Thursday, January 28, 2010

Ken Memorial Cup updates 28/01/10 - Batram and Fenedy Upsets Tupuji

Solomon Islands international imports and counterparts in Amicale are blending well in their team work. This can be measured by the 3 goals they put behind Tupuji Imere's goal this evening in the final rounds of the Ken Memorial Cup tournament.

The opening score came from a penalty awarded to Tupuji Imere F.C. which Tony Chilia took no chance but send the Imere supporters with joy.

The second goal was a perfect ball work from Batram Suri to Fenedy Masauvakalo and keeper Tony Mansale stand helpless but watch the equalizer.

A moment the crowd was waiting for was when Batram hit the Amicale's leading goal by a brilliant hat-trick with a powerful shot. It was his 3rd goal that evening approved by FIFA referee, Bruce George. 2 goals by Batram were rejected.

In the second half of the game, another superb performance by Batram again with a perfect ball chip over the Tupuji defenders to find Fenedy again who made no mistake but hit the third goal.

A lot of football fans have commented on the match as the best ever watched game of the tournament so far, especially the Amicale 'solo vanuatu remix'.

After their loss to Academy last weekend by 3 goals to 1, they came back tonight and display an excellent game and great team work.

End of the game Amicale F.C. defeats Tupuji Imere F.C. by 3 goals to 1.

Ken Memorial Cup updates 28/01/10 - Tafea F.C. thrashed Academy 2 - 0

Tafea F.C. have prooven they can't be beaten when they thrashed the Academy young guns by 2 goals before the final whistle in the final rounds of stage 1 in the Ken Memorial Cup tournament.

The first goal of the match was a penalty awarded to Tafea F.C. and Obed Samson made no mistake to hit the Academy net with a cheer.

The second goal is likely to be an error handling made by Michel Kaltak but not penalised or disputed and he got away with a goal.

Although the Academy had some possible shots, not one took the moment to stunned the crowd this time. But it is still clear that they are still the tournament favorites and their qualification to the next stage of the game that matters.

Ken Memorial Cup updates 27/01/10 - Spirit 08 has advanced to Semi-Finals

Spirit 08 F.C. trashed Seveners Utd 5 Goals to 0 yesterday evening.

The win has placed Spirit 08 leading the table in Pool A with 7 points with the 3 clubs competing in Pool A, Westan Broncos 4, Yatel 2 points, and Seveners United 0 points.

Yesterday's closing match saw Westan Broncos draws with Yatel F.C. 2 - 2.

Today's matches will be interesting to watch as Tafea F.C. will clash with the Academy team and Amicale will take Tupuji Imere F.C.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

'Young Guns' Hit Tupuji Imere Again

The Academy team have done it again yesterday, after beating the current PVFA leader Amicale F.C. last Saturday by 3 goals to 1. The 'young guns' which the media have labelled them, have now gained 6 points up the ladder after hiting Tupuji Imere F.C. 2 goals to 0 yesterday evening in the Ken Memorial Cup tournament.

The now Port Vila's favourites for the tournament, have put on another superb performance last night against the Tupuji Imere F.C.

The Academy players are all under 18 years of age with youngest player is under 15 years old and they have a record of beating A.S. Magenta of New Caledonia in their last tour to Noumea 5 goals to 4.

The Tupuji Imere F.C. are well known for producing players like Chikau Malsale, Seoule Soromon, the Masauvakalo's, the Chilia's and more national players, have unexpectedly bombed by the young Academy last night with 2 superb goals from 15 year old Jean Kaltak.

The two teams both have chances in the first half of the game but not fulfilling their hopes with their strategies.

In the second half of the game, the Academy coach Mr. Moise Poida slot in Jean Kaltak, and with his second touch on the ball, it was not a mistake but the crowd goes wild for a goal.

It was in the last minutes of the game when the crowd and Imere supporters were stunned by another magic touch of young 15 year old Kaltak that hit another goal past national goal keeper Chikau Mansale into Tupuji's net.

It was a glorious moment again for the Academy team who have now secured their position in the semi-finals for the Ken Memorial Cup.

Tafea and Amicale clashed in the Ken Memorial Cup

The two current powerful clubs in the Port Vila Football Association (PVFA), Tafea F.C. and Amicale F.C. who are in Pool 2 of the Ken Memorial Cup clashed at the Port Vila Municipal Stadium last evening.

The 2 clubs are competing with 8 other teams in the past 4 days to advance towards to finals of the Ken Memorial Cup.

The Ken Memorial Cup tournament was established in honour of Late Ken Masauvakalo, a national football star and hero who passed away last month in his home village of Mele, South Efate.

Many fans from both clubs and those who were keen to watch the new Amicale line-up, packed the grand-stand last evening with so many expectations only to watched it end with a draw.

Amicale imports have displayed a superb ball work only to find the Tafea defence hard to break with Freddy Vava and his boys tightened their barriers the full game.

Tafea had some good chances in the second half of the game when national striker Etienne Mermer blasted a distance shot at the Amicale goal keeper only to find it diverted wide.

Solomon Islands international player, Batram Suri had a chance in the last minutes of the game to accomplish Amicale's hope when he had a good control of the ball from the right but only to find it shot over the crossbar.

The match got difficult in some instances for FIFA referee Mr. Bruce George to handle in the last 30 minutes, but then it all ended with a draw.

The draw placed Tafea F.C. with 4 points leading the table in Pool B.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Ken Memorial Cup updates

Ken Mausavakalo Memorial Cup tournament kicked off last thursday at the Port Vila Municipal Stadium.

Today is the fourth day of the tournament for teams in the Port Vila Football Association. The matches to watch today will see Tafea F.C. taking Amicale F.C. at 5.30pm, and at 7pm the young teouma Academy will play Tupuji Imere F.C.

On the day 1 of the competitions, Seveners draw with Yatel with a goal each in their pool 1.

On Day 2 of the tournament, suprisingly the young academy team beats Amicale F.C. 3 - 1. Amicale was equiped with top stars like Fenedy, Derek Malas and imported Batram Suri and Nelson Sale from Solomon Islands.

Last night Spirit 08 F.C. draws with Yatel and Westan who lost their first game managed to beat the Seveners F.C team with 4 goals to 1.

League leaders face challange from Morobe

With seven rounds to go, Papua New Guinea's National Soccer League (NSL) has seen a significant shift in power as Gigira Laitepo Morobe FC made headway at the top of the table this weekend.

Gelle Hills' goalkeeper climbs high to collect a cross

Morobe beat a gutsy PNG Besta United FC side 2-1 at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae on Saturday following on from their 5-0 thrashing of Eastern Stars last weekend. The win propelled the Lae franchise to second place on the table with 15 points.

Before the weekend, CMSS Tigers had been in control at the top of the league table but a scoreless draw to Gelle Hills at the Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby saw them claim only a point.

Defending champions and O-League representatives Hekari United FC, who were held to a 1-all draw by the Tigers last week, sent out a timely reminder on Saturday that they are still the side to beat after trouncing an out-of-sorts Unitech FC 5-1 in Lae in the second double header of the weekend.

Hekari are now joint leaders with CMSS Tigers on 16 points but take the advantage on goal difference.

The other big mover on the points table was Esi Loan Uni Inter FC who swamped Niu Petro Madang Fox 4-2 at Laiwaden Oval. The win moved them into fifth place with 9 points.

Close behind are Eastern Stars who were on five points, but a bye earned them three points for their total of eight, followed by Unitech on seven points, Besta on two and Madang Fox with just a point.

Story courtesy Alfred Kaniniba

Photo courtesy Post Courier

Updated On Monday, January 25, 2010

Junior Ferns qualify for FIFA finals in style




New Zealand have qualified for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Germany 2010 in emphatic fashion beating Tonga 11-0 to win the OFC U-20 Women's Championship at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium this afternoon.

Rosie White, OFC Women's Player of the Year winner in 2008, stole the show on the third and final day picking up five goals as well as the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards to help her side secure Oceania's sole berth for the FIFA finals this July.

Cook Islands meanwhile beat American Samoa courtesy of a four-goal haul from Regina Mustonen to edge Tonga on goal difference and claim second place.

New Zealand captain Anna Green, who is one of 11 players to have also been involved in the U-20 side that went agonisingly close to qualifying for the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile in 2008, says she is delighted to be heading back to FIFA's
pinnacle event.

"It's an awesome feeling to qualify. My goal is now to lead this team to at least a place in the quarter-finals at the world cup in Germany," said Green.

With many of the players also involved in the Football Ferns squad, coach Tony Readings says it will be a busy time ahead for his players.

"The senior internationals will go into the Aussie home series and the Cyprus Cup. We'll resume training in about two weeks time with the rest of the girls and then when the senior girls get back from Cyprus we'll start to really focus as a group."

Readings said he was pleased with the way the team stepped up for the final match, particularly in the absence of playmaker Annalie Longo who suffered an ankle injury on match day two.

"Rosie White is the obvious standout with five goals, I also thought Chelsey Wood played well at the back coming in for her first game. But I've been pretty happy with most of the them, if not all of them, over the course of the three games."

It took just three minutes for New Zealand to start the scoring when Wood, brother of All White Striker Chris Wood, nodded down Green's corner for White to smash home from close range.

A nicely weighted through-ball from Nadia Pearl set up White for her second in the 10th minute before Pearl tapped one in herself three minutes later.

White, who scored hat-tricks at the FIFA U-17 and U-20 Women's World Cups in 2008, had three inside half and hour before striker partner Wilkinson got on the score sheet in the 36th minute with a lunging volley at the back post from another Green cross.

Wood chipped in with a goal from a corner in the 41st minute before White grabbed her fourth two minutes later to give New Zealand an eight goal cushion at half-time.

Within five minutes after the break, White had her fifth before Elise Mamanu-Gray made it double figures in the 79th minute. Senior international Sarah McLaughlin rounded out the scoring in the 90th minute when the ball fell to her from a corner clearance.

In the earlier match, Cook Islands striker Regina Mustonen looked hungry for a goal from the outset and had her first in the 25th minute when American Samoa failed to clear a corner.

She scored two more before the break: the first down the left channel shooting low across the goalkeeper; the second rounding the keeper and calmly slotting home into an empty net.

American Samoa fought well in the second half and were helped by another outstanding performance from Sancia Spoaga who later picked up the Best Goalkeeper Award for her efforts.

They almost had their first goal of the competition in the 79th minute when Moaga Siaulaiga shot from 25 yards but Cook Islands goalkeeper Marjorie Toru just managed to keep the ball out on her second attempt.

Mustonen claimed her fourth just on full time, again showing her strength by outmuscling her defender inside the box and placing the ball past the keeper from ten yards out.

New Zealand, who also won the OFC Fair Play award, now head to the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup which will take place in Germany from July 13 to August 1.

Monday, January 25, 2010

African Nation Cup: Favourites dumped out

Substitute Hameur Bouazza scored the decisive goal two minutes into extra-time as Algeria dumped pre-tournament favourites Ivory Coast out of the African Nations Cup with a dramatic victory in Cabinda.

In what was an impressive display by Rabah Saadane's team, they were twice forced to come from behind having trailed to a Salomon Kalou strike and then a Kader Keita effort at the death.
In between, Karim Matmour scored an equaliser just before half-time, before a Madjid Bougherra header took the tie into extra-time. But Blackpool forward Bouzza netted a dramatic winner two minutes after coming on to hand his side a well-deserved win against Vahid
Halilhodzic's below par Elephants.

It was a dramatic turnaround after the Algerians looked nervous through the opening exchanges and fell behind four minutes in. Yaya Toure's shot was deflected into the path of Kalou on the right side of the penalty area and the Chelsea striker executed a low finish beyond Faouzi Chaouchi at the near post.

It continued to look easy for the Elephants as Didier Drogba had a penalty appeal turned down - the referee deemed Rafik Halliche's sliding challenge a fair one.

The Algerians eventually began to settle as the game reached the 20-minute mark and Boubacar Barry almost gifted them a goal when his attempt to make a routine clearance was charged down by Abdelkader Ghezzal only for the ball to rebound wide.

More Algeria pressure followed as the momentum looked to have totally shifted and, apart from occasional tussles between Drogba and Bougherra, the Algerians took charge. The pressure eventually told five minutes before half-time when a long ball from Antar Yahia bounced loosely on the edge of the Ivorian penalty area, with Matmour forcing his way in between two defenders and finishing emphatically with a strike that took the upright before going in.

That brought up half-time and after a quiet restart, the pace dramatically picked up as the game approached the hour mark. First Matmour missed a glorious chance to put the Desert Hawks in
front when he blazed over from just inside the box after receiving a delightful pass over the top from Mourad Meghni.

There was a crucial moment in the 68th minute when Souleymane Bamba was dispossessed by Matmour on the edge of the penalty area, but the Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder saw his shot excellently kept out by Barry.

Saadane's men continued to pile on the pressure, but their west African opponents were still a threat on the break as Yaya Toure illustrated with another shot that forced a full length dive from Chaouchi, but drifted narrowly wide.

Five minutes from the end and having just come on, substitute Kader Keita led another sweeping counter attack with a pin-point pass to Gervinho, but the Lille forward blasted his effort over.
The Galatasaray midfielder then smashed in a 25-yard screamer that went in off the upright and looked to have won the game with just a minute to play.

Enter stoppage time and the Algerians refused to give in. A sweeping cross from the left, along with sloppy defending from the Ivorian defence, allowed Bougherra in and the Rangers defender headed in powerfully.

The Elephants looked shell-shocked and their opponents took full advantage less than two minutes into extra-time.

Bouazza, introduced after the 90 minutes ended, was left unmarked at the far post and leapt high to nod in Ziani's cross from the left to put Algeria ahead for the first time.

Their opponents tried to respond with Drogba's fierce 18-yard shot somehow blocked by Chaouchi, who helped his side stay 3-2 ahead after 105 minutes.

Straight from the restart there were chances aplenty for the Algerians to kill off the game as Ivory Coast went for broke - Ghezzal mis-hitting the best of the chances in the form of a virtual tap-in that seemed almost impossible to miss.

At the other end, Bamba put a goal-mouth scramble for his side wide, while the final attempt, which came to Kolo Toure and was expertly executed into the back of the goal, was judged offside as the tournament favourites bowed out.

Waitakere leave Manawatu Heart-broken

by Bob Pearce at Fred Taylor Park
nzfc.co.nz

Waitakere United needed five minutes and 20 seconds of added time to snatch a sensational last gasp 3-2 victory over a brave YoungHeart Manawatu at Fred Taylor Park.

Manawatu held the lead from the 52nd minute and it wasn't until the 78th minute that Waitakere drew level.

In a frantic extra five minutes the Manawatu defence and goalkeeper Ross Nicholson parried shot after shot before Brent Fisher finally stabbed the ball into the net from a goalmouth melee for the win.

Manawatu coach Bob Sova and his team were devastated.

They had given as good as they got against the former champions and to come away with nothing seemed rough justice.

To be honest, they had their chances to make the game safe. But then Waitakere's fightback in the closing stages was impressive.

It took 34 minutes for the first goal after a series of near misses.

Aaron Scott made ground from the back and found Fisher, who had two shots blocked before he nodded home a header from a rebound.

Manawatu were level seven minutes later. Waitakere defender Tim Myers tried a backheader to his goalkeeper from a long freekick but Seule Soromon nipped in and scored.

Seven minutes after the break Manawatu went ahead. A long goal kick found Soromon and his cross was expertly slotted home by Campbell Banks.

Soromon, Banks and Cory Chettleburgh all had chances to increase the lead but splendid goalkeeping by Danny Robinson and some last-ditch defending kept them out.

Gradually Waitakere began to gain some control. First Allan Pearce bounced a shot off the crossbar.

Then in the 78th minute Tim Myers had the final say after two corners had been scrambled clear.

It was mostly one way before Fisher's final flourish but Soromon drew a diving save from Robinson and Scott injured a leg and had to be carried off after a saving tackle on Jimmy Haidakis.

"We're heartbroken," said Sova. "We created enough to go ahead and they had a good spell to get back. But I thought we were the better team over 90 minutes.

"This puts us second to bottom and we're better than that. We're creating the chances but we're not putting them away."

Sova singled out defender Caleb Duncan on his NZFC debut for praise. He acknowledged Soromon's danger to the opposition but would have liked him to put away more of the chances created for him.

Waitakere player-coach Neil Emblen played three-quarters of the game on his recovery from a knee injury and he had sympathy for Sova.

"I feel sorry for Bob," he said. "His team played quality football and but for some good goalkeeping they could have scored more. But then we had plenty of chances towards the end.

"We really missed Roy (Krishna) and Benji (Totori) through suspension.

Those two give you that extra spark. Given that, this result was a bonus."

Emblen also had reassuring news about Scott, who he said had a dead
leg and should be fit to play against Auckland City next weekend.

Team Sheet

Waitakere United

YoungHeart Manawatu

1 Danny Robinson (GK)

1 Ross Nicholson (GK)

3 Aaron Scott (88 mins Rowley)

11 Scott Robson (Smith 80)

4 Tim Myers

10 Adam Cowan

7 Martin Bullock

15 Caleb Duncan

8 Brent Fisher

13 Nathan Cooksley

10 Allan Pearce

2 Nobuyoshi Ishi (Haidakis 84}

11 Neil Sykes

16 Raf de Gregorio

16 Neil Emblen (Pelter 74)

6 Matt Kennedy

17 Jake Butler

21 Cory Chettleburgh

18 Zane Sole (de Vries 59)

9 Seule Soromon

19 Dakota Lucas

23 Campbell Banks (Benson 86)

Substitutes

Substitutes

2 Jason Rowley

19 Matt Borren

15 Craig Wylie

14 Marco Paracchini

20 Ryan de Vries

22 Daniel Benson

21 Jack Pelter

20 Jimmy Haidakis

22 Liam Little (RGK)

3 Matt Smith

=goal

=yellow card

=2 yellow cards

= red card

Friday, January 22, 2010

Cook Islands 1 -1 Tonga

Cook Islands and Tonga have fought to a 1-1 draw on day one of the OFC U-20 Women's Championship New Zealand 2010. See below for the play-by-play action.

Starting line-ups:

Cook Islands: 1.Marjorie TORU (GK); 2.Jennifer AKAVI (Captain); 3.Aketuke UNUKA; 5.Marii KAUKURA; 6. Marissa IROA; 7.Teariivahine-Iteuaterai HENRY; 9. Elizabeth HARMON; 10. Regina MUSTONEN; 12. Natasha DEAN; 15.Louisa MANICO; 17. Apii NICHOLLS
Coach: Timothy KATOA (NZL)

Tonga: 1.Mele Vaisioa Mahe NIUKAPU (GK); 2. Buccilea ONGOLEA; 3.Anne Marie TAUKAPO; 4.Kiana TMU'AMOHOLEVA; 7.Mele Moala SOAKAI; 8.Kalina Mali MAMA'O; 10.Heilala LOTO'ANIU; 11.Penateti Lapiuingi FEKE; 12.Lynette SIFA; 13.Victoria MINIONETI; 15.Suliana Latu UTAATU Coach: Kilifi Solia UELE (TON)

New Zealand 8 - 0 American Samoa

Welcome to North Harbour Stadium for the opening match on day one of the OFC U-20 Women's Championship New Zealand featuring American Samoa and New Zealand.

New Zealand have beaten American Samoa 8-0 in the opening match on day one of the OFC U-20 Women's Championship New Zealand 2010. See below for the play-by-play action.

Starting line-ups:

New Zealand: 1-Victoria ESSON (GK), 2-Caitlin CAMPBELL, 3-Anna GREEN (Captain), 4-Chelsey WOOD, 5-Briony FISHER, 6-Bridgette ARMSTRONG, 7-Elise MAMANU-GRAY, 8-Sarah MCLAUGHLIN, 9-Hannah WALL, 10-Annalie LONGO, 11-Rosie WHITE, 16-Hannah WILKINSON, 17-Teri Amber CARLSON, 18-Lauren MATHIS. Coach: Tony READINGS

American Samoa: 1-Filiga IOAPO (GK), 2-Beulah ONEY, 3-Marissa VAGAIA, 4-Fuataina SIATU'U, 5-Horonaima TULAFONO, 6-Fiso LETOI, 7-Angela SA'O (Captain), 8-Faith EMBOY, 9-Meleane IOAPO, 10-Makerita LUANI, 11-Trixie MAVAEGA, 12-Tuiemanu RIPLEY, 13-Fara MATAITULI, 17. Sancia SOPOAGA Coach: Ruben LUVU.

Vanuatu Under 15 Football Team will participate in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games

This was confirmed by information provided to VASANOC on the IOC Extranet on 14 January.

VASANOC had marked Mens Football as it's preferred Team Sport when they received the Universality Places Applications for the YOG early in 2009 and the OFC appointment of these youngstars was a boost to VASANOC's preference.

The Mens Football Competition of the YOG is a 6-Team Tournament and all athletes must be born between January 1995 and 31 December 1995.

FIFA has confirmed the following men's team from it's 6 confederations: from Asia, Singapore; from Africa, Zimbabwe; from North/Central America, Cuba; South America, Bolivia; Oceania, Vanuatu and from Europe, Montenegro.

VASANOC (as the Vanuatu NOC) has already confirmed their acceptance of the place offered by OFC and FIFA.

VASANOC expresses its thanks to the IOC, FIFA and OFC for this honor.

The 2010 Team Vanuatu to the YOG will now include Vanuatu's 3x3 Womens Basketball Team and the U15 Mens Football Team.

The qualification competitions for Athletics and Table-Tennis athletes will take place in March and April 2010 respectively.

As the National Olympic Committee of Vanuatu, VASANOC, is the sole authorized body in the country to:


  • accredit athletes and officials for 2010 YOG Team Vanuatu
  • organize the logistics for 2010 YOG Team Vanuatu in consultation with the respective NF, Oceania Federations and IFs
  • negotiate and approve sponsorship for 2010 YOG Team Vanuatu in consultation with the respective NF, OF and IF in keeping with YOG/IOC Guidelines and interested sponsors are asked to contact VASANOC for more information.

  • Thursday, January 21, 2010

    TVL Wantok U15 Tournament - Day 4 updates

    - After the first game, the prognostic is respected with the final today for the first place between Vanuatu south Islands and Solomon Islands, who were off yesterday.

    -It was an easy game yesterday for Vanuatu South against Vanuatu Olympic, and Jean Kaltak, who is also the striker of the U20 Academy team, realised the second hat-trick of the tournament, and now is leading the ranking of the goal scorers.

    -It was aslo like a family affair yesterday with a goal put by his young brother Tonny for the Olympic team.

    -The second game is played between New Caledonia and Vanuatu North.

    -The final match will be played between Solomon Islands and Vanuatu South.


    Game results:

    Vanuatu South Islands (Romain Carlot 1, Abraham Roqara 1, Jean Kaltak 3)Vanuatu Olympic (Tonny Kaltak 1, Gelene Waiwai 1)52
    New CaledoniaVanuatu North Islands (Daniel Tenene 1, Hari Tama 1)02
    BySolomon Islands






    Tournament Ranking:


    TeamPtsPWDLGFGAAver
    Solomon Islands9330012111
    Vanuatu South Islands732101147
    Vanuatu North Islands4311157-2
    Vanuatu Olympic0300339-6
    New Caledonia02002010-10




    Goalscorers : Jean Kaltak (Vanuatu S) 5, Clarence Bonsley (Solomon) 4, Reman Robson (Vanuatu S) 4, Gabriel Bosi (Solomon) 3, Tonny Kaltak (Vanuatu O) 2, Jimmy Raramane (Solomon) 2, Tama Hari (Vanuatu N) 2, John Bitiai (Solomon) 1, Branneth Bu (Vanuatu N) 1, Tawal Franco (Vanuatu N) 1, Abraham Roqara (Vanuatu S) 1, Harrisson Mala (Solomon) 1, Daniel Tenene (Vanuatu N) 1, Romain Carlot (Vanuatu S) 1, Waiwai Gelene (Vanuatu O) 1

    Wednesday, January 20, 2010

    TVL Wantok U15 Tournament - Day 3 updates

    Update of the tournament after the two games yesterday 19th January 2010.
    .
    -Strong performance by Solomon Islands. They scored 6 goals to 0 against New Caledonia. 3 goals per half-time. The striker Clarence Bonsley realised a hat-trick, the first half of the match, with a superb second goal on volley.
     
    -In the second game, the final score is 2-1, with the victory of Vanuatu North Islands against the young Olympic team. The goals would have been more scored by Vanuatu North, but the performance of the Olympic goalkeeper, Seiloni Iaruel who is playing already with the U20 team of academy, it was an advantage to less the score.
     
    -This afternoon, the Olympic team will have a strong opposition against Vanuatu South Islands the second favorite with Solomon Islands. New Caledonia will try to win its two first points against Vanuatu North Islands.
     
    -Solomon Islands will be off today before playing against Vanuatu South the final of the tournament on thursday at Port Vila Stadium.
     
    -Two goal scorers of the tournament have now 4 goals each and will "fight" to receive the trophy of the best scorer of the tournamenrt. They are Reman Robson from Vanuatu South, and Clarence Bonsley from Solomon Islands team.
     
    TVL Wantok U15 Tournament ranking:-
     
    Team Pts P W D L GF GA Aver
    Solomon Islands 9 3 3 0 0 12 1 11
    Vanuatu South Islands 4 2 1 1 0 6 2 4
    Vanuatu North Islands 4 3 1 1 1 5 7 -2
    Vanuatu Olympic 0 2 0 0 2 1 4 -3
    New Caledonia 0 2 0 0 2 0 10 -10
     
    Goalscorers : Clarence Bonsley (Solomon) 4, Reman Robson (Vanuatu S) 4, Gabriel Bosi (Solomon) 3, Jean Kaltak (Vanuatu S) 2, Jimmy Raramane (Solomon) 2, Tama Hari (Vanuatu N) 2, John Bitiai (Solomon) 1, Branneth Bu (Vanuatu N) 1, Tawal Franco (Vanuatu N) 1, Tonny Kaltak (Vanuatu O) 1, Harrisson Mala (Solomon) 1, Daniel Tenene (Vanuatu N) 1
     
    Report by Yvon Avry, Tournament organiser.

    Two Ni-Vanuatu Women Referees Appointed to Officiate OFC Womens World Cup Qualification

    Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has appointed 2 ni-vanuatu woman
    referees to officiate the OFC womens World Cup qualification
    tournament in New Zealand. The two woman referees are Leisale Solomon
    from Efate Island, and Assistant referee Mari Napuk from Tanna, Tafea
    Province.

    The 2 referees have been attending OFC referee courses last year and
    this is a big achievement for them to participate in officiating the
    OFC Womens World Cup Qualification tournament.

    Leisale and Marie flew out of the country last sunday and today they
    will go through some fitness tests with other women referees before
    the tournament starts.

    The countries participating in the OFC Womens World Cup Qualification
    tournament are American Samoa, Cook Islands, New Zealand and Tonga.

    VFF wishes Marie and Leisale all the best in their tests and a good
    tournament in Auckland, New Zealand.

    Samson Garae attends Referee Fitness Course in New Zealand

    Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) for the first time has sent a local
    referee fitness intructor overseas to attend a referee fitness course.
    He is Mr. Samson Garae, a member of the Vanuatu Police Force.

    Samson left Vanuatu last saturday 16th January for Auckland, New
    Zealand, to attend the first Referee Fitness Instructor Course
    conducted in the region. His participation will help improve the
    standard of referee fitness in Vanuatu.

    Tuesday, January 19, 2010

    Lautoka unlucky at home

    Fiji's 2009 powerhouse club Navua has held O-League representatives Lautoka to a 1-1 draw in the opening match of the Champion Versus Champion (CVC) series at Churchill Park on Sunday.

    Both goals in the match were scored from perfectly timed free kicks in the second half of play. Stylish Lautoka midfielder Jone Vono Junior gave the home side the lead after 62 minutes of play before Navua's new signing Maciu Dundamu equalised from a similar position in the 80th minute.

    Despite dominating possession in the first half, the home side were unable to breach the Navua defence and the score remained 0-0 at halftime. Adding spice to the clash, Lautoka's 2010 roster boasts Avin Avinesh and Lorima Dau who both played for Navua last season.

    An estimated 4,000 fans turned up to watch the 2010 Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) season opener between the same two sides that contested the 2009 Inter District Championship (IDC) final. On that occasion Navua took home the title, one of a remarkable haul of five they won last year, with a 2-0 victory.

    Navua coach Gurjit Singh says his side never gave up hope despite going a goal behind.

    "I'm happy with the way my boys played. Both teams were equal on strength and it was a great effort from my boys to play until the final whistle and equalise. We lost a few players this season to another district but our new signings like striker Maciu Dunadamu and Henry Dyer did well to help us salvage a draw today," said Singh.

    Lautoka coach Imdad Ali felt his team were unlucky not to secure three crucial points at home.

    "I suppose nothing really went wrong in the match for us. It was unfortunate to see a goal scored against us but the boys really played their hearts out. We are now looking forward to our next match," Ali said.

    Lautoka's next CVC match will be against Ba on Wednesday at 7pm Fijian time. Navua's next series fixture sees them travel to Govind Park on February 22nd when they will also face Ba.

    Lautoka: 1. Alifereti Baleloa (GK), 2. Samuela Kautoga, 3. Lorima Dau, 4. Samuela Vula, 6. Malakai Waqa, 10. Kamal Hassan, 12. Alvin Avinesh, 15. Osea Vakatalesau, 16. Jone Vono Junior (Sailesh Sami 75'), 17. Arvindra Naidu (Valerio Nawatu 53'), 18. Marika Madigi;

    Substitues: 7. Valerio Nawatu, 8. Laitia Tuilau, 9. Leone Vurukania, 11. Abinesh Sailesh Sami, 13. Apisai Smith, 14. Alvin Prasad, 20. Pramesh Prasad;

    Cautions: Hassan 73', Osea V 88'

    Navua: 1. Benamino Mateinqara (GK), 2. Praneel Kumar, 4. Seveci Rokotakala, 5.Pene Erenio, 7.Henry Dyer, 8. Usaia Tadu, 9. Maciu Dundamu 11. Rajnil Chand (65' Jale Vota), 12. Siga Ali (73' Monit Chand), 14. Taniela Waqa, 17. Simione Maikali;

    Substitutes: 10. Monit Chand, 15. Sheik Moshin, 16. Jale Vota;

    Caution: Dyer 45', Tadu 49', Waqa 78'

    Story and photo courtesy of Fiji FA

    Monday, January 18, 2010

    TVL Wantok U15 Tournament - Day 2 updates

    - Big surprise to see the Vanuatu North Islands doing a draw with the Vanuatu South, who save the match in the last minutes.

    - Solomon confirm his performance of the first day with the win against the young team of Vanuatu Olympic team, with a two goals in the first 5 minutes.

    - Goal scorers: Reman Robson from Mota Lava realises his second "double goals" in two matches.
    Team Pts P W D L GF GA Aver
    Solomon Islands 6 2 2 0 0 6 1 5
    Vanuatu South Islands 4 2 1 1 0 6 2 4
    Vanuatu North Islands 1 2 0 1 1 3 6 -3
    Vanuatu Olympic 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2
    New Caledonia 0 1 0 0 1 0 4 -4

    2010 O-League Match Day 3 Highlights

    Source: oceaniafootball.com

    Friday, January 15, 2010

    Soccer: These boots are made for scoring - a goal a game

    Source: nzherald.co.nz
    Seule Soromon wouldn't say boo to a goose, but happily lets his boots do the talking. And at the moment they're singing - to the tune of six goals from six games.

    The reserved-but-popular striker set the 2009-10 New Zealand Football Championship season alight when he banged in all four as YoungHeart Manawatu stunned star-studded contenders Team Wellington four-zip in the upset of the first round.

    Scoring goals in a rush was nothing new for the Vanuatu international.

    He scored one on debut when Vanuatu beat hosts Samoa 4-0 in the opening round of the 2007 South Pacific Games.

    But he was only warming up.

    Next-up he slotted five as Vanuatu romped home 15-0 over American Samoa. He later notched a hat-trick in Vanuatu's 4-1 win over Tonga.

    Soromon, 25, has scored nine goals in his seven internationals.

    And, with any luck on his side, his Manawatu coach Bob Sova reckons he could have had another four against Otago last Saturday.

    Instead, the visiting southerners cashed in to win 3-0.

    "Seule could have had four but the Otago goalkeeper pulled off three fantastic saves," said Sova.

    "As well as those three he had on target, he missed another four."

    In reflecting on that opening salvo at Newtown Park, Sova said Team Wellington defender Trent Watson "did not know what hit him" as Soromon ran the Wellington defence ragged.

    "With his pace and directness he causes all kinds of uncertainty in opposing defences," said Sova. "He is not your targetman-type striker. He is a hard-working, old-fashioned type front-runner.

    "Bang the ball into space and he will charge on to it."

    Signed with former All Whites striker Campbell Banks to form a two-pronged attack, Sova has, because of Banks' injury problems, had them together only spasmodically this season.

    "Because of that they are not quite there at the moment," said Sova.

    "But I'm sure when they do get to work together more, they will complement each other.

    "They just have to be more consistent.

    Seule is a lot fitter than he was when he joined us and his touch has improved a bit."

    "He is a quiet, reserved sort of bloke who has fitted in well after switching from Hawkes Bay."

    Born in Male, Efate, in Vanuatu, Soromon made the move from the Bay after playing for winter club Wairarapa United with Banks and a couple of Manawatu players.

    A baker, he travels from Masterton to play and train, preferring the one-hour trip to the two hours he needed to get to Napier.

    "He was on the bench a lot of the time last season," said Sova. "He is a humble person and is quite close to Adam Cowan."

    Sova will be looking for his star striker to add to the six goals he has already scored (in six NZFC games this season) in taking a clear lead in the Golden Boot.

    On Sunday, Team Wellington travel to Memorial Park seeking revenge.

    Sova is wary.

    "We are still in shell-shock after losing to Otago," said Sofa.

    "Whereas Wellington will be quite perky after their away win over Canterbury. It could go either way.

    "Wellington have improved since that first game.

    "I don't really see us as a championship contender at this stage. Possibly third, fourth or fifth might be where we are.

    "While we have done okay against most teams but when we come up against teams like Auckland City and Waitakere we find their defenders are a bit smarter."

    There is a United Nations look to YoungHeart Manawatu, although Sova has struggled to get his first choice lineup on the field together.

    Soromon is joined in the Manawatu squad by Irishman Colin Falvey, Samoan international Desmond Faaiuaso, Marco Parrachini (Switzerland) and Japan's Nobuyoshi Ishi. The Japanese striker is injured and likely to miss a couple of games while Faaiuaso is back, as arranged, to help out in his tsunami-hit homeland.

    Wellington's chances have been boosted following Dan Keat's return for the win in Christchurch but they are still without Adam Birch, who is suspended, and Karl Whalen.

    In the feature game on Sunday, Auckland City are again at home as they seek to go one better than the away 0-0 draw they had against Otago United earlier in the season. Both teams go into the game at Kiwitea St on the back of good wins.

    Waitakere United, still top of the table, are again on the road to play Canterbury United while Waikato have the short trip to Hawkes Bay.

    5 Ni-Vanuatu are Attending a Referee Instructor Course in NZ

    Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has selected 5 Vanuatu referee instructors who are now attending a referee instructor seminar in Auckland, New Zealand. The Vanuatu Referee Instructors are  Albert Manaroto, Ron wilbur, Nasse Kalo, Elise Titus and Harry Atisson.

    The FIFA Futuro III Instructor and RDO seminar was opened yesterday 14th of January at the Millennium Institution in Auckland and will end Tuesday next week. A representative of the FIFA heads of Refereeing Department, Mr. Fernando Tresaco is conducting this seminar.

    The course is designed to improve their teaching techniques and also to help them on how to administer referee departments in their associations.

    TVL Sponsored First Wantok U15 Tournament

    TVL presented 1 million vatu towards Wantok U15 Tournament. A presentation was made on Monday 11th January by Jean Dennis Poullain, TVL Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer to VFF Officer, Mr. John Bongnaim at the Telecom House in Port Vila. In his speech, Mr. Jean Dennis Poullain said, "TVL is always proud to sponsor football in the country especially kids programs because they are the future of football in Vanuatu".

    The TVL Wantok U15 Tournament kicks-off tomorrow afternoon at the Port Vila Stadium with countries like Solomon Islands and New Caledonia participating in the tournament. Vanuatu has 3 teams, Vanuatu Olympic Squad, Vanuatu North and Vanuatu South selection.

    There are possibilities that the TVL Wantok tournament will be an annual event and other wantok countries left out can also participate.

    TVL is one of the big telecommunication companies in Vanuatu and this is not the first time it has donated funds towards football development in the country.

     

    Thursday, January 14, 2010

    Amical FC welcomes Solomon Islands quartet

    Photo from Vanuafoot
     
    News source: Vanuatu Daily Post
     
    At around 3pm yesterday the Air Pacific flight from Solomon touched down at the Bauerfield Airport with the four imported Solomon Island players, Batram Suri, Nelson Sale, Billy Kingston and Richard Amisue bound for Amical FC.

    Amical captain, Robert Yelou and other Amical players along with Coach Pastor William Malas, Team Manager Andrew Leong and other team officials welcomed the players as they came through the arrival with Salusalus.

    The welcome ceremony was then followed by a private Press Conference held down at the Tennis Club.

    Veteran Striker Batram Suri whom had over 100 apperances with the Solomon Islands national team and played in various clubs in New Zealand and also in Fiji told the media that he was proud to be here in Vanuatu and especially with Amical and that he looks forward to playing with the team.

    "I understand that Tafea is the current powerhouse in the PVFA but with if the Amical players cooperate well with us, I can assure all that we will help to maintain the current position that Amical has at the moment in the PVFA classment," Batram said in his interview.

    Batram's striking partner in the last year's Solomon Cup, Uncle FC's striker Billy Kingston added to Batrams comments that good cooperation between the current Amical FC players and them is the key for Amical to move forward in the second round of the championship.

    Vanuatu National reps have been playing with these four players in the regional tournaments and through these tournaments some of the National reps playing in the various clubs in the PVFA have come to befriend these players.

    "I feel at home here especially when I get to come and see such familiar faces at Amical today because we have met several times in the previous Oceania World Cup qualifier for Beach Soccer and to me it is a good thing being able to relate right away to people around you," said Richard Amisue.

    Nelson Sale whom has followed the footsteps of Batram Suri to New Zealand and Fiji in his statement said that football is a sport we all know about but he for one is still learning from experience and hopes that the experience he has gathered over the years will be put to good use while in Amical.

    Meanwhile dead ball specialist Freskip Garu whom had previously played for Spirit but now will play for Amical said that he will try his every best to help the team out in the second round of the championship.

    The four players have each signed a contract with the Club for six months and according to Coach Malas the Club will evaluate then renew their contract at the end of the six months.

    Vanuatu U20 beat AS Magenta 5-4

    At half time, the Vanuatu U20 were winning at 4 goals to 1 against AS Magenta. AS Magenta F.C is one of the top club of Noumea and also representing New Caledonia in the O League. Vanuatu boys are well-known as the Teouma Football Academy team and the youngest player is around 14 years old. They represent the Vanuatu Under 20 selection but most of them are at the age of 18 and below.

    Reports recieved after the game was the midfield from Vanuatu have dominated AS Magenta F.C with the 2 key players of the match, Johnny Tiraeng and Jackson Tasso. Tasso was commented as 'maneur de jeu' of the match. In english, this can be compared to as saying about the good quality of Zidane or a good football player.

    The final match ended with 2 goals from Brian Kaltak, Jean Kaltak scored 2 goals and Jackson Tasso 1 goal.

    Vanuatu U20 will play their last game this afternoon 13h00 against New Caledonia U20.

    __________________________

    More photos can be viewed on our Facebook or click here.

    TVL U15-U16 Wantok Tournament Program



    Teams Participating:

    Solomon Islands, Learn and Play National Squad
    New Caledonia, U15 National Squad
    Vanuatu Youth Olympic team (95)
    Vanuatu Academy North Provinces (94)
    Vanuatu Academy South Provinces (94)

    Saturday 16 January, Port Vila Stadium
    13h30 - Opening Ceremony
    14h00 - Solomon Island - Vanuatu North
    16h00 - New Caledonia - Vanuatu South
    By - Vanuatu Olympic Team


    Monday 18 January, Academy of Teouma
    14h00 - Vanuatu South - Vanuatu North
    16h00 - Solomon Islands - Vanuatu Olympic Team
    by - New Caledonia

    Tuesday 19th January, Port Vila Stadium
    14h00 - Solomon Islands - New Caledonia
    16h00 - Vanuatu North - Vanuatu Olympic Team
    by Vanuatu South

    Wednesday 20th January, Academy of Teouma
    14h00 - Vanuatu South - Vanuatu Olympic Team
    16h00 - New Caledonia - Vanuatu North
    by - Solomon Islands

    Thursday 21st January, Port Vila Municipal Stadium
    14h00 - Vanuatu Olympic Team - New Caledonia
    16h00 - Vanuatu South - Solomon Islands
    by - Vanuatu North

    17h45 - Closing Ceremony. Rewards.

    Tuesday, January 12, 2010

    Solomon Islands Are Here For the Wantok TVL U15-U16 Tournament

    The Solomon Islands U15-U16 football squad are the first teams to arrive in Port Vila for the Telecom Vanuatu Limited (TVL) Wantok U15-U16Tournament. Other participating teams in the tournament are New Caledonia National Youth Squad and 3 teams from Vanuatu. The Vanuatu side have put up 3 teams - Vanuatu Academy South Province, Vanuatu Academy North Province and the Vanuatu Youth Olympic Team.
     
    The Solomon U15-U16 squad are also known as Learn & Play selection which consists of students studying under the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Learn and Play Scholarships in Aligegeo, Goldie College and King George the Sixth School.
     
    The tournament kicks-off on Saturday 2pm at the Port Vila Stadium with  Match 1 - Solomon Islands playing Vanuatu North, Match 2 - New Caledonia playing Vanuatu South and the Vanuatu Olympic Team on rest.
     
    Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) with sponsorship of Telecom is organising the tournament and there are possibilities that the TVL U15-U16 Wantok Tournament will be an anual event.
     
    _________________________
     
    More photos can be viewed on our Facebook or click here.
     

    Vanuatu Under 20 Beats New Caledonia Under 20 in 2nd Friendly




    The Vanuatu U20 team that is touring New Caledonia have managed to beat New Caledonia under 20 by 4 goals yesterday after their lost AS Mont-Dore last weekend. The New Caledonians have managed to score a goal to put the game to a 4 - 1 in favour of Vanuatu U20.



    The scorers for the match on Vanuatu side are Moses Kalotang, Brian Sumaki, Brian Kaltak and Jean Kaltak.


    The Vanuatu U20 is well-known as the Vanuatu Football Academy team and the game results is a positive step for the football academy project at Teouma.

    Monday, January 11, 2010

    Fijian Football Star Esava arrived in Bauerfield

    The 21 year old Fijian football star who will be playing for Spirit 08 F.C., Esava Samudere arrived saturday morning at the Bauerfield airport. He was greeted by fans and officials of Spirit 08 F.C and a press conference was hosted at the Spirit 08 headquarters.
     
    Esava told press that he is honoured to be in Vanuatu and playing for Spirit 08 F.C. "I will perform to the best of my ability", he said. He will play alongside Seimata Chilia who was transfered from Tupuji Imere F.C. to Spirit 08 recently.
     
    When questioned about his team mates like Chilia, Esava said "Seimata is like a brother to me and I find no difficulties playing with him". Seimata told press that he is happy to transfer to Spirit 08 and looks forward to play alongside Esava.
     
    Esava Samudere captained for Fiji Under 17, Fiji Under 20 and Fiji Under 23 and last year he was the captain for Suva F.C. He was the youngest player to play for Fiji national team that tours United States of America (U.S.A) in 2007.
     
    The Coach for Spirit 08, Mr. Carlos Buzzetti from Uruguay said. "I am happy to have 2 important players in my team and I'm looking forward when the matches will kick-off next week". When Vanuafoot asked about their perfomance, Mr Buzzetti said, "I have a lot of respect for Seimata and Esava and I am sure they can perform to make a difference for my team".
     
    In a statement to press from the man behind Spirit 08, Mr. Jonathan Naupa said, "Spirit 08 is a fighting spirit, a spirit to move on, and a working spirit to challenge all youth in vanuatu to be like Seimata and Esava". "We are working to bring another player from Australia who plays for Melbourne Knights", said Mr. Naupa.
     
     
    ___________________________________
     
    More photos can be viewed on our Facebook or click here.
     
     
     

    Vanuatu U20 Lost first Friendly to Mont-Dore

    The Vanuatu U20 team currently touring New Caledonia, have lost 3 -1 to AS Mont-Dore F.C. last Saturday in their first friendly.

    The Vanuatu U20 put on a suberb performance during the game with AS Mont-Dore F.C. Reports recieved by Vanuafoot that the game was not easy for both sides. It was in the last minutes of the game that AS Mont-Dore scored the 2 winning goals.

    The team is well known as the Vanuatu Academy team and are in the 7th position in PVFA classment. The tour to New Caledonia are part of preparations before football season starts next week.

    The Vanuatu U20 will play AS Magenta F.C. today and New Caledonia U20 on wednesday and thursday.

    ______________________________

    Photo's of the game can be viewed on our Facebook or click here.

    Togo Angola Ambushed Video

    Source: youtube.com

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