The draw for the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Stage 2 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw has been finalized with the New Zealand vs. Fiji match at North Harbour Stadium, Saturday
13th October, 2007, opening the four team home and away tournament. OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas said the delay in formally announcing the draw was
necessary to ensure all competing member associations were happy with the new fixture list. “There were sensitivities surrounding this draw. Both Fiji and New Zealand
were prepared for an October start and had changed their domestic fixture lists, booked stadiums and reached agreements with local television broadcasters regarding coverage so it was crucial OFC
helped ensure these contracts endured. However, New Caledonia wanted to delay the start of the tournament to November so they could book stadia and promote the matches
adequately.  In Vanuatu’s case, there is the need to ensure their stadium in Port Vila is up to standard and they preferred a November start date,” Nicholas
said. 

Fiji has named a tentative squad ahead of the two matches against New Zealand with national team coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti hoping his selections stay fit ahead of the weekend’s
domestic fixtures.

 

image courtesy of Geoff Dickinson Photography  FIJI: Simione Tamanisau, Shamal Kumar, Ben Mateinaqara; Apisalome Turuva, Peni Finau, Malakai Kainihewe,
Samuela Vula, Shalen Lal, Samuela Kautoga, Taniela Waqa, Avinesh Suwamy, Pita Baleitoga, Malakai Tiwa, Roy Krishna (pictured above), Maciu Dunadamu, Tuimasi Manuca, Osea Vakatalesau, Salesh Kumar,
Pita Rabo, Ronil Kumar, Laisisasa Gataurua. The full draw is as follows: (Home team named first, all kick off times to be
advised) DATE                          
MATCH          
                                   
KICK-OFF                        SAT
13/10/07           New Zealand vs. Fiji              
            1600hrs NZT WED 17/10/07        
Fiji vs. New Zealand                          
TBA SAT 17/11/07           Vanuatu vs. New
Zealand                   TBASAT
17/11/07           Fiji vs. New
Caledonia                         TBA WED
21/11/07         New Zealand vs.
Vanuatu                   TBAWED
21/11/07         New Caledonia vs.
Fiji                         TBA SAT
14/06/08           Vanuatu vs. New
Caledonia               TBA SAT
21/06/08           New Caledonia vs.
Vanuatu               TBA SAT
06/09/08           New Caledonia vs. New Zealand       TBASAT
06/09/08           Fiji vs.
Vanuatu                                     TBA WED
10/09/08         New Zealand vs. New Caledonia       TBAWED
10/09/08         Vanuatu vs. Fiji
                                  
TBA