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OFC Insider
NEWS FROM MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS
Samuela DRUDRU of Nadi (Fiji)
Tuimasi MANUCA of Hekari United (PNG)
Paul TEMPLE coach of Waitakere United (NZL)
AMERICAN SAMOA
SAMOA
The documentary film “Next Goal Wins” premiered in New York on April 19. The film that tells the story of American Samoa’s journey toward FIFA World Cup Oceanian Qualifier glory is set for release in Australia, New Zealand and the wider Pacific in May 2014.
Melina Tuiravakai is the new Cook Islands Football Association Media Officer. Tuiravakai attended the fourth annual OFC Media Officer Workshop in Lautoka, Fiji, as part of her new duties.
Football Federation Samoa is in mourning following the passing of its President Toetu Petana. Petana, who was 51, passed away after a short illness and is survived by his wife and four children. On the field of play, Samoa club champions Kiwi FC were eliminated from the OFC Champions League at the group stage after three straight defeats. New York Red Bulls and Australia international, Tim Cahill, is set for his third consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance. The 34-year-old has won 67 caps for Australia and scored 31 goals, but made two appearances for Samoa U-20 before switching nationality in 2004.
FIJI
SOLOMON ISLANDS
Wellington Phoenix striker Roy Krishna signed a new two year contract extension with the Hyundai A-League club. In the OFC Champions League played in Ba and Lautoka, Ba advanced to the semi-finals winning a group that contained Tafea FC, Hekari United and AS Magenta. Compatriots Nadi FC were eliminated at the group stage following three straight defeats where they failed to score a single goal. Banned Nadi trio Samuela Drudru, Ratu Bainivalu and Uraia Loki face further sanctions when the OFC Disciplinary Committee is convened.
The Solomon Islands was in emergency mode following a flash flood that left 10,000 people homeless and countless others missing. Lawson Tama Stadium, the nation’s only major football venue, was left undamaged by the flood waters as relief efforts from Australia and New Zealand set about the recovery process. Solomon Warriors were eliminated at the group stage of the OFC Champions League while Benjamin Totori (Waitakere United), Michael Fifi’i (Kiwi FC), Tutizama Tanito (Hekari United), Nelson Sale (Amicale FC) turned out for foreign clubs.
NEW CALEDONIA
TAHITI
AS Magenta were eliminated from the OFC Champions League group stages despite a runners-up finish in Group C in Ba. The Alain Moizancoached outfit lost its first match 2-0 to the ‘Men in Black’ before rallying to draw 2-2 with Hekari United then defeat Tafea FC 3-1.
Former France international Pascal Vahirua has returned to French Polynesia to head up AS Tefana’s grassroots and youth development programme. The 48-year-old won 22 caps for France and played club football for Auxerre and Cannes. His cousin, Marama Vahirua, helped guide AS Pirae into the semi-finals where they lost to Auckland City FC 4-2 on aggregate despite a brave home leg performance.
COOK ISLANDS
NEW ZEALAND All Whites midfielder Ryan Thomas completed a successful first season in Dutch football with PEC Zwolle after his team thrashed Ajax 5-1 in the KNVB Cup Final. Thomas, who made his All Whites debut in the 4-2 loss to Japan, scored twice as PEC Zwolle swept to their first ever KNVB Cup victory in just their third finals appearance. PEC Zwolle finished KNVB Cup runners-up in 1928 and 1977. Auckland City FC won their first ASB Premiership title since 2009 when they defeated Team Wellington in the grand final. Team Wellington qualified for the OFC Champions League 2015 in place of deposed champions Waitakere United.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA Hekari United’s four year wait for a shot at the FIFA Club World Cup stretched to at least five after the Papua New Guinea champions were knocked out of the OFC Champions League at the group stage. Nigel Dabingyaba was Hekari United’s stand-out performer while Solomon Islands import Tutizama Tanito also caught the eye.
TONGA Tevita Makasini was in action at the OFC Champions League as an Assistance Referee. Makasini was also involved at the FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup in UAE held last year.
VANUATU Amicale FC qualified for the OFC Champions League Final for just the second time in their history after a sensational 1-0 upset win over defending champions Auckland City FC in Lautoka. Dominique Fred scored the winner to send the Vanuatu champions into the semi-finals where they defeated Fiji’s Ba 2-1 on aggregate. A crowd of 10,000 turned out in Port Vila for the OFC Champions League Final 1st leg clash with Auckland City FC as the teams drew 1-1.