New Zealand v Tahiti
Fans of the world game in Adelaide are in for a mammoth treat tomorrow.
Never before has an OFC World Cup qualifying tournament been so hotly contested and tomorrow at the Marden Sports Complex, the World Cup aspirations of a reeling nation hinge on a positive result.
New Zealand, the last nation to represent Oceania at a World Cup finals are in disarray.
After an impressive showing against the Qantas Socceroos on the opening day of the tournament, the All Whites have rubbished their World Cup credentials with a series of cataclysmic performances in recent days.
First was a scrappy 3-0 win over the Solomon Islands that raised a few eyebrows as to the determination of a New Zealand side, that looked lethargic and disinterested en route to their first up win.
Then came the result that turned the Oceania’s road to Germany 2006 on its head.
Last night at a damp and drizzly Hindmarsh Stadium, the Kiwis World Cup ambitions came crumbling down following a devastating 4-2 loss at the unlikely hands of Vanuatu.
Now, Mick Waitt’s New Zealand find themselves on the wrong end of a three team pile up that will ultimately produce a victor on the last day of competition this Sunday.
With two rounds remaining, the Kiwis will want to take maximum points from their meetings with Tahiti and Fiji, so to give themselves the best possible chance of extending their rein with Australia at the top of the Oceania’s soccer fraternity.
On the Kiwis side, is history.
The All Whites have failed to concede a solitary goal to Tahiti in all their previous encounters, having scored 12 goals themselves.
Most recently, the New Zealanders thrashed Tahiti 4-0 at the 2002 OFC Nations Cup in Auckland, with current squad members Ryan Nelsen and Ivan Vicelich amongst the goals.
This result came just a year after the pair met in a World Cup qualifier at the same venue for a similar result, 5-0 on that occasion to the All Whites.
The Kiwis will also take comfort in the fact that their opponent’s baron spell in front of goal is the most detrimental in their history and has shown no signs of being alleviated in the tournament thus far.
330 minutes have passed since the Tahitians last found the back of the net, that being in their final stage one qualifier away to the Solomon Islands.
Midfielder Vincent Simon was on hand to give the Polynesians the lead after 30 minutes on that day, but since then, Tahiti have endured futile encounters with Fiji, Australia and the Solomon Islands once more.
The Kiwis will need little motivation to be up for this encounter and coach Waitt will be hopeful his boys can finally put their woeful form aside and rack up the goals against Tahiti tomorrow.
Waitt will be sweating on the availability of injured midfield influence Simon Elliott, having already lost Roda JC middleman Ivan Vicelich due to suspension.
As for Tahiti, the proud Polynesians World Cup dream is all but over following their 4-0 loss to the Solomons last night.
Only a minor miracle would see Gerard Kautai’s men through to the next stage, who seem certain to relinquish their title as Oceania’s top ranked island nation.
Solomon Islands v Fiji
The first of two matches at Hindmarsh Stadium between the Solomon Islands and Fiji must surely rank as one of the most important matches in Oceania’s relatively short history.
Never, in the history of Oceania World Cup qualification campaigns, has FIFA’s youngest confederation produced a non Australia/New Zealand showdown to finish off with.
2004, it seems, is a time like no other to rewrite the history books.
The Solomon Islands and Fiji are just three days away from the possibility of achieving what no island nation has done in the history of the FIFA World Cup – finish in the OFC’s top two.
New Zealand’s loss to Vanuatu has opened the door to both the Solomons and Fiji to claim Oceania’s second playoff spot and edge a step closer to Germany 2006.
Of the two island challengers, the Solomons are placed the best and know that a win against their traditional rivals at Hindmarsh tomorrow will boost their hopes of progressing no end.
Alan Gillett’s men currently sit three points above New Zealand and two above Fiji and are the only side of the three with a positive goal difference.
Therefore, a win tomorrow for Gillett’s men would eliminate Fiji from the race for second place and sit them above New Zealand ahead of their final round clash with Australia on Sunday.
Whilst a win is a must for the Solomons, a big win would be an added bonus.
Since goal difference is likely to play a major factor in determining Oceania’s second playoff representative, the Solomons will want to post a big win over their fellow Melanesians.
With star strike trio Batram Suri, Henry Fa’arodo and Commins Menapi all in glittering form, the scene is set for the Solomons to have their greatest day.
In their way, are Fiji.
The Fijians also have the scent of World Cup success in their noses and know that only a win will suffice against the Solomons tomorrow.
After the Solomons, Fiji face New Zealand in what is sure to be another blockbuster at Hindmarsh Stadium that will go along way to determining the final makeup of the competition.
Tony Buesnel’s team will be without their villain and hero from their clash with Australia, midfield ace Laisaisa Gataurua, who was sent off last match for a careless punch on the Qantas Socceroos Tim Cahill.
Although, with star performers Esala Masi, Veresa Toma and Seveci Rokotakala rested and ready for action, the Fijians will have no shortage of firepower.
The history between these two sides is rich, but offers no clear indication as to who is favourite at Hindmarsh tomorrow.
In eleven previous encounters, Fiji has the edge with four wins wedged between their five draws and two losses to the Solomons.
Most recently, Fiji disposed of their island neighbours 2-1 at the South Pacific Games in 2003 in what was the first result other than a draw between the two for six years.
A proud rivalry will be ignited again tomorrow, but never have the stakes been so high.
Australia v Vanuatu
Qantas Socceroos coach Frank Farina has named six possible changes to his stating eleven that will take on giant killers Vanuatu at Hindmarsh Stadium tomorrow night.
Although not naming a definite starting team due to the condition of some players being questionable, Farina hinted that he might hand starts to under 23’s David Tarka and Alex Brosque, with the former to be making his debut.
Along with the under 23 duo, Farina may recall Genclerbirligi midfielder Josip Skoko, Osasuna striker John Aloisi, former Aberdeen marksman David Zdrilic and Parma attacker Marco Bresciano, who looks to have recovered from a niggling foot injury.
Making way for the new sextet will be Vince Grella, Mile Sterjovski, Max Vieri, Scott Chipperfield and goal scorers against Fiji Adrian Madaschi and Tim Cahill.
Possible Qantas Socceroo lineup versus Vanuatu: Zeljko Kalac (gk), Jade North, Tony Vidmar, Patrick Kisnorbo, David Tarka, Brett Emerton, Josip Skoko, Marco Bresciano, Alex Brosque, John Aloisi, David Zdrilic
Farina will be sure to approach the match with Vanuatu with some caution, following their amazing victory over New Zealand last night that has thrown the 2004 OFC Nations Cup wide open.
Farina knows better than most the danger posed by Vanuatu, having escaped with narrow one and two-nil wins from their previous two encounters.
“Obviously it’s a shock that they won by such a big margin and so comf
ortably,” said Farina when quizzed on Vanuatu’s upset win over New Zealand last night.
“I saw with the under 23’s for example, Vanuatu most probably deserved to beat New Zealand then.
“It shows that they’re improving and proves that they’re capable of beating sides like New Zealand.
“It came as a shock, but not as bigger shock as some people think it is.”
Despite Vanuatu’s surprise win, Farina is confident his charges will do the job tomorrow.
“The only surprising thing is that they managed to score four, when New Zealand performed reasonably well against us at the back,” said Farina from the Qantas Socceroos hotel today.
“They won’t score four against us… I hope!”
The Vanuatuans are on a high after claiming their biggest ever scalp and will be looking forward to tomorrows clash with great enthusiasm, having revived their slim hopes of a top two finish.
Traditionally, Vanuatu have troubled the Qantas Socceroos in the past.
In the 2002 OFC Nations Cup, an under strength Australian side snuck two late goals to beat Carlos Buzzetti’s men 2-0, having scraped through 1-0 two years earlier thanks to a Kevin Muscat penalty.
With their confidence high, the Vanuatuans will be sure to provide the Qantas Socceroos with a stern test and Adelaide’s sporting community are sure to witness a quality showing of dramatic football in the South Australian capital tomorrow.
FOR STATISTICS AND UP TO DATE RESULTS, VISIT THE OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT WEBSITE LINKED TO THE HOMEPAGE.