Cook Islands national football team

The Cook Islands national football team is the national team of the Cook Islands and is controlled by the Cook Islands Football Association. With a population of around 24,000 people it remains one of the smallest FIFA teams.

World Cup record

• 1930 to 1994 – Did not enter
• 1998 to 2014 – Did not qualify

Oceania Nations Cup record

Main article: Cook Islands national football team results

Performance at the 1998 Oceania Nations Cup

The Cook Islands qualified for their first Oceania Nations Cup after finishing second in the 1998 Polynesia Cup, which they hosted. They faced Australia and Fiji in Group B, in what proved to be a tough draw. Australia crushed the Cook Islands 16–0 in their first match, scoring eight goals either side of the interval. In their next match against Fiji, however, the Cook Islands acquitted themselves much better, losing only 3–0, but with two defeats from two matches they failed to make the semi-finals.

Performance at the 2000 Oceania Nations Cup

In finishing 2nd at the Polynesia Cup for the second tournament running, the Cook Islands also qualified for their second successive OFC Nations Cup. They were drawn in Group A along with the Solomon Islands, and once again, Australia. After their heavy defeat at the hands of Australia in the 1998 tournament, the Cook Islands hoped to avoid a repeat performance. However, they were powerless to prevent their opponents from running rampant once again, this time to the tune of 17–0. The Solomon Islands were up next, and in this game the Cook Islands had the consolation of scoring their first goal at the Oceania Nations Cup–the only bright spot in an otherwise bleak 5–1 defeat. After two defeats, then, the Cooks Islands again went out at the group stage.

South Pacific Games record

• 1963 to 1969 - Did not enter
• 1971 – Group Stage
• 1975 to 1991 - Did not enter
• 1995 – Group Stage
• 2003 – Did not enter
• 2007 – Group Stage
• 2011 – Group stage

Coaches

• Alex Napa (1996–1998)
• Alan Taylor (2000–2001)
• Luigi McKeown (2001–2004)
• Tim Jerks (2004–2010)
• Shane Rufer (2011)
• Paul Turepu (2011–)

External links

• Cook Islands Football Association
• Oceania Football Federation
• Cook Islands at FIFA.com
• Pictorial History of Cook Island Football Kits