OFC Insider 10 / Champions League Programme 2016 English

ISSUE 10 FIRST QUARTER 2016

Meet FIFA President Gianni Infantino Kurukuru reign supreme Special Pull-Out OFC Champions League Programme

This edition of the OFC Insider / OFC Champions League Programme was printed by Konica Minolta

OFC Insider

We have seen some major changes throughout the world of football in these early months of 2016.

The adoption of the reforms by the FIFA Executive Committee was the first step towards change with newly elected FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Gianni was, along with OFC Deputy General Secretary Sarai Bareman, a member of the FIFA Reforms Committee and therefore his knowledge of what FIFA and football need is intimate. While Gianni has taken a global approach to how the administration of football can be improved, there will be extensive benefits to Oceania.

One area where Gianni has shown a passion for is women’s football, which has well and truly been in the headlines early on in 2016 globally and here in Oceania.

The 2016 OFC U-17 Women’s Championship was the most attended edition of this event in OFC history with eight teams contesting the title — Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu for the first time ever.

New Zealand were a step ahead of each one of their opponents securing the championship and the single Oceania berth at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016.

However what we also saw was a level of competitiveness amongst the remaining Member Associations which shows growth and development is taking place.

We saw Fiji and Vanuatu earn their first wins at this level along with New Caledonia. There were also a number of nations that fielded squads with players who will still be eligible for the next edition of the OFC U-17 Women’s Championship.

This success is exciting to witness and I am pleased that a number of FIFA Instructors, MA CEOs and Technical Directors, were able to see these historic moments for themselves.

The group were in Rarotonga to attend the 2016 FIFA/ OFC Women’s Football Regional Development Seminar.

The seminar was well received and provided an excellent opportunity for those responsible for the development of the women’s game across the region to share their experiences, their successes and the difficulties encountered in each nation.

What was evident was the huge amount of development work that has gone on throughout Oceania since the last seminar of its kind in 2013. Everyone who has played a part in that should be congratulated for the huge effort it has taken to get this far.

However we must remember that football development is fluid, there is still a lot of work to do to close the gap and in fact, to get more girls playing the beautiful game.

I look forward to continuing on this journey with all of you.

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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NEW FIFA PRESIDENT

FIFA U-20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

Meet Gianni Infantino, the man elected to lead FIFA for the next three years.

The draw for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup has been held revealing some intriguing pools. We get some reaction from New Zealand coach Leon Birnie..

CENTREFOLD CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH SCHEDULE Turn to the middle of the book to get your own pull-out of the 2016 OFC Champions League Match Schedule.

From page 8 2016 OFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PROGRAMME Get the lowdown on the teams and key players taking part in this year’s edition of Oceania’s premier international club competition.

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2016 OFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP

#ENDVIOLENCE

Solomon Islands captain Elliot Ragomo gives some insight into how the Kurukuru overcame adversity to take the 2016 regional title.

A year-long social responsibility campaign has been launched in support of greater awareness of violence against women and children in order to put an end to it.

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: Phototek / FIFA via Getty Images / OFC Media Cover photo: Phototek

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

OFC Insider

Anyone who might question whether new FIFA President Gianni Infantino is merely an administrator of the game they love needn’t worry. Just like all of you, he’s a football fanatic.

Football fan through and through: Gianni Infantino “The football virus was injected into me when I was a kid, from my parents and my father in particular. I was a crazy football fan, following my team all over the place,” Infantino says.

He recalls a time when he wouldn’t dress up in a suit to watch a football match, but was in jeans and his shirt, and says this is just one area where change can be quick and effective.

“I think we need to change that and as leaders of the game we need to become a little bit more like fans and less like politicians. If we remember that we all started out as football fans, the game will become much better.”

Everyone has heard about Infantino’s ideas for expansion of the FIFA World Cup to include 40 teams which is just 19 per cent of FIFA’s Member Associations.

“We give eight more countries the opportunity to participate, but many more countries the possibility to dream of participating.

“Of course there are more issues that we need to analyse and discuss, like: what impact does this have on the calendar? I think it’ll have no impact. But we need to look into these matters very carefully and seriously and then we have to move forward.”

Moving forward is a big part of Infantino’s new role.

Six months ago he wouldn’t have imagined himself in this position and is fully aware of the prestige the role of FIFA President holds.

However he is adamant that there will be change and as someone who played a crucial role in shaping the now adopted

FIFA Reforms he has a personal interest in seeing them implemented.

Prior to the election Infantino visited the different confederations, including Oceania, seeing first-hand the challenges some nations face in developing football.

“I’ve been travelling a lot to each of the continents and visiting many countries and I’ve seen with my own eyes what the needs are,” he says.

“And I think we can and we should do a lot – and we can do a lot with actually very little. But particularly, what we have to do is to invest in tailor-made programmes, because the needs are not the same in Bhutan, Madagascar, Switzerland or Paraguay.

“The needs are completely different, and we have to make sure that we target each of the 209 Member Associations specifically and that we help them to develop football in accordance with the needs that they have.”

Infantino is set to make a return to Oceania this year, almost a year after he first travelled to Papua New Guinea when he attends the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. “It’s important to take girl’s football to these countries, to open them to new horizons.

“I’ll certainly be there and it’ll be a great pleasure to participate in these competitions, to show the world we’re grateful to Jordan and Papua New Guinea, but also that we believe in them and in the impact that these competitions can have in these countries and regions.”

BIOGRAPHY FIFA PRESIDENT

Gianni Infantino NAME

Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino BORN

23 March 1970, Brig, Switzerland NATIONALITY

Swiss and Italian MARITAL STATUS

Married to Lina Al Achkar Infantino, four children (Alessia, Sabrina, Shania Serena and Dhalia Nora) EDUCATION

Lawyer, University of Fribourg, Switzerland PREVIOUS ROLE

UEFA General Secretary

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OFC Insider

FIFA/OFC Women’s Football Regional Development Seminar In 2005 the Cook Islands Football Association hosted the first FIFA/OFC Women’s Football Regional Development Seminar, and in January, ten years later, Rarotonga once again welcomed the event to its shores.

Bringing together technical directors, CEOs and women’s development officers from each OFC Member Association, the seminar was aimed at discussing the current status, potential and future of women’s football.

The seminar was run alongside the 2016 OFC U-17 Women’s Championship and CIFA General Secretary Mii Piri says that provided an opportunity in itself for women’s football in the Cook Islands.

“One benefit I can see for us as Cook Islanders and as hosts for this tournament, is we can showcase exactly how football is here,” Piri says.

“And we can showcase just how far we have come since 2005.”

Updating information and best practices, discussing MA Development Plans 2015-2018 and creating a shared vision for women’s football in Oceania towards 2019 was also on the agenda.

FIFA Women’s Football Development Manager Mayi Cruz Blanco says overall women’s football has progressed immensely in the region since the last edition of the seminar in 2013.

“The Pacific nations have been very active in terms of development. In total 109 development activities were organised in the region between 2014 and 2015 and almost all the Member Associations have written a strategic plan or development plan,” Cruz Blanco says.

Key achievements across Oceania include New Zealand’s world ranking of 16, women’s leagues and national competitions across almost all MAs and the expansion of women’s football out of the main cities and regions in Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tonga.

Vanuatu Football Federation women’s football development officer Joel Rarua says the move to take women’s football out of the main cities is a necessity in Vanuatu.

“The focus is to decentralise football, including women’s football, into the VFF member associations,” he says.

“The plan is to take football to the doorsteps and allow women and girls to get involved in the game and participate.”

For Solomon Islands representative Maria Rufina the goal is to see greater gender balance across all aspects of football.

“The biggest change I would like to see for women’s football in the region, is I would like to see more of a gender balance in the executive committees, but also in the federation as a whole,” Rufina says.

“Of course it has to be on merit, and I believe there are potential women out there who are involved in women’s football that can also do the same job as men.”

In addition, despite the progress which has been made already, there remains a lack of experienced personnel for implementing the plans and finding solutions to some of the key challenges.

“Improving the players’ pathway, coaching education and having more competitions are key priorities to accelerate women’s football development in the region,” Cruz Blanco says.

OFC Insider

Official Emblem unveiled The Official Emblem and Slogan for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2016 was unveiled in an event held on the 8 March, at the Laguna Hotel in Port Moresby.

“ TO INSPIRE, TO EXCEL” The event coincided with International Women’s Day, which was a perfect fit for the tournament that aims to inspire and encourage girls and women through football.

The eighth edition of the competition, which will be held from 13 November to 3 December, will take place in Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby.

The Official Emblem connects Papua New Guinean culture to the tournament by utilising the recognisable shape of the Official Trophy of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup as a canvas, and incorporating the country’s heritage and nature through a range of design and colour elements.

“With Papua New Guinea hosting this important tournament for the first time, we are thrilled to see the excitement and enthusiasm that this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will bring to the nation,” said Thierry Weil, FIFA’s Director of Marketing.

“It is an honour to reveal the emblem that reflects the unique beauty and the spirit of hospitality of Papua New Guinea, which are essential to the success of the event.”

The Official Slogan for the tournament was created in order to inspire and empower young women across Papua New Guinea.

“To Inspire, To Excel” encapsulates the ultimate goal of the event, which is to use football as a platform to push for gender equality in a traditional male-dominated culture.

“Gender equality remains a significant social challenge in Papua New Guinea but we hope that through this tournament we will create further awareness and promote change towards a more egalitarian society,” said David Chung, President of the Papua New Guinea Football Association.

Along with the Official Emblem and Slogan, the Official Look for the tournament was also released, which takes graphic elements from traditional Papua New Guinean designs.The Official Look is a flexible asset that visually connects all parts of the tournament, from the event materials to stadium dressing and across various other platforms.

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OFC Insider

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Draw

The Official Draw for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup has taken place at the Home of FIFA, with the pick of the sections pairing Japan with Nigeria and France with USA. Hosts Papua New Guinea, meanwhile, face a series of intriguing challenges against Brazil, Sweden and Korea DPR in Group A. They will contest the tournament’s opening match against Brazil on 13 November.

“The U-20 Women’s World Cup is a great event,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.

“I’ve been to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea and it was a great experience. I can tell you the weather will be beautiful. What will be even more beautiful is that Papua New Guinea will greet the world and the world will discover Papua New Guinea.

“I’m sure Papua New Guinea will excel and I’m sure the 16 teams will as well on the pitch.”

New Zealand won the regional qualifier to join Papua New Guinea at the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and have found themselves drawn against some powerhouses of women’s football in France, USA and Ghana.

Coach Leon Birnie says his initial reaction was that his side has found themselves in a strong group, which also points to an exciting opportunity ahead.

“They now have a great opportunity to test themselves both individually and collectively on the world stage against some of the strongest women’s nations in football,” Birnie says.

“The players have clear objectives and goals for this campaign as they look to gain valuable international experience against quality opposition, which will give them the best opportunity of developing, being selected and having a long and successful career with the Football Ferns.

“There was mixed reactions as the players received news of the draw, from excitement and optimism to a realisation of whom we have drawn.”

GROUP A

GROUP B

GROUP C

GROUP D

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

SPAIN

FRANCE

GERMANY

BRAZIL

CANADA

USA

VENEZUELA

SWEDEN

JAPAN

GHANA

MEXICO

KOREA DPR

NIGERIA

NEW ZEALAND

KOREA REPUBLIC

OFC Insider

2016 OFC Futsal Championship

FUTSAL WAS TOO CLOSE TO CALL In recent years the development going on behind the scenes in the world of futsal in Oceania meant few wanted to bet on the outcome of this year’s OFC Futsal Championship.

Those in the know were quietly backing four-time champions Solomon Islands, but having been off the radar for the past three years after a relatively dismal campaign at the 2013 OFC Futsal Invitational there were others who felt their time at the top may have been and gone.

New Zealand for one had been working exceptionally hard on the all-round development of the game at home, and spent the past four years building up to this competition too.

Playing at least 30 internationals over that time, as well as performing well at each of the OFC Invitational tournaments saw the Futsal Whites coming to Fiji with a 10-match unbeaten record putting them in good stead to challenge for the title.

Although New Zealand were by no means underestimating any of their opponents going into the competition as Futsal Whites captain Marvin Eakins pointed out. “I would probably say two teams will stand out. Over the last four years or so, Tahiti have really raised their game and they

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OFC Insider

2016 OFC Futsal Championship — Solomon Islands Shooting Stats

236 shots 41% of shots on target

have been taking their qualification seriously. We have been struggling the last few times that we have played against them,” he says.

“Historically, the Solomon Islands are the team to beat, they have been to the last two World Cups, and it is no secret that they have some really talented players that on their day can cause a lot of problems, so those two teams will be the biggest threat.”

5th OFC Futsal Championship title

2015

FIFA Futsal World Cup – twice youngest team

2008

2008

2009

2011 2010

Tahiti, who pushed Solomon Islands all the way in the hugely memorable 2011 final, had been slowly building up to the region’s FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifier.

“We came here to win all five matches,” coach Jacob Tutavae said.

Their programme has seen the national team working with Spain national coach and FIFA Futsal Instructor Venancio López to build on the foundations they have laid.

2012

But these three nations aren’t the only ones chasing their dream of qualifying for the World Cup with Vanuatu and New Caledonia proving more and more that they are serious about this discipline and have the skills and technique to back themselves.

But there can be only one winner in this competition and for an historic fifth time it was the Solomon Islands lifting the 2016 OFC Futsal Championship trophy.

QBE Stadium // Auckland // New Zealand // 8-23 April 2016

Printed by OFC Sponsor Konica Minolta

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

The OFC Champions League is the most anticipated event on the annual calendar for the Oceania Football Confederation and its participating Member Associations.

It is a welcome opportunity to see the best players and coaches our region has to offer and time and again it has proven a stepping stone to a long career in football for many.

As OFC President it is always a delight to see players from across Oceania taking part in this tournament.

However as Papua New Guinea Football Association President, this year is a special one for me as, for the first time, two teams will be representing our nation. Hekari United have already proven themselves a force to be reckoned with, winning this competition in 2010 and becoming the first Pacific Island side outside of New Zealand or Australia to compete at the FIFA Club World Cup. Lae City Dwellers are up-and-comers on the domestic scene and recently won their second consecutive national title with an all-local side.

Both of these teams will do our country proud.

I am not forgetting that there are ten other teams from across Oceania competing and just like the two from Papua New Guinea, they each have their sights set on the ultimate prize – a chance to call themselves regional champions, and go on to test themselves against the best clubs in the world.

With something so tantalising on the horizon we know that each participating side will have prepared hard and will deliver the best possible performances throughout the course of this event.

Like you, I am excited about seeing the OFC Champions League kick-off its 14th edition in 2016 and I very much look forward to seeing you there.

Good luck to each of the teams who are here in Auckland, I am sure you will do your countries and your fans proud.

Yours in football,

David Chung OFC President PNGFA President FIFA Vice-President

The OFC Champions League has taken on a number of formats over the course a history which spans 14 editions, thousands of goals and thousands of player from Oceania as well as across the globe.

This year we have two teams making their debut; Lae City Dwellers of Papua New Guinea and AS Lossi from New Caledonia. As we have seen in previous editions, being without extensive experience in this competition doesn’t always mean you can’t test those teams which do.

While we have witnessed Auckland City FC’s dominance in Oceania’s premier international club competition for the past five consecutive editions, we’ve also seen that this competition is nothing if not unpredictable.

Take the 2014 season for example, Auckland City lost a group game to Amicale FC and had to rely on the results of other teams to find out if they would progress to the semi-finals.

You could go back even further to a time when Nadi FA were vying for the title in the final against South Melbourne, or when AS Magenta missed out after they lost by a narrow 2-0 margin to Sydney FC. More recently we saw Team Wellington make a flawless run to the final where they pushed the defending champions all the way to a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.

While they were unable to make a big enough impression to exit their group, Fiji’s Suva FA did enough to turn heads with their playing style and will have opponents concerned Both Nadi and Magenta are returning to the regional stage this season after a short break along with Solomon Islands champions Solomon Warriors. Meanwhile Kiwi FC of Samoa came

through the preliminary unscathed to try their luck against the best of the best once again.

Tahiti’s AS Tefana is a former finalist which can’t be underestimated, likewise former champions Hekari United from Papua New Guinea.

If we can judge anything from this list, it’s that this there is a vast range of experience, talent, playing styles and tactics which will be employed on the field over the next three weeks.

The format is unforgiving and as each of these teams knows, one mistake can put you on the back-foot and left relying on other results to progress from the group stage.

It is going to be a thrilling, unpredictable, actionpacked three weeks of football and in the end there will be only one side worthy of the prize – but who will it be?

Who are the front runners? The key players? The coaches? The tactics?

Read on to get a small insight into the 12 teams, the line-ups, the leaders and the players who could well be the difference between the title of 2016 OFC Champions League winners, or not.

2016 OFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

TRIBULIETX: “OUR PASSION FOR THE OFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE” The first manager from continental Europe to win Oceania’s most prestigious trophy back in 2011, Ramon Tribulietx has gone on to become the most successful coach in club football in New Zealand.

Tribulietx has racked up five OFC Champions League titles, two ASB Premiership titles, five minor premierships, three ASB Charity Cup titles, the OFC President’s Cup and, of course, a bronze medal at the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2014.

And no sooner had Tribulietx brought Auckland City FC their fifth consecutive OFC Champions League title last April then he was plotting the acquisition of more silverware – and the Catalanborn coach wanted to do it in style too.

The New Zealand narrative of the OFC Champions League race is often presented as a choice of footballing philosophies - either blood and thunder direct football or the Tribulietx possession-based approach at the Navy Blues. For Tribulietx, possession-based football is the way forward.

“New Zealand clubs had always played a very direct style of football and as a player I didn’t identify with long balls and quick transitions.

“We had to change this mentality at Auckland City FC little by little to become the team we are today, hungry for possession.

Now people are used to it and are convinced of this style.”

“Our idea is very much like that of FC Barcelona and I identify 100 per cent with their game. But I try not to make references to Barça with my players.

“We cannot compare ourselves with the best team in the world. In any case, everyone knows that I am Catalan and a Barça fan. There’s no need to say anything else,” he said.

Repeating the dream run of success in Morocco was always going to be tough at last December’s FIFA Club World Cup where their opponents Sanfrecce Hiroshima boasted three titles in four seasons and an annual turnover of $100M USD. “Every opponent was going to prepare even more thoroughly for us this time around because of what we achieved the year before.

“We as a club had to stay grounded and accept that to repeat something like a bronze medal was going to be even more difficult.

“But I think we got very close again and we played Hiroshima without any fear. Unfortunately for us the Club World Cup is always an away game against the best team in the country hosting the tournament, among other advantages, and those details add up.

“But I have no regrets, I think we were very competitive and I’m proud of the way we played the game,” Tribulietx said.

Bridging the gap between the OFC Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup is a huge gulf but Tribulietx believes the way his team approaches games is a key difference in staying at the top and overcoming big challenges on the world stage.

“The J.League is a level up from the ASB Premiership or OFC Champions League, for sure. It’s always difficult to overcome that gap efficiently in a one-off game.

“We managed to do that in Yokohama to the extent that we dominated the game in terms of possession. But I don’t think beating Hiroshima was an impossible task even though we lost the game. Nothing is impossible.”

“This method of playing is the way we want to play this game and we have a clear approach, we want to control the games with the ball.

“To achieve that against a team like Hiroshima who have so many quality players in their line-up and to reach more than 70 per cent of possession is a clear reflection that we managed to set up the kind of game we wanted to play.

“Unfortunately, Hiroshima scored an early goal from a scrappy chance and that made our life more difficult.

“We have learned a few lessons from the experience, mainly structural in nature, of how to break through teams that sit very deep and that has helped us to grow as a team,” Tribulietx said.

With the OFC Champions League coming up in April, the Navy Blues are chasing a sixth consecutive championship, an accomplishment that has many asking whether or not Tribulietx or his players have the appetite for a competition they’ve dominated relentlessly.

But any question of fatigue or boredom is quashed quickly by a coach who seems to possess an indefatigable and boundless hunger to win in a sport he and his players love.

“I think the answer to that question is in the passion we all have for the game itself. We love playing football the way we do and every game is another opportunity to enjoy doing so. When you love what you do, you just want to keep going and doing so successfully,” he said.

However, Tribulietx is only too aware of how tough it is getting to keep

winning the trophy his club adores. Last season, they won the competition in a penalty shoot-out over Team Wellington and in the two previous editions, the Navy Blues were left dangling by a thread in the group stages after losing key games to AS Dragon and Amicale.

It was only by virtue of other results going their way and last gasp goals that Auckland City FC were able to reach the semi-finals in 2013 and 2014.

“Winning the OFC Champions League is very difficult now and some clubs are spending a lot of money to bring in top quality players and coaches from all over the world. Combined with top Pacific talent that can be exciting but it makes it tougher for us.

“But a highly competitive OFC Champions League is good for everyone,

it makes the competition better and therefore we all benefit from that step up.

“The Pacific-based clubs are brimming with top local talent that with a bit more careful guidance and expertise from coaches is making them a lot more competitive.

“There is raw talent out there and they are very capable of doing things that nowadays you don’t see very often; players like Kensi Tangis, Benjamin Totori, Jack Wetney, they are full of skill and ability and can beat two or three players in one go.

“They are also full of confidence and have belief in their skills and they’re exciting players to watch for sure,” he said.

Auckland City FC’s track record of signing players with a Pacific background

A highly competitive OFC Champions League is good for everyone, it makes the competition better and therefore we all benefit from that step up.

THE NAVY BLUES PACIFIC XI

is lengthy and you can name a starting XI that would be the envy of any coach in the region.

From Tamati Williams in goal, to Fijian greats Roy Krishna, Peni Finau, Osea Vakatalesau and Salesh Kumar, to the Solomon Islands quintet of George Suri, Henry Fa’arodo, Alick Maemae, Nelson Sale and Micah Lea’alafa, the track record is solid. There is also former Papua New Guinea international, Reggie Davani, who had three very successful seasons with the Navy Blues.

But it should come as no surprise that the Navy Blues open their doors wide to not only New Zealand and the Pacific, but to talent from all over the world. It’s in the club’s DNA, according to Tribulietx.

“I think the fact we have a team and backroom staff with such diversity means we all have to make a good exercise of respect amongst ourselves.

“We have to respect the different personalities and ways of living life, different cultures and beliefs, and in the end if it is properly managed, that diversity only makes us stronger as a collective,” Tribulietx said.

They are sentiments echoed by club chairman Ivan Vuksich who outlines the same philosophy.

“We have strong ties with the Pacific having signed some of Oceania’s best talent since the club was formed in 2004 and we have partnered with the Buttefly Trust to support education projects in Vanuatu.

“It’s a trend that speaks to the club’s origins set up as it was by immigrants from around the world, but specifically Croatia. Those migrants came to New Zealand and just wanted to somewhere to play football.

“Over the years that Croatian influence has dwindled off and probably now just five per cent of our members are probably Croatian.

“Now Auckland City FC would be one of the most cosmopolitan and diverse clubs in the country and that is a fact we are all very proud of,” Vuksich said.

Diverse, multicultural, both New Zealand and Oceania-minded, Auckland City FC strives to do its best both on and off the field of play, not only for its betterment as a football club, but cognisant of its responsibility to its country, city, and geographic and cultural locale, as the top football team in Oceania.

So when the OFC Champions League action starts, will the Navy Blues be focused on making friends or winning a sixth title?

“The FIFA Club World Cup is the best club tournament in the world that Auckland City FC can qualify for. As a passionate football person, the OFC Champions League represents another great opportunity for myself as a coach and for Auckland City FC to test ourselves against the best. We remain focused on being as competitive as we can,” Tribulietx said.

The 2016 OFC Champions League is taking place at QBE Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand from 8-23 April.

The Navy Blues Pacific XI 1

Tamati WILLIAMS (GK)

New Zealand

2

Nelson SALE

Solomon Islands

3

Salesh KUMAR

Fiji

4

George SURI

Solomon Islands

5

Peni FINAU

Fiji

6

Alick MAEMAE

Solomon Islands

7

Henry FA’ARODO

Solomon Islands

8

Reggie DAVANI

Papua New Guinea

9

Roy KRISHNA

Fiji

10 Osea VAKATALESAU

Fiji

11 Micah LEA’ALAFA

Solomon Islands

1 Tamati

WILLIAMS (GK)

2 Nelson SALE

6 Alick MAEMAE

9 Roy KRISHNA

3

4

George SURI

Peni FINAU

7 Henry FA'ARODO

10 Osea

VAKATALESAU

5 Salesh KUMAR

8 Micah LEA'ALAFA

11 Reggie DAVANI

GROUP A

AUCKLAND CITY FC (NZL) AMICALE FC (VAN) LAE CITY DWELLERS (PNG) SOLOMON WARRIORS (SOL)

GROUP A

Auckland City FC (NZL)

Lae City Dwellers (PNG)

The rivalry ignited between seven-time champions Auckland City FC and Vanuatu club Amicale FC in the OFC Champions League will flare up once again in 2016.

Dwellers whose arrival at the 2016 OFC Champions League comes hot on the heels of the successful defence of the Papua New Guinea national title. With prominent strike partners Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba leading by example the side has made a strong impact on the domestic scene. While aware of the inevitable step up that will be required to compete on the world stage, Lae City Dwellers will be riding the high of their victory over 2010 OFC Champions League victors Hekari United when they get their campaign underway.

The two sides are set to meet for the third consecutive edition in the group stage with both notching previous wins at this point.

This time around they meet on the final day of group action and the encounter could once again be the deciding factor between these two sides.

Auckland City FC need very little introduction with more titles in this competition than any other team, and the honour of the most appearances of any club at the FIFA Club World Cup. Catalan coach Ramon Tribulietx remains at the helm, his tactical brilliance renowned for taking the side to third place in Morocco at the FIFA Club World Cup in 2014.

Solomon Warriors (SOL) Amicale FC (VAN) Amicale are returning to the region’s premier international club competition with their third coach in three years as Mauro Bertoni looks to do what his predecessors couldn’t – win this tournament.

The recruitment drive has been led by club president Andrew Leong and technical director Anthony Pisano with Scotland’s Colin Marshall and former New Zealand international Ian Hogg both returning to the Reds. Former Auckland City striker Adam Dickinson is making his return to the Champions League after a two year hiatus, while several Italians have also been added to the line-up.

Rounding out Group A is Solomon Warriors who have added a sprinkling of Vanuatu talent to a largely native line-up for this year’s tournament. Vanuatu defender Brian Kaltack is making a return to Warriors colours along with former Amicale teammate Kensi Tangis. There is also plenty of experience spread amongst the Solomon Island foundations of the squad with Freddie Kini, Henry Fa’arodo and Gibson Daudau all having survived several campaigns previously. And in coach Moses Toata they have a leader with a strong background eager to give his charges the direction they need to do well. He’s currently completing his OFC B Licence and has the added responsibility of coaching the Solomon Islands national team too.

GROUP A — SQUAD LISTS

Auckland City FC (NZL) OFC Champions League Campaigns: Nine (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Best Finish: Champions (2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Previous Finish: Champions (2015) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 24 25

Jacob SPOONLEY (GK) Marco DORDEVIC Takuya IWATA Mario BILEN Angel BERLANGA Jesse EDGE Reid DRAKE Michael DEN HEIJER Darren WHITE Ryan DE VRIES Te Atawhai HUDSON-WIHONGI Nicolai BERRY Alfred ROGERS Clayton LEWIS Ivan VICELICH Daewook KIM Joao MOREIRA Danyon DRAKE (GK) Micah LEA’ALAFA Emiliano TADE Andrew MILNE Diego RIVAS (GK) Fabrizio TAVANO

Coach: Ramon TRIBULIETX

(NZL) (SRB) (JPN) (CRO) (ESP) (NZL) (NZL) (NZL) (ENG) (NZL) (NZL) (NZL) (ENG) (NZL) (NZL) (KOR) (POR) (NZL) (SOL) (ARG) (NZL) (ESP) (ITA)

OFC Champions League Campaigns: None Best Finish: N/A Previous Finish: N/A Matheson NASA (GK) Mosie MILUBWA Valentine NELSON Goropaul ALBERT Japhet TIAMPO Troy GUNEMBA Raymond GUNEMBA Michael FOSTER Nigel DABINYABA Obert BIKA Joachim WAROI Mathew DAVID Adolf KUMISI Ken KEPE Joshua TALAU Cyril MUTA Bewa WILLIE Esa NASA Ronald WARISAN (GK) Peter DABINYABA

Coach: Peter GUNEMBA

OFC Champions League Campaigns: Five (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Best Finish: Runners Up (2011, 2014) Previous Finish: Sixth (2015) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 20 21 24 25 26

Mauro BOERCHIO (GK) Ian HOGG Goshen DONA Gianmario LIBURDI Francesco PERRONE Colin MARSHALL Antonio VIOLI Jack WETNEY Adam DICKINSON Fenedy MASAUVAKALO James NAKA Dominique FRED Francois SAKAMA Alphonse BONGNAIM Diego NADAYA Nelson SALE Freddie KINI Seiloni IARUEL (GK) Giorgio BERTACCHI Octav MELTECOIN Jacky AXIEL Diego GALVAO

Coach: Mauro BERTONI

(ITA) (NZL) (VAN) (ITA) (ITA) (SCO) (ITA) (SOL) (ENG) (VAN) (SOL) (VAN) (VAN) (VAN) (ARG) (SOL) (SOL) (VAN) (ITA) (VAN) (VAN) (BRA) (ITA)

(ESP)

Lae City Dwellers (PNG)

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

Amicale FC (VAN)

(PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (SOL) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG)

Solomon Warriors (SOL) OFC Champions League Campaigns: Two (2013, 2014) Best Finish: Fifth (2014) Previous Finish: Fifth (2014) 1 2 3 4 5 6 9 10 11 14 15 16 18 19 21 22 24 26 27 28

Samson KOTI (GK) Haddis AENGARI Matson FENNY Fred FAKARI Dennis IFUNAOA Molea TIGI Jerry DONGA Albert WITNEY Ian PAIA Augustine SAMANI Daniel NATOU Emmanuel POILA Henry FA’ARODO Gibson DAUDAU Brian KALTACK Milton FURAI Kensi TANGIS Loea TAISARA Benjamin BAEORO Anthony TALO (GK)

Coach: Moses TOATA

(SOL) (SOL) (SOL) (SOL) (SOL) (SOL) (SOL) (SOL) (SOL) (SOL) (VAN) (SOL) (SOL) (SOL) (VAN) (SOL) (VAN) (SOL) (SOL) (SOL) (SOL)

KEY PLAYERS RAYMOND GUNEMBA / LAE CITY DWELLERS A former Hekari United striker, Raymond Gunemba has made a heroic return to his regional roots bringing Lae City Dwellers the kind of success they’d previously only dreamed of. A strong partnership with Nigel Dabinyaba is part of what makes Gunemba’s game so impressive.

However, he has raw talent, an excellent positional eye and speed which makes him a great target man – and a terror for any backline to contain.

TAKUYA IWATA / AUCKLAND CITY FC Auckland City FC’s diminutive wing-back is one of the most effective members of the squad. He is capable of carrying out his primary role as a defender but also performs a crucial role for the team in the final third in the creation and finishing of scoring opportunities.

Iwata combines a high work-rate with immense discipline and slots easily into the pro-active style and compact defence Auckland City are renowned for. He has a complete understanding of his position in the game and how he can contribute to the underlying principles of the team.

NELSON SALE / AMICALE FC Solomon Islands defender Nelson Sale has been a stalwart of the Amicale squad for a number of years. That all follows a number of stints with Makuru, Marist and even Auckland City where he accumulated 30 appearances a level of Champions League experience matched only by one other member of Amicale’s 2016 squad, striker Fenedy Masauvakolo. Sale is reliable at the back with leadership qualities which are overshadowed only by his abilities on the ball.

KENSI TANGIS / SOLOMON WARRIORS Kensi Tangis is an impressive find coming out of Vanuatu.

Speed is his calling card and combine that with technique and accuracy and you have a difficult player for anyone to manage. He’s made 12 appearances in the Champions League and scored five goals which is a pretty impressive strike rate. Tangis’ style will suit that of his Solomon Island teammates and with quality in behind him he is sure to flourish.

GROUP B

TEAM WELLINGTON (NZL) HEKARI UNITED (PNG) SUVA FA (FIJ) AS LÖSSI (NCL)

GROUP B

Team Wellington

Suva FA (FIJ)

Team Wellington’s impressive run to the final of the 2015 edition of the OFC Champions League puts them in good stead to claim the favourite’s title in Group B.

Suva made their debut in 2015 and although they didn’t win their group remained committed to their style of play and although they achieved some mixed results, were far from embarrassed by the step up. Fiji’s transfer window fell just a month before kick-off in this competition and Suva made several moves to strengthen their squad. Goalkeeper Beniamino Matainqara who was outstanding for Hekari United in 2015 is in the line-up along with former Nadi teammate Samuela Drudru, while U-20 and U-23 Fiji international Setareki Hughes is keen to make a name for himself in this prestigious competition. Pita Rabo eased onto the regional stage and looked far from out of place, and his leadership skills make him a crucial cog.

Former New Zealand age-group representative Scott Basalaj has joined the ranks, proving a reliable last line of defence in goal. He has the experience of Bill Robertson sitting just in front of him and Wellington’s back-line is one of their best assets. Add to that a strong midfield and the strike force of Ben Harris and Luis Corrales and Team Wellington have the makings of a title-challenging side.

However, they are up against some stiff opposition who won’t be rolled over easily.

AS Lössi (NCL) Hekari United (PNG) Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United are the only club outside of New Zealand or Australia to win the regional title previously with the side’s 2010 appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup a highlight of the annals. Solomon Islander Jerry Allen remains at the helm of a group he has guided for several years now and although he has brought in some young blood, Hekari has plenty of experience in its ranks. David Muta, Pita Bolatoga and Koriak Upaiga have 88 OFC Champions League appearances between them and with the raw talent of up-and-comers Tommy Semmy and Felix Komolong, Allen has assembled a strong and talented side.

The only newcomer to the scene is New Caledonia’s AS Lössi and as 2015 semi-finalists FC Gaitcha and Team Wellington showed, the debutant tag doesn’t mean it’s over before it starts.

U-23 international Jim Ouka is an excellent addition to this squad for his speed and his ability to find the target in tough encounters.

Former CFA2 midfielder Romain Painbeni has left Mont-Dore behind to join the Lossi campaign and his ability to control the centre of the park will be key. Lossi’s domestic victory is now in the past and Magenta and Hienghene have surpassed them in the standings in recent years however coach Stephane Drahusak will be confident his side has the talent and dedication to perform well in this competition.

MATCH SCHEDULE Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Tuesday

Thursday

Wednesday

14

Frida

8

9

10

11

12

13:00

13:00

13:00

13:00

13:00

13:00

13:00

NAD

WEL

AKL

MAG

HEK

AMI

NAD

VS

VS

VS

VS

VS

VS

VS

TEF

SUV

SOL

TEF

SUV

SOL

MAG

15:30

15:30

15:30

15:30

15:30

15:30

15:30

KIW

LOS

LAE

KIW

LOS

LAE

TEF

VS

VS

VS

VS

VS

VS

VS

MAG

HEK

AMI

NAD

WEL

AKL

KIW

13

GROUP B

GROUP A

1 2 3 4

Monday

15

REST

AUCKLAND // QBE STADIUM

Day City

Auckland City FC (NZL) Amicale FC (VAN) Lae City Dwellers (PNG) Solomon Warriors (SOL)

AKL AMI LAE SOL

1 2 3 4

Team Wellington (NZL) Hekari United (PNG) Suva FA (FIJI) AS Lossi (NCL)

GROUP

WEL HEK SUV LOS

1 2 3 4

Nadi FA (F AS Magenta AS Tefana ( Kiwi FC (SA

E / 2016 OFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

ay

Saturday

Sunday

16

17

Monday

18

Tuesday

19

Wednesday

20

13:00

SUV

SOL

VS

VS

VS

LOS

LAE

BEST 2ND

15:30

15:30

WEL

AKL

VS

VS

VS

HEK

AMI

1C

22

Saturday

23

FINAL

REST

1A

WINNER SF1

15:00

VS

1B

WINNER SF2

SPONSORS

NAD MAG TEF KIW

Friday

14:00

REST

FIJ) (NCL) (TAH) AM)

21

12:00

13:00

PC

Thursday

GROUP B — SQUAD LISTS

Team Wellington

Hekari United (PNG)

OFC Champions League Campaigns: One (2015) Best Finish: Runners-Up (2015) Previous Finish: Runners-Up (2015) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Scott BASALAJ (GK) Taylor HOUGH Steven GULLEY Anthony HOBBS Bill ROBERTSON Chris BALE Leo VILLA Cole PEVERLEY Tom JACKSON Luis CORRALES Mario BARCIA Andy BEVIN Alex FENERIDIS William SCOTT Mark JONES Ben HARRIS Fergus NEIL Saul HALPIN Conor McGLINCHEY Michael GWYTHER Taylor SCHRIJVERS Alex CARR (GK) Michael O’KEEFFE (GK)

Coach: Matt CALCOTT

(NZL) (NZL) (NZL) (NZL) (ENG) (WAL) (ARG) (NZL) (ENG) (CRC) (ARG) (NZL) (NZL) (NZL) (NZL) (ENG) (NZL) (ENG) (SCO) (NZL) (NZL) (NZL) (NZL) (NZL)

OFC Champions League Campaigns: Seven (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) Best Finish: Champions (2010) Previous Finish: Sixth (2015) 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 19 20 21 23 24 25 25 27

Leslie KALAI (GK) Daniel JOE Otto KUSUNAN Remueru TEKIATE Pita BOLATOGA John ALICK Papalau AWELE Karo ILA Tutizama TANITO Elkington MOLIVAKARUA David MUTA Tommy SEMMY Emmanuel SIMON Jeremy YASASA Wira WAMA Koriak UPAIGA Ismael POLE (GK) Barry MANSALE Joses NAWO Mathias IANI Felix KOMOLONG Sammie CAMPBELL Gagame FENI

Coach: Jerry ALLEN

Suva FA (FIJ)

(PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (FIJ) (VAN) (PNG) (PNG) (SOL) (VAN) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (PNG) (VAN) (SOL) (SOL) (PNG) (PNG) (SOL) (SOL)

AS Lössi (NCL)

OFC Champions League Campaigns: One (2015) Best Finish: Seventh (2015) Previous Finish: Seventh (2015)

OFC Champions League Campaigns: None Best Finish: N/A Previous Finish: N/A

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 23 19 20 22

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 29 30

Tevita KOROI (GK) Epeli LEIROTI Tomasi TUICAKAU Jale DREOLA Poasa BAINIVALU Nickel CHAND Kaliova TIVULU Sakaraia NAISUA Rusiate MATAREREGA Madhwan GOUNDER Tomasi UCULOA Don RAJ Samuela DRUDRU Waisake NAVUNIGASAU Shahil DAVE Filipe BARAVILALA Beniamino MATEINAQARA (GK) Pita RABO Setareki HUGHES Emori RAGATA (GK)

Coach: Gurjit SINGH

(FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ)

Emmanuel WEJIEME (GK) Kevin MAITRAN Jean Marie HMALOKO Dick KAUMA Pierre KAUMA Leon TAIN Leon WAHNAWE Wilson FOREST Jim OUKA Joerisse CEXOME Nathanael HMAEN Robert WAOUKA Romain PAINBENI Yorick HNAUTRA Fabian FOREST Paul OZIKA Jean Jacques WAHNYAMALLA Fonzy RANCHAIN Shafy MANDAOUE Mone WAMOWE Marvin DRAWILO Thomas SCHMIDT (GK) Michel HNE (GK)

Coach: Stephane DRAHUSAK

(NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL)

KEY PLAYERS SCOTT BASALAJ / TEAM WELLINGTON A former New Zealand youth international, Scott Basalaj has been impressive for Team Wellington in the 2015/16 Premiership in New Zealand. Since joining the side he has quickly become the keeper of choice. He is quick on his feet, makes rapid recoveries and is someone his team mates can have confidence in. This will be his first OFC Champions League but rest assured, Basalaj has enough big game experience under his belt to be an effective addition to the squad.

PITA RABO / SUVA FA A man who leads by example Pita Rabo made an excellent debut in last year’s Champions League with Suva. The 37-year-old has a strong ability to challenge, block and regain possession by reading the opposition and adjusting to his teammates’ movements. He is effective in transition and so often makes the right decisions in terms of pressure and providing cover.

KORIAK UPAIGA / HEKARI UNITED As a defender Koriak Upaiga this year made the switch to up front and hasn’t looked back. Upaiga picked up the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League golden boot award this year after proving himself an unassailable marksman. He is quick, powerful and unafraid to put his body on the line and with Tommy Semmy alongside him they will be a force to be reckoned with.

JIM OUKA / AS LÖSSI A youngster with talent to burn, Jim Ouka always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He has impressed as a youth international representing New Caledonia and with one Champions League campaign under his belt it’s an opportunity to bring that talent to club level. Rapid pace, nippy runs and the ability to finish are key parts of his game, but he is also not shy of dropping deeper to collect the ball in order to provide assistance and chances for his teammates.

GROUP C

NADI FA (FIJ) AS MAGENTA (NCL) AS TEFANA (TAH) KIWI FC (SAM)

GROUP C

Nadi FA (FIJ)

AS Tefana (TAH)

In 2014 Nadi made their return to the premier international club competition after a 15 year hiatus. The break did not do them well as they failed to score even a single goal in the group stage but the experience was no doubt an awakening for coach Kamal Swamy and his charges.

AS Tefana is one of few sides that has a strong club culture that brings players through the youth system and into the first team.

The majority of Sebastian Labayen’s side have been members of the club since they were kids and are proud to be continuing their affiliation with a side which has a strong history in the OFC Champions League. Alvin, Lorenzo and Jonathan Tehau are joined by several national team colleagues like Steevy Chong Hue and Heimano Bourebare. Nicolas Vallar is new to the side, but not without a strong background of his own which has seen him play professionally in Europe, as well as lead the national team to victory in the 2012 Nations Cup.

The side have continued to impress on the domestic scene and will go into this year’s OFC Champions League with greater confidence in their ability.

AS Magenta (NCL) AS Magenta had an equally forgettable turn in 2014 by former national team coach Alain Moizan’s standard. A slow start cost them in dearly in the tournament format but like Nadi, will have learned a harsh lesson. The side for this year’s campaign resembles Moizan’s Cagous of yesteryear with Pierre Wajoka, Marius Bako and Noel Kaudre bringing plenty of experience to the squad and they’re not the only ones. Tactically this side is sound and it will come down to keeping their cool and performing as we know they can – and consistently.

Kiwi FC (SAM) Finally Kiwi FC, the 2016 OFC Champions League Preliminary winners from Samoa, round out Group C. Their debut at the Champions League in 2014 was a forgettable one. Though they fought hard, the side was outclassed by their opponents and like Nadi, were unable to find the back of the net even once.

However having squeezed through qualifying to make their second appearance they have the fortune of hindsight. The side is littered with national team players who are also preparing for the upcoming OFC Nations Cup so will be in form and rearing to make their mark on this competition in the lead up.

GROUP C — SQUAD LISTS

Nadi FA (FIJ)

AS Magenta (NCL)

OFC Champions League Campaigns: Two (1999, 2014) Best Finish: Runners-Up (1999) Previous Finish: Eleventh (2014) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 23

Samuela TAMANISAU Luke RAWADAMU Rahul KRISHNA Andrew NAICKER Waisake TABACAVA Anish KHEM William VALENTINE Munit KRISHNA Vuniuci TIKOMAIMEREKE Evander NAVOSA Ilimotama JESE Ame VOTONIU Lekima GONERAU Mataiasi TOMA Napolioni QASEVAKATINI Eliki RAVOSAI Afraz ALI Atonio TUIVUNA Vereti DICKSON (GK)

Coach: Kamal SWAMY

OFC Champions League Campaigns: Five (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2014) Best Finish: Runner-Up (2005) Previous Finish: Sixth (2014) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ) (FIJ)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 29 30

Jelen IXOEE (GK) Jean-Christ WAJOKA Georges BEARUNE Loic WAKANUMUNE Jean Brice WADRIAKO Cedric SANSOT Noel KAUDRE Marius BAKO Marek AUCHER Pierre WAJOKA Mickael TIAOU Joel WAKANAMUNE Patrick DIAKE Kevin NEMIA Pierrot JELEWED Leopold MAKALU Gregory TARAMOIN Joris GORENDIAWE Jeremy DOKUNENGO Bill NICHOLLS Noarii FORTEZ Leon IXOEE (GK) Victor MESSEAUD (GK)

Coach: Alain MOIZAN

AS Tefana (TAH) OFC Champions League Campaigns: Three (2011, 2012, 2015) Best Finish: Runners-Up (2012) Previous Finish: Ninth (2015) 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 29

Stevens HIRIGA (GK) Yoann LE FOLL Taumihau TIATIA Tauatua LUCAS Tunoa TEVAEARAI Temarii TINORUA Jess HOROI Tauhiti KECK Steevy CHONG HUE Tehina TEMORERE Alvin TEHAU Stanley ATANI Jonathan TEHAU Jean Claude CHANG KOEI CHANG Manutea TAAE Manutahi TEREMATE Kaena ONUU Heimano BOUREBARE Olivier LEE Angelo TCHEN Nicolas VALLAR Xavier SAMIN (GK) Mikael ROCHE (GK)

Coach: Sebastian LABAYEN

(TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH) (TAH)

(NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (VAN) (NCL) (NCL) (NCL) (FRA)

Kiwi FC (SAM) OFC Champions League Campaigns: Two (1999, 2014) Best Finish: Eighth (1999) Previous Finish: Twelfth (2014) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Faalavelave MATAGI (GK) Henry PUPI Michael BURETA Jarrell SALE Tamoto FENIKA Mike SAOFAIGA Desmond FAAUIASO Lionel TAYLOR Barry LEWIS Paulo SCANLAN Tomas MOSQUERA Lapalapa TONI Penitito TUMUA Isaia FEALOFANI Luki GOSCHE Silao MALO Lafi IOANE (GK) Lawrie LETUTUSA Beato APANAI Thomas HEROWAI Faafua ATAGA (GK)

Coach: Phineas YOUNG

(SAM) (SAM) (SAM) (SAM) (SAM) (SAM) (SAM) (SAM) (NZL) (SAM) (ENG) (SAM) (SAM) (SAM) (SAM) (SAM) (SAM) (SAM) (SOL) (SOL) (SAM) (SAM)

KEY PLAYERS TUNOA TEVAEARAI / AS TEFANA

PIERRE WAJOKA / AS MAGENTA

Awareness of space is just one of Tunoa Tevaearai’s strengths, one which he uses to his advantage especially well when it comes to timing his run just right. He has a strong presence in the centre of the park as well as the final third where his finishing also puts him in the spotlight.

Pierre Wajoka’s quality is not in doubt. The midfielder who has made 18 previous appearances for Magenta in the OFC Champions League is a cool character who doesn’t fold under pressure. Taking the time to pick his pass Wajoka’s timing is impeccable making him a key playmaker for this Magenta side.

SILAO MALO / KIWI FC Samoan front man Silao Malo is best known for his awardwinning performances with Lupe Ole Soaga in 2014 and 2015. He’s switched allegiances but will not be any less lethal. Like many attackers from around the region, Malo is blessed with pace and he uses it to his advantage to get the edge over opponents. He’s good in 1v1 situations and unpredictable too, making him one to watch as Kiwi FC attempt to outdo their opponents.

VERETI DICKSON / NADI FA In 2014 Vereti Dickson was playing second string to first choice keeper Beniamino Mateinaqara however since he moved into the top spot he hasn’t looked back. He has good technique and has become a more than reliable member of Nadi’s squad.

“ He’s a true goal scorer,” the Magenta coach says, “one of the most adept in New Caledonia.

credit: LNC/A.F.

Striker ready to fire AS Magenta striker Marek Aucher recently notched a personal best — seven goals in one game.

His previous best was a more conservative hat-trick.

With his first OFC Champions League campaign on the horizon it’s not a terrible record to have notched up and it will certainly be a boost of confidence.

“An attacker needs confidence. But I have to be realistic, it was against USC a side which has just been promoted to the Super Ligue and they left a lot of space at the back,” Aucher says.

Even so, it was a performance which impressed former national team coach Alain Moizan.

“He’s a true goal scorer,” the Magenta coach says, “one of the most adept in New Caledonia.

“And he still isn’t at his peak physically.”

But seven goals in 75 minutes and he’s not at his best? It all comes down to Aucher’s day job.

“I only train with Magenta on Fridays. The rest of the week I don’t touch a ball, but I regularly do speed and agility sessions after work.”

Aucher is a physiotherapist based in Kone, a settlement on the west coast of New Caledonia about 3 hours drive north of the nation’s capital Noumea.

The amateur nature of his football career of today belies an incredible journey that saw him leave home and travel over 16,000 kilometres to Paris, France at just 14 years old.

His dream of becoming a professional football leading to two years with Paris Saint Germain.

However he doesn’t look back at that period with the fondest personal memories.

“The remoteness, the mentality…I was very bad at this time,” Aucher recalls.

But it was an incredible sporting experience.

“I played with Chantôme and Diaby. I crossed Ménez in Sochaux, Gourcuff in Rennes, Ben Arfa and Benzema in Lyon.

“I was quick, but they were another level.”

Aucher went on to spend a season with Créteil and four at Laval in the reserve team. A number of repeat muscle injuries finally put an end to his ambitious dream.

“For me, football was professional or nothing. I went to Montpellier for my studies.”

He returned to New Caledonia in 2012 with his diploma and joined his former club Lössi before signing with AS Magenta in 2015.

“I scored 20 goals last season,” he says, but that’s the past and what lies ahead is the OFC Champions League.

“I made my arrangements so I can be there. It’s a big deal to be playing in an international competition.”

— Additional reporting Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes

Dwellers out to make impression

After several years leading the front line for Hekari United, Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba returned home to the Morobe Province.

Their arrival has heralded a new era of football in Papua New Guinea as coach Peter Gunemba has brought Lae City Dwellers back-to-back domestic titles, the most recent just a month out from their debut in the 2016 OFC Champions League.

Gunemba senior says without a doubt it is the team effort that brings the Dwellers their success, and when the team as a whole isn’t performing the whole system falls apart.

That’s something they learnt pretty quick when they lost 5-0 to Hekari United a week before the National Soccer League grand final.

“The previous weekend Hekari got us 5-0 but we had to come out and show the people of Papua New Guinea that we can play better football too,” Gunemba says.

“Raymond is my first born and I told him to lift his game from the previous one as I know the whole province of Morobe would be relying on him to score goals to win this title.

Talent is one thing, but self-belief is another and that’s what Lae City Dwellers will be packing in their luggage as they make the trip to Auckland for their regional debut.

“I talked to him to get our focus on the grand final and told him that he can score goals. I was pinning my hopes on him and Nigel as they’re our goalscorers, and Raymond did exactly what I wanted him to do.”

Gunemba Snr is talking about the two goals Raymond scored in the grand final against Hekari United – outlining his son’s ability to shoulder the weight of expectation and come through when the team needs him most.

It’s a quality that will serve Lae City Dwellers well as they steel themselves for a minimum of three matches just like that grand final, if not harder.

Knowing his team inside and out means Gunemba was confident that turning their fortunes around was more than possible.

“I know how my boys play. We play a proactive game but on that particular day, it was not our day. The whole team did not perform from the goalkeeper to the strikers, it wasn’t just Raymond who was struggling but all of them did not play as they usually do,” he says.

“They lost focus on that particular day but I said it’s ok that we lost that game – but now we have to go into the final and show the people of Port Moresby and Papua New Guinea that we are a team to be considered.

“So I told them to lift up their game and play according to what we are used to play

so they actually lifted. Everyone believed in ourselves that we were going to win this game and get back to our winning formula and that’s how it happened.”

Talent is one thing, but self-belief is another and that’s what Lae City Dwellers will be packing in their luggage as they make the trip to Auckland for their regional debut.

“We are really looking forward to is, we are so anxious to get into it,” Gunemba says.

“We don’t know how OFC football is, how the Champions League is. But we have players who have experienced it before like Nigel, Raymond, Joachim Waroi and Michael Foster.

“They’ve been before and know what it is. But for myself as a coach, and my two assistants and the rest of the players twe haven’t been there we’ve just watched through the TV and through videos and we have a fair idea.

“I’ve always maintained that for us, it will be a different kind of football that we’re going to play because no-one in OFC knows what kind of football we play or our style of play. It will be different probably from most other teams, I don’t know how we will go.

“But win, draw or lose – we will accept it.”

Gunemba junior has spoken of being drawn into a group of death, having to play defending champions Auckland City FC as

well as Amicale FC and Solomon Warriors.

“We go as newcomers and underdogs,” he says.

While that might be the case, Lae City Dwellers expect springing an element of surprise on their opponents will could help their cause.

“I have jokingly said when asked about it myself that if they beat us 10-0 that is fine with us, but if we beat them 1-0, that will be worrying to others,” Gunemba snr says.

“But we won’t just let them beat us, we will give our best.”

Gunemba may seem nonchalant but make no mistake; Lae City Dwellers have no intention of going home with the wooden spoon.

“I want us to get the basics right. To defend well, to attack and to score goals – that’s it. We will look at the other teams and how they perform, we will look at how to attack and how to defend and I think the first game will be a learning lesson for us,” he explains.

“But we won’t just be watching what the opposition does. Maybe they have the experience, but we have also prepared some surprises.”

MEDIA COVERAGE

Football fans across the Pacific will be able to follow the OFC Champions League live via a number of OFC Media Channels.

A team of dedicated media officers will provide live match experiences and fans can follow all the action and express their opinions via our social media platforms.

Follow all the latest news regarding the OFC Champions League at:

www.oceaniafootball.com www.twitter.com/OFCfootball www.facebook.com/OFCfootball In addition, OFC TV will be providing coverage via the following channels: Live Streaming: Visit OFC Twitter or Facebook for the link

Tahiti: All Tefana matches live on TNTV

New Caledonia: All Magenta and Lรถssi matches live on NC1ere

Vanuatu: All matches on VBTC

Papua New Guinea: All matches on EMTV

New Zealand: Auckland City and Team Wellington live on Sky Sport

facebook.com/OFCfootball twitter.com/OFCfootball youtube.com/OFCfootball

www.oceaniafootball.com

OFC Insider

Kurukuru mature and blossom Etched across the face of Solomon Islands captain Elliot Ragomo is evidence of the long and arduous journey the Kurukuru have faced in getting to the 2016 OFC Futsal Championship.

With every match and every step closer to the ultimate prize however, you sensed a change in his demeanour.

When he lifted the trophy on Saturday 13 February in Vodafone Arena in Fiji in front of the jubilant crowd he did as the Elliot Ragomo fans know and love.

And the Golden Ball award, was the icing on the cake for the 24-year-old.

“I didn’t expect to get this award but it’s all about hard work and self-motivation and I’m really thankful that I can come back and get to where I am now.

“I’m really thankful and I’m very, very proud.”

The Solomon Islands are Oceania’s most successful futsal nation, having won a record five regional titles, one more than previous OFC Member Association Australia, and are set to attend their third FIFA Futsal World Cup this year.

But Ragomo almost didn’t make it back.

Like the majority of this team he’s been around since the beginning part of a squad that has twice been the youngest participants at the FIFA Futsal World Cup. But a lack of facilities and some major

disappointments had left the Kurukuru captain dejected and questioning whether there was still a place for him in the game he loves.

“Five or six months ago I really didn’t think I would be standing here talking to you guys,” Ragomo says.

“In my life I went through a lot of things and I’m thankful that I can stand here and go out on that court and prove to Oceania that I want to be a champion.”

He says a lot has changed since the Solomon Islands turn at the World Cup in Thailand in 2012.

“For me personally winning this championship and this award is an opportunity for me to look back and see where I’ve come from, the work I’ve done to get here.

“I don’t want to go out. I want to keep going and get something so for me this award is unbelievable,” he says.

His change in attitude is largely to do with the environment the Kurukuru have fostered.

“This team is an incredible team, I’ve grown up with these boys,” he says.

“We’re just a bunch of friends who want to do good things. I think all the credit goes back to the boys, and back to our coaches for the hard work and belief that we have in ourselves, and in one another.

“I’m thankful that people can still believe in me, that they can still see the potential I have and I would love to lead this bunch of boys, this bunch of men, to the World Cup and we would like to go and do really well.”

Can the Kurukuru top the 2012 edition in which they beat Guatemala to claim their first FIFA Futsal World Cup victory?

Ragomo certainly hopes so.

“I think we are going to be a much more mature team,” he explains.

“The two previous World Cups were an experience for us, and it’s time now that we step up and compete.

“If you look back at us in 2008 we were a bunch of kids and now we are men. I think the experience of two World Cups is a gain for us in this next one.

“I think, and I will tell you, you will have to look out for Solomon Islands because I think we will go out there and be competitive, we’re going to do our best.”

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2016 OFC U-17 Women’s Championship The 2016 OFC U-17 Women’s Championship got the 2016 season of football underway for the majority of regions in Oceania in January, and also kicked off a month of activity in the Cook Islands.

New Zealand and Papua New Guinea made winning starts to their campaigns with two high-scoring wins over Samoa and Vanuatu setting the standard.

New Caledonia’s 5-0 win over Tonga was their first at this level, while Fiji’s Group B win over hosts Cook Islands saw them secure a victory in their competition debut.

For Fiji it was the start of a great run and although they narrowly lost to Vanuatu, their 2-2 draw with group leaders Papua New Guinea saw them slide into the semi-finals. Papua New Guinea, though they started strongly, were held to just a 2-1 win by Cook Islands, before being held

by Fiji in their final group match.

In Group A New Caledonia and New Zealand proved the two strongest sides with their meeting on Match Day 3 determining first and second place in the group, with the Kiwis 12-0 rout earning them top spot.

New Zealand went on to end Fiji’s campaign in a similar fashion, beating them 11-0 to set up a final with Group A winners Papua New Guinea after their slim 2-1 victory over New Caledonia.

The play-off for third place was a tightly contested match with Fiji just edging New Caledonia of the podium with a 3-2 win.

Papua New Guinea held New Zealand off relatively well for close to half-an-hour in the final, but they proved too strong for the Melanesians putting eight unanswered goals away to secure the title and the right to represent Oceania in Jordan.

“It feels good to know that we have wrapped this up and are heading to the World Cup,” New Zealand coach Gareth Turnbull said after the final.

“I am really proud of the way the girls handled themselves at this tournament and am now looking forward to the next stage of our journey.”

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will be held in Jordan from 30 September to 21 October 2016.

OFC Insider

Squad has golden touch New Zealand sewed up the OFC U-17 Women’s Championship in fine fashion scoring 36 and conceding not a single goal on their way to the title.

Aiding heavily in New Zealand’s success was Golden Ball winner Michaela Foster and Golden Boot winner Hannah Blake – although both credit the team effort.

For captain Foster, the honour of being named player of the tournament was never something she expected coming into the competition in the Cook Islands.

“I’m pretty honoured. I’m so ecstatic and just wasn’t expecting it,” the modest midfielder said after the final, “I am just glad I can do my team proud”.

For coach Gareth Turnbull, the honour came as little surprise given the qualify Foster possess both as a player and as a leader.

“She is someone who has gone from strength-to-strength in many respects,” Turnbull says.

“We hadn’t named a captain before we went away, we had her as part of our preparation but she lives an hour outside of Auckland so she wasn’t really fully part of the group.

“We discussed it prior to the tournament, about our lack of an identified leader, and she sort of assumed a lot of those responsibilities and has the characteristics of a fantastic young woman.

“What we were most impressed about with her was her maturity and her ability to command a real presence in the group, and I think that has flowed into her football,” Turnbull conludes.

Foster says it’s a great personal achievement, although her focus remains on doing her best for the team and not individual awards.

“For me personally I felt I played the best I could while I was wearing the fern on my chest and as a team we came here to win and did that,” she says.

“We all work as a unit very well and that was a strength of ours right through the tournament. I can’t wait to go to Jordan now, it is a dream for all of us to get to a World Cup so I am very excited and ready for the preparation to begin.”

In the race for the Golden Boot much of the competition came from within the New Zealand squad with the team taking out four of the top six spots in the scoring ladder.

Hannah Blake’s 14 goals in five games saw her finish top of the ranks, with Jacqui Hand and Samantha Tawharu rounding out the top three.

“Hannah, Jacqui and Samantha all played plenty of football together at club level which showed out there,” Turnbull says.

“Hannah had a really good tournament up front where she was able to link well with Jacqui to score some nice goals.”

Blake agrees that having played with a number of squad members previously made things a lot easier for her when it came to finishing on attack.

“It’s pretty cool to win this award, but being part of such a good team certainly helps when you are up front,” she says.

“I have played with some of the girls a lot during our club season in Auckland, and also played against some of them, so it was nice to combine for New Zealand.”

Blake says it’s nice to have put her name alongside some of the previous winners of this award.

“Some pretty famous names have win these kinds of awards so that is pretty cool in itself. Personally I felt like I finished most of my changes pretty well and was able to achieve most of the goals I set myself prior to the tournament.”

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OFC Insider

# ENDviolence

campaign launches

The #ENDviolence campaign was launched on the 8 March to mark International Women’s Day, in the most recent collaboration between the OFC and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The #ENDviolence campaign focuses on ending violence towards women and children and will take place in 10 countries across the Pacific.

Throughout the campaign, sporting role models will be advocating #ENDviolence to aspiring athletes with the aim of changing perceptions towards women and violence in the region.

The development of respect, understanding and tolerance among girls and boys, women and men and the community as a whole is key to reducing risk factors associated with genderbased violence in the Pacific.

“When young people experience or witness violence, the likelihood increases of them becoming victims and of acting violently themselves as adults,” said Dr. Karen Allen, UNICEF Pacific Representative.

“Breaking the cycle of violence requires us to work closely with governments, civil society, faith-based organisations and young people to address customs, systems and legal gaps that place children at risk of violence, abuse and exploitation.”

By supporting the development of positive role models and supporting campaigns such as #ENDviolence, the Just Play programme, OFC and UNICEF are working hard to change perceptions and showcase the power and potential of women and girls in the region.

OFC Head of Social Responsibility and International Relations Franck Castillo says as a confederation, OFC plays an important role in helping to highlight and bring to the forefront critical issues facing children in all of our football programmes.

“Helping children to learn positive ways of interacting and engaging with each other is one of the ways that UNICEF and OFC are working to tackle key issues of violence in the Pacific.

“Through the OFC Just Play programme children learn, from a young age, the importance of respect, the value of differences and the skills to engage with each other in a positive, meaningful way through sport and play,” said Castillo.

OFC Just Play Project Managers will lead the campaign in each country targeting the football community, engaging club and national team players to champion and promote #ENDviolence.

The #ENDviolence campaign started in March and will continue through to December, culminating at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea. The OFC Champions League and OFC Nations Cups will also be used as part of the campaign platform in 2016.

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OFC Just Play launches Emergency Programme in Fiji An OFC Just Play Emergency Programme has been developed by the Confederation’s Social Responsibility department in collaboration with UNICEF Pacific in response to relief efforts in Fiji following the devastation as a result of Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Fiji Just Play Project Manager Lavenia Yalovi says “The adapted content replaces regular programme sessions in Fiji for two months, and focuses on increasing knowledge and understanding of coping with an emergency.”

“The updated content covers handwashing and water safety, food security and safety and security in the wake of an emergency like of Cyclone Winston,” Yalovi says.

UNICEF Pacific Representative, Dr Karen Allen said “UNICEF Pacific in partnership with OFC and through the Fiji Football Association, supported a training on psychological first aid for 28 Just Play facilitators in Suva and 10 Just Play facilitators in the Western Division.”

“After Cyclone Winston, we know that many schools were damaged, destroyed or occupied by people who lost their entire homes. Therefore children and teachers need assistance to get back to school and learning, with special post-emergency psycho-social care also available to aid their recovery from trauma and loss,” she added.

“The OFC Just Play Programme will deploy trained facilitators to selected affected communities across Fiji to host Just Play festivals as part of social mobilisation activities to reinforce key messages and assist with psychological first aid targeting specifically children between 6 – 16 years of age,” said Dr Allen.

The sessions will be delivered in Vanuabalavu, Koro Island, Gau, Ovalau, Batiki, Nairai, Taveuni, Savusavu, Tunuloa, Rabi, Cakaudrove Point, Bua, Korovou, Rakiraki, Tavua, Lautoka, Yasawa Islands, Ba and Vatukoula.

Each of these locations were identified as the key areas requiring support in the Government of Fiji’s National Emergency Operation Centre document.

Yalovi witnessed first-hand the destruction caused by Cyclone

Winston and understands that although reaching the outer islands will be the most challenging, it is where efforts need to be focused.

“Although the Just Play programme is not present in many of the most vulnerable places, we know we need to get support to these people as soon as possible,” she says.

“Our efforts now are focused on capacity building and partnerships. We want to send strong, independent leaders to these areas so that everyone in Fiji is given a chance at survival and recovery.”

A projected 15,000 children will be reached, with 1,620 community volunteers trained to deliver the 4 or 8 week programmes.

It is the second time UNICEF Pacific and OFC have collaborated to develop an emergency programme. The first, in 2015 was for Vanuatu in response to Tropical Cyclone Pam, a category 5 cyclone which affected over 166,000 people, including 82,000 children. The Emergency Programme was used to support partners in delivering critical information to children and communities through a sport-based festival platform.

Following on from the success of the emergency programme in Vanuatu, OFC Head of Social Responsibility and International Relations Franck Castillo says it is crucial that Just Play provides the programme in Fiji.

“The devastation of Tropical Cyclone Pam meant we had to act fast and provide aid with minimal planning. We had to think on our feet, but this provided valuable learning experience. We have reflected on Cyclone Pam and applied our learning to the Fiji Emergency Programme, adapting it to their needs,” Castillo says.

“We have created a programme for Fiji’s affected communities which creates a fun and safe atmosphere where children can play, while delivering important messages so that even the most vulnerable members of society are prepared for natural disasters.”

OFC Insider

Sardo talks A Licence and taking Les Cagous to the top In late-2015 the inaugural OFC/NZF A Licence was held in Auckland, New Zealand bringing coaches from across New Zealand and the Pacific together for the next step in the OFC Coaching Pathway.

Among them was New Caledonia national team coach Thierry Sardo, who most recently led the U-23 men’s side to gold at the XV Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea.

Thanks to the relationship that Federation Caledonienne de Football has with the Football Federation Francaise, Sardo has benefitted from the FFF coaching system.

He says coming into an A Licence run by OFC and NZF was a big change, even without considering the language barrier.

“Unfortunately our English is very basic,” he says of himself and his Caledonian colleagues.

“But we’ve been lucky to have Didier (Chambaron, OFC Head of Education) and Patrick (Jacquemet, OFC Technical Director) to assist us so we’ve been able to understand what is being asked and what is expected of us.”

Sardo says one of the main differences between courses he’s done previously and what he did with the A Licence is the methodology.

“It’s been completely different,” he explains, “especially in regards to the way things have been presented.

“I’ve done many courses where it has been just a lot of listening, whereas here it has been interactive.

“Even though we’re learning we’re able to ask questions and it’s not just listening to the instructors’ ideas without being able to share our own.

“We’re constantly being asked our opinion and giving our opinion and it’s a way of learning that’s different to what we’ve experienced in the past.”

Sardo says consistently building on his knowledge is all part and parcel of being a coach.

“It’s good to be continuing our learning, to be progressing and trying to take our teams higher.”

The team that Sardo is now hoping to take higher with his expanded knowledge is Les Cagous as they bid for FIFA Confederations Cup qualification.

The side claimed a memorable victory over New Zealand in 2012 that saw them progress to the final of the OFC Nations Cup and this time Sardo wants them to go all the way.

“With the national team this course provides an opportunity to try and build on the style of game we have. It’s a chance to work methodically, and we’ve learned a number of new methods that will have us with that,” he says.

“I already have some ideas in my head about how I will be preparing the team for the Nations Cup, certain styles and so on.

“But the A Licence will certainly be of great help when it comes to preparing the team and trying to get good results at the Nations Cup.”

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AROUND THE MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS

AMERICAN SAMOA The ASHSAA Girls Soccer Championship concluded with Fa’asao-Marist Cougars taking the title in both the varsity and junior varsity divisions. A FIFA Grassroots Coaching Course was held in Pago Pago and concluded after five days with festival at St. Theresa Catholic School in Leone. Utulei Youth retained their domestic title before going on to compete in the 2016 OFC Champions League Preliminary. They have qualified for the next edition of the same competition.

COOK ISLANDS

federation hosted the FIFA FUTURO III Referee Instructors Course, an annual event bringing referee instructors from each of the 11 OFC Member Associations together for a week of intense training and upskilling. League winners AS Magenta beat Coupe de Calédonie holders Hienghéne in the Trophée des Champions to open the 2016 season. The elections for the executive committee for the Southern Province were held in early March.

New Caledonia lost 2-1 to Vanuatu in a one-off friendly in Port Vila, Vanuatu with former OFC Player of the Year Bertrand Kai scoring Les Cagous only goal.

Cook Islands played willing host to a series of regional events throughout January starting with the OFC U-17 Women’s Championship and FIFA/ OFC Women’s Football Regional Development Seminar and concluding with the OFC Champions League Preliminary. Just Play got back underway in early February with the first Village Festival held in Victoria Park in Tupapa. A Just Play Facilitators Course was held to upskill teachers and community group leaders.

NEW CALEDONIA New Caledonia’s U-17 women’s team made the semi-finals of the 2016 OFC U-17 Women’s Championship. The

Papua New Guinea U-17 women’s team made the final of the OFC U-17 Women’s Championship but missed out on tickets to Jordan after losing to New Zealand. The senior women’s side missed the chance to compete at the Rio Olympic Games as New Zealand also qualified for that event.

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup preparations continued with the launch of the Official Emblem and Slogan, as well as the Official Draw.

While the men’s national team played two friendlies against Solomon Islands in Honiara. They overcame an opening loss to win the second match 2-1.

SAMOA Kiwi FC were triumphant at the 2016 OFC Champions League Preliminary, earning passage to the competition proper in New Zealand in April. The men’s national team is training hard for the upcoming OFC Nations Cup and have travelled to New Zealand for a number of matches against club sides. A 7-A-Side tournament kicked off and boasts 22 men’s teams and eight women’s teams from the 15 registered clubs in Upolu and an FFS Development Youth team.

FIJI The Fiji U-23 squad headed off to Spain for a series of matches against club sides as they build up to the Rio Olympic Games. The Fiji U-17 women’s team performed outstandingly well to secure third place at the 2016 OFC U-17 Women’s Championship. The National League was postponed for a month as Fiji set to work with the recovery from Tropical Cyclone Winston which devastated the western side of the island. Nadi claimed the Champions vs. Champions title after beating Suva over the two-leg play-off and Fiji’s futsal team took part in the OFC Futsal Championship on home soil.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

NEW ZEALAND The New Zealand U-17 women’s team booked a spot at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan after taking out the Oceania qualifier. The Futsal Whites finished runners-up at the 2016 OFC Futsal Championship.

The OFC Just Play Programme launched at Windley School in Porirua, Wellington. The Football Ferns qualified for the Rio Olympic Games in January before going on to take part in the invitation-only Algarve Cup in Portugal. Amber Hearn became the first player to score 50 international goals for New Zealander.

Central Futsal-Manawatu claimed the Women’s National League title. Team Wellington beat Auckland City FC 4-2 in extra time to claim their first ASB Premiership title.

Stadium in Honiara. They won the first match 2-0 before going down 2-1 in the second game two days later.

TAHITI AS Dragon won the Coupe de Tahiti, qualifying for the next edition of the Coupe de France. The Tahiti national futsal team performed well at the OFC Futsal Championship to claim third.

The eighth edition of the Festival des Iles got underway in March with 113 teams taking part in 414 football, futsal and back soccer matches over the course of a week.

TONGA A Just Play Sport 2 Life Tournament was held at the Loto-Tonga Soccer Centre in Nukualofa in February.

Tonga appointed a new coach mentor, Phillip Pickering-Parker who will work with all levels of coaches to improve the standard in Tonga. A FIFA/OFC Club Licencing workshop was held with competition manager Penateti Feke appointed as the new TFA Club Licencing Manager. International Women’s Day was acknowledged with the launch of the OFC Just Play and UNICEF Pacific #Endviolence campaign.

VANUATU

SOLOMON ISLANDS The Kurukuru made a clean sweep of their opponents to claim the 2016 OFC Futsal Championship title and a berth at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia. The national league playoffs concluded with Western United claiming the title. Solomon Islands hosted a friendly international with Papua New Guinea at Lawson Tama

Stephen Felix was elected president of Port Vila Football Association and immediately spoke of the power of football to unite people from all backgrounds. Amicale FC played the Grand Casino Cup against Apia Tigers FC, with the visiting Australian side taking the trophy home. A number of cup competitions got underway in Port Vila and Luganville as clubs prepare for the National Super League to get underway in June.

OFC Insider

UPCOMING EVENTS COMPETITIONS OFC Champions League 8-23 April // Auckland, New Zealand OFC Nations Cup 28 May-12 June // Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Olympic Football Tournaments – Men’s & Women’s 3-20 August // Rio de Janeiro, Brazil OFC U-20 Championship TBC // Vanuatu FIFA Futsal World Cup 10 September-1 October // Colombia FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 30 September-21 October // Jordan FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 13 November-3 December // Papua New Guinea *All dates correct at the time of publication

NOTICES The next OFC Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for 16 April 2016 in Papua New Guinea.

Long-serving Federation Tahitienne de Football media officer Nahema Temarii has taken a role with domestic broadcaster TNTV. Tahiti’s new media officer is Kevin Kucsera.

American Samoa international Jaiyah Saelua was appointed to the first FIFA “11 for Diversity” panel which will be responsible for choosing the three finalists and ultimate winner of the FIFA Diversity Award.

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