2016 proved to be a significant year for international football in Oceania, highlighted by the OFC Nations Cup and opening Round 3 action in 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ qualifying. The headline news was New Zealand winning the continental tournament in an event which doubled as Round 2 qualifying for Russia 2018. That result also allowed the All Whites to qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017.
But dig a little deeper and the main theme was the increased level of competition among Oceanian nations. Papua New Guinea pushed New Zealand to the very limit in the Nations Cup before falling on penalties, while New Caledonia were hugely unlucky to lose against the eventual champions in the semi-final.
Six nations remain in the hunt for a ticket to Russia 2018. Two groups of three will be completed over the coming year, before an Oceania final determines the identity of the side to compete in the intercontinental play-off against the fifth-best South American nation late in 2017. ..
Read More
