee 1: Didier HMUZO [NCL]
Assistant Referee 2: Mahit CHILIA [VAN]
Fourth Official: Isidore ASSIENE-AMBASSA [NCL]

Crowd: 2,000

AS Magenta line-up: 1. Jean Yan DOUNEZECK  [GK], 2. Benjamin LONGUE, 3. Jeremie DOKUNENGO, 7. Noel KAUDRE, 9. Paul POATINDA, 10. Pierre WAJOKA, 14. Jules WEA, 17. Andre SINEDO, 24. Lamo XEWE, 25. Joris GORENDIAWE, 32. Ludovic BOIT
Substitutes: 4. Emmanuel DIANAI, 6. Jedidja SAIKO, 12. Poulidor TOTO, 18. Jean Chrys XENIE, 26. Fabrice WACAPO, 27. Cedrickson CARIOU, 33. Philippe KOKONE
Coach: Alain MOIZAN

Waitakere United line-up: 1. Danny ROBINSON  [GK], 2. Jason ROWLEY, 3. Aaron SCOTT, 4. Tim MYERS, 7. Martin BULLOCK, 8. Brent FISHER, 9. Benjamin TOTORI, 11. Neil SYKES, 12. Roy KRISHNA, 14. Jeremy CHRISTIE, 17. Jake BUTLER,
Substitutes: 5. Ash SOLLY, 10. Allan PEARCE, 13. Dimas MORALES DA SILVA, 15. Craig WILIE, 20. Ryan DE VRIES, 22. Liam LITTLE  [GK], 27. Dan JONES
Coach: Neil EMBLEN

2010 O-LEAGUE TABLE 

Group A 

	PL	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
Auckland City FC	1	1	0	0	5	0	3
AS Magenta	1	0	1	0	1	1	1
Waitakere United	1	0	1	0	1	1	1
AS Manu Ura	1	0	0	1	0	5	0

Group B

	PL	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
Lautoka	1	1	0	0	3	1	3
Hekari United FC	1	0	1	0	3	3	1
Tafea FC	1	0	1	0	3	3	1
Marist FC	1	0	0	1	1	3	0

2010 O-LEAGUE LEADING GOAL-SCORERS

3 – Daniel KOPRIVCIC
1 – Nahuel ARRART
1 – Chad COOMBES
1 – Brent FISHER
1 – Kamal HASSAN
1 – Abraham INIGA
1 – Kema JACK
1 – Samuela KAUTOGA
1 – Tuimasi MANUCA
1 – Benjamin MELA
1 – Silas NAMATAK
1 – François SAKAMA
1 – Robert TOM
1 – Ivan VICELICH

New Caledonia’s AS Magenta face a tough test to kick off their debut O-League campaign with a clash against two-time champions Waitakere United in Noumea on Saturday.

The Super Ligue winners will look to New Caledonia captain Pierre Wajoka for inspiration tomorrow while drawing on home support at the 10,000-seater Stade Numa Daly.

Wajoka is the midfield mainstay of the national team and claimed a little piece of history by scoring the first ever goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ qualification process with a penalty against rivals Tahiti at the XIII South Pacific Games on August 25, 2007. “Les Cagous” went on to win gold at the tournament and finished runners-up behind New Zealand in the 2008 OFC Nations Cup.

Waitakere United manager Neil Emblen is well aware of the danger Wajoka can cause and says his side will need to be on guard in defense.

“Pierre is a classy player and put in impressive performances against New Zealand last year during the World Cup qualifiers,” said Emblen.

“Magenta also have a number of other former and current internationals so we’re expecting a competitive match.”

Emblen would himself be the stalwart of United’s defense but a carry-over suspension has ruled him out. The English-born manager, who takes over from Chris Milicich, believes it won’t be such a bad thing to miss tomorrow’s game.

“Obviously I’d love to be playing but this way I have the opportunity to be coach rather than player-coach for the opening match and I can make a good assessment of the team from the sideline.”

Emblen has most of his 30-strong squad available for selection but is without his three New Zealand U-17 players Jack Hobson, Zane Sole and Tim Pilkington who are preparing for kick-off in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria this weekend. Assistant coach Darren Bazeley is also in Nigeria leaving Carl Jorgensen as Emblen’s assistant in Noumea.

Star strikers Benjamin Totori and Roy Krishna, both with three O-League goals to date, are likely to provide problems for the AS Magenta defense while former Wellington Phoenix and New Zealand player Jeremy Christie will marshal the midfield.

Meanwhile AS Magenta will be led in defense by experienced campaigner Benjamin Longue who is one of a long line of New Caledonian-born players to have made an appearance in French Ligue 1. The 28-year-old tough-tackling defender played for Bastia in France before returning home to star for AS Magenta. Longue opted for a premature retirement from international football following the end of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ qualification trail.

AS Magenta have never appeared in the O-League but did reach the final of the previous incarnation of the Oceania competition in 2005. They are five-time champions of their domestic league and have won the ‘Coupe de Calédonie’ seven times. The last New Caledonian club side to appear in the O-League was AS Mont Dore in the inaugural 2007 season with a 6th place finish. Waitakere United have won the O-League title on two occasions in 2007 and 2008.


AS Magenta [NCL] vs. Waitakere United [NZL]
Saturday 24 October 2009
Stade Numa Daly
Noumea, New Caledonia
Local kick-off: 16H00

Referee: Norbert HAUATA [TAH]
Assistant Referee 1: Didier HMUZO [NCL]
Assistant Referee 2: Mahit CHILIA [VAN]
Fourth Official: Isidore ASSIENE-AMBASSA [NCL]

AS Magenta: 1. Jean Yan DOUNEZECK  [GK], 2. Benjamin LONGUE, 3. Jeremie DOKUNENGO, 4. Emmanuel DIANAI, 6. Jedidja SAIKO, 7. Noel KAUDRE, 9. Paul POATINDA, 10. Pierre WAJOKA, 12. Poulidor TOTO, 14. Jules WEA, 17. Andre SINEDO, 18. Jean Chrys XENIE, 24. Lamo XEWE, 25. Joris GORENDIAWE, 26. Fabrice WACAPO, 27. Cedrickson CARIOU, 32. Ludovic BOIT, 33. Philippe KOKONE

Waitakere United: 1. Danny ROBINSON  [GK], 2. Jason ROWLEY, 3. Aaron SCOTT, 4. Tim MYERS, 5. Ash SOLLY, 7. Martin BULLOCK, 8. Brent FISHER, 9. Benjamin TOTORI, 10. Allan PEARCE, 11. Neil SYKES, 12. Roy KRISHNA, 13. Dimas MORALES DA SILVA, 14. Jeremy CHRISTIE, 15. Craig WILIE, 17. Jake BUTLER, 20. Ryan DE VRIES, 22. Liam LITTLE  [GK], 27. Dan JONES

2010 O-LEAGUE RESULTS/STANDINGS

Group A
17/10/09 Auckland City FC vs. AS Manu Ura    5-0

Group B
17/10/09 Tafea FC vs. Hekari United FC    3-3
18/10/09 Marist FC vs. Lautoka    1-3

Group A

	PL	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
Auckland City FC	1	1	0	0	5	0	3
AS Magenta	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Waitakere United	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
AS Manu Ura	1	0	0	1	0	5	0

Group B

	PL	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
Lautoka	1	1	0	0	3	1	3
Hekari United FC	1	0	1	0	3	3	1
Tafea FC	1	0	1	0	3	3	1
Marist FC	1	0	0	1	1	3	0

2010 O-LEAGUE – LEADING GOAL-SCORERS

3 – Daniel KOPRIVCIC
1 – Nahuel ARRART
1 – Chad COOMBES
1 – Kamal HASSAN
1 – Abraham INIGA
1 – Kema JACK
1 – Samuela KAUTOGA
1 – Benjamin MELA
1 – Tuimasi MANUCA
1 – Silas NAMATAK
1 – François SAKAMA
1 – Robert TOM
1 – Ivan VICELICH

AUCKLAND – The Young All Whites are targeting four points from their three group games at the FIFA U-17 World Cup to become the first kiwi team to reach the playoff stage of a FIFA tournament when they get underway in Enugu, Nigeria on Monday morning.

Costa Rica is first up for the Steve Cain-coached teenagers, with Burkina Faso and Turkey to follow on Thursday and Sunday morning respectively.

The absence of traditional heavyweights in New Zealand’s group has raised hopes of a breakthrough second round appearance, but even so Cain admits his side are still comfortable with the underdog tag.

“If you look at the other groups there’s real heavyweights up against each other, in fact there’s three in every group except ours,” Cain said.

“We’ll be seen by the other teams as the easy-beats in our group and that’s fair enough, that’s the way we want it.”

The 24 qualified teams are divided into six pools of four, with the top two teams from each group joined in the knockout stage by the four best third placed teams.

An upset over one of New Zealand’s group mates will be needed – something only achieved once in three previous New Zealand U-17 men’s World Cup campaigns – with a draw adding extra security to a playoff push.

“Four points will be enough for a best third-place finish. You may even find three points will do if you have a good goal difference but four points will all-but guarantee it.”

“I do think it’s a realistic aim for us and if we get one win we’re in the market for a second round spot.”

However, in a tournament where teams from Africa, Asia and North America have enjoyed as much, if not more, success than those from football’s traditional powerbases in South America and Europe, the Young All Whites know to expect the unexpected.

“The teams we face probably won’t get the respect they deserve from people looking at the draw but at age-group level some of the smaller nations, especially teams from Africa, tend to be just as good as teams like Brazil, Argentina, and Spain.”

Cain says Costa Rica are no exception, but that the Young All Whites have a quiet confidence of footing it on the big stage.

“Costa Rica are the up-and-coming nation in CONCACAF [North and Central America] and they are reaping the benefits of programs that have been in place for a while now.”

“Their U-20s got pipped by Brazil in the semi-finals of their World Cup recently  and like any Central American team they’ll be a side full of strong, skilful and street-smart players.

“We’ve watched the DVDs of their qualifying and they are a very good side, but do we back ourselves? Of course we do. It’ll be a fantastic game.”


New Zealand v Costa Rica
Enugu
October 26

New Zealand: 1-Coey TURIPA (GK), 2-Matt GIBBONS, 3-Adam THOMAS, 4-Luis ESTEVEZ, 5- Gordon MURIE (captain), 6-Tim PILKINGTON, 7-Josh MORRISON, 8-Stephen KIBBY, 9-Nikolai MOLIJN, 10-Zane SOLE, 11-Jack Hobson-MCVEIGH, 12-Tane GENT, 13-Michael BUILT, 14-Thomas SPRAGG, 15-Andrew MILNE, 16-Jamie DORIS, 17-Cameron LINDSAY, 18-Ashton PETT,19-Andrew BEVIN, 20-Alex CARR (GK), 21-Patrick GEORGE (GK).
Coach: Steve CAIN (ENG)

Costa Rica: 1-Ricardo ROJAS (GK), 2 -Nicholas ARLERS, 3-Josue AGUILAR, 4-Alejandro CALDERON, 5-Pablo MARTINEZ, 6-Jeisson PENA, 7-Danny BLANCO, 8-Juan GOLOBIO, 9-Jonathan MOYA, 10-Deyver VEGA, 11-Joel CAMPBELL, 12-Dylan FLORES, 13-Federico CRESPO, 14-Rosbin MAYORGA, 15-Joseph MORA, 16-Ariel SOTO, 17-Yeltsin TEJEDA, 18-Mauricio VARGAS (GK), 19-Irving HUERTAS, 20-Adrian MORA, 21-Luis RODRIGUEZ (GK).
Coach: Juan Diego QUESADA (CRC)

FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009
October 25 - November 15

October 26
New Zealand v Costa Rica
Enugu

October 29
New Zealand v Burkina Faso
Calabar

November 1
New Zealand v Turkey
Calabar

FIFA U-17 World Cup Past Winners
Edition – Winner
China 1985 – Nigeria
Canada 1987 – Soviet Union
Scotland 1989 – Saudi Arabia
Italy 1991 – Ghana
Japan 1993 – Nigeria
Ecuador 1995 – Ghana
Egypt 1997* – Brazil
New Zealand 1999* – Brazil
Trinidad & Tobago 2001 – France
Finland 2003 – Brazil
Peru 2005 – Mexico
Korea 2007* – Nigeria

Story courtesy NZF Media

AUCKLAND – The already record-breaking capacity crowd for New Zealand’s FIFA World Cup playoff against Bahrain on November 14 is set to be boosted by 500 more fans with plans for temporary seating at Westpac Stadium confirmed today by New Zealand Football.

The stadium normally seats 34,500 and a sales run of over 17,000 tickets in the week following the All Whites’ gutsy 0-0 draw in the playoff’s first leg in Manama on October 10 saw NZF raise the sold out sign last Saturday.

To satisfy demand from fans who initially missed out, NZF explored the option of installing 3000 temporary seats in front of the main stands but this was ruled out by FIFA safety regulations for World Cup qualifying matches.

But extra seating within the main stand has been given the all-clear, meaning the crowd is set to rise to 35,000 when the tickets go on sale at 9am on Wednesday 28 October via Ticketek.
New Zealand Football Michael Glading confirmed that tickets would remain priced at $39.

“There was talk on message boards about charging a premium for extra tickets but we’re sticking to the policy of pricing this match accessibly for everyone,” Glading said.

“From day one the plan has been to get as many football fans into Wetspac Stadium and increasing our home advantage when a very good Bahrain side come to town.”

“The response from the public has been phenomenal and selling out the ground a month in advance is a fantastic position to be in.”

Tickets go on sale via 0800 TICKETEK (842 538) or www.ticketek.co.nz from 9am Wednesday 28 October.

Story courtesy NZF Media

AUCKLAND – A week out from the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria, the Young All Whites have completed their Australian warm-up tour with a 3-0 win over the Victorian Institute of Sport in Melbourne on Sunday night.

After a lacklustre and goalless first half New Zealand stepped up their performance with left winger Michael Built to the fore.

Five minutes into the second spell, substitute Built opened the scoring with a low shot from the edge of the area, and the Hamilton teenager twice turned provider for Andrew Bevin, who ghosted in from the other flank to get on the end of Built crosses in the 69th and 80th minutes.

The Young All Whites open their World Cup campaign against Costa Rica next Monday morning (NZT) with matches against Burkina Faso (October 29) and Turkey (November 1) completing group play.

The style of win – the second on tour – was pleasing to New Zealand coach Steve Cain who singled out the team’s defensive effort, and the impact of his bench for particular praise.

“It’s good that we never conceded as that is something that we’ve worked on for quite a while and even when we made a lot of changes and had a makeshift back four we kept them well away from our goal.”

“Most of our guys have played three games in five days so there was an element of fatigue for some of them and it’s pleasing that the guys who came of the bench made a difference. It means we’ve got plenty of options now.”

Captain Gordon Murie was “comfortable” in his first start since an ankle injury and is now in contention for a start against Coast Rica in just over a week’s time, as will Blackburn Rovers midfielder Cameron Lindsay who was substituted early as a precautionary measure after a heavy fall.

The Young All Whites will train for two more days in Melbourne before flying out to the Nigerian City of Enugu for their Group D opener against the Costa Ricans.

New Zealand U-17: 3 (Michael Built 51, Andrew Bevin 69, 80)
Victoria Institute of Sport: 0
Darebin International Sports Centre, Melbourne

New Zealand line-up: Coey Turipa (GK), Josh Morrison, (Tane Gent 45), Gordon Murie (captain / Jack Hobson-McVeigh 60), Adam Thomas (Luis Estevez 30), Ashton Pett (Matt Gibbons 45), Zane Sole, Jamie Doris (Stephen Kibby 55), Cameron Lindsay (Tim Pilkington 5), Andrew Bevin, Thomas Spragg (Michael Built 25), Andrew Milne (Nikolai Molijn 30)
Substitutes not used: Patrick George (RGK). Alex Carr (RGK).
Coach: Steve Cain

FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009
October 24 - November 15

Young All Whites Schedule:

October 26
New Zealand v Costa Rica
Enugu
Kick off: 7am (NZT)

October 29
New Zealand v Burkina Faso
Enugu
Kick off: 4am (NZT)

November 1
New Zealand v Turkey
Calabar
Kick off: 7am (NZT)

Story courtesy NZF Media

AUCKLAND – The home leg of the All Whites World Cup playoff against Bahrain at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium on November 14 is living up to its billing as the biggest football match ever played in New Zealand with tickets sales topping the 31,000 mark a month out from the event.

The two legged tie – which determines which of the two nations qualifies for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa – is delicately balanced after last week’s 0-0 draw in Bahrain that prompted a run of 17,000 tickets sold since Sunday.

The All Whites need to beat Bahrain at home to qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1982.

As at 5pm Friday, New Zealand Football CEO Michael Glading indicated only “a handful” of tickets were available to the general public and that the expected take up of tickets reserved for Westpac Stadium members would boost the crowd to its 34,500 capacity and set a new national attendance record for a football match.

The current record is 31,853 held by the Wellington Phoenix for their match against David Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy while the previous All Whites record was set by the estimated crowd of 31,000 that turned up during the height of the 1981 qualifying campaign to witness a dramatic 1-2 loss to Kuwait.

“The support from the public has been phenomenal, and it shows that they know what’s on the line here,” Glading said.

“The FIFA World Cup is the biggest event on the planet and we’ve always felt that a large and passionate crowd could be the 12th man that helps a committed All Whites team complete the job they started so well in Manama.”

New Zealand Football were now exploring ways of increasing capacity.

Story courtesy NZF Media

Photo courtesy FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

With the 2010 O-League kicking off this weekend, Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) is pleased to inform football fans of the media coverage for Match Day 1.

OFC has signed a ground-breaking agreement with Triangle and Stratos Television in New Zealand to ensure all Auckland City FC and Waitakere United’s home matches will be available on free-to-air television (Triangle) as well as on the digital platform (Stratos) within 24 hours after the completion of each match. 

In terms of television coverage outside of New Zealand, discussions are well advanced with OFC’s Broadcast Partner Network to facilitate live and delayed broadcasts of matches in each of the participating nations, as well as replays of away matches in those countries where possible.  

Defending champions Auckland City FC will get their 2010 O-League campaign underway at home this Saturday when they meet Tahiti’s AS Manu Ura. A full replay of the match at Kiwitea Street will be screened on Triangle at 10pm Saturday with a second replay airing at 12pm on Stratos the following day.

Waitakere United meanwhile will play away against AS Magenta in Noumea for their first round match on 24 October before hosting the New Caledonians on 7 November at Fred Taylor Park. The return-leg will be replayed on Triangle and Stratos Television with broadcast details to follow on oceaniafootball.com and tritv.co.nz

Coverage will be provided by a high quality outside broadcast crew including expert commentary from former All Whites striker Fred De Jong. 

Triangle is available on Auckland UHF channels 41, 42 and 52 while Stratos can be viewed nationwide on Freeview Channel 21 and Sky Digital Channel 89. Christchurch viewers can also tune in via Telstra Clear Cable Channel 89. For more information and tuning instructions visit tritv.co.nz/index.php/tune-in

For website coverage, oceaniafootball.com will provide LIVE text updates for the Auckland City FC vs. AS Manu Ura on Saturday from 3:00pm local time. Photos and results from all the matches will be available on oceaniafootball.com following the completiton of Match Day 1.

To view a copy of the 2010 O-League Programme click here