OFC Insider Magazine Issue 4

ISSUE FOUR · OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2014

PRESIDENT’S CUP SPECIAL EDITION

Amicale Auckland City FC Bodden Town Busaiteen Fiji U-20 Singapore U-23 Kick For Cash Competition!

Lupe Ole Soaga Champions League glory Football Ferns Canada bound

OFC Insider

The stage is set for the inaugural OFC President's Cup and I wish to extend a warm welcome to the competing teams from Cayman Islands, Bahrain, Fiji, New Zealand, Singapore and Vanuatu, as well as our many sponsors and partners who have come on board to support this special competition at The Trusts Arena.

I have been asked why stage such a competition as the OFC President's Cup. The answer is clear. Strengthened relationships.

I believe we must recognise that sporting and political ties with fellow confederations are crucial as we look to the future of football activity in our region.

By reaching out to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) in the spirit of friendship, our three organisations can each galvanise and consolidate our dreams, hopes and aspirations of our sport within each of our respective regions and within the wider global football community itself.

To this end, I would like to thank both the AFC President Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb for their unstinting support of this project.

I would also like to thank the players, team officials and fans of all six competing teams - Amicale, Auckland City FC, Bodden Town, Busaiteen, Fiji U-20 and Singapore U-23 - who have travelled great distances in some cases to compete in this tournament.

A debt of gratitude is owed to our community of sponsors and partners such as UNICEF, Sudima Hotel, Vuksich and Borich, Pegasus Sports Foundation, The Trusts Arena, Pacific Direct Line, Kiwi Water, Omni Insurance Brokers, Unichem, Future Print and the FIFA U-20 World Cup Local Organising Committee, and I also acknowledge New Zealand Football, Northern Football Federation and the Auckland Football Federation.

The economic impact of hosting this event in Auckland is important to note — we have used local hotels, transport companies, training facilities and we sincerely hope this can become an annual event to benefit Auckland as a city and New Zealand as host nation.

I would like to extend my congratulations to our partners UNICEF on marking 25 years of Children's Rights at the OFC President's Cup. Our relationship with UNICEF is an important feature of this event and worthy given there are over two million children aged 5-14 years of in the pacific region today.

We hope to launch this internationally renowned project in New Zealand with UNICEF's continued support.

Finally, good luck to the teams involved and I trust that all matches will be played in the spirit of Fair Play.

Yours in football

David Chung OFC President FIFA Vice-President PNGFA President

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OFC Insider

IN THIS ISSUE

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5

7

OFC Champions League Preliminary 2014

Kick for Cash competition

OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2014

The OFC President’s Cup gives fans a chance to win a share of $60,000 — find out how you could be in to win!

We wrap up all the action from the Kalobond Stadium, Kokopo, as New Zealand’s Football Ferns make it 3-ina-row OFC Women’s Nations Cup titles and advance to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015.

8–13

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OFC President’s Cup Teams

FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015

NEWS FROM THE OFC MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 sends a message of welcome to Fiji U-20 ahead of next year's football showpiece.

A wrap up of football news from around the Oceania Football Confederation.

Lupe Ole Soaga make history as they win the OFC Champions League Preliminary and advance to the tournament stage proper. We give you a rundown of their road to Fiji.

Meet the teams who will contest the inaugural OFC President's Cup as we highlight Amicale, Auckland City FC, Bodden Town, Busaiteen, Fiji U-20 and Singapore U-23.

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 OFC Insider is authorised, provided the source is indicated.

Produced by: OFC Media and Communications Photography: Getty Images, Football Federation Samoa Media, OFC Media, Phototek Editor: OFC Media and Communications

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

OFC Insider

Lupe Ole Soaga make history, target OFC Champions League Lupe Ole Soaga have eased into their first OFC Champions League with maximum points after a comprehensive 6-0 victory over American Samoa club champions FC Samoan Korean Baptist Church. To progress to the next stage of this competition on their tournament debut is an unforgettable achievement for Lupe coach Paul Ualesi.

“I’m really excited about that next stage right now. It’s our first time here at tier two and now we are going on to the next tier which won’t be easy,” he says.

“We’ll have to really prepare if we want to do well. We will do our best to better the performance of Kiwi FC this year when we make our debut in 2015.”

With just seconds remaining in additional time in their final match with arch-rivals FC SKBC, Lionel Taylor delivered a cross for defender Andrew Setefano to head down for his side’s sixth goal of the match.

While his charges appear to have won with relative ease, Ualesi credited the spirited performance from the American Samoa club champions.

“I think it was a good match against our cousins from American Samoa. I think their game lifted in their first two matches and we expected that. We stuck with our game plan.

“Thank you to the American Samoa team for the good game, it was a tough game.”

Puaikura’s victory in their final match saw them slot into second place in the rankings with four points, just ahead of Lotoha’apai on three. Rounding out the table with one point is FC SKBC. In the individual awards Lupe Ole Soaga striker Silao Malo was the clear winner of the Golden Boot with his five goals taking him ahead of the five players sitting on two each. Malo’s performance over the three match days also earned him the Golden Ball for most outstanding player of the tournament.

Lotoha’apai United goalkeeper Sione Faulupa takes home the Golden Gloves while Puaikura FC were given the Fairplay award.

Individual Awards Golden Ball Golden Boot Golden Gloves Fair Play Award

Silao Malo (Lupe Ole Soaga) Silao Malo (Lupe Ole Soaga) Sione Faulupa (Lotoha’apai United) Puaikura FC (Cook Islands)

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OFC Insider

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TRUSTS ARENA, AUCKLAND, NZ 17th – 23rd NOVEMBER 2014

FOR A CHANCE* TO

WIN A SHARE OF

AT THE OFC PRESIDENT'S CUP!

Between each game on every match day the OFC gives a lucky fan a chance to kick a football into a car and win $10,000!

To enter “OFC Kick for Cash” Text WINGER 2326

*Terms and conditions apply

Kick For Cash with the OFC President’s Cup! The OFC is proud to present the OFC Kick for Cash competition that could give lucky ticketholders a chance to win a share of $60,000 during the OFC President’s Cup at The Trusts Arena, 17-23 November.

When you purchase a ticket for the OFC President’s Cup, your ticket number could be drawn at random to take part in the OFC Kick for Cash! All you have to do is kick a football 30 metres into the back of a vehicle and a cash prize could be yours! (Terms and Conditions apply).

The OFC Kick for Cash takes place between games every Match Day — November 17, 19, and 21. On Match Day 4, OFC Kick for Cash happens between the end of the 3rd Place Playoff and the OFC President’s Cup Final.

Eligibility criteria for the OFC Kick for Cash is outlined in the Terms and Conditions available at the official competition website www.oceaniafootball.com.

Don’t forget you can catch up with all the news, fixtures and activities at the OFC President’s Cup on Twitter @ofcfootball, via the smartphone app available for iTunes and Android, and at the official Oceania Football Confederation Facebook Page.

You can hear more news about the OFC President’s Cup by tuning into More FM, Radio Live Sport, Radio Tarana, Humm FM, Radio APNA 990 and Ethnic Media360.

OFC Insider

OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2014 New Zealand became the 22nd nation to secure a spot at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ after defeating Cook Islands 11-0 at the OFC Women’s Nations Cup in Kokopo, Papua New Guinea last month.

The Football Ferns were too sharp for their Oceanian rivals and the defence of their OFC Women’s Nations Cup title handed them a third consecutive berth at next year’s global showpiece.

“We’re really happy obviously. We came here with one real reason and that was to win these qualifiers and book our tickets to Canada,” an elated Tony Readings said.

“We’ve done that now and we’re always sort of looking ahead so we can’t wait for the next part of the journey.”

With two big internationals against France and Norway in November and the Cyprus Cup in March, the Football Ferns have a busy schedule ahead of them as they build up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in June.

“I think we did a lot of good work on and off the pitch to just keep ourselves on track and true to what we need to be doing when we reach the World Cup. “For us we’re going to be having regular games now almost every month from November all the way through to the World Cup so we’re going to be able to see the players a lot more than we’re used which is going to be great.

“The team just keeps getting better and better which is great, and the thing is that there’s a whole lot of potential yet to be realised so we’re just going keep working hard on realising that – because when we do we’re going to be even more of a force.”

In the OFC Women’s Nations Cup individual awards New Zealand striker Amber Hearn secured the Golden Boot with seven goals over the three matches.

The Golden Ball for most outstanding player of the tournament went to Rosie White, also from New Zealand. The Golden Glove for outstanding goalkeeper was awarded to Papua New Guinea’s Fidelma Watpore while the Fairplay Award went to team Tonga.

Watpore was delighted by her team’s performances and humbled by receipt of the Golden Glove award.

“It’s my first time getting something like this,” she said, “I feel proud of myself. I wanted to play hard for the whole competition.”

Watpore says the entire experience in Kokopo was fantastic.

From bonding with her teammates and making new friends to taking on some of the world’s best footballers, she says it has been a learning curve.

“I liked making friends with new people and I learned new things playing against New Zealand especially.

“It was my second time against them and I played my best to help my team to Canada but we weren’t lucky this time.

“I put all my trust in myself that we could do well against New Zealand, and I supported the other girls too.”

The OFC Women’s Nations Cup was held from 25-29 October at Kalabond Oval in Kokopo, Papua New Guinea.

Individual Awards Golden Boot Golden Ball Golden Glove Fairplay Award

Amber HEARN (NZL) Rosie WHITE (NZL) Fidelma WATPORE (PNG) Tonga

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OFC Insider

amicale

Amicale are one of Oceania’s most vaunted club sides with the Vanuatu outfit responsible for breaking the domestic stranglehold enjoyed by arch-rivals Tafea FC since they first appeared on the scene in 2009. The club has gone close to major success at Oceania level when they finished runners-up to Auckland City FC in the OFC Champions League in 2011 and 2014. Amicale remain the only club side apart from Auckland City FC and Waitakere United to appear in two OFC Champions League finals.

COACH — Jean Robert Yelou Jean Robert Yelou takes over the reins from predecessor Nathan Hall and brings a wealth of experience to the role. Yelou appeared as a midfielder with Tafea before switching his allegiances to Amicale. He won 15 international caps for his country and scored one goal and has a tough act to follow if Amicale are to improve upon their performances in Vanuatu and Oceania last season.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Osea Vakatalesau The powerful Fijian international striker is a veteran of the Oceania club scene having turned out for Ba, Lautoka, Hekari United, Auckland City FC and YoungHeart Manawatu. Fiji’s top goalscorer at the Pacific Games in Samoa in 2007, Vakatalesau is adept with the ball at his feet, powerful in the air and capable of linking play intelligently. He was a key figure for Ba when the Fijian giants made their only appearance in an OFC Champions League final back in 2007.

OFC PRESIDENT’S CUP FIXTURES

THE SQUAD 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Chikau MANSALE (GK) Ian HOGG Chanel OBED Brian KALTAK Michele GRAZIA Adrian UCCHINO Dominique FRED Dalong DAMALIP Nikas PANAGIOTIS Manuel BRIGHENTI Fenedy MASAUVAKALO Laitia TUILAU Francois SAKAMA Osea VAKATALESAU Amani VALEBALAVU Alphonse BONGNAIM Sailas NAMATAK Esava NAQALECA Marc VILLAESCUA (GK) Gordshem DONA

CLUB PRESIDENT Andrew LEONG

GOALKEEPER COACH Jean Yves GALINIE

HEAD COACH Jean Robert YELOU

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Anthony PISANO

TEAM MANAGER Harry ATISSON

PHYSIO George REGENVANU

HONOURS

MONDAY 17 NOVEMBER

WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER

OFC Champions League runners-up 2011, 2014

Fiji U-20 vs Amicale

Amicale vs Busaiteen

Vanuatu Premia Division champions 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011-12, 2012-13

Kick-off 7.30pm

Kick-off 7.30pm

OFC Insider

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THE SQUAD

auckland city fc Auckland City Football Club is based in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.

The club competes in the nine-team ASB Premiership which is the highest level of domestic football in the country.

This new competition was formed in 2004. Auckland City have won the competition in five of the ten years since its inception. Auckland City FC is an amateur club with most players having full-time occupations outside of football.

The club has won five OFC Champions League titles, two ASB Charity Cups and appeared at six FIFA Club World Cups in 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. Their highest finish at FIFA’s premier world event was fifth when they defeated Al-Ahli 2-0 and TP Mazembe 3-2 in Abu Dhabi in 2009.

COACH — Ramon Tribulietx The Catalan-born Tribulietx has revolutionised the playing style of the club since taking over the first team role back in 2011. Based on a philosophy of ball possession and high quality passing, success has followed success with the Navy Blues winning every trophy available to them last season with the exception of the FIFA Club World Cup.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Emiliano Tade The Argentine striker signed for Auckland City FC three seasons ago and spent the majority of time on the bench until he flourished last season.

Tade won the OFC Champions League and ASB Premiership golden boot awards and swept up all of the Navy Blues club awards as his goals helped guide the team toward domestic and regional domination.

1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 14 15 16 17 19 20 22 23 24 25

Tamati WILLIAMS (GK) Takuya IWATA Mario BILEN Angel BERLANGA John IRVING James PRITCHETT Tim PAYNE Darren WHITE Ryan DE VRIES Cam LINDSAY Sanni ISSA Ivan VICELICH (C) Daewook KIM Marko DORDEVIC David BROWNE Emiliano TADE Andrew MILNE Sam BURFOOT Jacob SPOONLEY (GK) Fabrizio TAVANO

COACH Ramon TRIBULIETX

TECHNICAL Pat PRENDERGAST

ASSISTANT Ryan FAITHFULL

PHYSIO Justin LOPES

GK COACH Simone NADDI

PHYSIO Matt PAYNE

TECHNICAL Carl EDWARDS

PROPERTY Arthur EGAN

HONOURS FIFA Club World Cup 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

OFC PRESIDENT’S CUP FIXTURES MONDAY 17 NOVEMBER

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER

Auckland City FC vs Singapore U-23

Bodden Town vs Auckland City FC

Kick-off 5pm

Kick-off 5pm

OFC Champions League winners 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 ASB Premiership winners 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2008-09, 2013-14 ASB minor premiers 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2011-12 & 2013-14 ASB Charity Cup 2011, 2013

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OFC Insider

bodden town fc

Located in the Bodden Town village in Cayman Islands, the club has achieved back to back title victories in the nation’s premier domestic league, two trophies that sit nicely alongside three Cayman Islands FA Cup wins in 2001, 2009 and 2013. Bodden Town’s one and only league and cup double came in 2012-13 under manager Elbert McLean.

COACH —Elbert McLean Elbert McLean has filled a number of roles with Bodden Town that includes Technical Director. He began his football career at the age of 12 and joined McDonalds FC in 1972 league at the age of 14. He joined Saprissa Football Club in 1975, Commodity Strikers in 1977 and Bodden Town United in 1979. McLean took over as Bodden Town Football Club head coach in 2001 playing a key role in nurturing the clubs youth and grassroots programme.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Theron Wood Theron Wood represented the Cayman Islands at the 2010 Caribbean Championship and in World Cup qualifying matches in 2011. The 24-yearold striker scored 28 goals last season to win the Cayman Islands golden boot and Player of the Year awards. He joined Ashford Town in England after being invited over in late 2010 on an initial short term basis, although the move was extended then until the end of the season.

THE SQUAD 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 16 17 20 21 22 23

Ramon SEALY (GK) Maynor RODRIGUEZ Yefry ARZU CALDERON Santangelo BUSH Wesley ROBINSON Thomas BUSH JR Kareem JAMES Charlo McLEAN Karl SOLOMON BORDEN Theron WOOD Joshwa CLARKE Casey McLAUGHLIN Andra ALLEN Emmanuel BROWN Jonathan EBANKS Mario BERRY Fabio GALL Michael GOURZONG (GK)

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Elbert McLEAN

MANAGER Clara BUSH

ASSISTANT COACH Kamark HENRY

MEDICAL Robert MICHELIN

HEAD OF DELEGATION Kennedy KELLY

MEDIA OFFICER Jason HARPER

OFC PRESIDENT’S CUP FIXTURES WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER

Bodden Town FC vs Singapore U-23

Auckland City FC vs Bodden Town FC

Kick-off 5pm*

Kick-off 5pm*

HONOURS Cayman Islands Premier League champions 2012-13, 2013-14 Cayman Islands FA Cup winners 2000-01, 2008-09, 2012-13

OFC Insider

busaiteen fc

The Busaiteen Club competes in the Bahraini Premier League, and it is considered to be one of the main contenders for the title each year. The club possess several international players which contributed with the national team for many years. Based at the impressive 35,580 capacity St a¯ d al-Bahrayn al-Watan¯a City in Ar Rifa, the team nicknamed the ‘Blue Waves’, Busaiteen start the OFC President’s Cup as favourites for the title with their storied history as a professional club likely to make opponents wary.

COACH — Khlifa Al Zayani Khlifa Hamad Isa Alzayani is a former Bahrain international. A decorated footballer, Al Zayani spent the bulk of his professional career with Al Muharraq, signing for the club in 1964 before making his final appearance ten years later. Al Zayani moved into coaching the same year as his international career with Bahrain came to a close in 1970.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Juliano De Paula The 1.88 metre centre back spent his formative years with Chapecoense, Sport Club do Recife and Náutico in Brazil, a club now coached by former FIFA World Cup™ winner, Jorghino. De Paula has spent the bulk of his career in Bahrain with Al Muharraq and Al Hidd and has a penchant for scoring important goals in big matches. He is joined in the Busaiteen squad by fellow Brazilian export Eliel Guardiano.

THE SQUAD 1 Mahmood Isa Mohamed SHARIF (GK) 2 Mohamed Nabeel Bakheet MUBARAK 3 Juliano DE PAULA 4 Abdulla Ahmed Jasim BUDHAISH 5 Mohamed Sultan Hamad ALI 6 Abdelkarim KOUSSI 8 Hesham Ahmed Mansoor NAYEM 9 Mohamed Abdulaziz AJAJ 11 Abdulraham Mohamed Fares FALEH 12 Hesam Jasim Najim ALMANNAE (GK) 14 Abdulla Ali Hasan ALAJMI 16 Mohamed Khalil Ebrahim ALQALLAF 17 Mohamed Jasim Ali ALBADAL 18 Isa Abdulla Ahmed ALROOMI 19 Mujtaba Mohamed Ghuloom MALEK 20 Ahmed Yusuf Hasan MOHAMED 22 Husain Abdulla Hasan HARAM (GK) 23 Yusuf Salah Yusuf ALBUSAITINI 25 Eliel da Cruz GUARDIANO 30 Salman Ahmed Saleh ALDAKHEEL HEAD OF DELEGATION Hasan Mohamed Hasan ALI HEAD COACH Khlifa Hamad Isa ALZAYANI ADMINISTRATOR Abdulraham Mohamed ALMULLA

HONOURS

OFC PRESIDENT’S CUP FIXTURES WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER

Amicale vs Busaiteen

Busaiteen vs Fiji U-20

kick-off 7.30pm

kick-off 7.30pm

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Bahrain Premier League champions 2012-13 Bahrain FA Cup 2003 King’s Cup runners-up 2012

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OFC Insider

THE SQUAD

fiji u-20

Fiji U-20 come to the OFC President’s Cup during a period of unprecedented success for the international game in their country. Winners of the OFC U-20 Men’s Championship in May 2014, the team coached by Ravinesh Kumar became the first Fijian side to qualify for a major world event and will take their place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015.

COACH — Ravinesh Kumar Kumar’s achievement in guiding Fiji U-20 to their first Oceania title and a berth at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand is unparalleled in Fijian football history. Kumar’s team has embarked upon a thorough warm-up programme that saw Fiji U-20 take on two Hyundai A-League clubs — Newcastle Jets and West Sydney Wanderers — prior to the OFC President’s Cup. Kumar also welcomes the assistance of former Socceroos coach and player Frank Farina as Technical Advisor to the team.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Praneel Naidu The cultured wide midfielder could be the key to Fiji U-20’s impact at the OFC President’s Cup after the youngster’s eye-catching performance at the OFC U-20 Men’s Championship in Suva in May. Naidu scored a superb free-kick against the Solomon Islands in their final match to hand Fiji U-20 the men’s title for the first time in 40 years and with it a U-20 World Cup qualifying berth.

OFC PRESIDENT’S CUP FIXTURES MONDAY 17 NOVEMBER

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER

Fiji U-20 vs Amicale

Fiji U-20 vs Busaiteen

Kick-off 7.30pm*

Kick-off 7.30pm*

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Misi NAIRUBE (GK) Praneel NAIDU Garish Henry PRASAD Jale DRELOA Tony TUIVUNA Mohammed Shuiad KHAN Nikki CHAND Setareki HUGHES Gabreili MATANISIGA Narendra RAO Josefa KOROI Ratu Tevita WARANAIVALU Mataisi TOMA Ravnit Shelvin CHAND Saula WAQA Jonetani Nalulu BUKSH Koli SIVOKI Altaaf SAHIB Ashnil Kumar RAJU Shaneel NAIDU (GK) Divikesh Krisnil DEO (GK)

COACH Ravinesh KUMAR

GK COACH Iosefo VOSABOTO

ASSISTANT Shalendra LAL

DIRECTOR Taranesh REDDY

TECHNICAL Frank FARINA

PHYSIO Varun KARAN

HONOURS OFC U-20 Men’s Championship winners 2014 OFC U-20 Men’s Championship runners-up 2013, 2007, 2003, 1998, 1978

OFC Insider

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THE SQUAD

singapore u-23 Singapore U-23 were bronze medallists at the 2013 South-east Asian Games, and also recently competed at the Asian Games in Incheon, Korea republic. The team finished with a record of one win, one loss and a draw against Tajikistan, Oman and Palestine, and came within a whisker of qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament. The side competes in Singapore’s S-League competition as a club called “Young Lions” where a 3-0 win over Home United played a key role in determining the outcome of the league title race.

COACH — Aide Iskandar Coach Aide Iskandar is a former Singapore international who has a New Zealand connection having made his debut for his country in a friendly match with the All Whites back in 1995. Iskandar’s tenure with Singapore U-23 has been relatively successful with impressive displays in the South-East Asian Games and Asian Games football tournaments. Several of Iskandar’s graduates have gone on to higher honours with many of his first choice picks recently called up to the full senior side for the AFF Suzuki Cup. Iskandar won 121 international caps for Singapore between 1995 and 2007.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Adam Swandi Swandi signed a two year contract with French Ligue 2 club FC Metz, joining their Under-19 set-up in the Championnat National youth competitions. He had impressed the staff and coaches during his 10-day stint at Metz following his 45-day European tour which includes training spells at illustrious clubs such as Newcastle United, Chelsea and Atlético Madrid.

Despite offers of a 1 year contract from Spanish Liga BBVA side Atlético Madrid and Dutch Eredivise side AFC Ajax, Adam chose to sign for FC Metz. He has won 4 caps at senior level.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Syazan BUHARI (GK) Sheikh Hadi SH OTHMAN Afiq MAT NOOR Shamil SHARIF Stanley NG Nur Naiim MOHAMED ISHAK Ammirul Emmran MAZLAN Suria PRAKASH Muhaimin SUHAIMI Muhammad RAHMAT Faris Azienuddin KHAERI Amy Recha SAMION Shameer Aziq ABDUL RAZAK Ali Hudzaifi MOHD YUSOF Fadli KAMIS Amirul Adli AZMI Sim Teck YI Adam SWANDI Rudy Khairullah ADI NEGARA R. Aaravin AARAVIN

TEAM MANAGER Aizat RAMLI

FITNESS Jurgen RAAB

HEAD COACH Aide Iskandar SAHAK

SPORTS TRAINER Muklis Swait SWAIT

PHYSIO ASSISTANT COACH Subramani SHUMMUGHAM Paul DOOHAN GK COACH Queen Cher LIM

KIT MANAGER Ervianti POSARI

HONOURS

OFC PRESIDENT’S CUP FIXTURES MONDAY 17 NOVEMBER

WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER

Auckland City FC vs Singapore U-23

Bodden Town vs Singapore U-23

Kick-off 5pm*

Kick-off 5pm*

South-East Asian Games Football Tournament bronze medallists 2007, 2009, 2013.

Pestabola Merdeka third place 2013 Singapore League Cup Plate runners-up 2012 Singapore S-League third place 2004

71a, Montgomerie Road, Airport Oaks, Auckland, New Zealand Telephone: 09 256 0881 | Fax: 09 256 0801 | Mobile:027 200 7368

“Your Risk, Our Responsibility”

OFC Insider

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France celebrate their triumph at FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013

BULA FIJI! Welcome to New Zealand from the FIFA U-20 Local Organising Committee What fantastic few months it has been for Fijian football.

Firstly they make history by qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 then they get an invitation to take part in the inaugural President’s Cup. The FIFA U-20 World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) would like to welcome the Fiji U-20’s and their management to New Zealand and are excited about the prospect of getting a first-hand view of the team before next year’s tournament. It also gives the LOC an excellent opportunity to engage with Fiji’s passionate New Zealand-based fans.

Whilst the players on the pitch will put on a world-class footballing display (Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and James Rodriguez to name a few have all played at a FIFA U-20 World Cup) it is the atmosphere created by the fans that will make it a unique social experience and none will be louder or more colourful than the Fijians.

Whilst the Fijians will be underdogs at FIFA U-20 World Cup it should be noted that the current holders of the FIFA U-20 World Cup are France, who won at Turkey 2013. Perhaps another country whose name begins with “F” will win this time!

Tickets have been priced to allow everyone access to the tournament so get a group together and be part of the greatest celebration of football ever seen in New Zealand.

For more information please visit www.fifa.com/nz2015

OFC Insider

NEWS FROM MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

American Samoa

New Zealand

Solomon Islands

FC Samoa Korean Baptist Church made their OFC Champions League Preliminary debut after securing back-to-back championship victories on the domestic front.

New Zealand Football have named 33-year-old Anthony Hudson as the All Whites new coach through until the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018.

Hudson, son of former Chelsea great Alan, resigned from his post as Bahrain coach to take up the post. The Football Ferns qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada after retaining the OFC Women’s Nations Cup in Kokopo, Papua New Guinea.

The Solomon Islands S-League returned to action with Solomon Warriors taking pole position ahead of Hana, Western United and Real Kakamora. The Our Telikom Solomon Islands Women’s National League also took centre stage with teams representing eight clubs — Hana FC, Koloale FC, Kossa FC, Malaita Kingz FC, Marist FC, Real Kakamora FC, Solomon Warriors FC and Western United FC — taking part.

Cook Islands Club champions Puaikura have signed former Rangers and Scotland U-20 international Stu Kelly ahead of the OFC Champions League Preliminary campaign in Apia, Samoa. Kelly won the OFC Champions League with Auckland City FC but more recently guided Cashmere Technical to back-to-back ASB Chatham Cup wins.

Fiji Fiji international striker Osea Vakatalesau sealed a transfer from Ba to Amicale.

Vakatalesau, who led the line for Ba at last season’s OFC Champions League, joins his fourth overseas club following spells with Auckland City FC, YoungHeart Manawatu and Hekari United. Fiji U-20 confirmed a series of friendly matches in Australia with Newcastle Jets, Western Sydney Wanderers and a Fijian-Australian selection. Frank Farina, former Socceroos coach, is the team’s Technical Advisor to coach Ravinesh Kumar.

New Caledonia New Caledonia celebrated its first ever live broadcast of its national domestic club cup competition this month. Federation de Caledonienne de Football (FCF) partnered with French Cable channel Canal+ and public channel New Caledonia 1ere in a joint broadcast project to cover the first two New Caledonia Cup quarter finals.

Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea turned in a brave performance losing 2-1 to Singapore under coach Wynton Rufer. Singapore, ranked 48 places above the Kapuls, were pushed all the way by Papua New Guinea who handed international debuts to Australian-based duo George Slefendorfas and Brad McDonald.

Raymond Gunemba was on target for Papua New Guinea. A 5-0 friendly loss to the Philippines rounded off a busy month of action for the team. Papua New Guinea U-15 Girls’ team claimed fifth place at the Youth Olympic Games Girls’ Football tournament in China after a deserved win over Namibia.

Samoa Samoa prepared to host the OFC Champions League Preliminary competition for the first time in Football Federation Samoa’s history this month. Host club Lupe Ole Soaga emulated the achievements of Kiwi FC who won last year’s edition winning the tournament comfortably. They now compete in the OFC Champions League for the first time next April.

Tahiti Tahiti’s Tiki Toa were in international Beach Soccer action defeating England 4-1 and 3-2 in two matches. In the first game, Heimano Taiarui netted a hat-trick with Tearii Labaste also on target while the visitors pulled one back with a penalty. England delivered a better performance in the next match with Aaron Clarke and Mark Corbett netting only for Jonathan Torohia, Naea Bennett and Patrick Tepa to guide Tahiti home for the win in match two.

Tonga Tonga’s extensive preparations for the OFC Women’s Nations Cup took in matches with Western Springs and a training camp in Australia. Tonga lost their warm-up match with Western Springs 4-0 at Point Chevalier prior to departure for the competition in Papua New Guinea. Manly United FC 3-2

Vanuatu Vanuatu hosted the inaugural Melanesian Super Cup with Amicale, Tafea FC and Solomon Warriors taking part in the three team club event in Port Vila. Vanuatu U-15 Boys’ team coached by Moise Poida finished sixth at the Youth Olympic Games Football tournament in China.

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20

OFC Insider

OFC PRESIDENT’S CUP FIXTURES GROUP A 17/11/14

17:00

Auckland City

Singapore U-23

The Trusts Arena

19/11/14

17:00

Bodden Town

Singapore U-23

The Trusts Arena

21/11/14

17:00

Auckland City

Bodden Town

The Trusts Arena

Teams

PL

W

D

L

GF

GA

PTS

GD

1 2 3

GROUP B 17/11/14

19:30

Fiji U-20

Amicale

The Trusts Arena

19/11/14

19:30

Amicale

Busaiteen

The Trusts Arena

21/11/14

19:30

Busaiteen

Fiji U-20

The Trusts Arena

Teams

PL

W

D

L

GF

GA

PTS

GD

1 2 3

5/6 Place 23/11/14 13:00

3/4 Play-off

3rd A

The Trusts Arena v

3rd B

23/11/14 16:00

Final

The Trusts Arena

2nd A

23/11/14 19:00

v

2nd B

1st A

The Trusts Arena v

1st B

OFC Insider

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COMPETITIONS OFC President’s Cup 17-23 November // Auckland, New Zealand Amicale (VAN), Auckland City FC (NZL), Bodden Town (CAY), Busaiteen (BHR), Fiji U-20, Singapore U-23 FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2014 10-20 December // Marrakesh, Rabat, Morocco // Auckland City FC (NZL)

RESULTS Youth Olympic Games Girls’ Football August 25, 2014 Papua New Guinea U-15 3, Namibia U-15 2 *Papua New Guinea finish 5th Youth Olympic Games Boys’ Football August 25, 2014 Vanuatu U-15 0, Honduras U-15 5 *Vanuatu finish 6th International Friendlies September 7, 2014 // Singapore 2, Papua New Guinea 1 September 8, 2014 // Uzbekistan 3, New Zealand 0 October 12, 2014 // Philippines 5, Papua New Guinea 0 Beach Soccer September 27, 2014 Tahiti 4, England 1 September 28, 2014 Tahiti 3, England 2

NOTICES New Zealand Football has appointed Anthony Hudson as new coach of the All Whites. Hudson, 33, was previously national team coach of Bahrain.

OFC has appointed Danny Sze to the secretariat’s Finance Department in the role of Accounts Administrator.

Lucina Park has left the OFC TV department to join TVNZ as a producer following two years’ service.

Michael Kapisi has been appointed as the new CEO for the Samoa Football Federation. Anna Iosefa takes up the position of Media Officer for the federation.

The next OFC Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for December 6, 2014.

OBITUARIES Bruce Ward The Oceania Football Confederation joined New Zealand Football and Central United in mourning the loss of former Central United coach Bruce Ward on Tuesday 5 August. Central United were among the first clubs to compete in the OFC Club Championship, the fore-runner to today’s OFC Champions League competition.

Ward was appointed co-coach of Central United with Paul Posa part way through the 1993 Winfield Superclub Northern Region season and guided the club to the top division the first time Central United had ever competed at a National level.

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