Football at the 1963 South Pacific Games

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Football at the 1963 South Pacific Games
Tournament details
Host countryFiji
Dates29 August – 7 September
Teams6 (from 1 confederation)
Final positions
ChampionsFlag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg  New Caledonia (1st title)
Runners-upFlag of Fiji (1924-1970).svg  Fiji
Third placeFlag of France.svg  Tahiti
Fourth placeFlag of the Solomon Islands (1956-1966).svg  Solomon Islands
Tournament statistics
Matches played6
Goals scored49 (8.17 per match)
1966 →

Football was contested as part of the programme for the 1963 South Pacific Games which was hosted in Suva, Fiji from 29 August to 8 September 1963. It was the first edition of the men's football tournament at the inaugural multi-sport event organised by the Pacific Games Council.

Contents

The football tournament began with the first round matches on 29 August 1963 and ended with the gold medal match on 7 September 1963. New Caledonia and hosts Fiji contested the final. Marc-Kanyan Case scored four goals as New Caledonia defeated Fiji 8–2 to win the gold medal. In the bronze medal match, Tahiti defeated the Solomon Islands 18–0.

Background

The first edition of the South Pacific Games was held in Suva, Fiji. [1]

Format

Six teams took part in the competition. Four teams were drawn to contest the first round and two were given a bye to the semi-finals. [2]

Participants

Venues

The matches took part at Buckhurst Park in Suva and Churchill Park, Lautoka. [2]

First round

Fiji defeated Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands defeated the New Hebrides in the first round. [2]

Fiji  Flag of Fiji (1924-1970).svg3–1Flag of Australia (converted).svg Papua New Guinea
  • Zikar Ali Soccerball shade.svg30', 33'
  • Dutta Soccerball shade.svg
 [2] Voelker Soccerball shade.svg15'
Buckhurst Park, Suva, Fiji
Solomon Islands  Flag of the Solomon Islands (1956-1966).svg6–3Flag Vanuatu 1963.svg  New Hebrides
  • Suamoni Soccerball shade.svg(2)
  • Beni Soccerball shade.svg(2)
  • Mabulou Soccerball shade.svg
  • Famani Soccerball shade.svg
 [2]
  • Gedeon Soccerball shade.svg
  • Tomoi Soccerball shade.svg
  • Kalbeo Soccerball shade.svg
Buckhurst Park, Suva, Fiji

Semi-finals

Fiji defeated the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia defeated Tahiti in the semi-finals. [2]

Fiji  Flag of Fiji (1924-1970).svg5–0Flag of the Solomon Islands (1956-1966).svg  Solomon Islands
[2]
Churchill Park , Lautoka, Fiji
New Caledonia  Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg2–1 (a.e.t.)Flag of France.svg  Tahiti
Case Soccerball shade.svg44', 115' [2] Nena Soccerball shade.svg90'

Bronze medal match

Tahiti defeated the Solomon Islands to win the bronze medal. [2]

Tahiti  Flag of France.svg18–0Flag of the Solomon Islands (1956-1966).svg  Solomon Islands
[2]
Buckhurst Park, Suva, Fiji

Gold medal match

New Caldeonia defeated Fiji to win the gold medal. [2]

Fiji  Flag of Fiji (1924-1970).svg2–8Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg  New Caledonia
  • Yee Gock Sue Soccerball shade.svg(pen.)
  • D. Simmons Soccerball shade.svg
 [2]
  • Case Soccerball shade.svg(4)
  • Paula Soccerball shade.svg(3)
  • Bénébig Soccerball shade.svg
Buckhurst Park, Suva, Fiji

Aftermath

New Caledonia would host the second edition of the South Pacific Games in Nouméa in 1966 South Pacific Games. As defending champions and hosts, New Caledonia would reach the gold medal match but they were unable to successfully defend their title as they lost 2–0 to Tahiti. In later years, they would go on to win a further seven gold medals in the men's football tournament. [1]

Sources

  1. 1 2 Di Maggio, Roberto; Garin, Erik; Morrison, Neil; Schöggl, Hans (7 December 2023). "(South) Pacific Games and Mini Games". RSSSF. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Abbink, Dinant; Cruickshank, Mark; Morrison, Neil (15 November 2012). "South Pacific Games 1963 (Fiji)". RSSSF. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
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