The Cook Islands Football Association’s (CIFA) Youth Tour in Auckland, New Zealand kicked off this week.
The CIFA U-15 Boys opened their campaign on July 19 at McLennan Park against Papakura City FC with a one-all draw, while the U-16 Girls defeated Papakura City 6-0.
The following day saw the CIFA U-16 Girls pick up their second win against Central United FC, 5-0, and the U-15 Boys came away with another 1-1 draw.
New Zealand’s Football Ferns play their opening match of the Tokyo Olympics against trans-Tasman rivals Matildas at 8.30pm (local time)/11.30pm (NZT).
July 21 also marks about two years until the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 kicks off, an event co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
Football Ferns captain Ali Riley said their opening match is an apt way to mark the milestone.
“What a better way to mark just two years before the biggest sporting event ever to hit New Zealand shores than to be playing against our 2023 co-hosts Austraila,” she said.
“While we’re rivals when we step on the pitch, off the pitch we’re so excited to be working closely together to put on one of the best ever World Cups.”
Meanwhile, the OlyWhites will play Korea Republic on July 22 at 5.00pm (local time)/ 8pm (NZT).
The Solomon Islands’ national men’s futsal team, the Kurukuru, have cancelled their initial training camp on the Gold Coast due to the current COVID-19 situation in Australia.
Their focus has shifted on developing a training camp in Europe next month ahead of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021 in Lithuania.
After seven rounds of the Telekom S-League, Central Coast are points clear at the top while the Solomon Warriors, Waneagu United, VFresh Isabel United and Henderson Eels trail behind.
Central Coast edged past Southern United 2-1 via Barry Limoki and Charles Mani and the Solomon Warriors won 4-1 over Honiara City.
Waneagu United beat Kula FC 3-0, VFresh was a nil-all result and the Henderson Eels beat Kossa FC 2-0.
In New Caledonia, Super Ligue continues and Hienghene Sport remain at the top of the table after a 3-1 victory over AS Mont-Dore, Tiga Sport sit in second place followed by SC Ne Drehu and AS Wetr.
The Tongan men’s Major League saw a couple of big scorelines over the weekend.
Nukuhetulu Young Warriors trumped Lapaha 2-0, Veitongo beat Longolong 11-0 and Halafuoleva picked up a 7-1 victory over Isileli/Kapeta.
Veitongo, Lotoha’apai, Longoteme and Nukuhetulu lead the way in their respective pools.
In some of the women’s Major League fixtures, Fahefa beat Isileli/Kapeta 14-0, Veitongo won 7-0 over Kauvai and Toa Girls beat Ha’amoko 5-0.
Deadlocks were unable to be broken between Fasi Lo’ata and Lapaha, 2-2, and Lotoha’apai v Lavengatonga, 1-1.
In American Samoa the Summer Youth League Programme returned after two years, and their neighbours Samoa make a return with the Youth and Senior National Leagues.
The situation remains the same in Fiji with no football activity due to COVID-19 restrictions.
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