Pan-Pacific Championship 2008
Encyclopedia
The 2008 Pan-Pacific Championship is the inaugural edition of the Pan-Pacific Championship
football
competition which took place on February 20 and February 23 in Honolulu, Hawaii
, featuring teams from Japan
's J. League
, United States
Major League Soccer
(MLS) and the A League of Australia
and New Zealand
.
For the 2008 tournament, the A-League was not represented by the champion team but instead by the loser of the minor semi-final. This is due to a scheduling conflict with the Grand Final on February 24, which was moved back so as not to interfere with Australia
's 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
campaign.
The 2008 tournament also features Gamba Osaka
of the J.League and Major League Soccer representatives Houston Dynamo
and Los Angeles Galaxy
, the latter reportedly chosen instead of the desired SuperLiga
champion, as Pachuca declined and Galaxy were the Superliga runner-up. The Galaxy's first game was versus Gamba Osaka. while the Dynamo were drawn against Sydney FC.
All matches were played at Aloha Stadium
in Honolulu, Hawaii
.
Pan-Pacific Championship
The Pan-Pacific Football Championship was an inter-confederation football tournament between teams from A-League , Chinese Super League , J...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
competition which took place on February 20 and February 23 in Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
, featuring teams from Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
's J. League
J. League
The or is the top division of and is the top professional association football league in Japan. It is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football and the only league given top class 'A' ranking by the AFC. Currently, J. League Division 1 is the first level of the Japanese...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
(MLS) and the A League of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
For the 2008 tournament, the A-League was not represented by the champion team but instead by the loser of the minor semi-final. This is due to a scheduling conflict with the Grand Final on February 24, which was moved back so as not to interfere with Australia
Australia national football (soccer) team
The Australia national association football team represents Australia in international association football competitions. Its official nickname is the "Socceroos"...
's 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
The Asian Football Confederation was allocated four assured qualifying berths for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and one place in a play-off. 43 teams were in the running for these spots; Laos, Brunei and the Philippines did not attempt to qualify...
campaign.
The 2008 tournament also features Gamba Osaka
Gamba Osaka
is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70...
of the J.League and Major League Soccer representatives Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...
and Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
, the latter reportedly chosen instead of the desired SuperLiga
North American SuperLiga
The SuperLiga was an official North American association football competition between teams from the Primera División of Mexico and Major League Soccer of the United States and Canada, the top divisions in each country. The competition was sanctioned by CONCACAF, U.S...
champion, as Pachuca declined and Galaxy were the Superliga runner-up. The Galaxy's first game was versus Gamba Osaka. while the Dynamo were drawn against Sydney FC.
All matches were played at Aloha Stadium
Aloha Stadium
Aloha Stadium is a stadium located in the Halawa CDP, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. Currently Aloha Stadium is home to the University of Hawaii Warriors football team...
in Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
.
Bracket
Semifinals
----Third-place match
Final
| Pan-Pacific Championship 2008 Winners |
|---|
 Gamba Osaka Gamba Osaka is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70... First title |
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  BaréJader Volnei Spindler Jader Volnei Spindler, more commonly known as Baré, is a Brazilian football player, currently associated with Al-Jazira in the United Arab Emirates. While playing for Japan's J. League Division 2 side Ventforet Kofu in 2005, he scored a double hat-trick in the 2nd leg of the J... |
 Gamba OsakaGamba Osaka is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70... |
5 |
| 2 |  Ely AllenEly Allen Ely Allen is an American soccer player currently playing for NSC Minnesota Stars in the North American Soccer League.-College:... |
Los Angeles Galaxy Los Angeles Galaxy The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second... |
1 |
 Dwayne De RosarioDwayne De Rosario Dwayne Anthony De Rosario is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer. He also plays for the Canadian national team.-Early career:... |
Houston Dynamo Houston Dynamo The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic... |
1 | |
| Stuart Holden Stuart Holden Stuart Alistair Holden is an American football player who currently plays as a midfielder for Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League.... |
Houston Dynamo Houston Dynamo The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic... |
1 | |
 Brendan RenaudBrendan Renaud Brendan Renaud is an Australian footballer who plays as a left back. He made his debut for Sydney FC coming on in the second half against Adelaide United FC which Sydney won 3-1. He has previously played for Blacktown City, Marconi and Parramatta Power... |
Sydney FC Sydney FC Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League... |
1 | |
| Lucas Severino Lucas Severino Lucas Severino is a former Brazilian U-23 international football striker. He played for the Brazilian national team at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia. In 2000, he moved to French side Stade Rennais FC with the transfer fee of 21 million euros. In 2004, after an unsuccessful period in... |
Gamba Osaka Gamba Osaka is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70... |
1 | |
| Josh Tudela Josh Tudela Josh Tudela is an American soccer player currently playing for the Los Angeles Blues of the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:... |
Los Angeles Galaxy Los Angeles Galaxy The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second... |
1 | |
| Chris Wondolowski Chris Wondolowski Christopher Elliott Wondolowski is an American soccer player who currently plays for San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:... |
Houston Dynamo Houston Dynamo The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic... |
1 | |
| Masato Yamazaki Masato Yamazaki Masato Yamazaki is a Japanese football player who currently plays for Japanese club Montedio Yamagata on loan from Sanfrecce Hiroshima.-Team honors:Yokohama F. Marinos*J... |
Gamba Osaka Gamba Osaka is a Japanese professional association football club, currently playing in the J. League Division 1. The team's name comes from the Italian word "gamba" meaning "leg" and the Japanese , meaning "to do your best" or "to stand firm". Located in Suita, Osaka, the team's home stadium is Osaka Expo '70... |
1 | |
Sponsors
The following is a list of the official sponsors of the Pan-Pacific Championship 2008.- MLJ
- Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa on Waikiki BeachHilton Hotels CorporationHilton Worldwide is a global hospitality company. It is owned by the Blackstone Group, a private equity firm. As of July 2011 Hilton brands encompass 3,750 hotels with over 600,000 rooms in 84 countries...
- OnkyoOnkyois a Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer, specializing in home cinema and audio equipment including receivers and surround sound speakers. The word Onkyo translates as "sound harmony".The company started under the name of Osaka Denki Onkyo K.K in 1946...
- The Honolulu Advertiser
- Japan AirlinesJapan Airlinesis an airline headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. It is the flag carrier of Japan and its main hubs are Tokyo's Narita International Airport and Tokyo International Airport , as well as Nagoya's Chūbu Centrair International Airport and Osaka's Kansai International Airport...
- Yamazaki-Nabisco
- Active Hawaii
- Johnson & JohnsonJohnson & JohnsonJohnson & Johnson is an American multinational pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is listed among the Fortune 500....