OFC/AFC Challenge Cup confirmed as permanent fixture

The Oceania Football Confederation and the Asian Football Confederation have permanently made the OFC/AFC Challenge Cup a fixture between the two confederations. The contest is to take place every two years and will be on a home and away basis.

This year New Zealand, OFC champions, will play Iran, Asian Games champion. The first leg of the cup will be in Auckland on March 28, 2003 while the return leg will be played in Tehran on April 4, 2003.

The inaugural tornament in 2001 was played between Australia and Japan, Japan being Asian champions then. The one off match was played in Shizuoka, Japan and was won by the hosts 3-0.

The OFC representative will be decided through the OFC nations cup while the AFC representative will be rotated between competitions. Because the first competition was with the Asian Cup champions this year will be using the Asian Games champions.

The event is another step forward for the regions which are developing favourable relations in recent times. The cup being a permenant fixture every two years allows both regions to not only gain experience against each other but also provides a small yet favourable marketing opportunity for the Oceania nations.



posted 1 January 2003

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