Dunn, Sevanaia and Kalapai lead MSG Cup individual honours

The 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup closed with the major individual awards recognising decisive performances across both the men’s and women’s tournaments in Suva.

Fiji’s men completed a memorable home campaign by defeating Vanuatu 1-0 in the final, while Vanuatu won the women’s title after a dramatic penalty-shootout victory over Papua New Guinea. The tournament’s award list reflected both title-winning squads, but also recognised the players who consistently delivered throughout the group stage and finals.

Thomas Dunn claims Men’s Golden Ball

Fiji midfielder Thomas Dunn was named the Men’s Golden Ball winner after a strong tournament for the Bula Boys.

Dunn’s most important contribution came in the final against Vanuatu, when he scored the only goal after ten minutes. Fiji then defended their advantage through a difficult and physical contest to lift the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup for the first time in its modern format.

The Golden Ball award capped a significant tournament for Dunn, whose influence went beyond the final goal. Fiji recovered from an uneven start in the group stage, finishing with consecutive victories over Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia before defeating defending champions Vanuatu in the decider.

Sevanaia takes the Men’s Golden Glove

Fiji goalkeeper Isikeli Sevanaia received the Men’s Golden Glove award.

Sevanaia finished the competition with another clean sheet in the final, helping Fiji protect Dunn’s early goal against a Vanuatu side that applied sustained pressure in the second half. His reliability gave the Bula Boys a foundation during their decisive late run through the tournament.

Fiji kept clean sheets against Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu in their final two matches, a major turnaround after conceding in each of their first three games. Sevanaia’s award underlined how important the defensive improvement was to the hosts’ title-winning campaign.

Three-way tie for the Men’s Golden Boot

The Men’s Golden Boot was shared by three players, all of whom finished the tournament on three goals:

  • Raphael Lea’i — Solomon Islands
  • Javin Wae — Solomon Islands
  • Tony Kaltack — Vanuatu

Lea’i and Wae were central to Solomon Islands’ attacking threat. The Bonitos remained unbeaten in three of their four group matches, including a dramatic 3-3 draw with Fiji and another 3-3 match against Vanuatu, but eventually missed the final by one point.

Vanuatu captain Tony Kaltack also ended on three goals as the defending champions reached the final after finishing first in the round-robin standings. Although Vanuatu fell narrowly to Fiji in the final, Kaltack’s goals were crucial to their route to the decider.

New Caledonia received the Men’s Fair Play Award.

Kalapai dominates the women’s scoring race

Papua New Guinea forward Keren Kalapai won the Women’s Golden Boot after an outstanding tournament in front of goal. She finished with seven goals.

Kalapai set the tone early, scoring a hat-trick in PNG’s 4-0 opening win over Fiji. She continued to find the net against New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands as PNG reached the final with a perfect group-stage record.

Although PNG were beaten by Vanuatu on penalties after the women’s final finished 1-1, Kalapai’s seven goals made her the clear leading scorer of the competition and one of its standout performers.

Reddy and Kaltack recognised after Vanuatu triumph

Vanuatu goalkeeper Amelia Reddy received the Women’s Golden Glove following her team’s title-winning campaign.

Vanuatu had to work for the trophy. They reached the final after a strong group stage and then defeated PNG 5-4 on penalties after the match ended level following extra time. Reddy’s award recognised her importance in a side that handled pressure well throughout the tournament.

Vanuatu’s Kelly Kaltack was named the Women’s Golden Ball winner. Her performances helped drive the women’s team to the title and ensured that Vanuatu finished the tournament with individual recognition as well as silverware.

The final list of principal award winners was:

CategoryWinner
Men’s Golden BallThomas Dunn — Fiji
Men’s Golden GloveIsikeli Sevanaia — Fiji
Men’s Golden BootRaphael Lea’i — Solomon Islands; Javin Wae — Solomon Islands; Tony Kaltack — Vanuatu — 3 goals each
Men’s Fair Play AwardNew Caledonia
Women’s Golden BallKelly Kaltack — Vanuatu
Women’s Golden GloveAmelia Reddy — Vanuatu
Women’s Golden BootKeren Kalapai — Papua New Guinea — 7 goals

All Whites push Japan hard but fall 2-1 in Kirin Cup final

New Zealand came within 20 minutes of taking one of Asia’s strongest national teams into another tense finish, but Ritsu Doan’s second-half goal gave Japan a 2-1 victory over the All Whites in the Kirin Cup final in Tokyo.

Playing in front of more than 60,000 supporters at the National Stadium, Darren Bazeley’s side spent long periods without the ball but remained competitive through a disciplined defensive performance, the goalkeeping of Alex Paulsen and their ability to threaten Japan on the counterattack. Ben Old scored New Zealand’s goal after Ayase Ueda had opened the scoring, before Doan decided the final in the 71st minute.

Japan immediately established control of possession and forced New Zealand into a deeper shape. Bazeley effectively used five players across the defensive line, with Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall and George Stanger protecting the centre while Dane Ingham and Old operated on the outside. Marko Stamenić, Alex Rufer and Lachlan Bayliss had to cover considerable ground in midfield as Japan circulated the ball around the All Whites’ defensive block.

The hosts eventually broke through in the 28th minute. Japan worked the ball down the right before Shuto Nakano’s delivery took a deflection inside the penalty area, leaving Ueda with the opportunity to attack the loose ball. The striker reacted first and finished powerfully from close range to put the Samurai Blue ahead.

New Zealand’s response, however, was almost immediate and illustrated exactly where Bazeley’s side could hurt Japan.

Only four minutes later, the All Whites recovered the ball and broke quickly. Captain Chris Wood carried possession towards the Japanese defence, drawing attention before releasing Old, who had made an intelligent run inside from the left. The Saint-Étienne player met the pass first time and produced a composed right-footed finish beyond Zion Suzuki to make it 1-1.

It was a particularly impressive moment from Old. New Zealand had been forced to defend for much of the opening half, but when the opportunity arrived, the 24-year-old turned a transition into a goal against a Japanese side containing several players established in major European leagues.

The equaliser allowed New Zealand to reach half-time level, although the balance of the game did not substantially change after the break. Japan continued to dominate possession and progressively increased the pressure around the All Whites’ penalty area.

Ueda came close to restoring the lead shortly after the restart, rising at the far post and sending a header against the crossbar. When Japan did find the target, Paulsen repeatedly stood in their way.

The Motherwell goalkeeper made nine saves over the course of the match and was arguably New Zealand’s outstanding performer. One of his best moments came in the 66th minute when Ao Tanaka fired towards goal and Paulsen reacted sharply to tip the effort over the crossbar.

Japan finished the match with around 78 per cent of possession and 11 shots on target, numbers that underline how much pressure New Zealand were required to absorb. Yet the All Whites remained level until Japan’s depth began to make a decisive difference.

Hajime Moriyasu introduced Keito Nakamura, Junya Ito and Ao Tanaka during the second half, and Nakamura was directly involved in the winning goal. In the 71st minute, he drove down the left and carried the ball into the penalty area before sending a low delivery across goal. Captain Ritsu Doan arrived free at the far post and converted from close range, restoring Japan’s lead.

Ueda appeared to add another shortly afterwards, but the goal was ruled out for offside, keeping New Zealand within one goal of forcing another shootout.

Bazeley had already begun refreshing his side, introducing Callan Elliot, Jesse Randall and Ben Waine for Ingham, Bayliss and Wood. Stipe Ukich and Dalton Wilkins followed later as New Zealand attempted to find a route back into the contest, but Japan managed the final stages well enough to protect their advantage.

The defeat brought an end to an encouraging international window for the All Whites. New Zealand had opened with a 2-2 draw against Palestine, followed that with an impressive 3-0 victory over China, and then reached the Kirin Cup final by beating Panama on penalties following a 1-1 draw, with Stamenić scoring in regulation time.

The final represented a considerable step up. Japan, ranked 17th in the world, controlled most of the contest and ultimately deserved the trophy on the balance of chances and possession. Yet New Zealand avoided being overwhelmed, found a way to score against sustained pressure and remained only one goal behind until the final whistle.

For Bazeley, there were positives despite the defeat. Paulsen once again demonstrated his ability at international level, Old produced a high-quality goal, and a defence containing Bindon, Boxall and Stanger survived prolonged periods against a technically gifted Japanese attack.

There was no trophy at the end of the night, but taking Japan to a 2-1 final in Tokyo provided another demanding test for an All Whites side continuing to measure itself against stronger international opposition.

Vanuatu United part ways with Lars Hopp and appoint Albert Riera for 2027 OFC Pro League

Vanuatu United have officially moved on from Lars Hopp, confirming the German coach will not continue with the club for the second season of the OFC Pro League and appointing former Auckland City boss Albert Riera as part of a new technical direction for 2027.

The decision brings a formal end to Hopp’s time with the first professional club from Vanuatu after an inaugural campaign in which the Chiefs emerged as one of the strongest Pacific Island sides in the new competition. Vanuatu United reached the semi-finals before eventually falling 4-0 to South Melbourne, completing an encouraging first year in professional football.

In announcing the change, Vanuatu United explained that the decision followed planning between the club and the Vanuatu Football Federation, with the intention of ensuring “full alignment across the national pathway.” The wording is significant, with the structure of Vanuatu United increasingly being connected to the wider development of football in the country rather than operating only as an independent professional club.

Hopp leaves with a considerable legacy from his relatively short period in Vanuatu. Initially appointed to lead both Vanuatu United and the national team, he guided the national side to the 2025 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup, defeating Papua New Guinea on penalties in the final and delivering Vanuatu its first Melanesian title since 1990. He then took many of the same players into the professional environment with Vanuatu United and eventually led the club into the OFC Pro League semi-finals.

However, signs that the relationship was approaching its end had already appeared. Hopp was still in charge of the national team for the June international series against Fiji, but Richard Iwai replaced him ahead of Vanuatu’s 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup campaign. His absence was also noticeable when Vanuatu United finally played on home soil against Central Coast Mariners in September, with goalkeeper Matthew Acton taking charge from the technical area instead. The club had not publicly explained Hopp’s absence at the time.

It was another unusual chapter in a relationship that had already come close to ending much earlier. Hopp initially announced his intention to resign in January, alongside then-general manager Christian Happel, because of differences over the future direction of the club. He later withdrew that resignation and remained in charge throughout the inaugural OFC Pro League season.

The man selected to lead the next phase is one of the most decorated coaches in modern Oceania club football.

Albert Riera arrives with a remarkable record at Auckland City. The Barcelona-born coach led the Navy Blues to three consecutive OFC Champions League titles in 2022, 2023 and 2024, while also winning New Zealand national honours and the Chatham Cup during his time in charge. His connection with Auckland City goes considerably deeper: as a midfielder, Riera spent much of his playing career at Kiwitea Street and won four OFC Champions League titles with the club, either side of a spell in the A-League with Wellington Phoenix.

Importantly for Vanuatu United, this will not be Riera’s first experience of football in the country. After leaving Auckland City in early 2025, he took charge of Galaxy FC and immediately delivered the 2024–25 VFF Champions League title, with Galaxy defeating M3 United 2-1 after extra time in the final. That period gave him direct experience with Ni-Vanuatu players, local football structures and the particular environment the country’s new professional club is trying to build upon.

Riera subsequently returned to New Zealand to coach Christchurch United in 2026, although that spell ended in August following a difficult Southern League campaign. His appointment by Vanuatu United therefore represents both a return to the Pacific nation and an opportunity to re-establish himself at professional level in a competition he knows well from the opposite side of Oceania football.

Riera will work alongside VFF Technical Director Emerson Alcântara, another important element of the new structure. Vanuatu United say the pair will help establish a more unified pathway between the professional club and Vanuatu football as a whole, describing the objective as a “new, united direction for the national pathway” with a clearer Vanuatu identity.

That may ultimately be the most important element of the change. Hopp helped establish Vanuatu United and demonstrated during the inaugural season that a predominantly Ni-Vanuatu squad could compete deep into the OFC Pro League. Riera now inherits that foundation with considerably more experience of winning Oceania’s major club competition — and with previous knowledge of the domestic game in Vanuatu itself.

For Vanuatu United, the second OFC Pro League season will therefore begin with a different coach but an even stronger emphasis on connecting the country’s professional project with its wider football pathway.

The Hopp era produced Vanuatu’s first regional national-team title in 25 years and an OFC Pro League semi-final. The task for Riera will be to turn that promising beginning into the next stage of Vanuatu United’s development.

Roy Krishna after Fiji’s MSG Cup triumph: “It was long overdue to win a trophy at home”

Fiji captain Roy Krishna described the Bula Boys’ MSG Prime Minister’s Cup success as a long-awaited moment for the country after Fiji defeated defending champions Vanuatu 1-0 in the final in Suva, ending a 26-year wait for a senior Melanesian title.

Thomas Dunn scored the decisive goal after only ten minutes at HFC Bank Stadium, completing a remarkable tournament turnaround for a Fiji side that had started the competition with a 3-3 draw against Solomon Islands and then suffered a 1-0 defeat to the same Vanuatu team they would eventually meet again in the final.

For Krishna, however, the significance of the night extended beyond simply reversing that earlier result.

“It was long overdue to win a trophy at home,” the Fiji captain said after the final.

The victory gave Fiji their first Melanesian senior men’s crown since the 2000 Melanesia Cup and their first since the regional competition was revived under the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup name. For one of the most experienced players in Pacific football, lifting the trophy in front of a home crowd carried particular importance.

Krishna also used the moment to recognise those around him rather than place the focus on his own contribution. He paid tribute to his teammates, acknowledged the work of fellow senior player Tevita Waranaivalu and highlighted the role of head coach Stéphane Auvray in building the current side.

The captain also thanked the supporters who followed Fiji throughout the competition and called on them to remain behind a team that is still going through a generational transition. Krishna’s message after the final was that winning the MSG Cup should not be seen as the end of the process, but as an early reward for a group being built with the future in mind.

That point is particularly significant given the composition of Auvray’s squad. Fiji combined experienced figures such as Krishna and Waranaivalu with a younger group that included players being given increasing responsibility at senior international level. Dunn, who scored the winner in the final and was later named the tournament’s Golden Ball winner, became one of the clearest examples of that transition.

Krishna himself had an important role in the decisive moment. His diagonal pass opened the Vanuatu defence before Dunn attacked the space and finished the move to put Fiji ahead. From there, the Bula Boys were required to defend for long periods as Vanuatu attempted to find a way back into the contest.

The result also completed Fiji’s recovery from a difficult beginning to the tournament. After surrendering a two-goal advantage in the 3-3 draw with Solomon Islands, they were beaten by Vanuatu in their second match. Consecutive victories over Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia then carried Fiji into the final, where they overturned the earlier defeat and denied Vanuatu successive MSG titles.

Krishna’s post-match comments therefore reflected both relief and perspective. Fiji finally had a trophy again, and this one had been won at home, but the veteran captain was already directing attention towards what comes next.

For a national side increasingly focused on constructing a team capable of competing through the next World Cup cycle, the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup has provided something that development projects also need: tangible success.

After 26 years without a Melanesian senior title, Fiji have one again.

And according to their captain, the achievement should be viewed as a beginning rather than a destination.

Thomas Dunn fires Fiji past Vanuatu as Bula Boys end 26-year wait for Melanesian crown

Fiji are champions of the 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup after defeating defending champions Vanuatu 1-0 in the men’s final at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, completing a remarkable recovery from a difficult start to the tournament and lifting a Melanesian senior men’s title for the first time since 2000.

Thomas Dunn scored the goal that decided the final after only 10 minutes, with captain Roy Krishna playing a decisive role in creating the breakthrough. Krishna picked out Dunn with an excellent diagonal pass that opened the Vanuatu defence and left the forward with space to attack the goalkeeper. Dunn kept his finish low and the ball went through the goalkeeper as he attempted to make the save, crossing the line to give the Bula Boys an early 1-0 advantage.

The combination between Krishna and Dunn was particularly fitting for Fiji. Krishna had been one of the central figures throughout the tournament, while Dunn had already found the net in Fiji’s dramatic 3-3 opening draw against Solomon Islands. In the final, the experienced captain supplied the pass and Dunn delivered the finish that ultimately separated the two sides.

The early goal also changed the nature of a final between teams that knew each other extremely well. Vanuatu had defeated Fiji 1-0 during the round-robin stage, with Bill Kaltfer Kaltack scoring the winner in the 70th minute of that encounter. This time, however, Fiji struck first and were able to force the defending champions to chase the match.

Vanuatu remained competitive and continued searching for a route back into the contest. Richard Iwai’s team had already shown considerable resilience during the tournament, recovering from an opening 2-1 defeat against Papua New Guinea to collect seven points and finish at the top of the round-robin standings on goal difference. Against Fiji in the final, though, the breakthrough never arrived.

The Bula Boys carried their 1-0 advantage into halftime and were required to defend it under increasing pressure during the second period. Vanuatu pushed forward looking for the equaliser, but Fiji remained organised and disciplined at the back, protecting the narrow advantage through to the final whistle.

For Fiji, the victory completed an impressive turnaround. Stéphane Auvray’s side had taken only one point from their opening two matches, surrendering a 3-1 advantage in a 3-3 draw with Solomon Islands before losing 1-0 to Vanuatu. At that stage, even reaching the final had become uncertain.

Their response transformed the campaign. Fiji defeated Papua New Guinea 2-0 before coming from behind to beat New Caledonia 2-1 in their final round-robin match, with Scott Wara equalising and teenage striker Maikah Dau scoring the winner. Those six points lifted Fiji to seven, enough to finish second behind Vanuatu and earn a rematch with the defending champions.

The final therefore became an opportunity for Fiji not only to win the competition but also to reverse the result that had placed their tournament in danger less than two weeks earlier. Dunn’s early goal provided exactly that, and the hosts then showed a defensive control they had not always possessed during the opening stages of the competition.

The triumph carries considerable historical significance. Fiji were the dominant nation during the original Melanesian Cup era, winning the regional competition five times between 1988 and 2000, but had not lifted the Melanesian men’s crown since their last title 26 years ago. Since the tournament was revived as the MSG Prime Minister’s Cup, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu had all won the trophy before Fiji finally reclaimed the regional crown on home soil.

It is also Fiji’s first men’s title of the modern MSG Prime Minister’s Cup era and provides an early success for Auvray as he continues reshaping the national team with an eye towards the next World Cup cycle. The tournament featured established figures such as Krishna alongside a younger generation including Dunn and Dau, giving Fiji both an immediate trophy and further encouragement for the years ahead.

For Vanuatu, the defeat ends their attempt to successfully defend the title they won in 2025. They had entered the final having already beaten Fiji once and finished above the hosts in the group standings, but this time one moment proved decisive.

Krishna found the opening. Dunn supplied the finish. Fiji protected it for the remaining 80 minutes.

Twenty-six years after their previous Melanesian title, the Bula Boys are champions again.

Auckland City strengthen attack with Somali international Bilal Habib ahead of National League title defence

Auckland City FC have added international experience to their attacking options with the signing of Somalia international Bilal Habib ahead of the Navy Blues’ 2026 New Zealand National League campaign.

The 25-year-old joins Auckland City from NPL Victoria side Green Gully SC and is expected to be available when the defending champions begin their National League season against Eastern Suburbs at Madills Farm on Sunday.

Australian-born Habib stands at 191cm and has primarily operated as a winger and forward. He arrives in New Zealand after building considerable experience within Victoria’s competitive state football system, having represented South Melbourne, Heidelberg United and Altona Magic before joining Green Gully for the 2026 season.

His international career adds another dimension to the signing. Habib has made six senior appearances for Somalia, all coming during the country’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. His international debut came against Guinea in March 2025.

The forward also showed his ability to make an impact during a difficult 2026 NPL Victoria campaign for Green Gully. He scored as the Cavaliers recorded an important victory over South Melbourne and later found the net in a 3-1 win against Dandenong Thunder. Habib was also on target in a 2-2 draw with Preston Lions and contributed creatively during Green Gully’s improved performances in the second half of the season.

Auckland City will now look to transfer those qualities into the New Zealand game.

Habib has already trained with his new teammates and said the standards he encountered at Kiwitea Street immediately reinforced the reputation of the club.

“I’ve heard nothing but good things,” he said. “My first impression of the club in terms of the training sessions and the standards has been really good. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the National League as well and what’s to come from it.”

Although the Australian season has finished, Habib said he has continued training independently and believes he is ready to contribute immediately.

“The season’s finished in Australia but I’ve been doing my own training, staying on top of my fitness and making sure I’m ready,” he said. “In terms of being able to start games or impact games, I’m more than ready for that.”

His objective at Auckland City is equally clear. Asked by the club what he wanted to achieve during the campaign, Habib gave a one-word answer: “Silverware.”

He joins a club accustomed to exactly that. Auckland City enter the competition as back-to-back National League champions after retaining the title in dramatic fashion against Wellington Olympic in December 2025. The final finished 2-2 after extra time before City prevailed 7-6 in the penalty shootout.

The Navy Blues had a bye during the opening round of the 2026 championship, meaning Sunday’s meeting with Eastern Suburbs will be their first National League fixture of the season. It also comes after another demanding year in which Auckland City continued to compete domestically and internationally.

For Habib, the move represents a first opportunity in New Zealand football after several years in Victoria. For Auckland City, it adds a physically imposing and internationally experienced attacker to a squad attempting to extend one of the strongest winning records in Oceania football.

Vanuatu stun defending champions PNG on penalties to win first Women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup title

Vanuatu have produced the biggest result in their recent women’s football history, defeating defending champions Papua New Guinea on penalties to lift the 2026 Women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.

The final finished 1–1 after regulation time before Vanuatu held their nerve in the decisive shootout to take the trophy. The final scoreboard finished 6–4 in Vanuatu’s favour when the penalties were included, completing a remarkable turnaround against a Papua New Guinea team that had dominated the competition until the final.

PNG entered the decider having won every match of the round-robin stage. Ericson Komeng’s side defeated Fiji 4–0, New Caledonia 4–1, Vanuatu 2–0 and Solomon Islands 5–1, scoring 15 goals while conceding only once. Their earlier victory against Vanuatu appeared to underline the gap between the two finalists, with Phylis Pala and Keren Kalapai scoring in that meeting.

The final proved completely different.

Papua New Guinea struck first in the 23rd minute and appeared to be moving towards another controlled performance. Vanuatu, however, refused to allow the defending champions to establish the same authority they had shown throughout the group stage. Their response arrived before half-time, with the Ni-Vanuatu side equalising in the 42nd minute to send the teams into the break level at 1–1.

That goal changed the complexion of the match. PNG had spent much of the tournament playing from positions of strength, but Vanuatu forced them into a much tighter contest in which the margins became increasingly small. The Bilums still carried considerable attacking experience through players such as Keren Kalapai, Meagen Gunemba, Ramona Padio and Calista Maneo, but this time Vanuatu were able to prevent the defending champions from finding the decisive second goal.

The second half therefore developed into a battle of patience and concentration. Vanuatu had already demonstrated during the competition that they could compete in close matches, drawing 1–1 with Solomon Islands and beating Fiji 1–0 before their emphatic 5–0 victory over New Caledonia. Against PNG in the final, that resilience became even more important as they remained level through the closing stages and forced the title to be decided from the penalty spot.

The shootout provided the decisive reversal of the tournament. Papua New Guinea had arrived in the final with a perfect record and had already beaten Vanuatu convincingly during the round-robin phase, but the Ni-Vanuatu players converted when the pressure was at its highest and capitalised on PNG’s misses to take the title.

For Vanuatu, the triumph represents their first Women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup crown. They had finished behind PNG during the group phase and only secured their place in the final after Solomon Islands were beaten 5–1 by the Bilums in their last match, leaving Vanuatu ahead in the race for second place.

From that position, they went on to defeat the tournament’s outstanding team when it mattered most.

The result also ends Papua New Guinea’s hold on the trophy. The Bilums won the inaugural women’s competition in Port Moresby in 2025, beating Fiji 3–0 in the final, and arrived in Suva appearing well placed to defend the title after four consecutive victories.

Instead, the 2026 competition finishes with a new champion.

For Vanuatu women’s football, the title carries great significance. Their pathway through the tournament was far less dominant than PNG’s, but they survived the difficult moments, reached the final and then produced their strongest result against the opponent that had already beaten them earlier in the competition.

Papua New Guinea leave Suva having been the most prolific team across the tournament, but Vanuatu leave with the trophy — completing a memorable comeback from their 2–0 group-stage defeat and becoming the second champions in the short history of the Women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup.

Kosta Barbarouses joins South Melbourne as All Whites veteran prepares for new chapter in Australia and Oceania

New Zealand international Kosta Barbarouses has joined South Melbourne FC, bringing one of the most experienced careers in Australasian football to a club preparing to compete on several fronts over the coming months.

The 36-year-old forward moves to Lakeside Stadium following the end of his spell with Western Sydney Wanderers. Barbarouses spent one season with the A-League side, making 28 appearances and scoring 11 goals across all competitions before departing at the conclusion of his contract.

His arrival gives South Melbourne another major piece for a particularly demanding period. The Victorian club are the defending Australian Championship winners, will feature again in the OFC Pro League in 2027 and continue to compete in NPL Victoria. Barbarouses is expected to be available across those competitions during the next 12 months.

There is also an immediate target ahead. South Melbourne are preparing for the Australia Cup final against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on October 10, another significant occasion for a club that has continued to strengthen its position within the Australian game.

For Oceania football, the signing carries particular interest because Barbarouses arrives at one of the leading teams in the region’s new professional competition. South Melbourne reached the inaugural OFC Pro League final earlier this year, eventually losing 2-1 to Auckland FC at Eden Park. The club has since received approval for its 2027 licence and is already building towards another campaign.

Barbarouses brings an extensive winning background. The Wellington-born attacker has collected four A-League championships during a career that included Brisbane Roar, Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC. He was part of Brisbane’s 2011 championship side, won with Victory in 2015 and 2018 and added another title with Sydney in 2020.

His contribution in major matches has also been significant. Barbarouses scored in Melbourne Victory’s 3-0 Grand Final win over Sydney FC in 2015 and later produced the decisive goal against Newcastle Jets in the 2018 final.

South Melbourne football director Peter Kokotis highlighted both the footballing quality and the experience the New Zealander can bring to the squad.

“He has won championships at some of the biggest clubs in the country and knows what it takes to perform when the stakes are highest,” Kokotis said.

“His quality, movement and ability to create and finish chances will give us another dimension in attack. Just as valuable is the experience he brings to the dressing room and the example he can set for our younger players.”

Barbarouses also remains closely connected to the international game. Having made his senior debut for New Zealand in 2008 after representing the country at youth level, he was part of the All Whites squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The move therefore extends a senior career that has already taken him through New Zealand, Australia, Russia and Greece. Instead of marking a quiet final stage, his switch to South Melbourne places him within a club pursuing domestic silverware while remaining directly involved in Oceania’s expanding professional football structure.

South Melbourne will begin their Australian Championship title defence against Sutherland Sharks on October 17, with Barbarouses now adding another proven attacking option ahead of what is shaping up to be another busy year for the club.

Vanuatu defend their Melanesian crown against hosts Fiji in MSG Prime Minister’s Cup final

Vanuatu arrived in Fiji carrying the title of Melanesian champions. On Saturday, they will have to defeat the host nation in its own stadium to take it home again.

The defending champions face Fiji in the men’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup final at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, bringing together two teams that finished level on seven points after very different journeys through the round-robin stage.

For Fiji, the final represents an opportunity to end a remarkable wait. The country that dominated the old Melanesian Cup has not lifted the regional men’s title since 2000. Vanuatu, meanwhile, are attempting to defend the crown they won in Port Moresby last year.

There is also an immediate history between Saturday’s finalists. They have already met once in this tournament, with Vanuatu winning 1–0 through Bill Kaltack’s second-half goal.

That defeat left Fiji with only one point from their opening two games and placed the hosts under considerable pressure. Their response ultimately transformed their tournament.

Fiji had started with a dramatic 3–3 draw against Solomon Islands before the setback against Vanuatu. Stéphane Auvray’s team then defeated Papua New Guinea 2–0 and entered its final group match against New Caledonia still needing a result to reach the decider.

Even then, the route was not straightforward.

New Caledonia led 1–0 at half-time, putting Fiji’s qualification hopes in danger. Scott Wara equalised five minutes after the restart before Maikah Dau completed the comeback in the 66th minute, securing a 2–1 victory and a place in Saturday’s final.

Dau’s emergence has been one of the positive developments of the tournament for a Fiji squad combining established internationals with players trying to strengthen their position in the national team. At the other end of the experience scale stands captain Roy Krishna, whose presence gives the hosts a player accustomed to carrying expectations in major international matches.

Vanuatu’s path has been equally eventful.

Their title defence began badly when they conceded twice in the closing minutes to lose 2–1 against Papua New Guinea. Tony Kaltack had given Vanuatu the lead in the 77th minute, only for Nalau Moses and Ezekiel Vela to turn the match around.

Rather than allowing the defeat to define their tournament, Vanuatu responded immediately against Fiji. Bill Kaltack finished a well-constructed move inside the penalty area to secure the 1–0 victory that changed the direction of their campaign.

A remarkable 3–3 draw with Solomon Islands followed. Andrew Malakai and Tony Kaltack were among Vanuatu’s scorers in a match where neither side managed to establish lasting control, before the defending champions produced their most convincing result of the competition by defeating New Caledonia 4–1.

That left Vanuatu on seven points, the same total eventually reached by Fiji, but with the superior goal difference required to finish top of the standings.

Saturday therefore offers a second meeting between two sides that already know each other extremely well. Fiji have direct evidence of the difficulty Vanuatu can cause them, while the hosts have improved considerably since that defeat and have won their last two matches.

The final also carries a wider significance for both national teams.

Fiji have used the competition under Auvray to continue assessing a new generation around experienced figures such as Krishna, while Vanuatu entered the tournament with a reshaped squad and without several important names from the team that won the title in 2025. Yet both have reached the same destination.

For Vanuatu, victory would confirm that last year’s triumph was not an isolated achievement and would give them consecutive Melanesian titles.

For Fiji, the opportunity is different: a home final, in front of their own supporters, with the possibility of lifting the Melanesian crown for the first time in 26 years.

Vanuatu won the first battle between them in Suva.

This time, there is a trophy waiting at the end.

MSG Prime Minister’s Cup Final
Vanuatu v Fiji
HFC Bank Stadium, Suva
Saturday, 3 October — 4pm

PNG stand one win away from another Melanesian crown as Vanuatu prepare for second chance in MSG women’s tournament final

Papua New Guinea have been the dominant force of the 2026 Women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup, but one final challenge remains as the defending champions prepare to face Vanuatu for the title at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Saturday.

The final brings together the top two teams from the round-robin stage, although their routes to the decider could hardly have been more different. PNG arrive with a perfect record of four victories from four matches, while Vanuatu had to wait until the final matchday to discover that their seven points would be enough to finish second.

For the Bilums, the numbers tell much of the story. They scored 15 goals and conceded only once during the group stage, defeating every other team in the competition. Their campaign began with a commanding 4–0 victory over hosts Fiji before another 4–1 success against New Caledonia.

Vanuatu then provided a considerably tighter examination. The match remained goalless through the first half before Phylis Pala broke the resistance shortly after the restart and Keren Kalapai added the second in a 2–0 PNG victory.

If that performance demonstrated that the Bilums could find a way through a difficult match, their final group fixture showed the other side of their game. Solomon Islands entered needing only a draw to qualify for the final ahead of Vanuatu, but PNG refused to ease off despite already having secured first place.

Kalapai scored twice, Meagen Gunemba added another brace and Calista Maneo was also on target as PNG dismantled Solomon Islands 5–1. The result completed a perfect round-robin campaign and, indirectly, opened the door for Vanuatu to return to the competition.

Kalapai has been at the centre of PNG’s attacking success. Her first-half hat-trick against Fiji immediately established her as one of the tournament’s standout performers, and she has continued scoring throughout the competition. Gunemba’s experience and Maneo’s contribution have given PNG several different attacking routes rather than leaving the defending champions dependent on a single player.

That depth will be one of Vanuatu’s major problems on Saturday.

Their own tournament has been considerably tighter. Vanuatu opened with a 1–1 draw against Solomon Islands, with Jane Alatoa scoring their goal, before recording the narrow victories they needed to remain in contention. They defeated Fiji 1–0 and produced a convincing 5–0 result against New Caledonia before losing 2–0 to PNG.

Seven points left Vanuatu level with Solomon Islands, but with a superior goal difference. Their place in the final was therefore only confirmed when PNG defeated the Solomon Islands in the final round.

It creates an unusual opportunity. Vanuatu have already experienced what it takes to contain PNG for a significant period of a match, having held them scoreless for the entire first half of their previous meeting. The challenge now is to sustain that resistance while also finding a way to threaten a defence that has conceded just once in four games.

For PNG, Saturday is about completing what has so far been an almost flawless tournament.

The Bilums won the inaugural Women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup in Port Moresby last year and arrived in Fiji as the team to beat. Their performances have only reinforced that position, while the tournament also serves as valuable international preparation ahead of their next major challenges on the road towards the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Vanuatu, however, enter the final with very little to lose. They have already survived the qualification race and now receive the opportunity every finalist wants: another match against the team that beat them.

The first encounter belonged to Papua New Guinea. Saturday determines whether the tournament does as well.

Women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup Final
Papua New Guinea v Vanuatu
HFC Bank Stadium, Suva
Saturday, 3 October