OFC INSIDER - 13

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THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR ALWAYS SEEMS TO FLY BY AT AN EVER INCREASING SPEED AND 2017 HAS BEEN NO DIFFERENT.

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history being made as New Caledonia qualified

region’s premier international club competition come to

for their first ever FIFA event, the FIFA U-17 World

an exciting close with the semi-finals set to offer a repeat

Cup in India, alongside five-time regional champions New

of last year. But what we’re all waiting to see is whether

Zealand. For both sides, the hard work is just beginning

Tefana and/or Magenta have the ability to knock the Team

and as they build-up to October’s main event they can do

Wellington and Auckland City out of the running for the

so knowing the entire Pacific region is watching with bated

final this time around.

lready in this first quarter we have witnessed

We have also recently seen the Group Stage of the

breath to see how these two nations perform.

The same goes for Vanuatu, who are in camp and pre-

Yours in football,

paring for the debut of a life-time at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in May. We all know the fervour for football in Vanuatu so that they get set to make their maiden appearance at a FIFA event against the football powerhouses of Mexico, and Germany, as well as Venezuela we can only expect the passion for the game at a grassroots level to grow.

David Chung

IN THIS ISSUE So much has already been packed into the first four months of 2017 that it is difficult to choose what will feature in these pages.

The stories from across the Pacific of women developing into leaders, of young footballers slowly but surely turning their dreams into reality.

Any one of them deserve to feature, and hopefully all of them will.

Football in Oceania is growing and

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New Caledonia are heading to their first FIFA tournament. But how much does qualification to the FIFA U-17 World Cup really mean to this nation?

Charles Spragg was the golden ticket as New Zealand swept though the OFC U-17 Championship in February.

developing. The opportunities for young footballers are increasing - take the two spots reserved for Oceania at FIFA’s leading youth tournaments this year.

Vanuatu and New Caledonia, two nations that have the talent but have long struggled to turn it into rewards, will have their chance on the global stage.

It’s an exciting time across the Pacific and we encourage everyone to get behind these two nations as they make this leap.

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Women are a growing force within football around the world. Here in Oceania it’s no different. We meet two emerging leaders hoping to be the difference in their countries.

12 - 23 The Champions League returned in 2017 bigger and better than ever. With the Group Stage having concluded we’re now down to the nitty-gritty of the semi-finals.

If you have a story you would like to see feature in the next edition of the OFC Insider, please let us know.

We have staff in each of the OFC Member Associations who are keen to share the stories and achievements of our people as we grow and develop football together.

To contact the OFC Insider, email us: media@oceaniafootball.com

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It’s not every day a two-time FIFA Confederations Cup winner visits New Zealand shores so when Gilberto Silva turned up with the trophy in tow, we had to meet him.

Official Publication of the Oceania Football Confederation The views expressed in signed articles are not necessarily the official views of the OFC. The reproduction of articles published in the OFC Insider is authorised, provided the source is indicated.

Produced by: OFC Media & Communications Photography: OFC Media / Phototek / FIFA via Getty Images / Massimo Colombini / Alain Vartane Cover Photo: OFC via Phototek

30 - 31 FIFA World Cup Qualifying returned to Oceania in March as four nations continued in their bid to represent the region on the world stage in 2018.

Oceania Football Confederation Headquarters, 12 Maurice Road, Penrose, Auckland 1061, New Zealand Tel: +64 9 531 4096 Fax: +64 9 529 5143 Email: media@oceaniafootball.com Website: www.oceaniafootball.com

A DREAM REALISED FINALLY. It took just one word for Federation Caledonienne de Football President Steeve Laigle to sum up his feelings following the historic qualifcation of the nation’s U-17 side to the FIFA U-17 World Cup India.

“Finally, with all the time that has passed. Finally, with the opportunities we’ve had and missed out on at the final moment.

“Finally.”

Laigle is not the only one who has been waiting for this day to come.

FCF Technical Director Dominique Wacalie only recently retired from international football himself.

A member of the 2012 OFC Nations Cup side, he knows firsthand the heartbreak of coming within spitting distance of qualifying for a prestigious global event. But he’s never experienced the joy and elation that comes with that final, and crucial, victory.

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“THIS SIDE HAS WRITTEN THEMSELVES INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS.”

“In our generation of players we

“I was so relieved when the final

also tried to qualify,” Wacalie said.

whisle blew in the semi-final,” he

“We can definitely say it’s a dream

recalled of his immediate emotions.

becoming reality,” Waitronyie said.

alleviates some of the pain we felt at

“We’d played a massive game against

“New Caledonians have really

missing out.

Tahiti and we didn’t want to miss this

experienced this qualification with us,

chance.

Clarque continued. “It’s been long

“What these youths have achieved, it

“That they have done what seemed

awaited, for so many years. That it’s

like the impossible and qualified,

“So I started with relief, then

us, this group, who have done it, it’s

we’re proud. The joy they have at

happiness and pride followed.”

amazing, incredible.

Waitronyie has been working with

“To be able to share our please with

many of these players for three to

them - it’s magic.”

this achievement, us former players, we share that too.”

Goalkeeper Unë Kecine struggled to

four years now and believes they are a

find the words to express just what it

special generation.

means to him.

With India 2017 on the horizon the hard work starts again for this side

“We’ve been doing a lot of work in

following their extended celebrations,

“I guess I am proud. I’m just so

the islands and across the country.

and Kecine for one is keen to show

happy,” he said.

This truly is the culmination of what

the world what New Caledonia can

we have been doing to develop our

bring to the table.

“When we return from events our

young footballers.”

“It’s going to be quite different to

parents, our families, they’re always there to greet us no matter what.

For these players it is an achievement

what we just completed with OFC.

and a journey they will never forget,

We’ll be rubbing shoulders with

“This time it’s all different because

but perhaps the significance of what

some massive teams, teams that

we’ve qualified. We did it.”

they have done is yet to sink in.

aren’t like us. But we’ll still be trying to exit our group all the same.”

Assistant coach Leon Waitronyie never

But for Waitronyie, and coach Michel

once doubted that this generation of

Clarque, they know exactly what it

footballers had the ability to make this

means.

dream a reality.

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FAMILY HELPS DRIVE PASSION Hard work is one thing it takes to make it to the top Talent, of course, helps. But another key element to success is sacrifice.

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And it’s not just the footballer who

following a spirited performance.

is making those sacrifices, but their families too.

It proved a key learning experience for the young midfielder.

Thierry and Francesca Drawilo have put both time and money into their son Cyril Nyipie’s footballing career so they are swelling with pride knowing that investment is paying off.

“I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to participate in the U-20,” Nyipie said.

“We didn’t do as well, we weren’t able to qualify. But this was like a

Nyipie and his U-17 teammates made

second chance, I did everything I

history in February when they became

could not to miss out.”

the first New Caledonia side to qualify for a FIFA tournament.

Francesca agreed, saying she saw first-hand how determined he was not

“It’s excellent. In fact, it’s hard to find the words to say how proud we are of them,. Congratulations to

to miss out a second time. She said she was always confident when he left

him. This is the bearing of fruit for

for Tahiti, that his next big trip would

every weekend, for every day of

be to a World Cup.

the week that he spends training,” Francesca said.

Thierry agreed that it’s a moment

Cyril Nyipie knows he can count on family as he tries to make it in the tough world of professional football.

“Yes, because he showed incredibly determination, and with the experience he had with the U-20 he told me, ‘I’m going to try, we’re

worth celebrating as they see tangible

going to try’, and they did it. They

rewards for all the time and effort the

put together a great group, hats off

family has put in.

to the coaches.”

“It’s a result of a lot of sacrifices

For Nyipie, heading to the World Cup

over the years and now we’re seeing the fruits of that it brings us nothing but happiness,” he explained.

“We have also sacrificed in terms of taking him to all his trainings,” Francesca added, “and we watch as many of his games as we can”.

is the greatest possible reward for the effort he puts in day after day as he strives for his dreams.

“Joy. Pure joy and happiness,” he said of his initial reaction at the final whistle.

“It’s a first for us, for the youth and even for the country so there was

Despite his youth, the 16-year-old was

a lot of emotion. It’s a dream come

considered enough of a talent to join

true, it’s incredible.”

the U-20 team as they too bid for a place a world cup.

The team qualified for the semifinals, where they fell to New Zealand OFC INSIDER

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SPRAGG’S GOLDEN YEAR Charles Spragg’s 16th year has already seen the young New Zealand striker reach a series of impressive milestones in his football career.

His outstanding performance at the OFC U-17 Championship in Tahiti not only landed his nation a place at October’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in India, but also cemented him in the region’s history books after picking up both Golden Boot and Golden Ball at the competition.

Recalling the moment his name was called after New Zealand defeated New Caledonia 7-0 in the final match of the competition, Spragg felt an overwhelming sense of pride – and shock – when he claimed both prestigious awards.

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“I was speechless. It’s honestly an amazing feeling. I give full credit to the boys for supporting me, their deliveries were really good. They put the ball on the platter for me, I had the easy job of just putting it in the net so I’m really grateful for the boys assisting me really well,” he said.

“To get the golden ball as well, I don’t even have words. It’s an amazing feeling and that’s all I can say.”

The awards ceremony wasn’t the first time Spragg had been so happy he was lost for words.

Only three days earlier, New Zealand defeated Papua New Guinea in a very close semi-final match to claim one of two places at the World Cup, and Spragg felt his team’s undeniable commitment and hard work paying off was his biggest reward.

“The emotion was just crazy.

Everything, training for it, all the

“THE EMOTION WAS JUST CRAZY”

sacrifices, its massive but it is worth it in the end and the emotions of joy and excitement. Everyone was just buzzing, it was an insane feeling,” he said.

“The semi-finals were really tough, Papua New Guinea battled hard like we knew they would.”

Despite New Zealand’s dominant display in Tahiti, Spragg has his feet firmly on the ground as he turns his focus to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in October.

“We know we’ve still got lots of work to do, we’re not getting ahead of ourselves. We know we’re going to be up against incredible nations. “

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LADY LEADERS TAKING OVER THE PACIFIC

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hey have long surrounded themselves with all things football and now Adelaide Tuivailala of Tonga and Julia King from Vanuatu are hoping to become the new leaders of the game.

Both ladies recently completed the FIFA Women’s Football Leadership Development Programme and are have big plans for how women’s football in their respective countries can continue to grow.

Football is renowned for being a predominantly male-dominated sport - watched by men, played by men and, for the most part, run by men.

For some women that can be intimidating, but having heard tales from across the globe, both Tuivailala and King know those challenges they feel like they are facing alone, are shared with an army of women around the world.

King said she has no regrets about the sacrifices she had to make in order to participate in the second edition of the programme.

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“I realised that if there was one opportunity where I could make the women of Vanuatu’s voices be heard, this was that opporutnity,” she said.

For Tuivailava it has been an eyeopening experience both in regards to how she can continue to make change for women in football, and for her personal development.

“I’ve discovered myself, or rediscovered myself,” she said.

Giving young girls in Vanuatu a pathway to the senior team is part of Julia King’s aim for women’s football across the Melanesian nation.

“I need to learn more from my sisters who are all here in this group, working under similar conditions, facing similar challenges.”

Having worked in football for more than ten years, Tuivailala has attended numerous seminars and courses, but says this programme, which was launched in 2015, is vastly different to what has come before.

“It’s different to all the other seminars and workshops that I have been to and I count myself lucky to

Involvement and enjoyment of football is one way Tongan women can stave off Non-Communicable Diseases.

be part of the second edition,” she said.

Each participant puts forward a project which they work on over the course of the nine-month programme with support from their peers and mentors.

“What I picked for me to do during this nine-month journey is create something to prevent NCDs or NonCommunicable Diseases,” Tuivailala said.

“I want to link that in with trying to increase the number of females playing football in Tonga.”

King relished every moment of the programme which took participants as

“One of the common issues that

“I saw that something was missing

popped up was just having numbers

between those two age groups,”

to be able to run tournaments, to be

she explained.

able to run competitions,” King said.

“What I found from being around So my statement ended up being

these girls at U-12, they get such

‘how can I create programmes or

joy from playing this game, and they

develop football to be able to engage

have so much passion too.

girls right from the grassroots stages to the U-15, U-17 and eventually

“But it’s different to the excitement

senior - but having them all linked’.”

that you see as they grow up.

When King was accepted into the

“So for me, being able to get that

WFLDP, she was still heavily involved

magic and have it transcend through

in the Port Vila Women’s League,

to senior level is probably my aim.”

which she helped found, as well as co-ordinating grassroots activities for girls.

far as Zurich and Amsterdam for the modules.

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OFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2017 The OFC Champions League is the leading international club competition in Oceania and with each edition the interest in this event explodes.

This year has been no different with the expanded format taking participating team numbers up to 16 - four groups of four - with each group hosted in a different location.

Communities across the Pacific have relished having top-class football on their doorsteps and for some, there is still more to come.

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GROUP A AS Magenta / Madang FC AS Central Sport / Lupe Ole Soaga 14

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AS Magenta, finalists in 2005 and semi-finalists in 2016, hosted the first matches of this year’s OFC Champions League at Stade Numa Daly in Noumea, New Caledonia.

It was an interesting group from the outset with little known about AS Central Sport of Tahiti or late replacements Madang FC from Papua New Guinea and whether they might be a threat to Magenta making the semi-finals for a second straight year. Also in contention were the Samoan club champions, hoping their second appearance in the competition would be a more fruitful one.

Central Sport got their campaign underway with a bang as they downed Madang 7-3 in the first match, with six different players going on the score board.

It wasn’t quite such an easy start for the hosts however, as a determined Lupe Ole Soanga kept them contained to just a 2-1 win.

Madang notched their first victory when they played out a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Samoans, two late goals helping them to the win.

In what was pegged as one of the deciding matches of the group, Central Sport hoped to knock Magenta off the top of the standings. An early strike from French import Nicholas Marin gave the home side the lead, before a goal and a penalty saw that lead move in Central’s favour. However Magenta weren’t going to let their chance of progressing slip away, firing in three unanswered second half goals to claim a 4-2 win.

Central rounded out their debut campaign with a 3-0 win over Lupe in their final encounter, while Magenta made it a clean sweep of the group with a 5-0 win over Madang taking them to nine points.

Two newcomers, the qualifier runners-up and the host nation’s most successful club made up Group A.

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GROUP B Hienghéne Sport / Ba FC Team Wellington / Puaikura FC 16

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After a dominant display that saw them wrestle the qualifying title away from a Samoan club for the first time, Puaikura’s first task was to take on 2016 finalists Team Wellington.

When the Cook Islanders, led by former All Whites assistant coach Kevin Fallon, took a shock lead courtesy of an 18th minute penalty, there were hushed whispers that this might be the end of an era of Kiwi club dominance.

However, a self-assured Team Wellington had a new coach at the helm and a desire to make 2017 their year.

They secured the lead ahead of the break and added a third in the second half to claim a 3-1 victory and set their campaign in motion.

Hosts Hienghene Sport had equally high hopes for their debut in this competition, especially with home ground advantage. But veteran club Ba had other ideas locking Bertrand Kai’s team to a 1-1 draw and a share of the points.

The climax of the three days of action came on Day 2 for these four teams as hot favourites Team Wellington took on Hienghène in what was essentially considered the group decider for many.

Locked at 1-1 for the majority of the encounter, two late goals from Wellington saw them knock off the hosts 3-1 to take their place at the top of the table.

Puaikura once again put in an exceptional performance.

With captain Hone Fowler back in play after his late arrival, a solid defensive effort saw the Cook Islanders keep Ba at bay for 80 minutes, before a lone strike sank their chances of a draw.

With four points, Ba were the only side left that could end Wellington’s clean sweep, but it wasn’t to be as the tiring Fijians were swept aside by a clinical Wellington side 8-0.

Hienghène finished on a high note with a 3-1 win against Puaikura FC in the last match of the group, but with their chances of progressing completely diminished before kickoff, the result was merely a silver-lining for the first-timers.

Group B brought Puaikura, Ba and Team Wellington to Hienghène Sport’s territory, Stade Yoshida in Kone.

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GROUP C Auckland City FC / Western United Malampa Revivors / Lae City Dwellers 18

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Auckland City FC were the hot favourites to top the group as action opened at Mangere Centre Park in Auckland, New Zealand.

However, after earning just a narrow 2-1 win over Western United, the other contenders were left feeling a little more confident about securing the single semi-final spot, especially Lae City Dwellers who kicked off Match Day 1 with a dominant 5-2 performance over Vanuatu debutants Malampa Revivors.

However, Lae City Dwellers’ semi-final dreams plunged on day two after Auckland City showed their form and experience to defeat the Papua New Guinea champions 2-0. Western United’s score against Malampa Revivors mirrored their opening result but this time the 2-1 win was in the Solomon side’s favour, giving them their first points of the competition and placing them on level ground with Lae City Dwellers.

Both Western United and Lae City Dwellers remained a long shot of taking the group’s lone semi-final spot, but their hopes rested completely on Auckland City’s final match against the winless Malampa Revivors.

The chances were slim but both Lae City Dwellers and Western United threw everything into their encounter, just in case the Ni-Vanuatu debutants could take out the three points.

In a goal-laden encounter Western netted five times to Lae’s three, to take them to six points. The result placed Western on equal points to Auckland City with the hosts still having a game in hand.

As Western watched helplessly from the grandstand, the Navy Blues put all hopes to rest with a record-breaking 11-0 win over Malampa, cementing the New Zealand club’s place in their seventh consecutive OFC Champions League semi-final.

Auckland City played host to Group C, bringing Lae City Dwellers, Malampa Revivors and Western United in Auckland.

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GROUP D AS Tefana / Marist FC Erakor Golden Star / Rewa FC 20

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After working their way up the domestic ladder to claim the Solomon Islands club title, Marist FC had high hopes for their return to the OFC Champions League after a lengthy layover.

The first obstacle was Fiji club Rewa FC, a side making their debut in the competition. Marist started as they hoped to continue, scoring early holding on to secure a 4-2 win.

But hot on their tail were their Tahitian hosts and 2016 semi-finalists AS Tefana who also opened strong with a 4-2 victory of their own over Vanuatu first-timers Erakor Golden Star.

While the Vanuatu side may have fallen on opening day they were determined not to let it mar their campaign, rebounding on Match Day 2 to claim a 2-1 win to knock Marist off-course. While Tefana continued their winning streak with a 2-0 victory over Rewa.

Without any points on the board the Fijians had a score to settle as Group D came to a close, and they did just that.

They took on Erakor Golden Star, a side who knew they were a long shot to progress, securing a 2-1 win to get their first points of the competition.

However all eyes were on the closing match as Tefana took on Marist in a match the Solomon Islanders needed to win if they were to progress to the semi-finals.

Tefana scored early through captain Jonathan Tehau before an own goal added to their lead. However Marist fought back eventually bringing themselves level in the final moments of the match.

The draw was enough to see Tefana through to the semifinals for the second year running. They were the only team of the four to progress who did not earn the full nine points following the draw with Marist.

Group D once again brought experience together with a couple of competition newcomers.

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THE SEMI-FINAL SHOWDOWN

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fter seeing off each of the challengers in their respective groups, AS Tefana, AS Magenta, Auckland City FC and Team Wellington make up the OFC Champions League semi-final line-up for a second year in-a-row. And in an interesting turn of events, also for the second year running it’s Auckland City against Tefana, and Magenta versus Team Wellington.

While the two New Zealand clubs dominated the 2016 semi-finals at QBE Stadium in Auckland, this time they will also have to factor in a match on Francophone soil on top of their games at home.

For Team Wellington, who recently secured back-to-back domestic titles, it means a trip back to New Caledonia which coach Jose Figuiera is looking forward to.

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“We’re obviously excited to be at this stage of the competition and as a club, we were recently over in New Caledonia and it will be good going back over there, back to familiar surroundings,” Figuiera said.

“The home-and-away format throws something new into the equation.

We’ll have to make sure we’re right at the top of our game and ensure our preparations are top notch.”

Having achieved their objective of asserting their domestic dominance, Team Wellington are now concentrating on the next task - the regional title.

“You want to dominate domestically, but at this level the real prize is winning that Champions League, being that No. 1 team not only in

Kaena Onuu tackles Auckland City’s Mario Bilen during the 2016 OFC Champions League semi-finals.

New Zealand but in our region,” Figueira said.

“For a club and the players to have a chance to go and represent the club and the country on an international stage at the Club World Cup is a huge prize at the end of a long season. We’re excited to hopefully rise to that challenge and go one step further than last year.”

Standing in Team Wellington’s path

Tom Jackson dribbles into a sea of yellow shirts during the OFC Champions League semi-final in 2016.

is AS Magenta who are an equally dominant force on home soil.

“It’s a chance for us to get revenge

“A strong team capable to winning

for the result last year.”

this match, and the title.”

just like their opponent, is now eyeing

It’s a similar feeling for AS Tefana as

Auckland City are used to big matches

up the OFC Champions League title.

they get set to welcome seven-time

and have a lot of experience at

champions Auckland City to Tahiti.

getting results when they’re needed.

it comes to once again facing-down

However assistant coach Pascal

the side from New Zealand’s capital.

Vahirua believes his team is hitting

Although they’re coming off the loss in the Premiership final, they’re expected to bounce back well.

Having wrapped up the 2016 Super Ligue title the Nouméa-based club,

And they have a point to prove when

their peak and ready to get underway.

“It’s our desire to play against Wellington again,” midfielder Kevin

“Tefana is playing at a high level and

Nemia said as he recalled the 2-0 loss

we showed during the group stage

to Magenta in last year’s semi-final.

that we are a team,” he said.

“We want to win this game because we want to be in the final,” captain Angel Berlanga said.

“At the end of the day, we want win the trophy too.”

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AN ‘INVINCIBLE’ HITS NEW ZEALAND SHORES Brazil international and Arsenal ‘Invincible’ Gilberto Silva graced New Zealand’s shores last month, touring with the FIFA Confederations Cup alongside former All Whites captain Ivan Vicelich to express his support for New Zealand as they prepare for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup Russia in June.

After holding the trophy twice himself when Brazil won the competition in 2005 and 2009, Silva was proud to be involved in promoting the prestigious event.

“It’s so nice to be in New Zealand for the first time and

“I hope it will inspire the team when they go and play in

to be bringing the Confederations Cup here,” he said.

the competition.”

“Being invited by FIFA to be one of the ambassadors is

Although his two victories at the FIFA Confederations Cup

amazing, it’s an opportunity for me as well, to see the

aren’t quite the most pivotal moments in his career – falling

trophy and touch it again after so long. Speaking with

short only to holding up the FIFA World Cup trophy in

people, showing off the trophy, speaking about the

2002 – Silva acknowledged the huge honour it was to ‘play

competition, it’s been amazing.

against the champions’.

“It’s an amazing competition to play in.

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“For the players who are going to

from his performance in the 2002 FIFA

you,” he said.

play in this competition, I hope they

World Cup, which also earned him the

“The hardest thing is to keep your

call up from English Premier League

balance, maintain your performance

club Arsenal.

throughout the entire season and

enjoy it as much as I did, and take it very seriously,” he said.

your entire career. I believe that I have “The competition is very important for a team to play in because you play against the champions. Teams get to play this kind of competition because they achieved something to be there, to deserve to be there.

“It’s great when you have this kind of opportunity with your country.”

“The World Cup in 2002 was the

achieved that good balance. I wasn’t

biggest tournament I have ever won,

10 out of 10 one game and two in

the biggest one in all my career,

another, I always played average my

but from this one I also had my

entire career.

opportunity to go to Europe and play for Arsenal.

season to another throughout your “In professional football, every day is a different challenge. You have to work very hard, have the correct

Silva’s selection in the Brazil national teams for the 2005 and 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup both stemmed

“Keeping the right balance from one

attitude in the daily training towards your teammates and the coaching staff and the people who are around

entire career, this is the hardest part.

“To reach the top is not so easy, but keeping up there is the hardest part.”

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Stepping up to the European standard

“Give back to the club that has

goals in football, giving him an edge

of football was a challenge Silva was

trusted in you, the people. This is

that many other aspiring athletes

well-prepared for, but making the move across the Atlantic Ocean came

what you have to have in mind to overcome these obstacles.”

with obstacles still faced by many athletes today.

“Some people want to achieve a goal Born into a low-income family, Silva has had big obstacles to overcome

“Many people dream of it in Brazil,

throughout his entire career, but the

not only Brazil but South America,

40-year-old now looks back on those

going to Europe to play among the

challenges as crucial building blocks in

best football players in the world in the best leagues, but you have to be

lacked.

shaping his life and career.

prepared for it because it’s not that

in football but don’t know how to do it.

“They haven’t experienced something else before getting their opportunity in football and end up lost when they are in the game.

simple. This transition can present

“Before I started my career I had to

you with some difficulties, and you

work very hard to help the family. I

must do your best to overcome

“I knew exactly what I wanted

worked in a construction company,

because I knew the different

them,” he said.

as an upholsterer and I worked in a

side of life, and when I went out

switch factory.

“First of all, when most of us from

there, I said to myself ‘this is my opportunity, I cannot miss it’.”

South America go there to play in

“I believe this opportunity to work

these leagues, language is one big

before football was really important

With many players in the Oceania

for me to understand what life

region facing similar obstacles on their

challenge we face, and one of the first challenges because we can’t communicate properly.

was outside football. When I had my opportunity to play football, I wanted to do my best to achieve my goals.”

offers hope that the opportunity is there, regardless of your background, if you’re willing to put in the hard

“Then you have to adapt to your club and the league you are playing in, but

Getting a taste of life without football

if you open yourself up to learn, you

motivated Silva to fully commit to his

can adapt yourself in the best way.

journeys to professional football, Silva

yards.

“For the Oceania players, if they want to become successful one thing they must have in mind is they will have to work very hard.

“There’s nothing easy in life and football is the same.

“Your attitude will tell if you go far or not. If you have a great attitude and enjoy it as much as I did, the chance is there.

“It is not guaranteed that you are going to be successful, but of course you have more chance if you concentrate on your game, train hard, and work hard for it.”

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SOLIDARITY WILL BE KEY TO CONFEDERATIONS CUP SUCCESS It has been a long nine years for New Zealand’s All Whites but with a rejuvenated squad, a new coach and a point to prove, there is a lot of excitement as the side gears up for their return to the FIFA Confederations Cup. Matches against hosts Russia, European champions Portugal and Mexico await Anthony Hudson’s men and the Englishman is feeling ambitious about their chances.

“We are not coming just to take part and make up the numbers,” Hudson said.

“We want to beat some of the best teams in the world, we want to come and perform and cause some upsets. We are in a position now where no-one expects anything from us.

“We come into the tournament as the smallest team and that suits us.”

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There is a huge amount of belief being expressed by Hudson around the young team he has assembled.

“We know we will come into this tournament and people will see us as the eighth team that will get hammered by everyone,” the All Whites coach said.

“We are rubbing our hands together and we can’t wait for this tournament. It hasn’t been a straight foward couple of years.”

Under Hudson’s reign the All Whites haven’t fared as badly as some might say.

“In the last 10 or 11 games we have had one loss away from home. We have gone to places like USA and Mexico and could have come away with a whole lot more because we were very strong in those games,” he said.

“We drew with USA and lost narrowly against Mexico, and again we did it with players on the pitch some of whm are young, semi-professional kids,.

“We have an incredible amount of belief in the squad that if we keep working the way we are, we keep our belief, then we can do somthing special.

“I know we can.”

With players based around the world, including captain Winston Reid, preparing for an event like the Confederations Cup can be difficult.

“We have a lot of challenges facing our team in terms of logistics with our players based all around the world,” Hudson said, “and we don’t have a lot of games against top teams”.

But the All Whites take it in their

“Those sort of things that go against us are actually our strength.

“We won’t be coming to this tournament and defending, sitting back and seeking damage limitation - that is totally the opposite of what we are. We are a team that will come, be brave and want to win games.

“We will have an incredible work ethic. So those are some of the qualities people will see. We have a huge amount of belief in the squad.”

Hudson puts the greatest emphasis on the “team” and is clear that solidarity is how All Whites will achieve the success they desire.

“I am quite fortunate that I have a squad full of really honest players, and we all understand that our success is based upon a group of players who are together fighting for the same cause.

“No-one is bigger than the team.

“In order for us to beat bigger teams and overachieve, we have to be just that - a strong team.”

stride.

OFC INSIDER

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PAPUA NEW GUINEA CONTINUE TO SOAR, NEW ZEALAND CEMENT THEIR SPOT IN FINAL Just when you thought Papua New Guinea had broken enough records with their first OFC Nations Cup final appearance in 43 years, the burgeoning football powerhouse goes and breaks another one.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia(tm) Qualifiers - OFC Stage 3 got back underway in March with Fiji and Papua New Guinea coming into action in Groups A and B respectively.

For Papua New Guinea coach Flemming Serritslev it hasn’t quite been smooth sailing since making history in Port Moresby just under a year ago.A number of players turned down the opportunity to continue their journey with teh Kapuls and although the country has loosened it’s rules on duel citizenship freeing up some new faces, logistics weren’t on the team’s side for this window.

However with wunderkid David Browne’ settling into life as a professional in the Netherlands he was able to commit himself to the cause after several years in the wilderness and a number of recently discovered players ready to make the step up for their country, Serritslev was able to assemble a tidy young side.

Taking on Tahiti, who were into their final two matches of Stage 3 after mixed results against Solomon Islands, exhuberance and youth were set to face-off against experience.

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Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby has been the site of many recent footballing triumphs for the Kapuls, unfortunately despite a strong start the first leg didn’t fall in the home side’s favour.

striker Raymond Gunemba, however Tahiti had desires of their own and after the first leg result needed only a draw to progress to the Stage 3 final.

home side - and they were keen for the same fortune this time.

Despite holding off a rampant All Whites for the first half, things started falling apart for Fiji’s Bula Boys following the restart for the second half. A handball in the area gave striker Chris Wood the opportunity to score from the spot.

NEW ZEALAND ARE THE FIRST SIDE THROUGH TO THE STAGE 3 FINAL

A red card for Browne 22 minutes into the match left Papua New Guinea a man down for a large chunk of the game. Although they scored first and looked strong for the majority of the match, going over 80 minutes 10 against 11 proved too big an ask on this occasion, eventually going down 3-1 to the Tahitians.

Taking everything that was thrown at them with a grain of salt, Papua New Guinea landed in Papeete with a point to prove.

It took an hour for Papua New Guinea to break the deadlock, with half-time substitute Patrick Aisa proving the difference as he headed past keeper Mikael Roche.

A two goal lead came courtesy of

It was another substitute, this time Tauhiti Keck, who brought Tahiti within a goal of their objective with an additional time strike and the side very nearly scored an equaliser seconds later.

However Tahiti will now have to wait on the sidelines as Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands continue the chase to top Group B. In Group A, Fiji welcomed New Zealand to the newly revamped Churchill Park in Lautoka. The last time the two met there, two goals from Roy Krishna secured a 2-0 win for the

Goalkeeper Beniamino Mateinaqara then gave too much time and space to Marco Rojas who nicked the ball and dribbled around the keeper to score a second.

With a huge hill to climb at Westpac Stadium a few days later, Fiji put in a good effort but never really tested New Zealand. A goal in either half for Ryan Thomas gave New Zealand their second 2-0 win over Fiji in three days.

The pair of wins were enough to secure top of the Group A standings for the All Whites, who have to wait until the final round of matches in June to learn their Group B opponent on the OFC Stage 3 final.

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GLUSCEVIC ON HAND AS VANUATU PREPARE FOR BIGGEST CHALLENGE YET

A

s the Vanuatu U-20 men’s team count down the final weeks until their debut at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic, coach Dejan Gluscevic feels honoured to be leading the young prodigies as they break new ground for their nation.

The squad of teenage footballers made history for their country at the OFC U-20 Championship in November 2016, breaking Vanuatu Football Federation’s 85-year wait to qualify for a World Cup, and Gluscevic believes that although the team has achieved a tremendous milestone, they still have plenty more to offer.

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OFC INSIDER

“Vanuatu is a country with different kinds of challenges and hardships compared to the countries that typically qualify for these tournaments. To be able to overcome those hardships to the point of qualifying for the World Cup is an incredible achievement.

They live and breathe football – it’s their national sport - and for these players to be the first to represent Vanuatu on the world stage it is a life-changing achievement,” he said.

“Now we’re going to provide the world with a look of what Vanuatu football is, put our talent on the world stage and show what Vanuatu and these players are capable of.

“We’re going to represent both Vanuatu and the Oceania football family with pride and gain the respect from the international football community.”

Although the Ni-Vanuatu hopefuls haven’t had the financial support or access to resources that many of their opponents would have had, Gluscevic

“OUR STRENGTHS ARE OUR RELATIONSHIPS, TEAM UNITY AND INTEGRITY.”

is confident that their preparations as

and develop the side’s passionate,

though confident, is also realistic

a team - and the unique characteristics

give-all approach into a more strategic

about the sides chances.

of the close group - will give them the

style of play.

edge to contend.

“My experience as a professional

Vanuatu have been drawn alongside

footballer and coach in Europe, Asia

Mexico, Germany and Venezuela in

“Our strengths are our relationships,

and North America, together with

Group B of the FIFA U-20 World Cup

team unity and integrity. These

my experiences from South America,

Korea Republic 2017, all of them much

boys have grown up together in

Pacific and coaching African players

more experienced than the debutants

the Vanuatu Academy Programme,

has facilitated positive outcomes in

from Down Under.

and the instinctive knowledge they

instructing footballers to develop

have developed from having played

and maintain their skills in order to

However, Gluscevic believes that what

together for years will support

compete at a highest level.

Vanuatu lack in experience, they make up for in passion.

them,” he said.

“I believe I am the right person for “Our advanced training

this job because of my ability to

“We will make our first appearance

programme will further improve

transform and use different coaching

at a FIFA World Cup at any level so

their performance and the game

methods. Taking into consideration

in that regard, we are still a ‘small’

understanding,” he added.

my coaching credentials, my

nation,” he said.

background in working with With a coaching resume stretching

different cultures and proven record

“However, in terms of love and

across continents, Gluscevic hopes to

in this age group, I think I am

pride for the country, Vanuatu is not

use his extensive experience to mould

capable.”

a ‘small team’. We have the same desire as any other nation to go out

the players into world class athletes The dual Serbia and Canada national

there and win games.”

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33

BERTRAND BRIAL - THE NEW HOPE Bertrand Brial has the perfect temperament for a referee.

“His qualities include his work ethic and attention to detail.” ”He has a great understanding of the game, a structured training regime which includes fitness, acceleration and stamina. And he has a great understanding of the game,” OFC Head of Referee Development Kevin Stoltekamp said.

That’s high praise indeed for a man who who only earned his FIFA badge in 2014 and is already preparing for his first appointment to a FIFA tournament as an assistant referee.

The New Caledonian forms one corner of the referee trio led by experienced Tahitan referee Norbert Hauata and completed by fellow assistant referee Philippe Revel, also of Tahiti, who together have been appointed to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Korea Republic.

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OFC INSIDER

“I think my progression has been due to a number of factors,” Brial explained.

“I have made 11 trips in Oceania, that is seven tournaments and I have learned a huge amount from observing and working with the best.

“I’ve also learned a lot from being an official in the New Caledonia Super Ligue.

“In my opinion our championship remains one of the best in the Pacific, and one of the most difficult for a referee because our players and coaches talk and contest a lot, even if less and less, and the game is still quite rough.”

Brial’s comrades share a wealth of experience between them, however this is the first major appointment for the reserved father of two.

“It took me a moment or two to realise exactly what was happening when I first opened the email,” Brial recalled.

“I was in New Zealand for the OFC Champions League at the time and my

“I WAS THERE WHEN NORBERT NEEDED AN ASSISTANT TO COMPLETE HIS TRIO”

first thought was to call my wife and tell her the news, despite the early

match to officiate.”

other candidates.”

hour.

As someone who has watched over

Stoltenkamp said working with

“It was during this converstation

Brial’s progression on the regional

people who have been there before

that I first sensed the joy and

stage, Stoltenkamp isn’t suprised that

will defintiely be of great benefit to

smiled, because she was so proud

he is gearing for his FIFA event debut.

Brial, who is already drawing on the expertise of his colleagues.

of me.”

“With each tournament Bertrand It was also during this conversation

has shown great professionalism in

“Having both Norbert and Philippe

that Brial really sensed the gravity of

the performance of his duties as an

is ideal,” Stoltenkamp explained, “as

his achievement.

Assistant Referee,” he said.

both are every experienced at FIFA tournaments.

“She made a comment about me

“He has all the attributes of an

being the first Caledonian referee

outstanding assistant referee;

“The regular communcation between

to participate in a major FIFA

concentration, stamina, acceleration,

them and the fact they have worked

tournament.

and is a team player.

as a trio in the recent Champions

“That triggered the stress! But I

“He has also grown in confidence,

quickly calmed down because that

another foot in height, knowing

day I also had a Champions League

Norbert has chosen him ahead of

League in Auckland has been the best preparation for this trio.

“Both have taken on a mentor role

OFC INSIDER

35

to Bertrand and they have become a

“I’m proud that I can represent New

Caledonians ready to follow in his

tight-knit trio.”

Caledonia, FCF and refereeing in

footsteps.

New Caledonia in general,” he said.

To be heading off to a World Cup is an

“Obviously this could be a

incredibly achievement for Brial, and

“Without forgetting the club

springboard to show our young

one he has worked hard to achieve.

Olympique, who has always

referees that anything is possible.

Not just for himself and his family,

supported me on this adventure.”

“A young generation is arriving now,

but for the future of New Caledonia football as well.

While this is a first step for him, Brial is confident there are plenty more

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OFC INSIDER

I’m thinking in particular of Marc

Sinyeue and Charlotte Pelletier,” Brial said.

“We need to motivate them, encourage them, train them and push them to give their best.

“With my colleague Médéric Lacour, we have always said that we have two objectives; create an international trio of New Caledonian referees, and to train those who will take over the Super Ligue in four or five years time.”

Brial said with the rapid advances being made on the football field by players, referees in New Caledonia need to be developing at the same pace, if not faster.

“I have another referee in mind in our championship, Marius Gaicoin, who for me certainly has the level required to be officiating in the Pacific.

“We must have international referees who are capable of being at the height of New Caledonia football.

“For three consecutive years the a team from Le Caillou have been in the OFC Champions League semi-finals, our senior men’s team is one of the best in the Pacific and our U-17 team will be participating in the World Cup at the end of the year.

“Our players are advancing, so refereeing also needs to progress, and this appointment proves that.”

Brial is honest about how he came to be a match official, and says waving the flag by no means diminishes his love of the game.

“It’s difficult to be a referee because for most of us, we’re not good enough to play in a Super Ligue club, but we love football too much to be spectators,” he explained.

But says the development pathway is clear.

“New Caledonian football will progress with better referees, and referees will progress with better football.

“It’s a vicious circle, but you cannot have one without the other.”

The FIFA U-20 World Cup is being hosted in Korea Republic from 20 May to 11 June 2017.

“IT’S NOT EASY TO BALANCE FAMILY, WORK AND TRAINING.” OFC INSIDER

37

TIKI TOA READY TO STRIKE The journey to the upper-echelons of global beach soccer continues for the Tiki Toa, Tahiti’s national side, in April when the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup gets underway.

“We left Tahiti with the same mindset as we had at the very beginning of this adventure - a lot of humilty and respect for our opponents,” senior player Teva Zaveroni said of the side’s early arrival in Nassau, Bahamas.

“The most important thing for us is to be well prepared and ready to be ruthless.

“We wanted to be here well in advance, to adapt to the sand, the climate and to work on everything tactical as well as our combinations.”

What awaits is group matches against Brazil, Japan and Poland and the plan is to better their runners-up performance of 2015.

It’s no easy task ahead, but it is one that Tahiti’s warriors are embracing.

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UPCOMING EVENTS OFC Champions League Semi-Finals 8 & 16 April // New Caledonia, New Zealand, Tahtiti FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 27 April - 7 May // Bahamas OFC Education and Training Seminar 1-6 May // New Zealand FIFA Technical Directors Seminar 8-12 May // New Zealand FIFA U-20 World Cup 20 May - 11 June // Korea Republic FIFA Confederations Cup 17 June - 2 July // Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Qualifiers - OFC Stage 3 7-15 June // Fiji, New Caledonia,

// Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea OFC U-19 Women’s Championship July // TBC OFC U-16 Women’s Championship August // Samoa FIFA U-17 World Cup 6-28 October // India OFC INSIDER

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