Oceania Football Confederation’s (OFC) `Football for Hope’ charity match series will aim to raise $150-200,000NZD to help the victims of Solomon Islands tsunami and Vatukoula Mine closure, OFC
General Secretary Tai Nicholas said today.

“Football for Life is a chance to show the community how the power and popularity of football can help rebuild the infrastructure in Solomon Islands.

OFC’s partnership with Vodafone has been a key factor in realising `Football for Hope’ and we extend our thanks to them, Fiji FA and New Zealand Football in making this event a success,” Nicholas
said.

Fiji coach Buzzetti said he was excited by the competition for places amongst his 30-man squad with only 20 places available for the XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007 men’s football
tournament.

“I have the problem of deciding my squad for Samoa – but it is a good problem because the domestic players have trained very well and they are excited about these two matches.

But we must remember that we are a football family in Oceania and it is a good chance to show what the football family can do when one of its numbers needs help.

`Football for Life’ can bring hope to Solomon Islands and it is an honour for Fiji to be involved in these matches,” Buzzetti said.

Former Glasgow Celtic and Scotland goalkeeper Jonathan Gould was equally magnanimous but insisted there would be a competitive edge to the two matches.

“We have a young team many of whom are eligible for the Olympic Games qualifiers in March next year.

It’s a team very much a work in progress. What games like these do is help create pathways for future senior international players. So we will aim to be competitive and provide entertainment.

At the same time we have to remember what is behind that – the tsunami in Solomon Islands – and football is a fantastic way of giving something back to that community,” Gould said.

Fiji captain Peni Finau – a member of the Ba team that finished runners-up in OFC O-League Final to Waitakere United – said Fiji would use the matches as a chance to sharpen their competitive edge
for XIII South Pacific Games.

New Zealand XI captain Andy Barron warned Fiji would provide a stern test for the young Kiwi side.

“The boys are proud to be part of this event and contributing to a worthy cause. A few of our players are coming off the back of the FIFA U-20 World Cup and will be playing against a full national
side beginning their World Cup qualifiers so we expect it to be tough, ” Barron said.

Fiji FA CEO Bob Kumar was happy Fiji FA could step in to provide some assistance to Solomon Islands.

“Fiji was only too pleased to help. A lot of work has gone in to ensure these matches are a success but also that `Football for Life’ is a success.

In accepting the invitation from the OFC, Graham Seatter, Chief Executive of New Zealand Football, said the matches will be a chance to build on New Zealand’s football involvement in the Oceania
region, and lend a hand to one its Pacific neighbours.

“With all money from the matches going to people affected by April’s tsunami, it’s a chance for us to do something that is more important than the score after 90 minutes.”

“It’s great that we can help contribute to the broader well-being of the region through the power of football. FIFA, through its Social Responsibility initiatives, have taken this approach in a
number of areas world wide so it’s great to see OFC doing their bit …we’re fully supportive of their efforts.”

Fiji TV will carry live coverage of Football for Life throughout the Oceania region with the possibility of coverage being shown through SKY SPORTS 3 in New Zealand.