Terry Maddaford: Tahiti's victory sounds a warning for NZ

5:30 AM Tuesday Jun 12, 2012

The All Whites will win the Oceania home-and-away playoffs and take on the fourth-best side in Concacaf for a place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Tahiti's deserved triumph in the Oceania Nations Cup is the start - and a warning to New Zealand that there may be more to come.

Having claimed bragging rights and a ticket to next year's Confederations Cup in Brazil at the expense of the under-performing All Whites, the Tahitians will have their sights set on more spoils.

The soon to be revamped Oceania Champions League is an obvious target and a chance to inflict more pain on an already pained New Zealand.

In a controversial move, Auckland City and Waitakere United have been placed in the same group for the next Champions League. They were separated in the 2011-12 version won narrowly by Auckland City over Tahitian champions AS Tefana.

The next O-League, scheduled for mid-2013, is set to feature the champions of Tahiti and New Caledonia, whose national side lost 1-0 to Tahiti in the final of the Nations Cup, in the same group as Auckland City and Waitakere United.

AS Dragon, a team backed by two Chinese millionaires and boasting several players with a strong French connection, beat Tefana to win the just-finished Tahitian league and claim their place in the O-League.

Given the injection of cash headed the Tahitians' way - they are guaranteed a minimum of US$1 million ($1.29 million) for just turning up in Brazil - the foundation is there.

In the past New Zealand club teams could count on picking up maximum points at home and a point or two away and pack their bags. No more.

The Nations Cup showed that although in the past teams have been capable of the odd upset and have fielded teams boasting a star player or two, football in these island nations has become more structured on and off the field, producing several players capable of playing at a higher level.

While New Zealand teams continue to rule at age-group level, the talent in these countries is more apparent at senior level and with the right coaching they are deserving challengers to New Zealand's domination.

A couple of seasons ago Papua New Guinea club Hekari United toppled Waitakere United in the two-leg O-League final and went on to represent the confederation at Club World Cup. That hurt New Zealand Football, with the national association and clubs missing out on needed funds.

NZF bosses insist they had never counted on the money on offer for winning through to the Confederations Cup, but the pain goes much deeper than a few dollars.

On the positive side, a team other than New Zealand have won through - this can only strengthen Oceania's claim to stay in the Fifa family.

By Terry Maddaford

Moriarty (Australia) | 11:08AM Tuesday, 12 Jun 2012

That New Zealand, with all of its advantages in terms of population, international experience and financial resources still struggle in an Oceanian competition with small island national teams, is a condemning commentary on the game in this country. How soccer supporters and the sections of the media continue to give this code the time and continual beat-up they do is one of life's mysteries.

Holmes () | 01:40PM Tuesday, 12 Jun 2012

There is nothing wrong with the players the All Whites have. The problem is the coaching staff. The continual reliance on the sit back, defend and hit on the counter attack is just not working. Players like Bertos, Rojas and Brockie all have immense talent but don't seem to be given the free rein their talent deserves.

MICHELLE Smith () | 01:41PM Tuesday, 12 Jun 2012

I am quite flabbergasted to hear Ricki say that he would not have done anything differently. This smacks of arrogance. We had enormous resources at our disposal.
White washing this disgraceful performance will do nothing but hide the things that need to be fixed.accountability is important, it brings out focus and clarity and actionable fixes.