Star sport reporter, Philip Lilomo looks back on the best moments of football in 2008, just one day before we enter into New Year tomorrow.

TENSIONS, drama, suspense, football excitement and surprises – 2008 had it all in footballing terms.

Soccer lovers from all corners of Solomon Islands certainly got their money’s worth as the beautiful game proved just how beautiful it can really be in our country known for its passion in soccer throughout the region.

Emotions and excitement were the order of the day, and 2008 certainly had more than its fair share of tears of joy and sorrow and heart-rending moments in terms of football.

The whole Solomon Islands leaped for joy when the young Kurukuru unexpectedly qualified for the Futsal World Cup.

But it was mixed emotion of heart rending moments and sorrow when our national under-23 just missed out from qualifying for their first Olympic after a vey solid performance in the qualifiers in Fiji.

Futsal 2008 was one of the high points of the year, with the Men’s team competing in the World Cup in Brazil.

And then, mere days after Totori had helped defend their Oceania club champion title with Waitakere United and booked a place in the World Club Championship.

Totori eventually become the first Solomon Islander to play professional football after being signed by Portland Timbers of the USA.

Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 was also one of the highest points of Solomon Islands football this year.
Those were just some of the football highlights and of course stories that grabbed headlines which made Solomon Islands soccer proud this year.

Now here are more details of soccer events in the country this year.

O LEAGUE- KOSSA VS WAITAKERE

The year started off with soccer lovers treated with a chance to witness the final of the O League after Kossa booked a final showdown with Waitakere United of New Zealand.

As usual, fans packed the Lawson Tama stadium not only to support their club champions Kossa but also to see two of the countries most recognised strikers Commins Menapi and the sensational Benjamin Totori playing at home for the first time with Waitakere.

Kossa with their PNG import Reginald Davani, superb combination of James Naka and Joe Luwi and regular big names like Gideon Omokirio, Samson Takayama, Tome Faisi and Severino Aefi did not disappoint the huge crowd that day as they wrote another chapter in the history books as the first Solomon Islands team to beat a New Zealand club.

Kossa brought joy to many in the country and across the region when they beat Waitakere 3-1 in the first leg of the O League final.

But that joy was short lived when they suffered a huge set back, losing to Waitakere in the return leg 5-0 where Totori opened the scoring for his side.

NATIONAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

And then came the National Club Championship where champions’ football clubs from all provinces came together in Honiara and produced two weeks of competitive football in the national capital Honiara to decide on the county’s next O League rep.

Unfortunately Renbel, Isabel, Choiseul and Temotu Province were not able to send their club champions to that Tournament.

The absence of the four provinces allowed HFA to enter five Honiara clubs in the tournament namely defending champions Kossa, Marist, Uncles, super 8 winners Koloale and DJ League champions Makuru.

Western and Malaita Province entered two teams each Kokohale and Lagoon Brothers of Western and Landowners and Fasi Roos of Malaita Province.

The qualification of the four Honiara teams Kossa, Uncles, Koloale and Makuru to the semi finals showed the strength of the active league in Honiara compared to the provinces.

Former champions Kossa lost key players in the semis due to suspension and injuries and lost to Makuru 3-1. Eventual winners Koloale beat a determine Uncles 1-0 in the other semi to book a grand final showdown with Makuru.

The grand final between Koloale and Makuru ended in a controversial penalty shootout.

These two teams also meet in the super final which Koloale also won, so that club championship final had rivalry written all over it.

This was evident when the final ended with protest by the Makuru players.

Koloale won on penalty shootouts, and Jeffrey Bule’s spot kick was the centre of controversy as he hit the ball into the goal and rebounded from the inner post which the referee failed to see and had to consult his assistance. The referee later allowed the goal which sparked anger to the Makuru players.

Presentation was delayed because of this, pending on the decision.
Decisions went correctly to Koloale and they earn the right to now represent Solomon Islands in the O League.

WANTOK CUP

Initiated by the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) the first Wantok Cup this year was seen as way of giving national teams from the three Wantok countries PNG, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands a chance to play international matches ahead of the Pacific Games.

PNG was not able to make it to this year’s Wantok Cup leaving only Solomon national team, the Solomon Bonito, Vanuatu national team and Solympics national under-23 to take part.

The young Solympics side lead by captain and goal keeper Shadrick Ramoni edged the two national teams to win the first ever Wantok Cup.

The Wantok Cup is a smaller version of the Melanesian Cup.

DJ LEAGUE 2008

The 2008 season of the DJ League saw some fantastic show of football at Lawson Tama and the AE Oval for fans in Honiara with the league games.

One of the stories making headline on the start of the season was the transfer of national flanker James Naka from Kossa to Zome Mars.

Also the transfer of two best rated player of the DJ League and Makuru key players Sale and Maemae to Auckland City in New Zealand.

With the DJ League this season played in only one round competition was tough with team fighting for the top places on the table.

It was Makuru who lived up to reputation and treated fans in Honiara with some sparkling football to win the DJ League 2008 season finishing on 25 points.

Makuru only managed to getaway with the title after beating O League reps Koloale on goal difference.

GIDEON OMOKIRIO PLAY IN KAREMBEU’S GOLDEN JUBILEE

One of the country’s veteran national player Gideon Omokirio described playing on the Karembeu Golden Jubilee in New Caledonia as one of the highlights of his career as a soccer player.

Omokirio was invited to play in the Karembeu golden jubilee against France and some of the big names of world football like Zinedine Zidane the one time world cup winner and player of the year.

Omokirio revealed that he had learned a lot of their simple way of football and that it takes commitment to become a best player.

Omokirio has represented the country in all level from under 17 to the national team and also captained the national team on a few occasion.

He is also captain of Kossa and the Bilikiki national Beach Soccer Team.

A well deserved achievement for someone who has contributed a lot to nationals teams in the country.

OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS IN FIJI

The Solympics national under-23 showed superiority in the Olympic qualifiers producing scary moments for the other islands country.

With the inclusion of national player Benjamin Totori, Nelson Sale and Alick Maemae in the squad they posed a treat to favorites New Zealand.

The decisive game in that qualifier was the Solomon Islands/ New Zealand match which Solomon Islands finished that game with 9 players.

Totori and Maemae were red carded in that 2-0 nil loss.

Totori ended the tournament with the highest goal scored winning the golden boot.

THRILLS AND DRAMA ON SAND AND INDOORS

Goals banged the back of the net from the left, right and centre this year but not only on the grass but also on the Sand and indoors on the court.

The FIFA Beach Soccer Tournament in France this year saw our very own Bilikiki put up a wonderful display winning their last game against El Salvador.

The Bilikiki bowed out in the pool stages but flew the flag of the Solomon Islands proudly in France, something not many Islands countries have the opportunity to do.

Brazil went on to win the tournament.

Solomon Islands were pooled with Portugal, Italy and El Salvador.

Beach soccer boy continued to shine on the world stage netting eight goals for his country in that World Cup.

FUTSAL

The young lads of the Kurukuru national Futsal team went against all odds and qualified for the Futsal World Cup in Brazil.

When the team flew to Fiji for the qualifiers, nobody thought that this team made up of teenagers aged from 17-22 would win.

Both in the country and Solomon Islands community in Fiji flow critics to the team which held their heads high and put God first for their victory.

Kurukuru proved those critics wrong and qualified for the World Cup, a result that stunted the country.

Inspired by their captain Elliot Ragomo the brave Kurukuru flow to Brazil for the World Cup and loss all their games but won many hearts on their way back.

O LEAGUE (KOLOALE)

Our O League reps this year are getting off to a good start in the O League with a win against Hekari at home and a draw away to Ba.

The signing of Henry Fa’arodo and Joses Nawo have boosted the teams morale many have hinted that they are going all the way to the final.

They beat Hekari 3-1 and drew with Ba 0-0.

They have a away game with Hekari left in Port Moresby and a game which looks likely to be the decider against Ba at home.

Both Koloale is leading group B with four points on goal difference ahead of Ba.

Koloale are currently taking a break off training and will resume training on the 5th January in preparation for their next match.

OCEANIA ALL STAR VS BECKHAM”S LA GALAXY

Four Solomon Islands international players had their chance of the life time to play against the Worlds most famous player David Beckham.

Henry Fa’arodo, Judd Molea, Nelson Sale and Alick Maemae were selected into the Oceania All Star team that played Beckham’ Galaxy on December 6th.

Not only against Beckham but along side World Cup winner Karembeu and also guest player Edger Davids.

TOTORI PLAYS IN USA

Solomon Islands sensational striker become the first Solomon Islander to play professional football in the USA when he was signed by Portland Timbers to play in the US Division 1.

But his dreams was short lived when he entered an injury crisis and forced to come home for rehabilitation.
But the electrifying striker refused to back down and continued to shine and joined his old club Waitakere and played in the recent World Club Championship in Japan.

MAEMAE AND SALE JOIN AUCKLAND

Alick Maemae and Nelson Sale were signed by Auckland City in the mid of the DJ League to play in the NZFC and O League.

But for reason unknown the pair were terminated from the Auckland squad.

HEKARI

PNG Club Champions have used seven Solomon Islands international soccer players in the NSL and the O League.

Latest news on the club is that they are after the signature of Bilikiki wonder boy James Naka.

SOLO PLAYERS PLAYS IN IDC IN FIJI

Solomon Islands players joined Fiji clubs for the Inter District Championship.
They are George Lui, Godwin Bebeu and other Solomon Islands students studying in Fiji.

JUDD MOLEA TOP GOLDEN BOOT IN THE DJ LEAGUE WITH 15 GOALS

The first ever Honiara Beach Soccer League started towards the end of this year leading up to the Christmas and New Year period.

Source : Solomon Star
By : Philip Lilomo

Solomon Islands hope of bringing more international youth level matches to their shores are out of reach.

This after Solomon Islands have missed out from hosting any FIFA Oceania sanctioned tournaments.

Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Competition Committee agreed in their meeting in Auckland last week that Fiji and New Zealand will be the only venues to host FIFA Oceania sanctioned matches in men’s U-17, 20, 23 and women’s U-17, 20 and 23.

This come as a big blow to football lovers in this soccer mad nation who want to see more international matches brought to their shores and played infront of the national stadium, Lawson Tama.

It was quit surprising that Solomon Islands was not given the chance to host any youth national tournament by the competition committee considering the best turf at Lawson Tama and huge turn out of crowd during international matches.

OFCC might exclude Solomon Islands based on the outcome of the 2005 Oceania Under 20 World Cup qualifier in Honiara.

This was after the final between host Solomon Islands Mamulas and eventual winner, young Socceroos was marred by crowd trouble and hooliganism.

However, if OFCC are basing their decision because Fiji are the hub of the Pacific, then Solomon Islands will have to wait for decades to see such FIFA sanctioned tournaments again.

Solomon Islands Football Federation president, Martin Alufurai was available to comment on this as he was believed to be on holiday.

Meanwhile Fiji will also be home to host Oceania Futsal Tournament and Tahiti to become the venue for the FIFA Beach Soccer Tournament.

Solomon Islands are the undisputed champions of both code of soccer, Futsal and Beach soccer in our region.

Source : Solomon Star
By : Philip Lilomo
Published : 30/12/2008

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has invited 10 Member Associations to take part in the inaugural AFC Futsal Club Championship 2009.

One Futsal Club side each from Australia, China, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Qatar, Thailand and Uzbekistan will take part in the July 4-12 tournament at a venue yet to be announced.

For the inaugural edition, the AFC Futsal Club Committee decided to make it an invitation event and each Member Association has been asked to nominate their Futsal national league champions for the tournament.

The 10 clubs will be divided into two groups of five. After a single round-robin, the top two teams advance to the semi-finals. The draw for the tournament will be held on April 30.

In order to strengthen future editions of this tournament, AFC is encouraging Associations to plough more resources into lifting the standard of Futsal in Asia.

Source : AFC
Via : Sutherland Shire Futsal
Published : 29/12/2008

Clubs competing in the region’s top soccer league, the O’ League will as of next year no longer go through the elimination process.

They will also benefit from the Oceania Football Confederation’s (OFC) “Win in Oceania Financing Programme”.

These were agreed to during a recent OFC Competition Committee meeting in Auckland, New Zealand.

FIFA through OFC’s ‘Win in Oceania financing programme’ will provide funds for OFC members to boost and improve their national soccer leagues.

The committee also agreed to reformat the O League participants to eight countries. Only six countries are currently competing in the competition.

FIFA want to see that the leagues in each country meet the highest standard of excellence in football.

And during O League matches as of next year, OFC committee have approved they will meet part of the costs such as airfares of the O-League teams and referees airfares.

The hosting association will also share the cost while the visiting teams will meet their own costs of accommodation and food.

Other issues agreed to were:

• Fiji and New Zealand will be the only venues to host the FIFA Oceania sanctioned matches in men’s U-17, 20, 23 and women’s Under-17, 20 and 23.
• Fiji will be the home of Oceania Futsal tournaments and Tahiti will become the venue of the FIFA Beach Soccer tournament.

Solomon Islands were not a member of the OFC competition committee.

Source : Solomon Star News
By : Philip Lilomo
Published : 29/12/2008

The Umbro International Futsal Cup 2009, Manchester United Kingdom 28-30 August 2009.

The Umbro International Futsal Cup 2009 will be bigger and better with more teams and new competitions for futsal clubs from around the world.

Enter your club in the leading futsal competition in the UK!

Interested? Catch the action from the Umbro International Futsal Cup 2008:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0yhEvu26_8c&feature=channel_page

Following the tremendous success of the first Umbro International Futsal Cup delivered by Manchester Futsal Club, next years’ tournament will take place over three competition days from Friday 28 August – Sunday 30 August 2009. Promotion and preparation for the tournament has already begun and futsal clubs are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

Here come the girls! New for 2009 will be the inclusion of our first ever women’s futsal competition. Women’s futsal deserves its place in the growing development of this game in the UK; The Umbro International Futsal Cup 2009 will provide the perfect setting for women’s teams to compete amongst the best.

Entry Fee for the tournament is £100. Recommended accommodation and booking support is provided once you register.

All the latest tournament news and features will be posted on www.umbrofutsal.co.uk

So what are you waiting for? The Umbro International Futsal Cup 2009 is your chance to compete in an elite futsal tournament and become our champions in 2009!

How to enter the Umbro International Futsal Cup 2009:

Entering you club into the Umbro International Futsal Cup 2009 could not be easier.

1. Contact EuroWorldwide Events to book your place and arrange accommodation.

Telephone: +44 (0) 1625 536609
Fax: +44 (0) 1625 536610
Email: info@worldwidesoccer.co.uk

2. A copy of the official Umbro International Futsal Cup 2009 Handbook will be sent to you with all of the supporting tournament information.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Manchester Futsal Club
e: info@manchesterfutsal.com
w: www.manchesterfutsal.com

Futsal4all news updates will be on hold until the 28th of December while we take a short break.

If you have any news you’d like to submit to the site please do so and we’ll post it on the 28th. Alternatively you can put it up on our Forums for all to read.

We wish you all a very happy holidays!

A four day Futsal Workshop Course has ended in Nusa Roviana and Gizo in Western Province this week.

The Futsal Workshop was funded by Community Sector Programme (CSP).

Honiara futsal coaches Peter Seda and Obadiah Wale have conducted the course after communities in those two areas requested for the code of soccer to be introduced to the rural areas.

The four day workshop started in Nusa Roviana on the 1st- 4th December before the workshop was conducted in Gizo from 6th -9th December.

The Futsal Workshop focussed in two main areas of the laws of the game of Futsal and on coaching tactics and skills.

Nusa Roviana is in ward 16 of the Provincial Government and it is the first area to have benefited from such workshop on Futsal.

A total of 30 participants from communities around Nusa Roviana have participated in the four day workshop.

Obadiah Wale one of the conductors of the workshop and also a committed follower of Futsal in the country said from the feedbacks after the workshop that people in the area now know more about Futsal.

“People in the area know have a good idea about Futsal and skills for coaches and referees to run their own league.

“This is also seen as a way to develop coaches and players from the rural areas and in turn help the development of Futsal in the country as a whole.

“Also he added that this chance the attitude of youths in the community”, he said.

According to Mr. Wale preparation a set after the workshop to start a school of excellence in the areas next year for Futsal and hopefully to start their own league.

Mr. Wale said that Kurukuru captain Elliot Ragomo and Lenson Bisili are the Futsal hero of the people there because of the fact the these two players are originated from around the same area.

“The involvement of this two with the Kurukuru in the World Cup has boosted people in the area to come and join the workshop.

“Also during the workshop was a coaching clinic for coaches and referees.

Mr. Wale added that it is good to introduce such Futsal courses to other parts of the Solomon Islands to develop Futsal.

He said that many have shown interest after their successful completion of the four day workshop in Nusa Roviana and Gizo.

This code of soccer is very new to the rural communities and such workshop will help to make people in rural areas more aware of the code of sports for which Solomon Islands is the champion of the Oceania region.

Source : Solomon Star News
By : Philip Lilomo
Published : 13/12/2008

Futsal4all received the following email regarding an Invitational Tournament happening in France next year :

On May 30th, 31st and 1st of June 2009, the Erdre Futsal Club (Nantes) is organizing his 3rd INTERNATIONAL FUTSAL TOURNAMENT which is the Futsal Tournament “reference” in France.

This invitational tournament will gather 48 teams instead of 32 for the last edition.

Highly determined to provide an unequalled level of performance in France, the Organizing Committee of the “Christophe Brisset EIFT 2009″ has set up an exceptional logistics plan, with an ongoing objective to minimize the distances between the different strategic sites (accommodations, restaurants, gymnasiums, etc.).

The overall plan is thus concentrated within a radius of 5 kilometers around the accommodation place of the teams.

The competitions will take place on 3 sites, each of them offering two gymnasiums with grandstands (100 up to 4500 for the finals), located around Nantes.

All the delegations will be accommodated on one single site : the beautiful 3* WESTOTEL hotel complex specifically equiped with a swimming pool, saunas, a fitness center, an auditorium and offering a free high speed Internet access in every room as well as a jack socket on televisions.

You can find out all the informations about the Tournament and the “registration form” on : www.fcerdre.com with the english translation here : http://www.fcerdre.com/HTML/tournoi2009/tournoi.php?lang=en

Do as Kiev (Ukrania), Poznan (Poland), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Liege (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal), Constantine (Algeria), Tunis (Tunizia) or Dakar (Senegal) : come to the “EIFT Christophe Brisset” and dream with a wonderful Tournament !

See you soon,
T.I.F.E 2009 “Organizing Committe”
www.fcerdre.com

Twelve years have elapsed since Brazil last claimed the FIFA Futsal World Cup. But thanks to two fabulous penalty saves from Franklin in a heart-stopping shootout, the Auriverde finally ended their long wait to rule the world once again, prevailing 4-3 from the spot after a thrilling 2-2 draw.

Reigning champions Spain sent a message of intent at the kick-off, lining up with five world champions. Brazil responded by showing they were not going to be bossed around, however, contesting every loose ball as if their lives depended on it.

Although both sides stuck firmly to their gameplans in the opening minutes, patiently maintaining possession and waiting for openings to appear, it was the Brazilians who had the edge. Spain’s Luis Amado was the busier of the two keepers, and he had to be sharp to deny Lenisio on two separate occasions as well as Cico and Falcao, whose impudent back-heel so nearly put the local favourites ahead.

Relying on quick breaks to unsettle their opponents, the Europeans almost stole the lead themselves after only two minutes, with Amado throwing long for Javi Rodriguez only for Tiago to block alertly.

The longer the game went on the more important the first goal became. Brazil coach Paulo Cesar de Oliveira shuffled his pack up front, even pairing Falcao and the powerful Betao together in a bid to outmuscle the Spanish. But every time his side had a sight of goal Amado was on hand to thwart them, denying Schumacher and Vinicius at the end of two superbly worked counter-attacks.

In the end it took a stroke of good luck for the Brazilians to edge ahead, Marquinho’s 27th-minute corner kick deflecting off Borja’s face and beating Amado at the near post. Spain refused to capitulate and were level within two minutes when Torras powered home a left-foot drive.

Despite being denied the services of Falcao through injury, Brazil came storming back, with Vinicius restoring the home side’s lead by thrashing the ball high into the net after Amado had pulled off two more fine stops. With just three minutes left on the clock, that appeared be that. The men in red had not read the script, however, and forced extra-time when Alvaro poked home at the far post with barely a minute left.

Although both sides went into overtime with five fouls each, the pace did not relent. Not for the first time, Amado and Tiago showed their shot-stopping skills at either end to ensure the title would be decided on penalties. And it was Tiago’s replacement, Franklin, who proved the hero of the afternoon, denying Torras and Marcelo to spark wild celebrations at the Maracanazinho.

Full match report and highlights are available on the FIFA Website.

Source : FIFA
Pusblished : 19/10/2008

** 18/10/2008 Update ** – Scott has been announced as the first referee for the 3rd place playoff between Russia and Italy tonight. It will be played at 12:30am Sunday morning Sydney time. To be given this assignment is an incredible achievement, and is again a reflection on his skills as a referee and a testiment to the high regard in which he is held in international circles. Congratulations again Scott! 

** PREVIOUS UPDATE ** – Scott has survived the two ‘cuts’ at each major stage in the tournament and will be one of the 10 referees involved right through to the Finals. This is a great reflection on Scott’s skills as a referee to be counted as one of the top 10 worldwide. Congratulations Scott!

Congratulations to our very own Scott Kidson for being selected as one of the 32 Referees at the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup!! (Thats Scott in the pictures from the most recent OFC Qualifiers – click on it for a bigger version).

To be chosen as one of only 32 Referees in the world is a fantastic feat, and is certainly a testament to the dedication Scott has given to Futsal over the years, both as a top level player and as a Referee.

The full list of referees appointed to the 2008 World Cup is as follows :

01 – AFC -> Nurdin BUKUEV (Kyrgyzstan)
02 – AFC -> Kazuya ISOKAWA (Japan)
03 – AFC -> Badrul Hisham KALAM (Malaysia)
04 – AFC -> Scott KIDSON (Australia)
05 – AFC -> Jang Kwan KIM (Korea Republic)
06 – AFC -> Zhizhong LI (China)
07 – AFC -> Alireza SOHRABI BALSINI (Iran)
08 – CAF -> Tawfik AL DAWI (Libya)
09 – CAF -> Saiud Abd KADARA (Egypt)
10 – CAF -> Asselam KHAN (Mozambique)
11 – CONCACAF -> Antonio ALVAREZ BETANCOURT (Cuba)
12 – CONCACAF -> Carlos Renè DEL CID URBINA (Guatemala)
13 – CONCACAF -> Jason E. KRNAC (Usa)
14 – CONCACAF -> Hector Ricardo MESEN SEQUEIRA (Costa Rica)
15 – CONCACAF -> Francisco Javier RIVERA LLERENAS (Mexico)
16 – CONMEBOL -> Octalivar Y. CARRERO HERNANDEZ (Venezuela)
17 – CONMEBOL -> Sergio Javier GHIBAUDI (Argentina)
18 – CONMEBOL -> Tales Ferreira GOULART (Brazil)
19 – CONMEBOL -> Franklin Enrique LOOR MOREIRA (Ecuador)
20 – CONMEBOL -> Fabian de Jesus LOPEZ TEJEDA (Colombia)
21 – CONMEBOL -> Hector Estuardo ROJAS FIGUEROA (Peru)
22 – CONMEBOL -> Alvaro Guillermo SACARELO PINTOS (Uruguay)
23 – CONMEBOL -> Nestor Fabian VALIENTE IBARRA (Paraguay)
24 – OFC -> Amitesh Chandra BEHARI (Fiji)
25 – UEFA -> Massimo CUMBO (Italy)
26 – UEFA -> Antonio Josè FERNANDES CARDOSO (Portugal)
27 – UEFA -> Roberto GRACIA MARIN (Spain)
28 – UEFA -> Karel HENYCH (Czech Republic)
29 – UEFA -> Oleg IVANOV (Ukraine)
30 – UEFA -> Ivan SHABANOV (Russia)
31 – UEFA -> Edi SUNJIC (Croatia)
32 – UEFA -> Karoly TOROK (Hungary)

Source : Futsal Planet
Published : 12/8/2008