OFC Nations Cup 2016 - vs Fiji | Sat 28 May | 6pm | SS Popup

So the whole tournament will be played in one stadium? And today Vanuatu announced a squad with only 20 players, and the reserve keeper wears the number 2. Another good one for the OFC and co.

Wow, in one stadium? That pitch is going to be wrecked

Expect a lot of injuries

It was originally announced as two stadiums. But the new Rugby League one isn't being used. No idea why.

Because OFC. Because conspiracy theories. Because NZF excuses. Take your pick.

Euros kick-off with France v Romania morning of OFC final. Prediction: French thrash Romania a.m; we get mauled p.m by fired-up Tahiti/N Caledonia.

Bumpy pitch, watch out for the injuries.

They seem to have numbered their squad pretty weirdly: 1–2 are the keepers, 3–9 are the defenders, 10–16 are the midfielders and 17–20 are the strikers. Not sure what's weirder: a keeper with the number 2 or a defender with the number 9.

I think PNG could surprise at home in this tournament...PNG and New Caledonia will go through group A and NZ and probably Fiji (although Vanuatu might run them close) to go from group B...Fiji for all the Olympic and under 20s 'success' aren't really as good as some of the other Pacific teams. The under 23s just had a tour of Brazil and lost 0-4, 2-4, 0-2, 2-8 against moderate opposition...even struggled in that Pacific Cup last year (although they 'won' the Olympic spot) winning only one game in that tournament against FIFA opposition.

The kick offs and dates have changed/swapped in the last couple of months too - wrote them all down but they are now all a day off. 

not sure if this has been mentioned already but pretty sure some of this is on SKY.

Where's that from, Chopah?

anyone know when the squad meets up.  first game is the 28th.  would Adams possibly be available for a game on the 21st for us?

The Oceania Champions League in Auckland was at one stadium, OK they used 2 pitches but there were 12 teams in that 4 more than the Nations Cup

I don't think Vanuatu stands a chance of getting through, not even third, probably the same as PNG, with the exception they have Samoa in their group. IMO New Caledonia and Tahiti will get through group A and NZ and the Solomon Islands in B, exactly like 2012. Fiji has been doing pretty good in the U23s and U20s but still they've been crap in the OFC Champions League and rely only on Krishna.

Agree on Tahiti and New Caledonia in Group A, think Fiji will get through our group. But neither the Solomons or Fiji will be easy for us in the group games.

We are the All Whites, we're gonna get humped.

We're the All Whites and we're marching off to Spain

So according to the match schedule the 3rd place playoff won't be played, any reason why?

Just going too get in first #MassacreInMoresby

I really really hope we win this because I want to see some doom merchants explain how it doesn't count for some reason.

Damn, I thought we were going to win that match. I guess not this time!

New Caledonia could potentially have a pretty good squad if all of their France-based pros turn up. They have players in Ligue 1, Ligue 2 and the third tier, as well as lower leagues in France.

Recent announcement of intention to call up four France-based players:

http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticl...

They have a defender on the Winston Reid level in Wesley Lautoa of Lorient in Ligue 1  - aged 28, 12 years in French football, over 100 matches for Lorient in Ligue 1 but it seems that like Reid he won't be travelling to PNG due to only recently returning from several months out injured:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesley_Lautoa

http://int.soccerway.com/players/wesley-lautoa/138...

But they can call on one of the stars of the last OFC Nations Cup, Georges Gope-Fenepej, the striker who has been a pro in France since that tournament showcased his ability with appearances in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 for Troyes (18 first team appearances). Was also a prolific scorer for the Troyes reserve team, and 20 appearances on loan to Boulogne in the third tier last season (seven goals). 15 goals in 16 internationals for New Caledonia.

Now a regular starter for Amiens in the French third tier (16 appearances so far this season after signing in January):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Gope-Fenepej

http://int.soccerway.com/players/georges-gope-fene...

New Caledonia have an agreement with Amiens who are in line for promotion to Ligue 2 that Amiens can retain him if they are still in the hunt for promotion in the coming weeks - if they drop out of the tight race, they will release Gope-Fenepej for the Nations Cup.

New Caledonia are calling up up three other players from the French leagues who played in their last match, a friendly loss to Vanuatu on 26 March:

César Zeoula (formerly known as César Lolohéa): midfielder, Stade Lavallois, Ligue 2

38 appearances this season for Stade Lavalllois in Ligue 2 (75 total appearances since signing in 2012)

http://int.soccerway.com/players/cesar-lolohea/178...

Jean-Philippe Saiko (striker, Poitiers) - top-scorer in his league this season and on course for promotion to the fifth tier.

Judikael Ixoee (defender, Carqueiranne), sixth tier regional league

Squad for that Vanuatu game:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Caledonia_nation...

They can also call  on Roy Kayara who played for Team Wellington in 2013-14

and Mickael Partodikromo who played for Team Wellington 2014-15.

And the coach has already said which overseas players he will pick. Lautoa not among them

Sorry, I hadn't finished writing my post  - I went away intending to finish it later.

See the finished version above.

All the info and links are there.

Lautoa isn't being called up due to only recently coming back from six months out injured.

But the four other France-based players I mention are being called up -  although Gope-Fenepej's call up depends on if Amiens are still a possibility for promotion to Ligue 2.

If Amiens are still in the hunt in a week's time, then Gope-Fenepej won't be called up.

Still, without Lautoa they have the best squad between the Islands. Not only for the overseas players, they have some quality playing in New Caledonian clubs. I think they are serious candidates this year.

World Cup squad? What did they mean by that?

The squad which will be playing the World Cup qualifiers presumably.

They could be referring to the squad for the OFC Nations Cup as it also serves as a second round qualifer for the 2018 World Cup. Out of the two groups in the Nations Cup, the top three from each make it to the third round, where they are then divided into two groups. Then the top two from both groups face each other in a two-legged playoff (to then face 5th place CONMEBOL).

so is the first training game on tomorrow?

Today at 6pm Brisbane Time, I think? Not sure, someone correct me if I am wrong. But I am pretty sure its today at 6pm Brisbane time.

Tonight's opposition...

they look like a Sunday pub league team