It has been informed by PRK Gulf Komara FC from Port Moresby on its social media account that the attacker Troy Dobbin will leave the club to pursue overseas challenges in Australia. “Our very own KOMARA BLOOD Troy Dobbin left this Morning for Brisbane, Australia […] Troy was one of our junior players drafted into Komara in 2019 as a 17 year old. He Left for a few seasons due to studies and returned to the Club last season, 2023“, wrote Komara on its social media.
Dobbin is set to join Lions FC in Brisbane; the club currently plays in the National Premier League in Queensland region and is a well-known club in the competition. Currently Lions is sitting second in the table of the NPL Queensland just three points behind the top-placed side.
Troy Dobbin (yellow) playing for Papua New Guinea
The forward has international experience for his country playing for the U23 team and most recently he made his full international debut for Papua New Guinea in the FIFA Series in Sri Lanka where the Kapuls played against the hosts and the Central African Republic, drawing 0-0 against Sri Lanka and losing by 4-0 to the African side; Dobbin played in both of the games.
It is a rare opportunity for a local-developped player in the country to pursue a career overseas – the first step into professionalism. It comes down now to the development of Dobbin in Brisbane in order to excel in his career and open the door for more Papua New Guineans to arrive in semi-pro NPL system.
The Fijian hero Roy Krishna continues to make waves in India; the 36-year-old striker put an impressive performance against his former team Mohun Bagan in Indian Super League semifinal to give his Odisha a slight advantage for the return match to be played in Kolkata.
Krishna, that already was instrumental for his side to reach this stage in the national league, had to help his side to overcome an early deficit as Manvir Singh scored for Mohun Bagan just at the third minute of play. But still in the first half Carlos Delgado managed to level the score and then the Fijian captain completed the comeback at the 39th minute.
Krishna celebrates his goal against his former team – ISL Media
Mohun Bagan’s striker Armando Sadiku was sent-off at the 67th minute of the game, but Odisha could not take advantage of the situation as the game goalscorer Carlos Delgado was also sento-off just seven minutes later.
Krishna’s goal proved to be decisive; it ended up giving final numbers to the scoreline and sends Odisha in place to compete for a spot in the grand final of the Indian Super League – competition that Krishna already won in the past. The decisive clash for Odisha and Mohun Bagan will be played this Sunday, April 28th, at Salt Lake Stadium.
Vanuatu’s international Brian Kaltak played all 90 minutes of the match of his Central Coast Mariners against FK Abdysh-Ata Kant in the second leg of the AFC Cup interzonal semi-final held in Gosford, Australia. His side had to fight hard to beat the Central Asian side, but ended up with a 3-0 victory that sealed their spot to the grand final match of the AFC Cup. In the first leg Kaltak even scored CCM’s goal in the 1-1 draw, but the job was finally done at home and now they advance to the grand final looking for its first ever international trophy.
Brian Kaltak – CCM Media
Miguel Di Pizio was the man of the match scoring twice in the late minutes of the game; the other goal was scored by the Brazilian full-back Mikael Doka. Now the current A-League champions will face Lebanon’s side Al-Ahed on 5th May in a venue that is still to be confirmed.
Kaltak already created history for Vanuatu and the South Pacific as a whole after becoming the first ever South Pacific Islander to win the A-League in the last season for the same Central Coast Mariners, now he can turn also into the first ever South Pacific Islander to win an international competition out of the Oceania Football Confederation.
In the current season in Australia top-tier league, Kaltak’s side also confirmed the spot in the upcoming AFC Champions League Elite, that is the most important club competition of the continent for the 2024/25 season – AFC Cup is the second most important comepetition, but it will be discontinued from the next season being replaced by the AFC Champions League 2.
Fijian football superstar Roy Krishna continues to make his impact in India as he helped his side Odisha FC to reach the semifinal stage of the Indian Super League. Krishna is one of the best performes of his team so far in the season, scoring 12 goals in 23 matches – the second most in the 2023/24 season.
This friday Odisha hosted Kerala Blasters vying for a place in top-four of the league. Krishna was instrumental for the success of his team that won the match by 2-1. Odisha came from behind as Lithuanian striker Fedor Cernych scored for Blasters at the 67th minute, but in the last minutes of regulation time Krishna set up Brazilian striker Diego Maurício that scored for Odisha, levelling the game just three minutes before time.
Roy Krishna in action against Blasters – ISL Media
As the game progressed to the extra-time, the 36-year-old Fijian player proved to be vital once more as this time he assisted for the comeback goal scored by Isak Vanlalruatfela at the 98th minute.
Vanlalruatfela goal proved to be difference between both sides. With two assists the Fijian has now three in the season; Krishna was crucial for his side that will now play Mohun Bagan – Krishna’s former club in India – a two-legged battle for a chance to play the grand final of the most important football league in the country.
Tonga’s victory over Papua New Guinea in the U-16 OFC Men’s Championship Qualifying Stage at Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa, was more than just a win; it was a historic milestone for Tongan football. The 7-0 triumph not only showcased their potential but also highlighted the growing talent within the Tongan youth ranks.
At the forefront of this remarkable victory was Tevita Falepapalangi, a budding star at just 15 years old. His four-goal haul, two in each half, not only demonstrated his prowess on the field but also hinted at a promising future for Tongan football. Tevita comes from a football family, with both his father Halapua and his brother Tuiaketau having already represented Tonga at the senior national level. Overall, Tevita had scored a total of five goals in the three matches played in the championship.
Alongside Tevita Falepapalangi, Sione ‘Ainu’u scored from the penaly spot in the stoppage time of the first half before the same Tevita was brought down in the box and the speedy winger Siaki Lonitenisi scored twice in the second half to give final numbers to the hummiliation imposed by the local side to the young Kapuls.
The significance of this victory goes beyond the scoreline. It represents a breakthrough for Tonga, marking the first time they have ever defeated a Papua New Guinean team in a men’s football international tournament. This achievement will undoubtedly boost morale within the Tongan football community and inspire future generations of players.
Tongan players celebrate one of their seven goals in the match – OFC Media
However, Tonga’s success shouldn’t overshadow the challenges faced by their opponents. Papua New Guinea’s football administration issues have undoubtedly affected their performance on the field, as evidenced by their conceding 22 goals in just three matches – despite winning one of the three games played, a 3-1 win over American Samoa.
Tonga’s victory is cause for celebration, but their failure to qualify for the final stage of the competition serves as a reminder that there is still a lot to improve to challenge the most important football nations in the region. Solomon Islands’ dominance in the group, winning all three games and scoring 29 goals while conceding none, underscores the level of competition Tonga faces on their journey to success – although finishing second in the ladder states the historical achievement for the youth Tu’ulalupe.
This historical feat by the young Tongan team led by the experienced coach Timote Moleni can not be their peak; the football is a growing sport in the Kingdom and, as in Rugby, Tonga certainly wants to enjoy some success in the upcoming years in football – this young players must be part of this process.
The stage was set for another chapter in a heated rivalry as Auckland City FC and Wellington Olympic AFC locked horns at Kiwitea Street Stadium on a bright, sunny Saturday in Auckland.
The Navy Blues secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Wellington Olympic AFC in a tightly contested first leg of the New Zealand National Playoff for the 2024 OFC Champions League. The match saw both sides battle it out in a fast-paced encounter.
Even more surprisingly, the 17-year-old prodigy, Stipe Ukich, made a stellar impact by coming off the bench and securing Auckland City’s triumph with a remarkable goal.
First half – 0x0
The opening seconds of the game crackled with intensity. Just 20 seconds into the match, Auckland City’s plea for a penalty was dismissed when Regont Muratti went down in the box.
Wellington Olympic responded swiftly, with Oliver Colloty (number 10) finding space in the area at the 7-minute mark. His shot, however, took a deflection and was comfortably saved by the Auckland City goalkeeper, Conor Tracey.
Auckland City pressed high in the early stages, exploiting Wellington Olympics’ midfield errors. They dominated possession until around the 19th minute, with Liam Gillion and left-back Nathan Lobo on the left flank particularly impressive. Their link-up play created Auckland City’s best chance so far.
Nathan Lobo with the ball, one of the best players of the match – Sergio Toniello, Oceania Football Center
However, Wellington Olympic showed their attacking prowess on a dangerous counter-attack. The speedy Kallan Gould weaved past three Auckland City defenders before finding Hamish Watson with a well-placed pass. Watson’s shot narrowly missed the target, whistling past the right post.
The first half continued with a mix of misplaced passes and wayward shots from both sides. Auckland City coach Albert Riera made tactical adjustments around the 30-minute mark, urging his players to utilise the width of the pitch and for Gillion to exploit space behind the Wellington Olympic right-back.
Ryes attempted a header but failed to find the target, sending the ball wide – Sergio Toniello, Oceania Football Center
The most significant chance of the first half came shortly before the break. Ryan De Vries found Liam Gillion with a pinpoint pass.
Gillion cut inside his marker and unleashed a shot towards the bottom left corner, forcing a superb save from Wellington Olympic goalkeeper Scott Basalaj.
Second Half – 1×0
The second half began with renewed energy. The Navy Blues looked to extend their lead, with Dylan Manickum receiving a good pass and firing a shot that went wide.
A fast answer came from Kallan Gould testing the Auckland City goalkeeper attention with a powerful effort that sailed over the bar.
The remainder of the half was a balanced affair, with both teams creating sporadic opportunities. Wellington Olympic attempted to exploit the right flank through their speedy full-back Jack-Henry Sinclair, who caused some problems for the Auckland City defense.
Both sides began to show signs of fatigue around the 63rd minute, prompting substitutions aimed at injecting fresh energy. Despite Auckland’s increased attacking momentum, Wellington Olympic nearly snatched an equalizer at the 66th minute.
Striker Hamish Watson found space in midfield and played a pass to the left flank for Kaelin Nguyen, whose shot across goal was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper Conor Tracey.
However, the adage “fortune favors the bold” proved true. Auckland City’s persistence paid off.
The introduction of young substitute Stipe Ukich proved decisive in the game. At 71-minute, a pinpoint pass from Nathan Lobo found Ukich in a dangerous position, and he coolly slotted home the game’s only goal, sparking jubilation among the Auckland City supporters.
Auckland players celebrating after young Ukich scores for the home team – Sergio Toniello, Oceania Football Center
Following the goal, Wellington Olympic responded by pushing for an equalizer. However, their urgency was evident in their play, with a lack of composure hindering their efforts.
Auckland City’s defense remained resolute, making a crucial block in the 86th minute to deny Wellington a promising scoring opportunity.
The closing moments saw substitutions from both sides, with tensions rising on the sidelines. A heated exchange between the Auckland City technical staff and Wellington representatives resulted in a red card being shown to a member of the Auckland City staff.
Despite the late drama, the final whistle blew on a 1-0 victory for Auckland City. The home fans celebrated a hard-fought result that gives them a narrow lead heading into the second leg.
2nd Leg – Wellington Olympic x Auckland City
With the score locked at 1-0, all eyes now turn to Wellington for the second leg. Can Olympic maintain their winning streak and claim victory on home soil, or will Auckland City manage to defend their lead and secure their place in the OFC Champions League? The return leg, on March 16, promises to be another exciting chapter in this developing rivalry.
The veteran striker Raymond Gunemba scored first for PNG at the 51st minute, but the bright of Lea’i shone strong in the final ten minutes of the game: despite being one man down after Marist’s Calvin Ohasio was sent off, Solomon Islands still managed to level through Rapha at the 80th minute and put Solomon Islands ahead at the 86th mark. The striker was always a threat and with his speed and he ran past Papua New Guinea’s defenders and scored his third – the second hattrick for the 20-year-old player donning the colours of his country.
Raphael Lea’i (green) marked by Tommy Semmy (yellow) – Alain Vartane
Lea’i has now nine goals scored for the senior national team in 10 appearances; the team led by the Spanish head coach Felipe Vega-Arango will return to action this Tuesday (Oct, 11th) against Vanuatu that suffered a heavy defeat for New Caledonia by 4-0 on both sides first clash of the tournament.
Recently, the striker left his club FK Velež Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina – despite being still under contract with the European club – after being granted permission by the club to return to Solomon Islands to attend international duties. There are stills doubts regarding the future club the star striker will feature, but which is certain at this point is the gallant form the player is currently enjoying.
In a historic moment for Vanuatu football, national team captain Brian Kaltak has notched his first professional goal for the Central Coast Mariners last week (Oct, 4th), marking a significant milestone in his career. The central defender made headlines with his impressive performance as the Mariners cruised to a commanding 9-1 victory over Stallions from the Philippines in the second round of the AFC Cup’s pool stage. Kaltak’s journey to this memorable moment has been a remarkable; at 30 years of age, he is currently the most prominent footballer to emerge from Vanuatu.
Kaltak’s historic moment came during a match in which the Central Coast Mariners dominated Stallions from the Philippines, winning convincingly with a final scoreline of 9-1. The match showcased Kaltak’s versatility, as he managed to contribute not only defensively but also on the offensive end. He seized an opportunity during a corner kick and delivered a precise shot that left the Stallions’ goalkeeper with no chance, securing the fourth goal for the Mariners in the game. You can watch the play by clicking here.
Kaltak (center) celebrates – A-League Media
Prior to this remarkable achievement, Kaltak had already made history by becoming the first-ever Vanuatu player to compete in an international competition outside of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). This occurred during the Mariners’ debut away match in Malaysia, where they faced Terengganu. Despite a surprising 1-0 defeat, Kaltak’s presence on the field underscored his growing influence on the Mariners’ defensive line.
Brian Kaltak’s professional journey is emblematic of the progress and potential of football in Vanuatu and the Oceania region. His dedication and talent have earned him a coveted spot in the Australian professional league, where he played a vital role in the Mariners’ A-League championship win in the previous season. As a leader, a defender, and now a goal scorer, Kaltak’s story continues to inspire and shine a light on the growing prominence of football in Vanuatu.
Oceania will have a new representative at the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup: the dominance of Solomon Islands came to an end as the Kurukuru were knocked-out of the OFC Futsal Nations Cup held in Auckland, New Zealand after a tough defeat against the home side. The Solomon Islanders were in the hunt for their 5th consecutive appearance in the world stage, but their Futsal dominance was ready to be challenged for maybe its first time since the competitive tournaments in the region started.
The Kurukuru started with two draws in the group stage – something that never happened before in the World Cup qualifiers in OFC – against New Caledonia and Tahiti, falling short to lose both games. But the team coached by Damon Shaw sealed their spot in the semifinals after beating Samoa 13-2 in the final pool match – but not enough to clinch the top of the group meaning they would face New Zealand already in the semifinal stage, not in the grand final as expected.
Playing at home the Futsal Whites made no mistake scoring early with Logan Wisnewski and still in the first half seeing Stephen Ashby-Beckham to double the lead. In the second half the always-good Charlie Otainao reduced the margin for the Kurukuru, although only two minutes later Casey Sharplin restored the two-goal cushion.
Solomon Islands’ Calvin Do’oro was sent-off to make things even harder for Solomon Islands, but they still managed in the late stages of the game to reduce the margin through Elis Mana. In the final seconds of the game New Zealand’s goalkeeper Mike Antamanov sealed the win for New Zealand with long-range shot finding the empty nets of Solomon Islands as the Kurukuru went ahead with all its players to find a desperate equaliser.
Charlie Otainao saddened by its defeat while New Zealand players celebrate – SIFF/OFC Media
Despite counting on the brilliant Micah Lea’alafa in great form – the Kurukuru‘s number 10 scored six in the tournament being the top scorer so far – the Solomon Islands could not achieve its ultimate goal: this is the first time Solomon Islands is defeated by New Zealand in the FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers, meaning the Kurukuru is facing its final moment in the dominant era; they will not be represeting OFC in the upcoming international tournament and finally the Futsal Whites will have a final game not as underdogs but yes as favourites to clinch OFC’s berth for the most important Futsal competition worldwide.
The home team will face another tough opponent in the grand final: Tahiti. The Kurukuru will have to settle down and contest for the 3rd place against Fiji that lost 7-3 to the Tahitians in the other semifinal match of the day.
This coming Saturday (07th Sep) will mark the decisive finish of Solomon Islands’ reign in OFC’s Futsal as the South Pacific fans will get to know which of Tahiti or New Zealand will represent the confederation in Uzbekistan’s 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup.
In a thrilling showdown at the OFC Olympic Qualifiers, the Fiji U-23 football team emerged triumphant with a resounding 3-0 victory over the Solomon Islands at Mt Smart Stadium. The win not only secured their spot in the decisive clash against New Zealand but also ignited their dreams of earning a coveted place in the upcoming Paris 2024 Men’s Football Tournament.
The star of the match and captain of the Fijian side, Etonia Dogalau, led his team to glory by scoring two crucial goals. Dogalau’s impressive performance showcased his exceptional talent and leadership on the field, earning him the spotlight in this significant victory.
Fiji’s Aporosa Yada tries a shot in the match between Solomon Islands and Fiji – OFC Media
The third goal for Fiji came courtesy of the New Zealand-based defensive midfielder, Brandon McCullen, who added his name to the scorecard, sealing the team’s dominant win. The collective effort and skill displayed by the Fijian squad demonstrated their determination to secure their spot in the prestigious Paris 2024 Men’s Football Tournament.
This exceptional performance sets the stage for the much-anticipated final showdown against New Zealand. The New Zealand team also exhibited their prowess by defeating Vanuatu, ensuring a high-stakes championship match that promises to be a thrilling spectacle for football enthusiasts.
The final is scheduled to take place at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday, September 9th, 2023. Football fans from all over the Pacific region will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of this match, as the winner will earn the coveted opportunity to represent Oceania on the grand stage of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Oceania Football Center 