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Really get the feeling some of these Island teams are going to be ill prepared, compared to the AWs, who have basically had regular international games since Tokyo.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/marcos-gusmao-returns-lead-png-at-oceania-qualifiers/
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Good development for improvement of football in the Islands.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/ground-breaks-on-new-facility-in-solomon-islands/

Interesting to see Japan involved, rather than China!!
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Good step hopefully in trying to improve the current weak standard of Women's football in the Islands.

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/tahiti-women-to-embark-on-european-tour/
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2 ex OFC employees charged by SFO
Ones overseas, one in NZ and trying for name suppression
so we'll just have to speculate that one of them may or may not have something to do with baked beans!

https://sfo.govt.nz/media-cases/media-releases/former-oceania-football-confederation-employees-face-sfo-charges/
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The JourneyFan
2 ex OFC employees charged by SFO
Ones overseas, one in NZ and trying for name suppression
so we'll just have to speculate that one of them may or may not have something to do with baked beans!

https://sfo.govt.nz/media-cases/media-releases/former-oceania-football-confederation-employees-face-sfo-charges/

Better late than never. Little surprised this story has had little/no coverage in NZ football media.

No comment from OFC.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc-statement-regarding-sfo-media-release/
Opinion Privileges revoked
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Good job.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300531578/exoceania-football-employee-appears-in-court-over-serious-fraud-office-charges

One of the accused, a 59-year-old, is overseas and there is a warrant for his arrest.

The second, a 54-year-old man, appeared at Auckland District Court on Friday via video link from overseas.

Edit - Personally I have no idea who these 2 gentlemen are. I'm sure some on here do. But I found this article from 2020 interesting. And the comments in bold below, really get up my nose. Like using FIFA's money to attend a funeral or pay for personal medical bills - can some how be passed off as a cultural ok.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/119666279/serious-fraud-office-tackles-football-corruption-allegations-of-gifts-travel-and-conflicts-of-interest

Nicholas, who moved from Auckland back to his homeland of Rarotonga after he resigned from his OFC position, did however comment last year in a statement to the Cook Islands News.

In it, the newspaper reported, Nicholas said he had received no personal benefit from any payment or transactions, except for an unpaid unfair which he did not know was unpaid.

"If the payments that I approved for officials within OFC for medical expenses, life events or funerals of which were approved by the OFC Board is bribery and corruption then I would do it again without hesitation since under our Pacific Culture and Custom, the welfare of our community has to be paramount," the statement said.
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Wonder if some closer ties/games between OFC & lower level AFC nations in women's game, might happen in the men's - available FIFA windows permitting.



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https://www.oceaniafootball.com/solomon-islands-performance-in-qatar-attracts-australian-interest/

In the end they lost 5-0 in the final to New Zealand, but nine of Felipe Vega-Arango’s side are now looking to earn professional deals in Australia.

The players currently trialling, according to the Solomon Star, are captain Micah Lea’alafa, Ian Kalu, Don Keana, Atkin Kaua, Javin Wae, William Komasi, Carlos Liomasia, Junior David and Prince Tahunipue.

The nine players are  basing themselves in Queensland for the time being with trials said to be being arranged with several clubs across the country.

A tenth player, Ali Mekawir, headed to Adelaide for his trial. He has now signed a deal with Adelaide City, defending champions in the National Premier League South Australia.

It is also reported that three other players, including their top-scorer in Qatar, Raphael Lea’i, were invited to stay in Australia to undergo trials as well. Unfortunately, Lea’i and two others, imposing centre-back Leon Kofana and winger Alvin Hou, had to head back home to recover from minor injuries.

It should come as no surprise that Lea’i’s performances caught the eye of potential professional suitors. The forward joint-led the scoring charts in Qatar until New Zealand’s Premier League striker Chris Wood went clear in the final.

After that game, Solomon Islands boss Vega-Arango touched on the topic of Lea’i potentially having trials elsewhere, even suggesting he would speak to clubs in his native Spain about the talented teenager.

“If I was him, I would not go for a trial if I am honest with you,” Vega-Arango told the press.

“You must offer him something. He has proved what he can do.”
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coochiee
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/solomon-islands-performance-in-qatar-attracts-australian-interest/

In the end they lost 5-0 in the final to New Zealand, but nine of Felipe Vega-Arango’s side are now looking to earn professional deals in Australia.

The players currently trialling, according to the Solomon Star, are captain Micah Lea’alafa, Ian Kalu, Don Keana, Atkin Kaua, Javin Wae, William Komasi, Carlos Liomasia, Junior David and Prince Tahunipue.

The nine players are  basing themselves in Queensland for the time being with trials said to be being arranged with several clubs across the country.

A tenth player, Ali Mekawir, headed to Adelaide for his trial. He has now signed a deal with Adelaide City, defending champions in the National Premier League South Australia.

It is also reported that three other players, including their top-scorer in Qatar, Raphael Lea’i, were invited to stay in Australia to undergo trials as well. Unfortunately, Lea’i and two others, imposing centre-back Leon Kofana and winger Alvin Hou, had to head back home to recover from minor injuries.

It should come as no surprise that Lea’i’s performances caught the eye of potential professional suitors. The forward joint-led the scoring charts in Qatar until New Zealand’s Premier League striker Chris Wood went clear in the final.

After that game, Solomon Islands boss Vega-Arango touched on the topic of Lea’i potentially having trials elsewhere, even suggesting he would speak to clubs in his native Spain about the talented teenager.

“If I was him, I would not go for a trial if I am honest with you,” Vega-Arango told the press.

“You must offer him something. He has proved what he can do.”

Bunch of these guys have gone and signed in the relatively high-paying Fijian league, mostly for Nadi. A couple are still trialling in Australia, and teenage starting CB Javin Wae has chosen to sign for Petone
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In this TNC podcast (will find the minute later today), they talk about Dan Hall & Fiji. Sounds like he had committed to play for them in the OFC Qualifiers but had an issue getting his passport sorted. After the season he has had,they think maybe he might hold off that & see if he gets an u23 selection for Aussie in the Olympics Qualifiers

 
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https://www.oceaniafootball.com/three-ofc-match-officials-selected-for-fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022/

The FIFA Referees Committee has announced the list of names appointed for the FIFA World Cup, with Matthew Conger and Mark Rule of New Zealand and Tevita Makasini of Tonga among those named.

Conger is one of 36 referees selected, while both Rule and Makasini are among the 69 assistant referees heading to Qatar.

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Doloras

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/128976114/exoceania-football-employee-denies-serious-fraud-office-charges
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https://www.theroar.com.au/2022/06/17/fijis-football-youth-revolution-is-on/

On the opposite side is Kris Naicker of the University of Central Arkansas. He’s an ex-Wellington Phoenix youth team player and has also represented New Zealand at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, but it appears he’s changed allegiance to Fiji.


Legend
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See the highly regarded Rob Shearman is back in NZ, if working now for OFC. 

https://www.oceaniafootball.com/meet-the-team-ofc-high-performance-consultant-rob-sherman/

Left NZF as TD for equivalent role at Football Australia a few years back
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Legend
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Interesting that she's chosen Samoa over NZ. I presume this being a competitive tournament she is now cap tied to Samoa?

Which presumably would make any effort to be a pro footballer (if that's what she wanted) alot more difficult.

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https://www.oceaniafootball.com/papua-new-guinea-crowned-champions-of-oceania-after-2-1-win-over-fiji/

It proved not to be costly as
Papua New Guinea held on to ensure they were crowned champions of Oceania for the first time and also secure their place in next February’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off Tournament in New Zealand.
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https://www.oceaniafootball.com/ofc-champions-league-2022-meet-the-teams-of-group-b/

Auckland City FC
Playing in their own backyard will offer an advantage to the tournament’s most successful ever club in their pursuit of a tenth OCL title.

Once again, New Zealand’s Auckland City will enter the 2022 edition as favourites especially given their brilliant domestic form so far this season.

Albert Riera’s side have already secured the NZF Northern League, winning 19 of their 20 games so far and are also through to the Chatham Cup semi-finals after a recent 6-0 quarter-final triumph over Dunedin City Royals.


Auckland City FC will be looking to add to their record haul of nine OCL titles. 

With two former OCL Golden Boot winners, Emiliano Tade and Ryan De Vries, in their ranks and the likes of New Zealand international Cam Howieson pulling the strings from midfield the local side will be considered the team to beat.

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https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/474914/revived-melanesian-football-cup-gives-teams-much-needed-game-time

An excellent initiative to be fair, and something positive to come out of Oceania for once after the farce that has been the U19 qualifiers and the unwelcome/unwanted headlines coming out of that tournament so far...

Will be good for these sides to get some international football under their belts given they don't particularly get a lot in the first place. Full 'A' international games these are too (aside from Vanuatu B) so they will reflect on the FIFA world rankings points.

Competing teams
🇻🇺
🇫🇯
🇸🇧
🇵🇬
🇳🇨
🇻🇺 Development Side (U20)

Draw ⬇️
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Results from last night
🇳🇨 0 - 1 🇫🇯


🇻🇺 'B' 1 - 2 🇵🇬
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Results from last night
🇸🇧 1 - 0 🇳🇨
Haven't found any reports or anything of that nature as yet.
Still awaiting the result between Vanuatu v Vanuatu 'B'

Fun fact - New Caledonia have now lost their last 5 outings in all competitions.
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Been a bit slack on this one due to work commitments.
Latest results over the past few days.
 
🇻🇺 2 - 2 🇻🇺 'B'
🇸🇧 2 - 2 🇫🇯
🇵🇬 1 - 0 🇻🇺

Here's how it finished after the group stage ⬇️


Some familiar names playing this tournament for those here in NZ too - Roy Krishna, Raphael Lea'i & Micah Lea'alafa are all apart of this competition.





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Semi-finals of the MSG Prime Ministers Cup

20220930_213310.jpg 382.88 KB

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Final currently going on at the moment in Port Vila. Vanuatu 'B' up 3-2 thanks to this dubious looking goal 👀



Pretty decent sized crowd in Port Vila this evening by the looks of it too!
Definitely one of my favourite little cities in the Pacific.
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Off to penalties.
Again, another shot of an excellent looking crowd. 
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Strange that Raphael Lea'i played in this tourney (which seems a bit of nothing in fairness) for the Solomons, but not for their U19 team at the recent OFC Tourney.

Even with him they wouldn't likely have beaten the NZU19s, but they might have beaten Fiji for 2nd, and grabbed the other U20 World Cup spot in nearby Indonesia.
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PNG win it. 
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Interesting.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/oceania-member-associations-confirm-election-support-for-gianni-infantino/

OFC President Lambert Maltock has pledged the region’s unanimous support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino ahead of the elective 73rd FIFA Congress – which takes places in Kigali, Rwanda on March 16, 2023.

Speaking at the OFC 28th Ordinary Congress on Friday, October 21 in Auckland, New Zealand, Maltock gave President Infantino the backing of all 11 of the OFC’s Member Associations.

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