2012 OFC Nations Cup: Group B Review

Group B at the 2012 OFC Nations Cup was definitely the stronger of the two groups. While New Zealand entered as heavy favorites to win the group, both Fiji and the host nation Solomon Islands had hopes of moving onward to the third round of qualifying. Papua New Guinea came into the second round as the lowest ranked team remaining in the competition without any real chance of finishing in the top two.

New Zealand cruised through group play and clinched advancement to round three after its second match while the Solomon Islands utilized its home advantage to take second place over Fiji. Both these nations were eliminated in the semifinals, New Zealand shocked by New Caledonia and Solomon Islands to eventual champions Tahiti. Luckily for these two, those results have no bearing on World Cup qualifying. Here are the results of group play.

New Zealand 1 Fiji 0

An early 11th minute goal from Tommy Smith was all New Zealand needed to edge by Fiji in the opening group B match. While far from a dominating performance, the Kiwis managed to procure the three points while controlling most of the match.

Solomon Islands 1 Papua New Guinea 0

Benjamin Totori struck in the fifth minute for the lone goal of the contest that saw the hosts get off to a positive start. Papua New Guinea put in a solid performance for a nation of its caliber, but were not able to carve out enough dangerous chances.

New Zealand 2 Papua New Guinea 1

The Kiwis clinched advancement to the third round of qualifying with a 2-1 victory over Papua New Guinea. Once again, New Zealand controlled much of the match and struck for its first goal in just the second minute through the great Shane Smeltz. Chris Wood doubled his side's advantage only a few minutes into the second half. With a minute left to go in the match Papua New Guinea pulled a goal back thanks to a successful penalty conversion by Niel Hans, but it was too little too late. The loss also eliminated Papua New Guinea from contention.

Fiji 0 Solomon Islands 0

In the most critical group B encounter, neither Fiji nor Solomon Islands could find a breakthrough and had to settle for a scoreless draw. The tie benefited the Solomon Islands more, since they already had earned a victory and now had the advantage of playing an already qualified New Zealand side in its final group match.

Fiji 1 Papua New Guinea 1

Papua New Guinea earned its first point of the competition and in the process ruined Fiji's chances of progression to the third round. Maciu Dunadamu had given his side hope with a goal in the 13th minute, but Fiji could not hold the lead and conceded a late 85th goal to Kema Jack. In the end victory still would not have been enough for Fiji based on the other result.

New Zealand 1 Solomon Islands 1

With both nations already assured of advancement to the third round, these two sides had nothing to play for and the match resulted in a point for both teams. Chris Wood scored his second of the tournament in the 13th minute and Benjamin Totori did likewise in the 56th minute.

2012 OFC Nations Cup: Group A Review

The 2012 OFC Nations Cup, held in the Solomon Islands, doubled as the second round of OFC World Cup qualifying. The tournament consisted of eight teams, placed in two groups of four. The top two teams in each group advance to the third round of qualifying. In the third round of qualifying, the four remaining teams will play each other home and away.

The semifinals and final of the Nations Cup have no affect on World Cup qualifying, but the winner of the tournament gets OFC's spot in the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Here are the results and highlights from the group A matches.

 Tahiti 10 Samoa 1

Tahiti opened the tournament with the Tehau family show. Lorenzo Tehau ran the show, scoring four goals in the rout while twin brother Alivn tallied twice, other brother Jonathan also had a brace and cousin Teaonui also had one. Rounding out the scoring for the 2009 U-20 World Cup participant was Steevy Chong Hue. Samoa's lone goal was scored by Silao Malo.

New Caledonia 5 Vanuatu 2

Bertrand Kai's hat-trick propelled New Caledonia to a three goal victory over Vanuatu. Kai gave his side a first half advantage, but Vanuatu equalized early in the second half through Robert Tasso. Kai restored New Caledonia's lead a few minutes later only for Vanuatu to peg back again in the 61st with a goal from Jean Nako Naprapol. Georges Gope-Fenepej had the game-winner in the 66th while Kai completed his hat-trick and Roy Kayara also scored.

Vanuatu 5 Samoa 0

Vanuatu bounced back from its opening match defeat by breezing by lowly Samoa 5-0. Vanuatu had five different goal scorers including another goal by Jean Nako Naprapol to open the side's account in the 29th minute. Right before the break Brian Kaltack doubled Vanuatu's advantage. Derek Malas made it 3-0 on the other side of halftime. Robert Tasso had his second of the tournament and Freddy Vava added the fifth in injury time.

Tahiti 4 New Caledonia 3

Tahiti clung on for a 4-3 triumph in a wild match that saw New Caledonia go down to nine men. Alvin Tehau struck first in the 19th while the sides both had 11. After New Caledonia went down to 10, Tahiti won a penalty, which Nicolas Vallar deposited home. Lorenzo Tehau gave Tahiti a three-goal lead as the teams headed into the half. After going down to nine, New Caledonia had a furious rally cutting the deficit to 3-2 after goals by Marius Bako and Jacques Haeko. Tahiti restored its two goal advantage in the 86th, Roihau Degage slotted one home, but New Caledonia made sure of a tense finish when Dick Kauma struck in the 89th minute. However, Tahiti hung on to clinch progress to the semifinals of the tournament and the third round of qualifying.

New Caledonia 9 Samoa 0

New Caledonia joined Tahiti in the next round by ripping Samoa 9-0. Jacques Haeko was the star of this match, scoring five goals. Roy Kayara, Iamel Kabeu, Judikael Ixoee and Kalaje Gnipate were the other goalscorers for New Caledonia as Samoa went out of the tournament meekly.

Tahiti 4 Vanuatu 1

Tahiti completed a perfect group stage in the tournament by eliminating any slim hope Vanuatu had of advancing with a 4-1 win. The Tehau family was at it again, Jonathon, Alvin and Teaonui all scored once and Nicolas Vallar also struck. Robert Tasso had the lone goal of the match for Vanuatu, which was his third of the tournament.

Final Standings

1. Tahiti 9 points +13 Goal Difference
2. New Caledonia 6 points +11
3. Vanuatu 3 points -1
4. Samoa 0 points -23

CONMEBOL Matchday Six Results and Highlights

Coming up in the next few days will be the CONCACAF highlights from the first two matchdays, AFC highlights and results, CAF highlights and the OFC Nations Cup results and highlights. After all that is posted, the in-depth look at each group in Africa will continue and eventually so will CONCACAF and AFC throughout the summer. The next set of qualifying matches take place in September for these confederations.

Additionally, UEFA qualifying is set to begin in August and each group there will be previewed, but for now here are the CONMEBOL results, highlights and standings.

Bolivia 3 Paraguay 1

Bolivia picked up its first win of qualifying while Paraguay continued to flounder. The power of La Paz came through for the hosts who were propelled to victory by a brace from Pablo Daniel Escobar in the second half. Alcides Pena had given Bolivia the early the lead before Escobar put the match out of reach. Cristian Riveros scored a late consolation for Paraguay.

Venezuela 0 Chile 2

Chile rocketed to the summit of CONMEBOL qualifying thanks to two late goals. Matias Fernandez broke the scoreless deadlock in the 85th minute and Charles Aranguiz made sure of the three points in injury time. Venezuela now falls into the playoff spot in fifth place after the defeat.

Uruguay 4 Peru 2

In one of the most entertaining matches of the past week, second ranked in the world Uruguay fought off a pesky Peru comeback and procured the three points thanks to its devastating attack. The Uruguayans took an early two goal lead through Luis Suarez and Maxi Pereria. However, Peru clawed its way back with two unanswered thanks to an own goal and a Paolo Guerrero strike. Christian Rodriguez put the hosts back in front in the 62nd minute and all three points were ensured in the 93rd when Sebastian Eguren tallied his first of qualifying.

Ecuador 1 Colombia 0

Ecuador bounced back from its humiliating 4-0 defeat in Argentina with a victory over Colombia. The sole goal was a 53rd minute strike from Christian Benitez. Ecuador now moves up to fourth in the standings while Colombia are left to rue a missed opportunity and sit in sixth.

Here are the standings after six matchdays. All teams have played five games aside from Bolivia, Chile and Venezuela who have played six.

1. Chile 12 pts
2. Uruguay 11 pts
3. Argentina 10 pts
4. Ecuador 9 pts
5. Venezuela 8 pts
6. Colombia 7 pts
7. Bolivia 4 pts
8. Paraguay 4 pts
9. Peru 3 pts

CONMEBOL Matchday Five Results and Highlights

Uruguay 1 Venezuela 1

Venezuela snapped up a crucial away point that keeps them in fourth place. Uruguay had opened the scoring through Diego Forlan, but were pegged back late on by Jose Rondon. Uruguay now has slipped back to third in CONMEBOL.




Bolivia 0 Chile 2

Charles Aranguiz and Arturo Vidal were the goal scorers for Chile in the tough environment of La Paz. The win rockets Chile into second place while the Bolivians remain at the bottom with only one point from five games.



Argentina 4 Ecuador 0

 Lionel Messi led an inspired Argentina side to a rout over Ecuador which now puts them atop all of CONMEBOL. Messi scored once and was instrumental in setting others up while Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria all found the back of the net. Ecuador now has fallen back to sixth place.




Peru 0 Colombia 1

James Rodriguez pocketed the lone goal of the match as Colombia moved into the playoff spot in fifth place while Peu's qualifying campaign continues to sputter and sees them sit in eighth place.