2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC)
Encyclopedia
The 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
for the Oceania Football Confederation
(OFC) selected New Zealand to compete in a two-legged home-and-away playoff against Bahrain
, the fifth-place team from the Asian Football Confederation
(AFC) for a spot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup
in South Africa
. (Oceania is the only confederation that does not have an automatic place in the finals.) Its final round was the 2008 OFC Nations Cup
. Consequently, New Zealand is also considered the OFC Nations Cup
champion, and represented the OFC in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
.
This is the first OFC World Cup qualifying campaign since Australia
's move from the OFC to the AFC.
Pacific Games in Samoa
, with the football tournament
doubling as an OFC World Cup qualifying competition. The gold, silver, and bronze medallists (New Caledonia, Fiji, and Vanuatu, respectively) advanced to the second phase.
The three medallists joined seeded side New Zealand in a home-and-away round-robin tournament on FIFA match dates in 2007 and 2008, also acting as the 2008 OFC Nations Cup
.
There were some confusion as to how the final qualifier for the playoff against an AFC nation would be selected. The FIFA website initially indicated that the top two sides from the round robin would advance to a play-off which would determine the qualifier, but the OFC articles did not include this round (with the round-robin winner advancing automatically). Later FIFA articles confirmed that the round-robin winner would advance automatically.
, New Zealand
. Tuvalu
were not members of FIFA
and so would have been unable to qualify for the World Cup had they proceeded to the OFC Nations Cup stage. It was not even clear whether Tuvalu would be eligible to advance that far had they finished in a medal position, as the OFC press release for the second stage draw stated that "nine eligible member associations battle it out for the gold, silver and bronze medals that will hand them a berth in a Stage Two round robin home and away playoff with New Zealand" - implying one nation (Tuvalu) would not be eligible. This question was rendered moot, however, as Tuvalu finished last in their table.
Papua New Guinea
, having initially entered the 2010 World Cup and indicated their intention to enter the South Pacific Games, were involved in a dispute with their sporting authorities and failed to meet the official accreditation deadline for the South Pacific Games. This meant they were effectively disqualified from the World Cup.
* Tuvalu were not members of FIFA and so were not eligible to qualify for the World Cup.
New Zealand qualified for the play-off with the AFC
5th-placed team, as well as the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
in South Africa
.
, Bahrain
, in a two-legged play-off; New Zealand beat Bahrain to qualify for the 2010 World Cup
.
The draw for the order in which the two matches would be played was held on 2 June 2009 during the FIFA Congress in Nassau
, the Bahamas
.
|}
Key:
— - Bye
X - Eliminated
1 goal
Own goal
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
The qualification competition for the 2010 FIFA World Cup was a series of tournaments organised by the six FIFA confederations. Each confederation — the AFC , CAF , CONCACAF , CONMEBOL , OFC , and UEFA — was allocated a certain number of the 32 places at the tournament...
for the Oceania Football Confederation
Oceania Football Confederation
The Oceania Football Confederation is one of the six continental confederations of international association football, consisting of Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and island nations such as Tonga, Fiji and other Pacific Island countries...
(OFC) selected New Zealand to compete in a two-legged home-and-away playoff against Bahrain
Bahrain national football team
The Bahrain national football team is the national team of the Kingdom of Bahrain and is controlled by the Bahrain Football Association; it was founded in 1951 and joined FIFA in 1966. They have never reached the finals of the World Cup, but have twice come within one match of doing so...
, the fifth-place team from the Asian Football Confederation
Asian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
(AFC) for a spot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. (Oceania is the only confederation that does not have an automatic place in the finals.) Its final round was the 2008 OFC Nations Cup
2008 OFC Nations Cup
The 2008 OFC Nations Cup was the eighth edition of the OFC Nations Cup, and the first under a new format that was introduced. It took place as a series of as a home-and-away round-robin tournament on FIFA match dates in 2007 and 2008...
. Consequently, New Zealand is also considered the OFC Nations Cup
OFC Nations Cup
The OFC Nations Cup is an international association football tournament held among the Oceania Football Confederation member nations. It was held every two years from 1996 to 2004; before 1996 there were two other tournaments held at irregular intervals, under the name Oceania Nations Cup...
champion, and represented the OFC in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup was the eighth Confederations Cup, and was held in South Africa from 14 June to 28 June 2009 as a prelude to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The draw was held on 22 November 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The opening match was played at Ellis Park...
.
This is the first OFC World Cup qualifying campaign since Australia
Australia national football (soccer) team
The Australia national association football team represents Australia in international association football competitions. Its official nickname is the "Socceroos"...
's move from the OFC to the AFC.
Format
The first phase began at the 20072007 Pacific Games
The 2007 Pacific Games were held in Apia, Samoa, from 25 August to 8 September, 2007. The Games were also known as the XIII South Pacific Games....
Pacific Games in Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
, with the football tournament
Football at the 2007 South Pacific Games
The 2007 South Pacific Games Football was held at the Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Complex in Apia, Samoa in from 25 August to 7 September 2007.The Men's tournament formed the first stage of the Oceania Football Confederation's qualification tournament for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the qualification...
doubling as an OFC World Cup qualifying competition. The gold, silver, and bronze medallists (New Caledonia, Fiji, and Vanuatu, respectively) advanced to the second phase.
The three medallists joined seeded side New Zealand in a home-and-away round-robin tournament on FIFA match dates in 2007 and 2008, also acting as the 2008 OFC Nations Cup
2008 OFC Nations Cup
The 2008 OFC Nations Cup was the eighth edition of the OFC Nations Cup, and the first under a new format that was introduced. It took place as a series of as a home-and-away round-robin tournament on FIFA match dates in 2007 and 2008...
.
There were some confusion as to how the final qualifier for the playoff against an AFC nation would be selected. The FIFA website initially indicated that the top two sides from the round robin would advance to a play-off which would determine the qualifier, but the OFC articles did not include this round (with the round-robin winner advancing automatically). Later FIFA articles confirmed that the round-robin winner would advance automatically.
First round
The 2007 South Pacific Games held the first round. The draw was held on 12 June 2007 in AucklandAuckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Tuvalu
Tuvalu national football team
The Tuvalu national football team is the international football team of Tuvalu, which trains at the Vaiaku Stadium in Funafuti. The Tuvalu national football team draws from players in the Tuvalu A-Division; the national team competes in the Pacific Games and South Pacific Games...
were not members of FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
and so would have been unable to qualify for the World Cup had they proceeded to the OFC Nations Cup stage. It was not even clear whether Tuvalu would be eligible to advance that far had they finished in a medal position, as the OFC press release for the second stage draw stated that "nine eligible member associations battle it out for the gold, silver and bronze medals that will hand them a berth in a Stage Two round robin home and away playoff with New Zealand" - implying one nation (Tuvalu) would not be eligible. This question was rendered moot, however, as Tuvalu finished last in their table.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea national football team
The Papua New Guinea national football team is the national team of Papua New Guinea and is controlled by the Papua New Guinea Football Association....
, having initially entered the 2010 World Cup and indicated their intention to enter the South Pacific Games, were involved in a dispute with their sporting authorities and failed to meet the official accreditation deadline for the South Pacific Games. This meant they were effectively disqualified from the World Cup.
Group A
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Group B
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Knockout stage
The three medallists, New Caledonia, Fiji, and Vanuatu, advanced to the 2008 OFC Nations Cup (together with automatic qualifier New Zealand).Second round
New Zealand qualified for the play-off with the AFC
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
The Asian Football Confederation was allocated four assured qualifying berths for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and one place in a play-off. 43 teams were in the running for these spots; Laos, Brunei and the Philippines did not attempt to qualify...
5th-placed team, as well as the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup was the eighth Confederations Cup, and was held in South Africa from 14 June to 28 June 2009 as a prelude to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The draw was held on 22 November 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The opening match was played at Ellis Park...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Play-off
The Oceania champion (New Zealand) played the 5th Place team from the Asian qualifiers2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
The Asian Football Confederation was allocated four assured qualifying berths for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and one place in a play-off. 43 teams were in the running for these spots; Laos, Brunei and the Philippines did not attempt to qualify...
, Bahrain
Bahrain national football team
The Bahrain national football team is the national team of the Kingdom of Bahrain and is controlled by the Bahrain Football Association; it was founded in 1951 and joined FIFA in 1966. They have never reached the finals of the World Cup, but have twice come within one match of doing so...
, in a two-legged play-off; New Zealand beat Bahrain to qualify for the 2010 World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
.
The draw for the order in which the two matches would be played was held on 2 June 2009 during the FIFA Congress in Nassau
Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau is the capital, largest city, and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has a population of 248,948 , 70 percent of the entire population of The Bahamas...
, the Bahamas
The Bahamas
The Bahamas , officially the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is a nation consisting of 29 islands, 661 cays, and 2,387 islets . It is located in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba and Hispaniola , northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and southeast of the United States...
.
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Goalscorers
There were 150 goals scored over 38 games (including the intercontinental play-off), for an average of 3.95 goals per game.| Pos | Player | Country | Total goals | Goals by round | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S-G | S-F | ONC | PO | ||||
| 1 | Osea Vakatalesau Osea Vakatalesau Osea Vakatalesau is a Fijian football striker playing for Fiji national football team and Ba F.C.-International career:... |
12 | 9 | 1 | 2 | X | |
| 2 | Seule Soromon Seule Soromon Seule Soromon is an association football striker from Vanuatu who currently plays for ASB Premiership team YoungHeart Manawatu.He hails from Mele, which is located northwest of Port Vila.-Club career:... |
9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | X | |
| 3 | Shane Smeltz Shane Smeltz Shane Edward Smeltz is a New Zealand professional association football player. He plays as a striker for Perth Glory FC.-Club career:... |
8 | — | — | 8 | 0 | |
| 4 | Commins Menapi Commins Menapi Commins Menapi is a Solomon Islands striker, who is currently a Marist FC player.-Club career:He has also played for YoungHeart Manawatu in New Zealand, Sydney United of the old National Soccer League in Australia and for Marist FC, a club from the Solomon Islands.In the 2006-2007 season, he... |
7 | 6 | 1 | X | X | |
| 5 | Roy Krishna Roy Krishna Roy Krishna is a Fijian association football player, who currently plays as a striker for Waitakere United in the New Zealand Football Championship.-Club career:... |
6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | X | |
| François Sakama | 3 | 1 | 2 | X | |||
| 7 | Michel Hmaé Michel Hmae Michel Hmaé is a footballer who used to play for AS Magenta in the New Caledonian football league. He has been playing as a striker for the Noumea outfit since 2003/2004. On January 2010, he signed for AS Mont-Dore.... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | X | |
| Iamel Kabeu | 4 | 1 | 0 | X | |||
| Etienne Mermer Etienne Mermer Etienne Mermer is a footballer from Vanuatu. He currently plays for Tafea Football Club and, from June 2010, has been the coach of the Vanuatu national side.-External links:* at transfermarkt.co.uk... |
4 | 0 | 1 | X | |||
| 10 | Pierre Wajoka Pierre Wajoka Pierre Wajoka is a New Caledonian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Gaïtcha FCN.He played one year for AS Lössi, the club representing his custom area. In 2011, he moved to Gaïtcha FCN... |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | X | |
| Henry Fa'arodo Henry Fa'arodo Henry Fa'arodo Jr is a Solomon Islands football player who currently plays as a striker/midfielder for PRK Hekari United.-Club career:... |
3 | 1 | X | X | |||
| Benjamin Totori Benjamin Totori Benjamin Totori is a Solomon Islands footballer who currently plays as a striker for Koloale FC.-Club career:A small but speedy striker, Totori made his name at fellow NZFC side YoungHeart Manawatu before moving to Richmond Athletic and then onto Waitakere United in 2007... |
4 | 0 | X | X | |||
| 13 | Pita Baleitoga Pita Baleitoga Pita Baleitoga is a Fijian football player who plays for club Hekari United in Papua New Guinea, as well as the Fiji National Squad at Midfield. Baleitoga was a recent participant in the South Pacific Games 2007... |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | X | |
| Pita Rabo | 3 | 0 | 0 | X | |||
| David Mulligan David Mulligan David James Mulligan is a New Zealand international footballer, currently playing for Auckland City FC in the ASB Premiership. Born in England, he made over 180 appearances in the English Football League between 2000 and 2008. He is able to play in both midfield and defence.His career began at... |
— | — | 3 | 0 | |||
| 16 | Teariki Mateariki | 2 | 2 | X | X | X | |
| Maciu Dunadamu Maciu Dunadamu Maciu Dunadamu is a football midfielder from Fiji, playing for Labasa. He has played in four World Cup qualifying matches for Fiji, scoring one goal against Vanuatu.-References:... |
0 | 0 | 2 | X | |||
| Malakai Kainihewe Malakai Kainihewe Malakai Kainihewe is a Fijian international footballer who plays as a defender. As of February 2010, he plays for Ba and captains them in the National Football League and has won 28 caps and scored two goals for his country.... |
2 | 0 | 0 | X | |||
| Malakai Tiwa | 2 | 0 | 0 | X | |||
| Taniela Waqa Taniela Waqa Taniela Evo Waqa is a Fijian association football defender playing for Fiji national football team and Labasa FC in the Fijian National Football League. He also participated in the 2007 South Pacific Games football tournament.... |
2 | 0 | 0 | X | |||
| Chris Cahill Chris Cahill (Samoan footballer) Christopher Bruce Cahill is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for St George Saints in the NSW Winter Super League and other Soccer NSW competitions.- Career :... |
2 | X | X | X | |||
| Desmond Faaiuso | 2 | X | X | X | |||
| Penitito Tumua | 2 | X | X | X | |||
| Godwin Bebeu | 2 | 0 | X | X | |||
| Alick Maemae Alick Maemae Alick Leonard Maemae is a football midfielder from the Solomon Islands who currently plays for Vanuatuan side Amical FC.He hails from Suraina, North East coast of Malaita.-Club career:... |
2 | 0 | X | X | |||
| Stanley Waita | 2 | 0 | X | X | |||
| Pio Palu | 2 | X | X | X | |||
| Richard Iwai Richard Iwai Richard Iwai is a Vanuatuan international footballer who plays for Tafea as a forward.-Club career:Fasavalu began his career in Vanuatu with Tafea. Also he played in Fiji for Suva and in Australia for Mitchelton. In 2008 he return to Tafea.-International career:Iwai has played at international... |
2 | 0 | 0 | X | |||
| Jean Nako Naprapol | 1 | 0 | 1 | X | |||
| Moise Poida Moise Poida Moise Poida is a Vanuatuan footballer playing currently for Tafea FC and Vanuatu national football team . Poida participated in South Pacific Games in 2007 scoring goals versus Samoa and American Samoa. He was a part of Tafea FC, which won third place in Oceania Club Championship... |
2 | 0 | 0 | X | |||
Shane Smeltz (New Zealand) with 8 goals was the 2008 OFC Nations Cup top scorer.
Key:
— - Bye
X - Eliminated
1 goal
- Ramin OttRamin OttRamin Ott is a football player for the American Samoa national football team. He is nicknamed "The Machine" and he is of German descent...
- Thomas Le Mouton
- Kunda TomKunda TomKundamundi Ka'Fiatu Hohepa "Kunda" Tom is a semi-professional Cook Islander footballer, currently playing striker for Nikao Sokattack in his native Cook Islands. He appeared four times on the Cook Islands national team....
- Josaia Bukalidi
- Peni FinauPeni FinauPeni Finau is a Fiji footballer defender currently playing for Fijian football club Ba F.C..-International career:Finau made his debut for Fiji at the South Pacific Games 2003 and he has played for them in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification tournament.He is the brother of Osea Vakatalesau who...
- Salesh KumarSalesh KumarSalesh Kumar is a Fijian football midfielder who currently plays for Three Kings United in the Northern League .-International career:...
- Valerio NawatuValerio NawatuValerio Nawatu is a footballer from Fiji who currently plays for Lautoka F.C....
- Patrick DiaikePatrick DiaikePatrick Holen Diaiké is a footballer who has played for the New Caledonia national team.-External links:...
- Ramon DjamaliRamon DjamaliRamon Djamali is a footballer who currently plays for AS Mont-Dore in the New Caledonian football league. He has been playing as a striker.He has also played in the Tahitian league for AS Manu Ura....
- Ramon GjamaciRamon GjamaciRamon Gjamaci is an international footballer for New Caledonia. He played in the 2008 OFC Nations Cup.-References:...
- Jose HmaeJose HmaeJosé Hmaé is a football striker from New Caledonia. He currently plays for AS Pirae.He scored a winning goal in the game versus Fiji national football team in the final of the 2007 South Pacific Games.-References:...
- Mael KaudreMael KaudreMael Kaudre is a footballer who plays for New Caledonia. He played in the 2008 OFC Nations Cup.-References:...
- Marius MapouMarius MapouMarius Mapou is an international footballer for New Caledonia. He played in the 2008 OFC Nations Cup.-References:...
- Yohann MercierYohann MercierYohann Laurent Mercier is a footballer from New Caledonia. He plays as a Defence and has played football with ACB Poya since 2007. He previously played for JS Baco.- External links :...
- Poulidor Toto
- Jeremy ChristieJeremy ChristieJeremy Christie is a New Zealand international footballer currently playing for FC Tampa Bay in the North American Soccer League.Christie can play in central midfield or as a defender...
- Rory FallonRory FallonRory Michael Fallon is a New Zealand footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Aberdeen as a forward. He has previously played for Barnsley, Shrewsbury Town, Swindon Town, Yeovil Town, Swansea City, Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town. He has been capped by New Zealand at international...
- Ben SigmundBen SigmundBenjamin Robert Sigmund is a New Zealand soccer player who currently plays for A-League club Wellington Phoenix...
- Ivan VicelichIvan VicelichIvan Robert Vicelich is a New Zealand professional footballer of Croatian origin, who currently plays as a defender for Auckland City FC in the ASB Premiership...
- Damien Fonoti
- Junior MichaelJunior MichaelJunior Michael is a former association footballer from Samoa, who played as a forward during his career. Michael played for 5 clubs as well as the Samoa national football team.-Titavi FC:...
- Lionel Taylor
- Judd Molea
- Samson TakayamaSamson TakayamaSamson Takayama is an international footballer from the Solomon Islands who plays for Koloale FC, as a defender.-External links:...
- Temarii Tinorua
- Axel Williams
- Unalato Feao
- Lafeale Moala
- Malakai Savieti
- Kaisani Uhatahi
- Viliamu Sekifu
- Andrew Chichirua
- Derek Malas
- Victor Maleb
- Tom Tomake
Own goal
- Stephen Willis (for Tuvalu)