Fiji FA plans tougher drug policy following BOG controversy

The Fiji Football Association is preparing to review its social drug policy, with tougher sanctions for offending players potentially on the way following renewed concerns surrounding drug cases in domestic football.

Fiji FA chief executive Mohammed Yusuf confirmed that the association intends to conduct a full review of the existing policy before October, with proposed changes expected to be taken to the Fiji FA Council for approval.

The development comes at a particularly relevant moment after drug-related disciplinary matters again became a talking point during the 2026 Battle of the Giants.

“We are going to review the entire social drug policy,” Yusuf said, explaining that the association wants to formulate stronger measures and increase the consequences faced by players who breach the regulations.

The current BOG has once again highlighted the scale and complexity of the problem. Two positive results were recorded from the first 48 drug tests conducted during the tournament, although a further 24 tests carried out on the second day all returned negative results.

The situation has attracted additional attention because Fiji football has already dealt with several drug cases during the 2026 season. At the Fiji FACT, four prohibited-drug positives were reported from 72 tests, involving three marijuana cases and one methamphetamine case. Three were reportedly repeat offenders.

Questions surrounding the effectiveness and consistency of the existing disciplinary system were also raised during the BOG after players whose previous cases remained unresolved were allowed to return to competition.

The planned review therefore represents an important next step for Fiji FA as it attempts to strengthen its response to a problem that has repeatedly surfaced at major domestic tournaments.

Yusuf indicated that the association does not intend to address the issue solely through football sanctions. Fiji FA also wants greater cooperation with organisations and authorities involved in combating drug use in Fiji, combining disciplinary measures with a broader effort to tackle the problem.

Any changes approved following the review could have significant consequences for players and clubs across Fiji’s domestic competitions.

With drug testing now a regular feature of the country’s major football tournaments, the question will be whether stronger sanctions and a revised policy can provide the deterrent Fiji FA is seeking — and prevent the same disciplinary uncertainty from continuing into future competitions.

“Football is not a career in Fiji”: Bruce Hughes explains BOG absence and highlights reality facing local players

Nasinu striker Bruce Hughes has explained why he is not taking part in the 2026 Battle of the Giants, but his public message went considerably further than simply addressing his absence from the tournament. One of the most productive forwards in the current Fiji Premier League season, Hughes used the questions surrounding him to speak openly about player compensation, the rising cost of living and the difficulty of treating domestic football in Fiji as a genuine full-time career.

Hughes said he had received several questions and had seen posts asking why he was not involved in the BOG. The forward pointed out that he has already experienced success in the competition and has other commitments and ambitions away from the pitch. “I’ve won BOG and all and I’ve already made my name up there and it’s just I have commitments and dreams to achieve,” Hughes wrote. He then delivered the central point of his message: “At the end of the day football is not a career in Fiji due to what we are paid in my understanding.”

His comments carry particular weight considering Hughes’ own position in Fijian football. The Nasinu attacker has scored eight goals in the 2026 Premier League, placing him among the leading scorers in the country. He is also no stranger to the biggest moments of the Battle of the Giants. In 2020, wearing Rewa colours, Hughes scored the only goal of the final as the Delta Tigers defeated Suva 1-0 to lift the trophy. Six years later, he remains capable of making an important impact at the highest level of Fiji’s domestic game, yet his football career exists alongside commitments outside the sport.

A live video involving Hughes provided a very visible example of that reality. The Nasinu forward was seen working as a barber, something that gives additional context to the message he later published. A player can be one of the leading scorers in Fiji, a former BOG final match-winner and a familiar name in the country’s domestic football scene, while at the same time needing another occupation away from training and match days.

Hughes specifically pointed towards the economic changes taking place around players. “Everything is upgrading and the cost of living is high but the players in Fiji our pay remains the same,” he wrote, encouraging people who doubted his assessment to speak with players and their families. For Hughes, reaching the conclusion that football does not provide sufficient financial value means looking elsewhere rather than depending exclusively on the game. He described football as a “gift, talent and a hobby” in explaining why he has chosen to focus on other commitments as well.

His experience is not an isolated contradiction within the structure of Fijian football. Fiji FA chief executive Mohammed Yusuf stated in 2025 that players competing in the country’s domestic leagues were amateur, with no salaries being paid and players instead receiving expenses related to training. The situation has been openly acknowledged within the game for years. Yusuf had previously spoken about Fijian footballers working during the day before attending training in the afternoon, while Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel urged business owners in Ba in 2023 to support players by providing employment if they wanted the district to retain its squad.

It is a reality familiar across much of Pacific football. Players can represent major districts, compete in national tournaments, become well known among supporters and even reach international level while football remains only one part of their working lives. Training, travelling and competing at a demanding level have to be combined with jobs, education or other sources of income. The arrival of the OFC Professional League has started to create a different pathway for a limited group of players in the region, but the traditional domestic structure in countries such as Fiji remains very different from the full-time professional environment commonly associated with football elsewhere.

That context makes Hughes’ absence from the BOG more significant than the absence of a single player. He is not stepping away because he has failed to establish himself in the competition; he has already scored the goal that won a BOG final. Nor has his performance disappeared at domestic level, with eight league goals for Nasinu this season. Instead, a player still performing at a high level has publicly explained that football alone does not offer the financial security he believes is necessary.

Hughes ended his message with a simple demand: “PLAYERS NEED TO BE VALUED AND WELL TAKEN OFF.” His words open a broader conversation around what being a leading footballer actually means in Fiji. The trophies, goals and recognition remain important, but for many of those producing the spectacle every weekend, there is another working life continuing away from the football field.

Vanuatu football mourns former FIFA assistant referee Alick Lukai after 26 years of service

Vanuatu football is mourning the passing of Alick Lukai, a long-serving referee and former FIFA assistant referee whose involvement in the game stretched for more than two decades. Tributes have emerged from across the Port Vila football community following the news of Lukai’s death, remembering an official who remained involved in local football until only weeks before his passing.

According to Port Vila Football Focus, Lukai began his refereeing career around 2000, after previously being involved in football as a player. What followed was approximately 26 years of service to the game, during which he progressed from domestic competitions in Port Vila to representing Vanuatu at regional level.

One of the major milestones of his career came when he was awarded a FIFA assistant referee badge. Oceania Football Confederation records confirm that Lukai was among the new Vanuatu officials to receive FIFA recognition in January 2008, at a time when the Vanuatu Football Federation was expanding its group of internationally qualified referees. The achievement opened the way for Lukai to take appointments in competitions involving some of the leading clubs and national teams in the Pacific.

OFC records show Lukai working as an assistant referee in several editions of the region’s premier club competition, including matches involving Amicale FC, Hekari United, Koloale, Solomon Warriors, Ba and Waitakere United. He was part of the officiating team for Amicale’s 2013 OFC Champions League semifinal first leg against Waitakere United in Port Vila, while he also received appointments at the 2012 OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, including matches featuring New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga.

His contribution did not end after his period as a FIFA-listed official. Lukai continued serving the Port Vila Football Association for years afterwards, remaining a familiar figure at domestic matches. Port Vila Football Focus recalled his willingness to accept appointments, stating that he would sometimes officiate as many as three matches in a day and rarely turned down an opportunity to serve the game.

Remarkably, Lukai was still actively involved during the 2026 season. According to the local tribute, his final PVFA assignment came on 30 July, when he officiated the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 Cooperative Cup grand final. Later that same day, he travelled to VFF Freshwater Stadium to serve as fourth official in the President’s Cup final. His continued presence around the game more than two decades after beginning as a referee illustrates the commitment for which he is now being remembered.

The response to his passing has extended beyond the refereeing community. Galaxy FC described Lukai as a dedicated referee and valued member of Vanuatu football whose commitment to fairness and years of service would be remembered. “Your service to the game will never be forgotten,” the club wrote in its tribute. VBTC News also remembered him as a former FIFA assistant referee who dedicated years to both the Port Vila Football Association and Vanuatu Football Federation while representing the country in national and regional competitions.

Other tributes have highlighted the respect Lukai commanded away from football as well, remembering him as a church deacon and community figure. On the field, however, his legacy can be measured through a refereeing career that connected grassroots football in Port Vila with some of Oceania’s most important competitions.

For many years players, coaches and supporters in Vanuatu saw Alick Lukai with a flag or whistle in hand. His passing removes one of the familiar figures of Port Vila football, but the 26 years he devoted to refereeing and the generation of matches he helped oversee leave a lasting contribution to the game in Vanuatu.

Tahiti reshapes domestic football as new Super Ligue opens path to OFC Champions League

Football in French Polynesia is preparing for a significant structural change, with the Fédération Tahitienne de Football introducing a new domestic format that will separate the championships of Tahiti and Moorea before bringing their leading clubs together in a new Super Ligue.

The reform will come into effect for the 2026/27 season and changes not only the organisation of domestic football, but also the route through which French Polynesia will determine its representative for the 2028 OFC Champions League.

Under the new system, clubs from Tahiti and Moorea will compete in their own island championships rather than sharing the same top-level competition.

The decision effectively ends the arrangement that had allowed some Moorea clubs to compete alongside Tahiti teams. According to the FTF, logistical difficulties were among the reasons for returning to separate competitions.

The major innovation, however, comes at the end of the domestic season.

The top two teams from Tahiti and the top two from Moorea will qualify for a four-club Super Ligue. Those sides will contest semi-finals before a champion is crowned, with the winner earning the right to represent Tahiti at the 2028 OFC Champions League, provided the club meets the applicable OFC licensing and eligibility requirements.

It creates a much clearer pathway towards Oceania’s premier club competition for teams from Moorea.

Historically, Tahiti’s major clubs such as AS Pirae, AS Tefana, AS Vénus and AS Dragon have dominated the territory’s representation on the continental stage. Under the new format, a Moorea club could now defeat Tahiti’s leading sides in the Super Ligue and claim the OFC Champions League place.

The president of the Moorea league, Pare Salmon, described the reform as an important opportunity for clubs from the island, where qualifying for Oceania competition had previously been extremely difficult.

Prize money will also be distributed to all four teams reaching the Super Ligue, adding another incentive for clubs from both competitions.

Tahiti’s own championship will also undergo a major transformation.

The new season will begin with 17 clubs competing together in an initial phase, with every team facing the others across 16 rounds.

At the conclusion of that stage, the competition will split.

The top eight clubs will advance into Ligue 1, where they will continue the fight for the Tahitian championship, while the remaining nine teams will move into Ligue 2.

The FTF opted for the system partly because the second division did not previously contain enough clubs to sustain what the federation considered a satisfactory full-season competition.

It means Tahiti football will effectively begin with one large field before sporting performance determines which clubs form the two divisions for the decisive part of the season.

The 17 clubs beginning the Tahiti competition are Arue, Tefana, Vénus, Olympic Mahina, Mataiea, Manu Ura, Papara FC, Excelsior, Dragon, Papeno’o, Pirae, Jeunes Tahitiens, Central Sport, Pueu, Tamarii Punaruu, Taiarapu FC and Vaiete.

The calendar will be demanding. All 16 rounds of the initial stage are scheduled to be completed before the end of the year, meaning clubs could occasionally face more than one match in the same week.

The new season is scheduled to begin on the weekend of September 12 and 13.

AS Tefana enter as defending Tahiti champions and will once again be among the leading candidates, although established contenders including Pirae, Vénus and Dragon will now first need to secure their place among the top eight before concentrating on the championship itself.

Moorea, meanwhile, will stage an independent eight-team competition involving Tiare Tahiti, Mira, Tapuhute, Tiare Anani, Tiare Hinano, Tearaa, Temanava and defending champions Tohie’a FC.

For those clubs, finishing in the top two now carries significantly greater importance.

A strong domestic campaign would take them directly into the Super Ligue, placing them only two knockout victories away from potentially representing French Polynesia on the continental stage.

That element could prove to be the most important consequence of the reform.

Rather than the OFC Champions League pathway being concentrated almost entirely among Tahiti’s traditional powers, the new structure provides clubs from Moorea with a realistic sporting route to Oceania’s biggest club competition.

The FTF has also confirmed that the structure introduced for 2026/27 is intended to remain in place for the following 2027/28 season, suggesting the Super Ligue is being introduced as a longer-term part of French Polynesia’s domestic football system rather than as a one-season experiment.

For Tahiti’s established clubs, the reform introduces additional competition and another knockout stage between domestic success and continental qualification.

For Moorea, it represents something considerably bigger: an opportunity to challenge Tahiti’s strongest teams directly for a place on the Oceania stage.

With 17 clubs beginning the new Tahiti championship, an independent competition returning to Moorea and the inaugural Super Ligue waiting at the end of the season, 2026/27 will mark the beginning of a very different era for domestic football in French Polynesia.

Nasinu stun Suva, Ba deliver when it matters as BOG semi-final lineup is completed

The group stage of the 2026 Battle of the Giants came to a dramatic conclusion at Govind Park on Sunday, with Nasinu defeating Suva, Nadi upsetting Rewa, defending champions Labasa winning but still being eliminated, and hosts Ba producing their best performance when qualification was on the line.

By the end of the day, the semi-final picture was complete: Suva and Nasinu advanced from Group A, while Rewa and Ba progressed from Group B.

It also confirmed that a new BOG champion will be crowned in 2026 following Labasa’s elimination.

The day began with one of the tournament’s most interesting results as Nasinu defeated previously unbeaten Suva 2-1 to keep their campaign alive.

There was also a remarkable Solomon Islands connection to the match, with all three goals scored by Solomon Islanders.

Paul Francis put Nasinu ahead during the first half, providing another important moment in the young attacker’s developing career. Francis became a familiar figure to followers of Pacific football through the extraordinary Real Kakamora story in Solomon Islands, where the club’s rise attracted significant attention on social media well beyond the region.

Suva responded quickly through tournament top scorer Gagame Feni, who continued his outstanding BOG by scoring his fourth goal in three group matches.

The teams went into half-time level, but Nasinu captain Billy Afi eventually delivered the decisive goal after the break.

It was Afi’s second goal of the tournament after he had also scored Nasinu’s winner against Navua a day earlier.

The victory took Nasinu to six points and placed considerable pressure on Labasa, who still had to face Navua later in the afternoon.

Suva, despite suffering their first defeat of the competition, remained top of Group A on goal difference and had already done enough to secure their semi-final position.

The Solomon Islands influence in that match was particularly striking. Francis, Feni and Afi scoring all three goals continued a wider trend throughout the BOG, where Solomon Islands footballers have consistently played decisive roles for several Fijian districts.

The second match of the day produced another surprise.

Already eliminated Nadi finished their tournament with something to celebrate by defeating Group B leaders Rewa 1-0.

Rewa had already guaranteed their place in the semi-finals following victories over Lautoka and Ba, allowing the Delta Tigers to rotate their squad and give opportunities to several players from the bench.

Nadi, meanwhile, fielded a stronger side despite having no possibility of reaching the knockout stage.

After a goalless first half, former Navua attacker Brian Charittar scored the only goal of the contest in the second period to give the Jetsetters their first victory of the tournament.

It was ultimately a consolation result for Nadi, but also a reminder for Rewa that their dominant opening two matches will count for little once the knockout stage begins.

Despite the defeat, Rewa remained top of Group B and moved into the semi-finals with six points.

Attention then returned to Group A, where defending champions Labasa knew that simply defeating Navua would not be enough. They required a convincing margin to move ahead of Nasinu in the qualification race.

The Babasiga Lions appeared determined to give themselves a chance.

Christopher Wasasala, making his first appearance of the tournament after serving a two-match suspension, made an immediate impact by scoring twice during the first half.

His brace put Labasa in a promising position, but their task became more difficult when they were reduced to ten men before the break.

Navua, despite already being eliminated, refused to simply play out their final match.

Sunny Deol produced an impressive strike during the second half to reduce the deficit to 2-1 and effectively place Labasa’s qualification hopes in serious danger.

Navua continued to attack and remarkably had three further goals ruled out for offside as Labasa struggled to regain control of the contest.

The defending champions eventually secured the 2-1 victory, but the margin was nowhere near enough.

Labasa therefore finished the group stage with two victories from three matches yet still missed the semi-finals, while Nasinu were confirmed as Group A runners-up behind Suva.

For Labasa, it brought a premature end to their BOG title defence and guaranteed that the trophy will change hands this year.

The final match of the evening then became a direct battle for the last available semi-final position.

Lautoka entered the match knowing that a draw against Ba would be enough to send them through. For the hosts, the equation was considerably simpler: Ba had to win.

In front of more than 6,000 supporters at Govind Park, the Men in Black responded with their strongest half of football in the tournament.

Etonia Dogalau, returning after missing the first two matches through suspension, needed only five minutes to make his presence felt.

The powerful forward met a delivery from Praneel Naidu and headed Ba into an early lead, immediately changing the complexion of the qualification battle.

Ba continued to attack and Rusiate Doidoi doubled the advantage in the 17th minute, using his pace to break through the Lautoka defence before finishing calmly.

The hosts then received an opportunity to effectively put the contest beyond Lautoka before half-time when goalkeeper Senirusi Bokini brought down Dogalau inside the penalty area.

Nabil Begg converted from the spot, giving Ba a commanding 3-0 advantage at the interval.

Lautoka attempted to respond during a tighter second half but were unable to produce the comeback they required.

Substitute Luciano Castro eventually scored for the Blues in added time, but by then Ba’s semi-final place was secure.

The 3-1 victory provided an impressive response from the Men in Black after their heavy 3-0 defeat to Rewa only a day earlier and ensured that the hosts will remain involved when the competition returns to Govind Park for the knockout stage.

Ba finished second in Group B behind Rewa, while Lautoka and Nadi were eliminated.

The final group-stage day also strengthened one of the major stories of this year’s tournament: the influence of Solomon Islands players in Fiji.

Gagame Feni finished the group stage with four goals for Suva, Billy Afi scored twice for Nasinu, while Paul Francis, John Orobulu and Molis Gagame have also found the net.

That means Solomon Islands players have already contributed nine goals during the BOG group stage, with several of those goals directly deciding matches and qualification outcomes.

Three of the four semi-finalists — Suva, Nasinu and Ba — have already benefited from goals scored by Solomon Islands players.

The competition will now pause before returning next Saturday for the semi-finals.

Suva will face hosts Ba at 2pm, bringing together the Group A winners and a Men in Black side that rediscovered their attacking form when they needed it most.

The second semi-final will see Rewa face Nasinu at 4.30pm. Rewa enter after an impressive group campaign despite their final-day defeat, while Nasinu arrive with momentum after consecutive victories over Navua and Suva.

The winners will meet in the BOG final on Sunday at 3pm.

After three days of group-stage football, the defending champions are gone, four teams remain, and the 2026 Battle of the Giants is guaranteed to produce a new winner.

Back in red: Tommy Semmy returns to Hekari roots and explodes into late-season form

One of Papua New Guinea’s most experienced footballers has returned home — and Tommy Semmy is once again finding the net in the colours where he first established himself as one of the Pacific’s most dangerous attackers.

The 31-year-old PNG international returned to PNG Hekari FC for the 2026 Premier Soccer League season after almost nine years away from the club. Semmy recently confirmed his return directly to Oceania Football Center, while a public announcement from PNG Football Daily on May 7 provides a clear indication that the move had been completed by the early stages of the campaign.

His latest performances suggest that the familiar surroundings are bringing the best out of him again.

Semmy has scored an extraordinary nine goals across Hekari’s last three confirmed league rounds. He struck five times in a 7-2 demolition of Finschhafen Bavarians, scored again as Hekari recovered from two goals down to defeat Lae City Dwellers 3-2, and then completed a first-half hat-trick in the 6-2 victory over NCD FC.

The sequence represents a remarkable late-season scoring burst from a player who has spent much of the past decade carrying Papua New Guinean football into competitions overseas.

Semmy’s relationship with Hekari goes back to 2015, when he joined the club after beginning his senior career with Besta PNG. He quickly made an impression beyond the domestic game, scoring in consecutive OFC Champions League campaigns and establishing himself as one of the emerging forwards of that generation.

His previous Hekari spell also ended with a memorable contribution. In June 2017, Semmy scored a hat-trick as Hekari defeated FC Papaka 4-1 to win the inaugural National Premier League title.

Only a couple of months later, his career moved in a very different direction.

Semmy joined Hamilton Wanderers in New Zealand in August 2017 and remained there until 2021, making 59 league appearances and scoring 25 goals. His performances in New Zealand eventually opened the door to Australia, where he represented clubs including Altona Magic, Dandenong City, Melbourne Knights and Geelong.

Those years made Semmy one of a relatively small group of Papua New Guinean players to build a sustained career outside the country.

He also remained an important figure for the Kapuls. Semmy has represented Papua New Guinea across several international cycles, including the OFC Nations Cup and World Cup qualifying campaigns, and his combination of pace, strength and direct running has made him one of the most recognisable PNG forwards of his generation.

But in 2026 the journey has come back to Hekari.

Much has changed since he last wore the red shirt. Hekari are now PNG’s representative in the new OFC Pro League era, while a younger generation of players has emerged around established national-team figures such as Ati Kepo, Daniel Joe and Godfrey Haro.

Semmy now returns not as the promising attacker who left for New Zealand in 2017, but as one of the most seasoned players in Papua New Guinean football.

And the goals have followed.

His five-goal performance against Finschhafen was followed immediately by another decisive contribution against Lae City, before his hat-trick against NCD brought his total to nine goals in only three rounds.

A complete public goalscorers table for the 2026 PNG Premier Soccer League is not currently available, meaning Semmy’s overall season total still needs to be established from the earlier scoresheets. What is already certain, however, is that few players in the competition can match his recent run.

Nearly nine years after leaving Hekari to pursue opportunities abroad, Tommy Semmy is back in familiar colours.

And one of Papua New Guinea’s most established finishers appears to have rediscovered the scoring touch that helped launch his career in the first place.

First major setback in Scotland: Alex Paulsen backed after costly Ibrox error

Alex Paulsen’s impressive start to life with Motherwell suffered its first major setback at Ibrox, with a costly mistake from the New Zealand goalkeeper deciding his side’s 1-0 defeat to Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

The All Whites shot-stopper had quickly established himself as one of Motherwell’s most positively received summer arrivals after joining on loan from Bournemouth, but Saturday brought a very different kind of attention.

Only 12 minutes had been played when Paulsen received the ball near the edge of his penalty area and attempted to evade the pressure of Rangers forward Ryan Naderi.

The decision went badly wrong.

Naderi dispossessed the goalkeeper and was left with an empty net, rolling the ball home for what eventually proved to be the only goal of the match.

It was an unusually costly moment from a goalkeeper who had otherwise enjoyed a very encouraging beginning in Scotland.

Paulsen arrived at Fir Park carrying a considerable reputation from New Zealand and Australian football.

The 24-year-old had previously been named A-League Men Goalkeeper of the Year following his breakthrough season with Wellington Phoenix before repeating the achievement during Auckland FC’s remarkable debut campaign.

His spell with Auckland also included a record-breaking start in which he went 532 minutes without conceding, while his performances helped the expansion club win the A-League Premiership in their first season.

After another season on loan with Lechia Gdańsk in Poland, Bournemouth sent Paulsen to Motherwell as the next stage of his development.

The early signs had been highly positive.

Paulsen started each of Motherwell’s opening Premiership matches and recorded two clean sheets in his first four league appearances. He had also produced several notable performances during the club’s European campaign.

His displays had not gone unnoticed among Motherwell supporters.

In supporter voting on the Steelmen Online forum, Paulsen was selected as Motherwell’s standout performer against HJK and again received the most votes following the home match against Bundesliga side Freiburg, when his saves prevented the scoreline from becoming considerably heavier.

He was also widely praised following Motherwell’s 3-3 draw with St Mirren, where another series of saves helped his side remain in the contest.

That context is important when assessing what happened at Ibrox.

Scottish media did not hesitate to highlight the severity of Paulsen’s mistake.

The error was repeatedly described as a “howler”, “blunder” or a gift to Rangers across post-match coverage, while several reports emphasised that Motherwell ultimately left Glasgow empty-handed because of a goal entirely of their own making.

The reaction among Motherwell supporters was understandably frustrated.

Discussion immediately after the match focused heavily on Paulsen’s decision to attempt to beat Naderi rather than clear the danger. One supporter described it as “rotten decision making”, although even that criticism was accompanied by an acknowledgement that Paulsen remained a good goalkeeper.

Others simply described the incident as a goalkeeping howler, while there was also frustration that Motherwell had ultimately lost the match because of such an avoidable goal.

However, the broader reaction did not develop into a major backlash against the New Zealander.

Much of the criticism from supporters instead centred on Motherwell’s overall second-half performance, their lack of attacking threat and the fact Rangers could have extended their lead.

Paulsen himself was responsible for ensuring that did not happen.

After the mistake, he recovered to produce several important saves as Rangers created enough opportunities to make the scoreline considerably more comfortable.

Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson made that point particularly strongly after the final whistle.

Rather than blaming his goalkeeper for the defeat, Johansson immediately defended Paulsen and pointed towards his performances throughout the opening weeks of the campaign.

“The fact that it’s only 1-0 is thanks to Alex Paulsen,” the Motherwell boss said.

Johansson also described the New Zealand international as a “very, very, very, very good keeper” and argued that individual mistakes were an inevitable consequence of Motherwell’s commitment to building possession from the back.

It was significant support for Paulsen after an afternoon in which the goalkeeper could easily have become the central target following Motherwell’s first league defeat of the season.

Johansson instead placed responsibility on the overall performance, insisting his team had not played well enough to take something from Ibrox.

The incident also reflects one of the risks associated with the role Paulsen has been asked to perform.

Motherwell are committed to keeping possession and progressing the ball from their own defensive third, meaning their goalkeeper is regularly involved with the ball at his feet rather than simply being asked to clear under pressure.

Paulsen’s distribution and composure have generally been among the qualities praised during his early weeks in Scotland.

At Ibrox, however, that confidence turned into a costly gamble.

For followers of the All Whites, the response may ultimately be more important than the mistake itself.

Paulsen has built his reputation through consistency in New Zealand, Australia and Poland, and his early Motherwell performances suggested he was adapting quickly to another step up in his career.

Saturday represented his first major setback in Scotland.

The Scottish press was unforgiving about the moment, and sections of the Motherwell support were similarly critical of the decision that led to Rangers’ goal.

But the reaction also showed how much credit Paulsen had already accumulated.

His manager defended him emphatically, supporters largely treated the incident as one poor decision rather than evidence of a larger problem, and even after gifting Rangers their goal, he finished the match preventing the defeat from becoming significantly heavier.

For Paulsen, the next challenge will be straightforward but important: respond in the same way he did during the remainder of the match and ensure that one highly visible mistake at Ibrox remains an isolated moment in what has otherwise been a promising start to Scottish football.

Central Coast crush Green Shield as goal-filled S-League day delivers 22 goals at Lawson Tama

Central Coast FC delivered a major statement in the Solomon Islands S-League title race on Saturday, defeating leaders Green Shield FC 5-1 in a remarkable day of football at Lawson Tama Stadium that produced 22 goals across three matches.

Fresh from their campaign in the OFC Men’s Champions League, Central Coast showed no signs of slowing down domestically. Raphael Lea’i struck twice against Green Shield, while Barrie Limoki, Bobby Leslie and Hudyn Irodao also found the net as the Honiara side comfortably overcame the team that had established itself at the top of the standings.

The result carries considerably more weight than another heavy Central Coast victory. Green Shield had built their advantage while Central Coast were occupied by their continental commitments and consequently had several domestic fixtures postponed. With the OFC campaign now completed, Central Coast have begun the process of catching up — and their performances suggest the title race could quickly take a very different shape.

Their latest victory comes only days after a 9-0 demolition of SOSA, meaning Central Coast have scored 14 goals across their last two league matches. The attacking players who played such an important role during their run to the OFC Champions League final have immediately transferred that form back into the domestic competition, with Lea’i once again among the goals.

Green Shield, meanwhile, were handed a significant reality check. Their strong start to the season remains valuable, but Saturday’s meeting demonstrated the challenge they will face as Central Coast begin working through their matches in hand. The 5-1 scoreline was particularly striking considering Green Shield entered the fixture as the competition leaders.

Central Coast’s victory was only part of an extraordinary afternoon at Lawson Tama. SOSA produced an immediate and emphatic response to their 9-0 defeat against Central Coast by putting nine goals past Laugu United in a 9-2 victory. The turnaround was one of the most eye-catching results of the season, with SOSA going from conceding nine in one match to scoring nine themselves only a few days later.

The result added further difficulty to Laugu’s campaign and also illustrated the unpredictable nature of this S-League season. With teams having played different numbers of matches because of postponements and continental commitments, individual results continue to have a major influence on the constantly changing picture of the competition.

The day’s closest contest came between KOSSA and Marist FC, with KOSSA eventually securing a 3-2 victory. The three points keep KOSSA firmly involved among the teams chasing the leading positions and add another important result to what has been a competitive start to their campaign. Marist, on the other hand, were left without reward despite pushing their opponents throughout the encounter.

Across the three matches, supporters at Lawson Tama witnessed an extraordinary 22 goals: SOSA’s 9-2 win over Laugu, KOSSA’s 3-2 victory against Marist and Central Coast’s 5-1 demolition of Green Shield.

Yet it was the final result that could prove the most significant for the championship. Green Shield may still have the advantage accumulated from playing more matches, but Central Coast are now beginning to recover their postponed fixtures after competing against Oceania’s best clubs. Their immediate response has been emphatic.

Fourteen goals in two domestic matches, including five against the league leaders, is a clear indication that the OFC Champions League finalists have returned to the S-League ready to make up lost ground — and the battle for the Solomon Islands title could be about to change considerably.

Fiji FA allows players with pending drug cases to play as BOG testing produces two new positives

The Fiji Football Association has allowed players with unresolved drug-related disciplinary cases to return to competition, a decision that has already affected the ongoing Battle of the Giants in Ba and comes while the association continues conducting drug tests throughout the tournament.

Fiji FA chief executive Mohammed Yusuf confirmed that the association’s disciplinary committee decided that players whose cases remain pending could resume playing while the relevant proceedings are finalised.

The clearest example came with Labasa forward France Catarogo, who received clearance at around 1pm on the opening day of the BOG, only two hours before the defending champions faced Nasinu.

Catarogo had been suspended after failing a drug test during the 2026 Fiji FACT in Labasa in June. His availability for the BOG had remained uncertain enough that Labasa initially left the number nine position vacant when submitting their tournament squad, awaiting the outcome of the disciplinary process.

The late decision allowed Catarogo to return immediately and feature in Labasa’s 1-0 opening victory over Nasinu.

His case is not the only one affected.

Lautoka players Veleni Rasorewa and Epeli Leiroti had already been cleared to play while their respective cases remained pending, and both are operating under the same broader situation in which footballers have been permitted to compete before final judgments have been delivered.

Yusuf explained that the players were released in order to avoid what he described as “procedural harm” while the disciplinary committee completes its work, including consideration of a legal submission involving Lautoka.

Final judgments in the outstanding cases are expected to follow in the coming weeks.

The distinction is important: the players have been cleared to play while their cases are pending, rather than cleared of the matters themselves.

The situation has become particularly notable during the Battle of the Giants because Fiji FA has simultaneously continued its drug-testing programme at the tournament.

After the first two days of competition, 48 players had been tested, with two positive results recorded during the opening day. All 24 tests conducted on the second day returned negative results.

Fiji FA also confirmed that one of the associations connected to a positive result from the opening day is appealing the outcome.

The identities of the players involved in those two new positive tests have not been publicly disclosed.

The latest cases come only a few months after the Fiji FACT, where drug testing became one of the major off-field issues of the tournament.

A total of 72 players were tested during that competition, with four positive results for prohibited drugs recorded. Three involved marijuana, while another involved methamphetamine.

Fiji FA described the methamphetamine case at the time as particularly serious and reiterated its zero-tolerance position on prohibited substances. Three of the cases were also reported to involve repeat offenders, potentially exposing those involved to significantly longer suspensions.

Two additional players returned positive alcohol results during the same testing programme, although one was associated with medication that had been declared beforehand.

The association has increasingly expanded drug and alcohol testing across its major competitions and domestic leagues, presenting the programme as part of its efforts to protect players and maintain the integrity of football in Fiji.

However, the situation at the current BOG has created an unusual overlap between that policy and the disciplinary process.

Players previously suspended following positive tests have now been permitted to return while their appeals or disciplinary matters remain unresolved, while at the same tournament new positive results are continuing to be recorded.

For Catarogo, the decision provided an immediate route back into one of Fiji football’s biggest competitions. For Lautoka, the earlier clearances of Rasorewa and Leiroti similarly strengthened their available squad during the BOG.

For Fiji FA, however, the wider issue is likely to remain relevant beyond the tournament itself.

With appeals still being heard, final judgments yet to be delivered and two additional positive tests already recorded during the current BOG, the association’s disciplinary procedures and the way provisional suspensions are handled will continue to be closely watched as the competition moves towards its knockout stage.

“If Solomon Islands call, I have to go”: David Supa on Ba title, BOG pressure and MSG return

David Supa’s first experience of Fijian football has already brought silverware, a new challenge outside the Solomon Islands and another important chapter in a season that began in the inaugural OFC Professional League. Now, with Ba fighting to keep their Battle of the Giants campaign alive, the Solomon Islands international is looking to finish his club commitments strongly before turning his attention back to national-team football.

The defender joined Ba during the second part of the 2026 season after representing Solomon Kings in the OFC Pro League. His arrival formed part of a significant mid-season strengthening by the Men in Black, who went on to complete an excellent domestic campaign by winning both the Fiji FACT and the Extra Premier League.

For Supa, the league championship carried particular meaning. It was his first season playing club football in Fiji and his first opportunity to experience one of the Pacific’s most competitive domestic environments.

“I am very happy to be with Ba,” Supa told Oceania Football Center. “This is my first time playing in Fiji and then winning the Premier League in Fiji.”

Ba eventually finished the league season with 42 points from 18 matches, securing a record-extending 22nd national championship and ending a seven-year wait for the title. Supa was among the overseas additions who helped strengthen the squad for the decisive stages of the campaign, alongside fellow Solomon Islander John Orobulu.

The move also offered Supa the chance to compare football in Fiji with what he had experienced for several seasons in the Telekom S-League. While he sees similarities in the intensity of the two competitions, the defender believes there is a noticeable difference in how that intensity is expressed.

“Fiji football is more physical, high intensity. S-League was more on speed and high intensity. It does not really have big differences,” he explained.

His route to Ba also reflects one of the opportunities created by the inaugural OFC Pro League. Supa spent the opening part of 2026 with Solomon Kings and was regularly involved in their defensive line during the competition, facing clubs from across Oceania in a fully professional environment.

For the defender, that experience represented more than simply another tournament. Supa believes the professional league provided players from the Solomon Islands with an opportunity to demonstrate whether they could perform at a different level and potentially attract interest elsewhere in the region.

“I was privileged to participate. It was a different level of football for me and it was an opportunity for me to show my best, how I could perform, to be selected to play in teams outside Solomon Islands — for example, Ba in Fiji,” he said.

Supa was also impressed by the environment surrounding the competition. “For the Pro League, I would say everything was organised professionally. It was good.”

His attention, however, is currently firmly on Ba and the Battle of the Giants. Speaking before the tournament began, Supa said the Men in Black had prepared well and that he was personally ready to contribute.

“Preparation was going good and the boys were ready for this tournament, BOG. For me, I am ready for this tournament to give my best for Ba,” he said.

Those words now carry additional significance after an eventful opening two days for the hosts. Ba began the BOG with a 1-0 victory over Nadi, with Orobulu scoring the decisive goal, but suffered a heavy setback in their second Pool B match as Rewa won 3-0 through goals from Lucas Santos, Merrill Nand and Ivan Kumar.

The results have left Ba with no margin for error in their final pool encounter against Lautoka. Rewa lead the group with six points, while Ba and Lautoka have three each. Lautoka currently hold the superior goal difference after beating Nadi 2-0, meaning the Men in Black need victory in their final group match to move ahead of the Blues and secure a place in the semi-finals.

Beyond the BOG, another important assignment could soon follow for Supa. The Solomon Islands are preparing for the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in Fiji, and the defender made clear that he expects his focus to switch quickly from club football to representing his country.

“After BOG, I am going to play MSG,” Supa said. Asked about the importance of the tournament and the national team, his answer was straightforward: “This tournament is important to me, but if Solomon national team call, I have to go play for my country.”

Supa already knows the MSG competition well. He represented the Solomon Islands in the 2025 edition in Papua New Guinea and scored their goal in the 2-1 semifinal defeat to Vanuatu, one of the few international goals of his career as a defender.

That possible national-team return would complete another demanding sequence for Supa. From professional football with Solomon Kings, to winning trophies during his first spell in Fiji and potentially representing the Solomon Islands again, 2026 has given the defender opportunities in several different environments.

Before that next chapter can begin, however, there is still unfinished business with Ba. The Men in Black entered the BOG hoping to add another trophy to an already successful season. After the defeat to Rewa, their equation is now simple: beat Lautoka and remain in the competition.

For Supa, it is another important test in a year in which opportunities at professional, club and international level have continued to arrive.