Oceania Football

Samoa win OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2022 opener 2-0 over Tonga

The game at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium represented a return to international football for many after years of disruption. The magnitude of the occasion was made evident by powerful scenes as both Samoa and Tonga players sung their respective national anthems.

While Samoa looked to control the game in hope of unleashing their main threat in striker Torijan Lyne-Lewis, Tonga were comfortable playing on the the counter-attack with Laveni Vaka’s endeavour causing disruption.

Oceania FIFA World Cup qualifiers set for early next year

The Oceania Football Confederation confirmed all matches will take place in Qatar from 14 to 30 March 2022.

The OFC qualifiers will be played in a mini-tournament format featuring eight teams, consisting of a round-robin group stage, semi-finals and the final.

Oceania Football forced into more COVID-19 related changes

The OFC Executive Committee approved a number of changes last week in response to the ongoing COVID-19-19 pandemic, that will impact the OFC Champions League, various youth tournaments and the road to Qatar 2022.

General Secretary Franck Castillo said these postponements and cancellations were the only option, given the ongoing challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We look forward to international football returning in our region when it is logistically possible," he said.

Kiwis beat PNG 7-1

They scored seven goals to PNG's 1 (7-1) and appear favourites for the second match next week.

Striker Annalie Longo and mid fielder Amber Hearn collected two each in both halves.

At half time, goals through Longo, Hearn and Rebekah Stott and Aimie Philips took NZ to a 4-nil lead during the break.

 In the second half, Longo dribbled past three PNG defenders to find the net and score her second goal for the day.

Sweeper Katie Duncan stepped up after a cross over and headed in before Longo sealed her second goal to her name.

O-League newcomers Lae City up for the challenge

The Papua New Guinea club was only formed two seasons ago, following the demise of Lae FC, but has already won a maiden national title, finishing runners-up behind Hekari United in the minor premiership and beating Madang in the grand final.

Head coach Peter Gunemba says the O-League presents another exciting challenge.

Oceania Football no longer a minnow

Oceania will now receive two berths at men's age grade tournaments from 2017.

The region created history at this year's Men's Under 20 World Cup with hosts New Zealand reaching the quarter finals and Fiji upsetting Honduras in the group stage.

Rajesh Patel says Oceania officials have been trying to secure an extra berth for a long time and he says Fiji's impressive World Cup showing proved the region is no longer a minnow.