Oceania Football Center

Fiji FACT semi-finals unlikely to go on at Subrail Park

After a lot of discussion during the week, the semi-finals and final of 2020 Fiji FACT were confirmed to be played at Subrail Park in Labasa as previously scheduled by the Fiji FA. The matches were set to be played last weekend in the same venue, but they were postponed due bad weather and the terrible conditions of the pitch in the stadium.

A decision is yet to be issue by the Fiji FA, but the conditions of Subrail Park did not improve in the past days – the same as the weather. Important streets of Labasa got flooded and the pitch of Subrail Park remains unplayable. Sources appointed the possibility of the matches to be played at Labasa Sangam SKM College grounds, in the same city.

The current conditions of the Subrail Park

If Fiji FA decided to postponed the competitions due the bad situation of the pitch, the obvious decision now is to do the same as the ground seems to be as bad as it was in the last weekend. Whether the entity will look for another venue or will postpone once again the Fiji FACT semi-finals is still uncertain.

Michael Boxall’s Minnesota United makes history in Major League Soccer

New Zealand’s international Michael Boxall helped his team in United States to make history; Minnesota United won away from home Sporting KC by 3-0 to advanced in Major League Soccer’s playoffs – all goals were scored in the first half of the clash.

The All Whites‘ international played all minutes of the match while another New Zealander – Noah Billingsley – was in the bench for Minnesota, but the winger was not involved in the match. Another New Zealander, James Musa, is part of Minnesota squad, but he was not listed for this playoff match against Sporting KC.

After beating Colorado Rapids in the last playoff match in Minneapolis, the Loons met Sporting KC ain Kansas City. The Trinidad and Tobago international Kevin Molino scored a double and Bakaye Dibassy added another for Boxall’s side – all goals were scored into 12 minutes in the first half.

Boxall (center) celebrates – *USA TODAY Sports*

Now Minnesota is heading for Western Conference final against Seattle Sounders that defeated FC Dallas in the process. This is already the best campaign ever Minnesota is doing at Major League Soccer and Boxall is being a crucial part of the team’s success.

Solomon Cup: Malaita Eagles clinch semi-final berth as Guadalcanal thrashes Choiseul

The entertatining Solomon Cup continued this Friday with two important matches in the Group A: Malaita Eagles confirmed their favouritism and is set to defend their title in the semi-finals after a dominant win over Temotu Arrows. In the other match Guadalcanal Hornets kept in the run for the second place in the group as they smashed Choiseul Kuvojo.

The first match of the day saw Malaita to grab an early lead thanks to Tommy Sorohite; the current champions were just able to score again after the break. Junior Zimri at the 47th minute and Joseph Nowae at th 63th confirmed the win for Eagles that is going to top the Group A as no other team can reach their 10 points in the table.

Malaita players celebrate one of their goals – *SIFF Media*

The second match of the day between Guadalcanal and Choiseul also had its account opened very early in the match; Nelson Lodi at the 8th minute put Guada upfront in the scoreline. Rafael Ray scored a brace still in the first half to give Hornets a comfortable lead at the break. In the final 45 minutes the substitutes shined for Guadalcanal: Peniel Goldy Ogaoga scored the fourth for his side at the 71th minute and Micheal Chikia at the 78th scored the final goal of his side – Choiseul Kuvojo still managed to cut the deficit at the 89th minute of play thanks to John Kamayae.

Guadalcanal Hornets’ Rafael Ray celebrates one of his goals – *SIFF Media*

Guadalcanal is now one point away Western Tomoko – currently ranked 2nd – with their first win in the competition as Choiseul can not reach Tomoko; they are already out of the contetion at 2020 Solomon Cup.

You can check the full results, updates standings and top scorers so far of the tournament by visiting our session of Solomon Cup!

Can Ilisoni Lolaivalu shine again for Labasa?

Ilisoni Lolaivalu is the man of the moment in Labasa – *Fiji FA Media*

Ilisoni Lolaivalu is living the best season of his career. The 27-year-old forward is now a key player in Labasa and he just cannot stop impressing people with his quality in Fiji, specially when he helped his side to win the Inter-District Championship earlier this year.

With eleven goals scored so far in the season, Labasa fans put their hopes on him for today’s clash against Suva in Fiji FACT semifinals. It is not going to be an easy challenge, but Lolaivalu counts on the crowd support to face the current league champions.

This match will put the two ‘men of the moment’ face-to-face: Ilisoni Lolaivalu and Sairusi Nalaubu. The success of both teams passes through these players’ feet, and it will probably be no different in Fiji FACT semifinals.

The clash between Labasa and Suva is scheduled to kick-off at 1pm (local time) at Subrail Park in Labasa. You can check more details about 2020 Fiji FACT by clicking here.

Suva ready to go all out against Labasa in Fiji FACT

Suva will face Labasa in FIji FACT semifinals – *Fiji FA Media*

After finishing second in the group stage, Suva’s next challenge in 2020 Fiji FACT will be against tournament hosts Labasa this Saturday. The Capital City Boys had an extra week to get ready for this important match.

This clash was scheduled for last Saturday, but it was postponed by Fiji Football Association due to Subrail Park’s pitch conditions. It was a good thing for Suva, as Beniaminio Mateinaqara and Christopher Wasasala – two players who would not have played if the match had been contested last week – must be available for this game.

On the other hand, it was reported by Suva’s president Ritesh Pratap that Kelvin Naidu and Simione Nabenu are expected to lose this clash due to major injuries. Besides the injuries, Pratap is also worried with pitch conditions: “I think the players did not show their full potential in the group stage because of the ground condition. Hopefully, the weather holds, and the ground condition improves so that the players can show their real capabilities and fans can enjoy a good level of football on Saturday,” he revealed.

The bad news is that more rain is expected to come this weekend, what could force another postponement in Fiji FACT semifinals. However, it was reported by Fiji FA that they have a ‘Plan B’ if this happens. The clash between Suva and Labasa is scheduled to kick-off at 1pm (local time). You can check more details about the tournament by clicking here.

Lavenstar Puia makes history for Renbel Ibis at Solomon Cup

One of the most magic moments of the current Solomon Cup took place this Thursday at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, when Lavenstar Puia gave Renbel Ibis their first victory in the tournament.

Puia, who is well known for being a Rugby Sevens player, was in the starting eleven in the team coach by legendary Batram Suri, and he headed the ball into net in the 93rd minute to seal Ibis’ 1-0 victory over Central Shields. You can check his goal by clicking here.

Puia celebrating his goal – *The Island Sun/Peter Zoleveke II*

Renbel Ibis are currently in the third position in Group B with four points in three matches. Lavenstar and his teammates still have one match, against Honiara Warriors, to fight for a spot in the semi-finals. You can check more information about 2020 Solomon Cup by clicking here.

Kiwis shine in crucial win of Melbourne Victory at Asian Champions League

The COVID-19 pandemics forced a different lifestyle for everyone; football was no different. One good example of this is the 2020 AFC Champions League, the most important club football tournament of Asia, that was forced to be played in just one venue – Doha, Qatar. All the remaining matches of the group stage and knock-out stage are being played at the next FIFA World Cup venue. The final match is set to be played at 19th November.

One of the teams represeting Australia in the tournament is Melbourne Victory; the team needed a win against South Korean side FC Seoul – and they did so, with many difficulties, with the help of three New Zealand international.

Three Kiwis started the match for Victory – the goalkeeper Max Crocombe, the right-back Storm Roux and the winger Marco Rojas. The game started well for Victory when Rojas opened the scoreline at the 5th minute of play and still in the first half, Jake Brimmer doubled the lead through a penalty-kick. Seoul was able just to pull one back thans to Hwang Hyun-Soo.

Rojas (right) celebrates his goal – *AFC Media*

The South Koreans finished 24 times while Victory had only 5 shots to the goal – the Australians had 30% of ball possession, while FC Seoul had 70%. Efficiency and a solid defensive work were key for the important victory of Melbourne.

The three Kiwis and Victory are the only side of Australia to qualify for the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League; both Perth Glory and Sydney FC were knocked-out in the group stage. The next opponents of Victory will be also from South Korea: the Austalians and Ulsan Hyundai will be deciding one spot at the quarter-finals of the continental tournament.

‘Hail Lord Krishna’: Fijian star scores in stoppage time at Indian Super League

The question is: who can stop Roy Krishna? The Fijian just cannot stop scoring – and this comes from a long period! The striker headed it home once again for ATK-Mohun Bagan in the third round of Indian Super League. After a very contested match, the difference between both sides was the strike of the Fijian international: at the 95th minute of the game, Sandesh Jhingan flicked the ball into the middle of the area and Krishna with a smart header found the back of the nets to confirm the third win in three games played for the current Indian Super League title holders. Watch Krishna’s goal here.

Roy Krishna celebrates his goal – *SportsLounge*

“I’m extremely glad that we got the full three points. But it wasn’t easy. Odisha FC was coming out at us all guns blazing. We struggled a bit in the middle. However, this is our third clean sheet of the season. Our defenders have been proving themselves time and again. I’m happy to continue my scoring form. Three wins from three and we are a confident bunch. It’s the victory that matters at the end of the day“, said the Fijian after the match to SportStar.

Krishna’s ATK-MB is the only team in the league to win all three starting matches of the 2020/21 season. The Fijian is now tied with three other players in the golden boot race of the ISL season so far. Krishna had scored once each in the previous two matches of ATK-Mohun Bagan, that is also the only team still to concede a goal in the league.

Lexa Bibi: legendary defender coaches Sia-Raga in PVFA Vodafone Premier League

Retired from football, Lexa Bibi is now a head coach. The legendary defender has now an important mission: to lead Sia-Raga in 2020-21 PVFA Vodafone Premier League, the most important regional football league in Vanuatu.

With three losses in three matches, Sia-Raga are ninth in the league table. New head coach Lexa Bibi is going to have a great challenge with his new club, but he is used to big challenges: he was part of one of the greatest moments of Vanuatu Football’s history: the 4-2 victory over New Zealand in 2004 OFC Nations Cup. Bibi was in Vanuatu’s starting eleven and scored one goal in this historic clash.

Sia-Raga’s next challenge is going to be against Yatel this Saturday in the fourth matchweek of 2020-21 PVFA Vodafone Premier League. You can check the current league standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Fijian forward Leroy Jennings selected for ‘All Star’ match in Australia

National Premier Leagues’ season is coming to an end in Australia, as the regional finals are being contested over the country. However, a few regional leagues, like New South Wales and Queensland, have already finished.

These two regions will meet in a kind of ‘All Star Game’ on Saturday 12th December at Perry Park. Sixteen players are going to represent New South Wales (NSW) in this match, including Fijian forward Leroy Jennings: “I am very grateful and honoured to be given the opportunity to represent our state and play with a great group of top players in our competition. I cannot wait to go up there and get stuck into our rivals,” revealed Jennings to Football NSW.

Jennings had a major role at Blacktown City. The 22-year-old forward scored four goals in eleven matches and helped his side to finish the season in the sixth position. That is why he was called to the NSW team that will face the Queensland team in this match.

He represented Fiji at U-20 OFC Championship in 2016, when he scored one goal in three matches. Oceania Football Center team congratulates Leroy Jennings for this accomplishment.