SUVA: Defending champions Tahiti were beaten 0-4 by New Caledonia in a shock upset last Saturday. In a comprehensive display by the New Caledonians, they had the number one rated island nation in Oceania in disarray with a 3-0 lead at half-time.

To make the semi-finals this Wednesday, 9 July, Tahiti must not lose today to Tonga who are in third place and can steal the second semi spot if it beats Tahiti. New Caledonia has already sealed its place in the semis with a flawless record in the round robin stage with four wins and get some much needed rest today drawing the bye.

Over in the Pool A, the positioning for semi-final spots is even tighter with all eyes on tonight’s pending showdown between hosts Fiji and the Solomon Islands. With third placed Vanuatu likely to win its match against bottom placed Kiribati this afternoon, the winner of the Fiji-Solomon Islands clash will advance with Vanuatu to the semis.

But should Fiji and Solomon Islands draw, then both teams will be tied level with Vanuatu on eight points (assuming Vanuatu beats Kiribati) which will then mean it will come down to goal difference with Fiji and the Solomons comfortably ahead of Vanuatu.

Therefore, the message from Vanuatu coach Carlos Buzzetti would be simple – win, and with as many goals as possible – to avoid the dreaded scenario of a draw in the other match.

The women’s competition is equally interesting after some surprise results from last Friday and Saturday. Leaders Papua New Guinea were beaten in an upset loss to Tonga then drew with Vanuatu. Guam’s has now taken a one point lead with a draw with Tahiti and big win against Kiribati.

PNG, Tonga and Tahiti are tied for second but the latter two teams have a game in hand. Fiji, Vanuatu and Kiribati bring up the rear in that order heading into round five today.

2003 South Pacific Games football tournament, Suva Fiji

Men: 30 June-11 July / Women: 30 June-10 July

Results from the weekend

Day 5

Women’s Division (round three) – Friday, 4 July, at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori

Fiji vs Kiribati 2-1 (ht 1-0)

Tonga vs PNG 3-1 (ht 2-0)

Guam vs Tahiti 1-1 (ht 1-1)

Vanuatu bye

Day 6

Men’s Division (round four) – Saturday, 5 July, at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori

Pool B: Tonga vs FSM 7-0 (ht 5-0)

Pool A: Tuvalu vs Solomon Islands 0-4 (ht 2-0)

Pool B: Tahiti vs New Caledonia 0-4 (ht 0-3)

Pool A: Fiji vs Kiribati 12-0 (ht 5-0) played at Subrail Park, Labasa

Vanuatu, PNG byes

Women’s Division (round four) – Saturday, 5 July, at Cathedral Park, Suva

Kiribati vs Guam 0-5 (0-3)

PNG vs Vanuatu 2-2 (2-2)

Tahiti vs Tonga 1-0 (0-0)

Fiji bye

PROGRESSIVE LADDERS:

Men’s tournament

Points Table after round four

Men (Pool A)

Teams P W D L PF PA Diff Pts
Fiji 3 2 1 0 16 0 +16 7
Solomon Islands 3 2 1 0 13 2 +11 7
Vanuatu 3 1 2 0 3 2 +1 5
Tuvalu 4 1 0 3 3 11 -8 3
Kiribati 3 0 0 3 2 22 -20 0

Men (Pool B)

Teams P W D L PF PA Diff Pts
New Caledonia 4 4 0 0 28 0 +28 12
Tahiti 3 2 0 1 20 4 +16 6
Tonga 3 1 1 1 9 6 +3 4
Papua New Guinea 3 0 1 2 2 7 -5 1
FSM 3 0 0 3 0 42 -35 0

Women’s tournament

Points Table after round three & four

Teams P W D L PF PA Diff Pts
Guam 4 2 2 0 7 1 +6 8
Papua New Guinea 4 2 1 1 18 6 +12 7
Tonga 3 2 1 1 7 3 +4 7
Tahiti 3 2 1 0 5 1 +4 7
Fiji 3 1 0 2 3 4 -1 3
Vanuatu 3 0 1 2 4 8 -4 1
Kiribati 3 0 0 3 1 20 -19 0

Leading goalscorers:

Men:

Paul Poatinda (NCL) 7

Michel Hmae (NCL) 5

Felix Tagawa (TAH) 4

Naea Bennett (TAH) 4

Pierre Wajoka (NCL) 3

Esala Masi (FIJ) 9

Salesh Kumar (FIJ) 2

Unalolo Feao (TON) 4

Commins Menapi (SOL) 4

Lamel Kabeu (NCL) 3

Ramon Djamali (NCL) 2

Lawrence Nemeia (KIR) 2

Mark Uhutai (TON) 2

Women:

Deslyn Siniu (PNG) 7

Rachelle Comacho (PNG) 3

Miriam Lanta (PNG) 2

Julie Alau (PNG) 2

Matelita Misinale (TON) 3

Lavinia Taga (VAN) 2

FULL MATCH REPORTS TO FOLLOW

Today’s Schedule:

Day 7

Men’s Division (round five) – Monday, 7 July, at Churchill Park, Lautoka

1:00pm – Pool A: Kiribati vs Vanuatu

3:00pm – Pool B: Tahiti vs Tonga

5:00pm – Pool A: PNG vs FSM

7:00pm – Pool B: Fiji vs Solomon Islands

Tuvalu, New Caledonia bye

Women’s Division (round five) – Monday, 7 July, at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori

9:00am – Guam vs Vanuatu

11:00am – Tonga vs Kiribati

1:00pm – Fiji vs Tahiti

PNG bye

* all times are local in Fiji

More information and updates can be found on the official tournament website by clicking on the icon on the OFC website home page at www.oceaniafootball.com