2012 OFC Nations Cup Solomon Islands

Vanuatu v New Caledonia on now

The stream is probably right on par with the quality of the All Whites games last week. The bonus is we get widescreen for these.

Loving the commentary as well, great work Gordon and Miles!

Pitch looks very good as well, hopefully it can handle 16 games in 10 days.

Just got back from the Samoa-Tahiti game.  Samoa were horrible.  It's fucking hot here.  And that bank is quite steep.

Tim Myers has just arrives so sounds like West Ham ruled Reid out pretty late.

Looks like Samoa need more of the "Tama Fasavalu factor" if they're gonna make the semis, imo.

Also, scored an invited to the NZ high commission welcome do last night.  The world cup players were presented with rings.

Fenapez (sp?) is looking very good. Turning players inside out and getting past defenders every time he gets the ball.

Think you will find it's Gope-Fenepej.  There was a Gope-Fenepej that played in England and France who must be mid-thirties now.  Probably a relative.

Fale.  So what IS Tropical Informal?

Looked at squad, its  Georges Gope-Fenepej.

Wow, amazing save there by the New Calidonian keeper. I'm actually really enjoying this game.

And an amazing off the line header by the New Caledonian defender. Vanuatu very unlucky not to score.

yea suprisingly good watching. Not sure why the keeper is down though?

Really impressed with this stream, and a half time show as well! A million miles better than the rubbish dished up on the AFC streaming site.

P.S. Not too keen on NC's Melbourne Irony away shirts. Vanuatu FA cannot stitch a crest onto their national shirt?

Still not sure actually.  Pants and collar I think.

I feel I am going to roast in my polyester suit tomorrow.  Look out for the 'We got Wood' banner.  Think I've found a decent spot behind the left side goal to chuck it.

They forgot the I...

Left when looking from the bank or left when looking from the TV camera side?

Really enjoying this game.

Really really impressed with the broadcast production and stream. Looking forward to watching the rest of this tourney now.

Interesting point. In fact, a lot of things we take for granted in New Zealand (like getting a shirt printed and sewn) can be difficult, particularly if you order your kit from outside of the islands and expect it to arrive on time, get through customs, etc etc. What appears to be a minor detail at home can turn into a major protracted exercise externally. Things like printing names on shirts is also tricky and sometimes has to be done in New Zealand before the kit is exported to the islands. 

What was the final score?

Had to commute and couldn't get the feed workingon my phone.

5-2 last I saw. 

Ended out a bit lopsided, but right up until NC scored their 4th goal in about the 75th min to go up 4-2, Tahiti were right in it.

Samoa 1-10 Tahiti

Vanuatu 2-5 New Caledonia

Very impressed by Bertrand Kai, Georges Gope-Fenepej and Olivier Dokonengo - three quality players in anybody's language. Vanuatu looked vulnerable at the back and maybe Brian Kaltack needs some more experienced support alongside him. I thought Alphonse Bongnaim struggled positionally and Kaltack also. There was little cover provided by Selwyn Sese Ala, Robert Tom doing much better in that regard. New Caledonia look the best of these four teams but have nothing that the All Whites should be too concerned about, without being disrespectful. 

The weather conditions are going to play a massive role in this tournament and one wonders if coach Alain Moisan could have dragged Gope-Fenepej and/or Kai earlier, given the match looked won and there are much bigger games yet to come?

Gordon Glen Watson

It's only hot cause you have come from winter into the  tropics.

He's just soft.

Lets turn up the heaters in Four Kings to simulate the conditions.

TV left.

Have you seen one Miles Davis over there 2B?

Anyone else having trouble purchasing their games pack on OFC website?  keeps telling me I need technical support and to write a message but doesn't let me.  Groan.  Better be sorted by tomorrow.

Killen in holding role. What is clapham's crime?

I've always liked the idea of Killen in midfield and he is strong and technically gifted and probably a better passer than the other options. Hopefully it works out.

There a little pink box u press down the bottom for me 

For crying out loud, I want to give OFC my money but I'm having the same problem as George and Arnies the stupid pink box won't let me go any further.  Everytime I try to purchase it refreshes the page and the dumb pink box appears that you can't write into.  Sigh, guess I'll be following on twitter.

Definately feels cooler today, and there is quite a bit of cloud cover

I've been unable to to buy the stream either, having the same problem as those above, wondered if it was my chrome browser or the fact im in Australia, its not a NZ only stream is it?

livetv.ru is advertising the PNGvNZL game on the 4th but not todays game, so i might be following on twitter too

Rained like mad last night hoping the pitch holds up today for two absolutely massive matches.

New Zealand's team selection perhaps hints at experimentation with London 2012 on the horizon, though don't hold me to that, just a first impression.

Fiji are without Malakai Tiwa and Esava Naqaleca (who appears to be have been seconded by Wairarapa United!), two very influential midfielders. Four years ago, Fiji fans may have eyed this game as a 'must win' affair, but these days they take a more pragmatic and realistic approach that is based around the All Whites recent successes in South Africa and in the US. Krishna, Vakatalesau and Taminisau provide experience, but will it be enough..?

New Zealand have such depth, such quality, they can afford to be without Nelsen and Reid and still look capable of winning this game with plenty to spare. The conditions will be a big challenge although at the time of writing it sits at a comfortable 27 degrees celsius and the humidity hasn't really hit yet. I witnessed New Caledonia coach Alain Moizan persist with Bertrand Kai, Georges Gope-Fenepej and Marius Bako, despite winning comfortably and just wonder how much of an impact sensible rotation of key players will have on the shape of the final four teams. What will Ricki Herbert do in his approach to this challenge...?

Solomon Islands are under a lot of pressure to win their opener with Papua New Guinea. Former international Gideon Omokirio says the crowd will turn on them if they don't get a quick goal, so expect the Bonito to come out of the traps firing on all cylinders. Technical advisor Laurent Papillon has added value to coach Jacob Moli's plans and Omokirio says this could be the mentally strongest side they've put out in years, History favours a Solomons victory with Papua New Guinea yet to beat them at this level.

Frank Farina is the key man for me - he's got Papua New Guinea organised although Omokirio counters this by suggesting that discipline and compact shape means the Kumuls lack a penetrating final ball. That may be so, but with Reggie Davani, David Muta and Kema Jack all used to barreling forward, I wonder if they may have a surprise punch to throw? Curbing that natural attacking instinct isn't restricted to those three - Raymond Gunemba has a strong track record when it comes to scoring goals...

Preparing for Match Day 2 with Miles Davis - enjoy the games...!

Gordon Glen Watson

New Zealand vs Fiji:

Played: 35

NZ Wins: 26

Fiji Wins: 5

Draws: 4

Goals: NZ 103, Fiji 25

Recent Meetings:

November 2008: Fiji 2 NZ 0 (in Lautoka)

October 2007: Fiji 0 NZ 2 (in Lautoka)

June 2004: NZ 2 Fiji 0 (in Adelaide)

Last time both teams scored: November 1988, Fiji 1 NZ 1 in Suva.

September 1986 is the last time we scored more than 2 goals against Fiji outside NZ.

This is a farken joke - just spent half an hour trying to buy a stream for this game, and it won't let me. Really pissed off right now.

Can't buy the stream. Sky is probably having a laugh now. Oceania Football is a mess.

Can't get it either, anyone have a VIPbox or Hahasports link?

Now the page won't even load for me. Absolutely ridiculous.

It's loading. But as slow a F**K. Four Kings should buy a stream and show it on their TVs.