Pan-Pacific Championship will serve as proving ground for Beckham
On February 20, when the LA Galaxy take the field to battle Gamba Osaka at Aloha Stadium, more will be at stake for David Beckham than perhaps any other man on the pitch. After not being called up to England's national team for the Feb. 6 match against Switzerland by first-time manager, Fabio Capello, the famed midfielder pledged to pull off yet another comeback. Later, Capello assured Beckham that his dream of reaching 100 caps is still alive. What Beckham needs to do, according to Capello, is prove that he is match-fit prior to England's next game against France on March 26 - three days prior to the Galaxy's regular season start. That leaves Beckham two games in Hawaii, plus only a handful more preseason matches, to prove his mettle. The world, and no doubt Capello, will be watching.
Ticket discounts offered to servicemen and local soccer clubs
Beginning this week, special discounts of up to $10 per ticket for the inaugural edition of the Pan-Pacific Championship will be offered to service men and women across Hawaii through military ticket offices. The discount for the five branches of the U.S. military is only part of the larger local community initiatives.
Youth clubs from across the state affiliated with the Hawaii Youth Soccer Association are taking advantage of unique fundraising opportunities offered by the Pan-Pacific Championship organizing committee. The clubs will earn a portion of the proceeds for the tickets they sell. As part of the fundraising efforts, they will be receiving and distributing PPC marketing materials. The Men's Island Soccer Organization (MISO) will also be taking advantage of the same fundraising opportunity presented by the PPC ticket initiative.
Tickets to the PPC are still available online at www.ticketmaster.com or through all Ticketmaster retail locations. Tickets can also be purchased at the Aloha Stadium Box Office, located at 99-500 Salt Lake Boulevard in Honolulu, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time. For further information, call the Box Office at (808) 486-9300, or Ticketmaster at (877) 750-4400.
Each ticket for the Pan-Pacific Championship will allow fans to attend both matches of the respective doubleheader. Advance tickets for the international showcase range from as low as $10-$50 for the Semifinal doubleheader and $15-$60 for the second doubleheader featuring the third place match and PPC Final. Special rates for children 12 are available.
For group ticket inquiries and other Pan-Pacific Championship information, please visit the tournament's official website, www.PPChampionship.net.
Though changes abound, Gamba Osaka's coach provides a steady hand
After a short off-season, Gamba Osaka has started its preseason training camp in Guam, an island in the western Pacific Ocean. Their modest aim for the upcoming season is simple, to win three titles. But before they compete in the AFC Champions League and their own J.League, they first have a shot at the inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship.
Although a number of important players are still absent from the preseason camp due to national team duty, Gamba welcomed nine newcomers in the off-season. The recent additions include Japanese national team defender Hiroki Mizumoto, 29-year old Brazilian striker Lucas Severino, and a tantalizing prospect in defender, Yohei Fukumoto, who captained Japan's Under-20 national team at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup last summer.
But while there is change on the roster, a steady hand remains at the helm. In Guam, Akira Nishino opened his seventh camp as Gamba Osaka's head coach. We spoke to the seasoned veteran about his expectations for the new team and the upcoming Pan-Pacific Championship.
Q. With the numerous off-season player changes, how has the preseason training helped to solidify team unity?
We cannot expect this new team to be the same as last year because we have nine new players. I hope these new players will put new energy and impact into our entire organization. We are spending a great deal of time together during the Guam camp. Getting to know each other will bring strong unity to the team, leading to better overall performances.
Q. As head coach, what do you hope to accomplish in these last few training sessions both in Guam and Hawaii?
We are building a base so that we can get through the busy season this year. We are continuing good things for Gamba, including strong offense and a fluid passing style. I also would like to add some spice to the team, utilizing the techniques and abilities of the new members.
Q. What should fans in Hawaii expect to see when the "new" Gamba Osaka takes the field?
We hope to show powerful, offensive soccer. This is our style. Because we now have good players in the positions in which we felt we needed to strengthen from last year, I really look forward to starting the new season. As for the Pan-Pacific Championship, I am much honored to be present at this international tournament in Hawaii as a representative from J.League. It should definitely be a good experience for the team and again, we are very excited about starting the new season with this prestigious event.
Dynamo's US National Team representatives share their thoughts on the PPC
The two-time MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo found four of its own among the 23 players called up for the U.S. Men's National Team showdown with Mexico on February 6 at Reliant Stadium, live on ESPN2 and Univision 8:00 p.m. CT. Representing the Dynamo will be Brad Davis, Stuart Holden, Eddie Robinson, and Ricardo Clark.
"With the match falling on an international fixture date, this is an excellent opportunity to get the nucleus of our team together as we continue to prepare for World Cup qualifying," said U.S. National Team coach Bob Bradley. "The special nature of a USA-Mexico match provides a great test for our players, and it is something that as players and coaches we all look forward to."
Robinson is coming off a strong showing in his first-ever appearance with the national team where he scored the game-winning goal in the USA's 2-0 win over Sweden in January. The youngest of the group, Holden, was one of only three players called up from the Under-23 Men's National Team that has just closed camp in Bradenton, Florida. All four of the Dynamo players are expected to rejoin their respective teams after the Mexico match and be available for action during the Pan-Pacific Championship.
Late last month, we had the chance to speak with Robinson and Davis about the upcoming Pan-Pacific Championship and what the tournament means for them. Visit www.PPChampionship.net to watch the exclusive video interview.
Hawaii's rich soccer tradition: An insider's perspective
ith more than 100 years of soccer history, the Islands of Hawaii own a rich tradition as unique as the game itself. To better understand the true nature of soccer on the Islands of Hawaii, we recently spoke with Derick H. Kato, the Assistant Coach of the WAC Conference Champions women's soccer team at the University of Hawaii. With sixteen years experience working with the Hawaiian soccer community, Kato provides an insider's perspective as the soccer world turns their eyes to the Pan-Pacific.
Though not internationally known as a soccer powerhouse, several Hawaiian natives have joined the ranks among the game's elite. In addition to Houston Dynamo and U.S. National Team forward Brian Ching, Duke Hasimoto has also made it to the highest levels of professional soccer in the US. The Real Salt Lake (MLS) regular is a former High School Player of the Year at the Iolani School in 2002.
On the women's side, Natasha Kai has served as the female equivalent of Brian Ching. The University of Hawaii product became the first-ever Hawaiian to play for the women's national team as well as participate in the Women's World Cup. Born in Kahuku, near Oahu's fabled surfing shore, Kai has turned heads with her athleticism and nose for the goal.
The recent success of Hawaiian soccer on the national and international level can be attributed to the formation of the competitive Hawaiian Youth Soccer Association and the further development of collegiate soccer on the Islands. Currently, several colleges and universities support women's and men's programs including the University of Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific University, and BYU-Hawaii University.
In 2000, the University of Hawaii and the Rainbow Wahine women's soccer program opened one of best collegiate soccer facilities in the nation. The Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex includes a stadium with a capacity of 4,500 as well as 19 additional soccer fields. During the Pan-Pacific Championship, the Waipio Complex will serve as the official training grounds for the four participating teams.
Q: When most people think of Hawaii, soccer doesn't usually come to mind. How did you first get involved in the world's game?
When I was very young I was an (American) football fanatic. I played football and basketball with friends in elementary school everyday at recess. Until the third grade. When a new boy came to my school named Kenneth Mau. We became fast friends and he introduced me to soccer at recess and then got me to play AYSO. After my first year I was hooked and 30 years later I still haven't looked back!
Q: With Brian Ching and Natasha Kai tearing their way up the international ranks, why do you think soccer has become so popular and successful in Hawaii?
First of all, I would like to thank Brian and Natasha for being ambassadors' of Hawaii to the world! They are doing a fantastic job of showing the world that a tiny state in the middle of the Pacific Ocean has some very talented players and their success has allowed the children of Hawaii to have bigger dreams. I wish them both the best! I think soccer has become popular and successful in Hawaii for many reasons. To begin with, the people of Hawaii live an active lifestyle and the weather is conducive to year round outdoor activities. Plus, Hawaii is a cultural melting pot where you see people from all over the world: Brazil, Japan, Iraq, Australia, Sikkim, France, and Kenya.
Getting kids involved at an early age and making the game fun is important and AYSO, which is very strong here, does a wonderful job of that. The proliferation of club soccer and the education and development of coaches are contributing factors as well. The Honolulu Bulls are an example of an outstanding youth soccer club with a highly trained staff. They have set the standard for educating and developing youth players in Hawaii.
Q: How would you describe the style of play in Hawaii? Are there aspects of Asian finesse, American physicality, or does it adhere to its own Oceanic mix?
The majority of people that live in Hawaii are of Asian descent and therefore our players are typically smaller than those found in the continental U.S. By and large, Hawaii athletes are known for playing with a lot of heart. It's not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog, right? But, it's not only their tenacity and determination that makes them successful. Our players are also very technical, fast and extremely quick. Over the last few years, the coaching in our state has improved especially at the youth level, and subsequently our players are becoming more tactically aware as well. We accept the fact that we won't win many physical confrontations but we may dribble through your legs or run under them!
Q: In your mind, how will the inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship impact the sport's continued development on the islands?
Anytime you have an international icon such as David Beckham, a local soccer hero, Brian Ching the "Hawaiian Superman", and the reigning J.League Nabisco Cup Champion Gamba Osaka, it makes for an outstanding tournament that will certainly draw interest from Hawaii's multi-cultural fan base. When I was growing up, we didn't have the Fox Soccer channel or the MLS. Our only glimpse of professional soccer was a weekly broadcast on PBS called, "Soccer Made in Germany" and we hoped they would show Beckenbauer, Zico, Maradona or Pele! The Pan Pacific Championship will bring our heroes to the doorstep of our islands and I'm sure it will serve to fuel the dreams of our youth and inspire them to genius! Who knows? Hawaii may produce the next Beckham!
Q: Most important, are you going to be there?
I wouldn't miss it for the world!
Hilo Hattie shopping center offers discount for media covering the PPC
Organizers of the Pan-Pacific Championship have announced a partnership with Hilo Hattie, the iconic shopping center popular among tourists and locals alike. In addition to carrying PPC tickets, the Hilo Hattie Nimitz Flagship Store will also be offering a special 30% discount to visiting media from around the world. A free gift coupon will be provided with the special password "Pan-Pacific." The special PPC discount will apply February 17-24.
PPC Media Credential application deadline set for February 13
Applications for media accreditation to the inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship (PPC) are now being accepted using the online accreditation form at http://sum.iwebreg.com/apply.
Deadline for applications is Wednesday, February 13, 2008. No credential applications will be accepted after the deadline (please be aware that due to the strong media interest expected for the inaugural event, credentials per organization will be limited).
Please be aware that at all PPC 2008 matches, only photographers and ENG videographers will be issued field access. All other media members will be accommodated in a press box or designated media area.
NOTE TO MEDIA:
This marks the final edition of the PPC Weekly. Beginning Monday, February 11, we will commence with the PPC Daily, which will provide pertinent information regarding the inaugural tournament. As always, we invite you to use any part of the listed material, including the attached photo, in your publications, website and reports. We also invite you to contact us if you are interested in an exclusive interview with participating players, coaches and organizers.
