Stage 3 Oceania qualifiers - 2014 FIFA World Cup

17' GOAL!: Solomon Islands 1-0 Tahiti Nui: Henry Fa'arodo puts Solomon Islands in front after a Benjamin Totori cross from the right. 

The first half comes to an end 

Live match thread here:

http://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc/News/ViewArticle/tabid/125/Article/76c6641d-ef09-4770-9fc9-69fb4263fc3d/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Bad-tempered affair with play halted due to all-out brawl in middle of field and two yellows in first 30 mins.....

Still 1-0

No star striker Marama Vahirua in Tahiti squad - seems few European-based players from French clubs are showing for these Friday games. Vahirua is playing on loan in Greece from his French club. I suspect players not released by clubs in time to make it to the Pacific.

Will Vahirua make it in time for Tahiti v All Whites on Tuesday?

Players have to be released 72 hours before the game Big Pete, so should be able to make it with ease.

Finished 2-0 to the Solomons.  Tahiti went down to 10 just before half time.

Looks like the New Caledonians are are going to be very determined to prove that the last result against NZ wasn't an accident. 

"I firmly believe in our chances of qualifying," concludes Gope-Fenepej, "and I'm not the only one. The expectation is growing in our country and I think there will be some noise at the Numa-Daly stadium!"

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1696273/index.html

Star Tahitian striker Marama Vahirua was named in the Tahiti squad for the qualifiers last week but didn't turn up for today's game v Solomons. Who knows, he may turn up v the All Whites in Christchurch in October...

Seems reason is he has just signed a loan agreement to play for Greek Super League side Panthrakikos from Nancy in France and will be in process of shifting there currently.

This French report intimated this possibility of not being available if transferring - his French club had approved his release for the qualifiers but things have changed since.

http://www.radio1.pf/tag/marama-vahirua/

MARAMA VAHIRUA, A SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGE FOR THE SELECTION TAHITIAN ...

Marama Vahirua famous Polynesian player playing in Ligue 1 © DR

A few days ago, Eddy Etaeta, coach of the football team Tahiti Nui revealed on Radio 1 lists the 23 players selected for the qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Cup.

Among them, a good surprise. Marama Vahirua, the famous Polynesian player is playing in Ligue 1 in the game.

His current club AS Nancy Lorraine agreed but the transfer period is not over yet and circumstances could change.

The Polynesian is a major asset for Tahiti in the race for qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He would nevertheless be given every opportunity to find a new club but the world financial crisis slows transfers.

Marama Vahirua could be in the territory on September 5 and in the field to face New Caledonia  September 11.

57' GOAL!!! Tahiti 0 - 1 New Caledonia: The visitors open the scoring when Cesar Lolohea unleashes a shot from 35 yards which hits the post and goes in off goalkeeper Xavier Samin

60' GOAL!!! Tahiti 0 - 2 New Caledonia: New Caledonia go further ahead when Bertrand Kai finishes off a cross from Cesar Lolohea

62' GOAL!!! Tahiti 0 - 3 New Caledonia: Cesar Lolohea chips the ball onto the head of Geoges Gope-Fenepej who tucks it away

Man, Tahiti are gonna get so wang danged next year.

90' GOAL!!! Tahiti 0 - 4 New Caledonia: Georges Gope-Fenepej finds the net for New Caledonia's fourth

The final whistle is blown

That win in New Caledonia on Friday night is starting to look rather good.  

 Yip.  I'm starting to get the warm "one shot for glory" feeling again.  World clarsh even.

Wow. So Tahiti are not really building on their Nations cup win are they. I was happy for an island nation to get a go at the confeds, however will be disappointed if they are not at their peak for it. Looks like NC or SI would give a better showing based on these latest results.

It wouldn't make any difference really - look at the opposition in the Confeds: one out of Brazil/Uruguay, one out of Spain/Italy, one out of Mexico/Japan/African champion. Lambs to the slaughter. FIFA may have to write in a special mercy rule in the regs for this Confeds Cup.

The New Zealand team must be confirmed this week ?

I`m expecting a few Nix players to be dropped.......wouldn`t be surprised

I hope not.  Ricki needs to keep his All Whites and Nix hats seperate.

Would also be hard to justify after the team won 6-1 last time out. 

Lets try again...

Will Fenton be a bolter. Ricki clearly rates him and keeps talking him up in interviews. Payne was selected without a senior team games to his name, so no reason the same can't happen again.

Wont surprise me if one of moss or paston arent picked. Also dont expect to see Boxall called up.