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 spentContinue reading “All Whites push Japan hard but fall 2-1 in Kirin Cup final”
Author Archives: Rafael Saltori
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 withContinue reading “Vanuatu United part ways with Lars Hopp and appoint Albert Riera for 2027 OFC Pro League”
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,Continue reading “Roy Krishna after Fiji’s MSG Cup triumph: “It was long overdue to win a trophy at home””
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 goalContinue reading “Thomas Dunn fires Fiji past Vanuatu as Bula Boys end 26-year wait for Melanesian crown”
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 NationalContinue reading “Auckland City strengthen attack with Somali international Bilal Habib ahead of National League title defence”
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.Continue reading “Vanuatu stun defending champions PNG on penalties to win first Women’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup title”
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 withContinue reading “Kosta Barbarouses joins South Melbourne as All Whites veteran prepares for new chapter in Australia and Oceania”
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 levelContinue reading “Vanuatu defend their Melanesian crown against hosts Fiji in MSG Prime Minister’s Cup final”
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 routesContinue reading “PNG stand one win away from another Melanesian crown as Vanuatu prepare for second chance in MSG women’s tournament final”
Fiji FA suspends Delon Shankar and Melvin Mani indefinitely as camp breaches rule both players out of IDC
Fiji Football Association has taken major disciplinary action against two national-team players, suspending Rewa’s Delon Shankar and Labasa’s Melvin Mani from all football until further notice following separate breaches connected to Fiji’s national-team camp. The decision immediately rules both players out of the upcoming FMF Inter-District Championship and creates an important setback for Rewa andContinue reading “Fiji FA suspends Delon Shankar and Melvin Mani indefinitely as camp breaches rule both players out of IDC”
