Oceania Football Center

Marko Stamenic debuts for FC København in Denmark

Stamenic (in white) playing against Randers FC – *Lars Ronbog*

FC København faced Randers FC at Parken Stadium in the ninth matchweek of 2020-21 Superligaen, the top tier football league from Denmark. This match was very special for football fans from New Zealand as it marked the debut of Marko Stamenic for FC København’s first team.

Stamenic was in the starting eleven wearing the number 35, and he had a decent performance as a central midfielder during the time he was on the field. He left the pitch in the 71st minute when he was replaced by Pep Biel.

Despite having more ball possession, FC København saw Marvin Egho opening the scoreboard for Randers FC in the final minutes of the first half. Stamenic’s team equalized in the 54th minute with a goal scored by Mikkel Kaufmann, but Alhaji Kamara put Randers FC ahead again. At the final whistle, the score was 2-1 in favour of the visitors, that grabbed three important points.

Randers FC and FC København are in ninth and tenth place in the league table, respectively. Both teams have ten points in nine matches. You can check the current Superligaen standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Samoa: Lupe o le Soaga and Vaipuna to clash in local final

Lupe o le Soaga are still unbeaten in the season

Current league champions Lupe o le Soaga and Vaipuna are going to meet in the final of 2020 Premier Men’s National League in Samoa. Both sides secured their spots in the final after defeating their opponents in the semifinals contested this weekend.

Albert Bell and Lawrie Letutusa scored twice each as Lupe o le Soaga defeated Sogi by 5-0 while Vaipuna booked a spot in the final by beating Vaitele-Uta in the shootout by 11-10 after an 1-1 draw in the regular time.

The final clash of the season between Lupe and Vaipuna is going to take place this weekend. Vaipuna will have a tough mission as Lupe are still unbeaten in the season. You can check more information about the current Premier Men’s National League season by clicking here.

RSIPF Royals win Solrais Women’s Premier League in Solomon Islands

RSIPF Royals became the first-ever winners of the Solrais Women’s Premier League, the women’s national football league from the Solomon Islands, by beating Naha FC by 2-1 in the last match of the season.

Both sides reached the final week of the season with chances to lift the national trophy. While RSIPF Royals just needed a draw to win the league, Naha FC had to win this match to be crowned as the national champions.

RSIPF Royals defeated their opponents by 2-1 to finish the season unbeaten: twelve victories and two draws in fourteen matches, a huge campaign for a team that deservedly won the first-ever edition of Solrais Women’s Premier League.

RSIPF Royals – first-ever winners of the Solrais Women’s Premier League

This tournament was a big success. Having a sponsored Women’s National League is a huge accomplishment for the Solomon Islands as part of their preparation for 2023 Pacific Games that will be held in the country. You can check the full league standings by clicking here.

Waranaivalu shines as Rewa smash Labasa in Fiji FACT

Rewa starting eleven against Labasa – *Fiji FA Media*

Battle of the Giants’ champions Rewa and Inter-District Championship’s champions Labasa met at ANZ Stadium in the first matchweek of 2020 Fiji FACT – one of the most important football tournaments in the country.

Rewa had the biggest opportunity to score in the first half with Mohammed Khan‘s left foot, but his shot hammered the crossbar. The biggest actions came in the second half. Josateki Tamudu fouled Ashnil Raju inside the box and the referee awarded a penalty to Labasa. Ilisoni Logaivau had the opportunity to open the scoreboard but his shot hit the crossbar.

All goals were scored in the final third of the game. Setareki Hughes came from the bench to open the scoreboard for Rewa while Samuela Nabenia scored an outstanding goal from the right wing after a nice pass by Tevita Waranaivalu.

Waranaivalu was surely the man of the match. The 25-year-old midfielder scored two goals to seal Rewa’s victory by 4-0 in their first match in the tournament. You can check more information about 2020 Fiji FACT by clicking here.

Hienghène, Horizon, Magenta, and Tiga to fight for two spots in OFC Champions League

Hienghène Sport and AS Magenta represented New Caledonia in the last OFC Champions League – *MSL Media*

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The most important football league from New Caledonia was changed in 2020. Until 2019, the ten participating teams played eighteen matches each to decide the champion .This season, however, each team played only nine games.

The ninth matchweek of the season was contested this weekend and Tiga Sport finished on top of the table, followed by Hienghène Sport, AS Magenta and Horizon Patho. These four teams advanced to the final play-off to fight for two spots in 2021 OFC Champions League.

It was also reported by local federation that there is no relegation this season, while three teams are going to be promoted from the second tier, which means that 13 teams are going to contest the next Mobil Super Ligue.

The final play-off is set to kick-off on next Sunday at Stade Numa Daly in Nouméa. You can check more information about 2020 Mobil Super Ligue by clicking here.

Vanuatu: Galaxy collects important victory against Ifira Black Bird

The second round of the 2020/2021 edition of PVFA Vodafone Premier League – the top-tier of football in Vanuatu’s capital city Port Vila – thrilled the fans with a very important match: Galaxy FC and Ifira Black Bird. Led by the Brazilian coach Diego Máximo, Galaxy is the current champions of Port Vila, but Ifira Black Bird was the top-placed team in the previous season.

Tonly Kalotang was the top priority for Galaxy defense; the attacker was on fire in the last season and could be a real danger for the defensive system led by Seiloni Iaruel. A hard fought match for both sides that ended up with a very important victory for Galaxy thanks to a goal scored by the attacking midfielder Bong Kalo.

Galaxy FC starting team against Ifira Black Bird – *Galaxy FC*

The round was completed with a 2-1 victory of Erakor Golden Star against Mauwia thanks to goals of Jacky Ruben and Kaltfer Kaltack; Tafea 2-0 win over Yatel with goals scored by John Thomas and Micah Tommy and the 1-0 win of Tupuji Imere against Sia-Raga being the only goal of the clash scored by the young striker Azariah Soromon.

Before in the week North Efate United collected their second win in a row in their return to the top-tier of football in Port Vila as they surpassed Seveners United by 3-1. You can see the updated results, scorers and table by visting our session of PVFA Vodafone Premier League.

No chances for Navua against national champions Suva at Fiji FACT

Navua tried hard to stop the firepower of Suva’s attack at ANZ Stadium, but unfortunately for them their efforts were not enough to avoid a defeat against the current national champions of Fiji. Both sides played their first match at the last tournament of the year in Fiji as Suva jumps to the top of the group with this important victory.

Suva’s win started to be constructed thanks to a goal of Christopher Wasasala at the 12th of play. Navua managed to bounce back at the 27th minute of play with a goal of the veteran Alfred Ali after a Monit Chand set piece. Suva proved too strong for Navua – still in the first half, the wonderful moment of Sairusi Nalaubu continued as he put his team in front again at the 34th minute.

Suva players organised before the match against Navua – *Fiji FA Media*

Suva’s party at the second half continued – Nalaubu netted his second goal of the day and the third of the Capital City Boys. The experienced Meli Codro scored the last goal of the match at the 76th minute of play to confirm his team victory by 4-1 against the Navuans.

On the next Wednesday, both sides continue their way at the 2020 Fiji FACT: Navua will take on Lautoka while Nadi will be the opponents of the current national champions Suva. The game will be played in Labasa at Subrail Park.

Rusiate Matarerega makes the difference in Nadi’s win over Lautoka at Fiji FACT

Nadi started with an important win over Lautoka at Churchill Park. Without the important Avinesh Suwamy in the starting eleven, the top task of the day was at Fijian international Rusiate Matarerega shoulders and he made no mistake as he scored the game winner for the Jetsetters still in the first 45 minutes of the clash.

The bad season for Lautoka continues as they were unable to have a good start in another major tournament of the year – the Blues were knocked-out in the group stage of both Battle of Giants and Inter-District Championship and as well did not have a good season at Vodafone Premier League. The team now coached by Anginesh Prasad could not capitalise their opportunities in the second half and once again let their fans down at their home ground.

Rusiate Matarerega celebrates his goal against Lautoka – *Fiji FA Media*

Matarerega scored the winner at the 28th minute of the game with a strong finish from long range, giving no chance for Lautoka’s goalkepeer Joela Biuvanua. Both sides will regroup and play their last two matches of Fiji FACT’s group stage at Labasa’s Subrail Park at 25th November.

Joel Stevens’ team wins championship in Sweden

This year is being very successful for Joel Stevens. The 25-year-old forward from New Zealand returned to Europe to play for IFK Värnamo in Sweden, and he helped his team get promoted to Superettan – the second tier of Swedish football league system.

IFK Värnamo were the champions of Division 1 Södra, one of the two regional leagues that compose Swedish third tier. Stevens had an important role in the season by scoring four goals in 24 matches in the league.

That is Stevens’ second stint in Sweden, as he played for Husqvarna FF in 2018 before returning to New Zealand. He joined IFK Värnamo in February after playing a key role at Southern United in the first half of 2019-20 ISPS Handa Premireship.

We congratulate Stevens for this accomplishment.

Vanuatu: Tafea defeat Yatel in historic match

Tafea’s starting eleven against Yatel – *PVFA Media*

Tafea and Yatel clashed at PV Stadium in the second matchweek of 2020-21 PVFA Vodafone Premier League, the top tier league of Port Vila Football Association’s league system. This match became historic because it was broadcast live on Facebook.

While other nations such as the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea are already in the habit of broadcasting live matches on Facebook, Vanuatu is still a few steps behind. However, the transmission of the match between Tafea and Yatel is a huge accomplishment.

According to Port Vila Football Association, there will be PVFA Vodafone Premier League matches live on Facebook every week this season, so people from all over the world will be able to watch the best of Vanuatu football in the comfort of their homes

John Thomas opened the scoreboard in the first half while Micah Tommy found the net in the second half to seal Tafea’s 2-0 win in this historic match. After this game, another clash was broadcast live at PV Stadium: Galaxy vs Ifira Black Bird. Galaxy defeated Ifira by 1-0 with a goal scored by Bong Kalo.

Two other matches were contested in Port Vila this weekend: Erakor Golden Star defeated Mauwia by 2-1 while Tupuji Imere beat Sia-Raga by 1-0 with a goal scored by Azariah Soromon. You can check more information about 2020-21 PVFA Vodafone Premier League by clicking here.