1998 Oceania Championships
Held during late September and early October in Brisbane Australia, this first
tournament style Championships marked a departure from the previous home and away system.
Holders: Australia
Teams: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Cook Islands & Vanuatu
As predicted, Australia and NZ met in the final, but not without some drama along the way. Early in the week Australia nearly broke the world record of 17-0 when they beat the Cook Islands 16-0, whilst NZ was struggling to overcome (thrash) their opponents. Damien Mori, Trimboli and Trajonovski all scored hat-tricks in the opening game, and Mori did it again in the second around game. In the semis, he scored another in the defeat of Tahiti 4-1, whilst NZ overcame Fiji 1-0.
Third place: Tahiti rested their best 3
players, and payed the price with Fiji racing to a 4-0 lead by half time, despite being
outplayed for most of the first half. Fiji totally exploited the right-side of the
Tahitian defence with all goals coming in a flurry towards the end of the first
half. The Tahitians brought on their best players in the second half, but still shot
themselves in the foot when missing an early penalty. The eventually scored but it
was all too late.
Final score: Fiji 4 - Tahiti 2
The final: Australia without even a full strength local team took on a serious NZ team intent on playing football instead of their usual rough-house tactics and it worked. There were still some rough tackles (and from behind), but obviously the Fifa edicts have been "forgotten" again. NZ dominated the midfield and were thoroughly rewarded with a goal in the mid-way through the first half from Mark Burton. Aaron Lines was especially tearing the Aussies up with his speed down the wings. For Australia, Trimboli & Mori went close with Trimboli missing a one-on-one opportunity after a great pass from Mori off a hopful long ball. But they really struggled for any real ideas of breaking down the Kiwi defence. The crossing and set pieces were especially poor. NZ's goal came from a long ball when Collosimo had an air-swing at it, which caused some dissarray where NZ was able to capitalise. Tobin went in unnecessarily for a tackle on Coveney, and Wehrman's late challenge did nothing but propel the ball forward to goal for a surging Burton to run onto.
In the second half, Australia naturally upped the tempo but
still lacked any real penetration. Mori went close with a near-post headed, but the
constant stream of deep crosses and long-balls were no match for the tall Kiwi
defence. Trimboli and Mori needed balls played to their feet. Collosimo -
Australia's best player - went close with a solo run from deep, but with really only
Wehrman supporting his midfield endeavours, the team never looked likely. Mori was
still dangerous and narrowly missed a curled shot after turning a couple of Kiwis near the
edge of the box. He was always lively, but sadly his partner, Trimboli, seems past
his best. The Kiwis were under immense pressure for the duration of the half but
were easily able to repel Australia's attacks. Then in injury time, Trajanovski was
brought down for a penalty yet the referee called it a dive. It was as certain a
penalty as you ever get and that was it for the game. Though Australia deserved a
goal, the Kiwis were jubilant and thoroughly deserved their victory. Their more complete
game in dominating the first half, and their defensive soundness in the second half whilst
still looking dangerous on the break was simply to much. Indeed they were almost as
unlucky as the Australians were, and could have scored another.
Final score: Australia 0 - New Zealand 1
Oceania Champions - New Zealand; Second - Australia; Third - Fiji