OFC

RNZ reports Etienne Mermer's side were based at the Ole Academy in Porirua, north of Wellington.

He said the chance to work with top coaches and get regular matches in was just what they needed.

"We didn't win any match but having the matches here is not for the results but for me it's more important that the boys understand the style of play, the way we want them to play. We want the players to learn."

     One year on from the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Pam and six months on from Tropical Cyclone Winston, the Just Play Emergency Programme has been shortlisted for the Beyond Sport Innovation award in recognition of the work in both Vanuatu and Fiji.

Many attempts by Papua New Guinea in the first half shook the Solomon Islands side before flanker Nigel Dabinyaba found an opening at the corner for a cross which Michael Fosters  who was  in front of the goal  mouth dribbled  to confuse the opposition before slamming home the first goal of the match.

However, Solomon Islands retaliated seven minutes  later with a corner kick from striker Judd Molea that curved right through the corner post slipping off PNG goal keepers hand Ronald Warrisan to even the scores at 1-1.

As always patience is a key part of the Auckland City approach and this afternoon was no different. But given the side hasn’t played a competitive match since the final of the Premiership three weeks ago, it was as much out of necessity as it was a choice.

The announcement was made at the Digicel Head Office on Thursday 18th February to members of the press. 

The new season is set to be a challenging one with the OFC League kicking off in April and explosive matches lined up throughout the year in the lead-up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup. 

While teams like New Zealand and New Caledonia have traditionally struggled to make an impact at this level, the development and commitment from each of the nations here in Suva, Fiji has been massive over the past four years.

Each of them working to build squads that they hope will take them to Colombia and the FIFA Futsal World Cup.

This will be followed by New Zealand versus Samoa later in the afternoon.

Samoa clashes with Tonga on 15 January then Tonga meets New Zealand three days later. Samoa also meets New Caledonia on 18 January.

Since the start of the partnership in 2013, Just Play – the Oceania Football Confederation’s sport for development programme – has worked alongside UNICEF on several projects, to reach thousands of children through the powerful medium of sport.