The current national champions of Solomon Islands continue their training sessions even during the break of Telekom S-League; the Solomon Warriors are currently nine points away from the top of the national league – Henderson Eels have 34 points while Warriors have 25 points, but they still have one match to be played in comparison with Eels.
Recent pictures posted by players and staff of the team prove their hard work during the break; important names such as Alvin Hou and Dennis Ifunaoa are attending the training alongnside the rest of the squad.
The league that is set to resume next month in Honiara as it is having a break due the traditional tournament Solomon Cup that is being held at national stadium Lawson Tama. But, even during this absence of competitive football, Warriors continue their training expecting to improve and defend their crown in Solomon Islands.
Solomon Warriors during training – Theodore Inomae
Warriors are preparing for their next match in the national league that is going to be played against the bottom-ranked side Malaita Kingz at Lawson Tama Stadium.
The traditional Solomon Cup continued this Thursday with two thrilling games at Lawson Tama Stadium; the first match of the day saw the Kakamorans of Makira Ulawa to collect their second victory in a row in the tournament against Isabel Frigates.
After a goalless first half, at the 59th minute of the game Philip Polancos opened the scoreline in favour of the team in black. The match proved to be very constested by both sides; the team coached by George Fafale could only confirm their three points in the clasg in the late stages of the game: George Andrew Hanua scored his third goal in the tournament and doubled the lead for Makira. Just one minute later Climson Wari Mauto confirmed their win with one more goal scored. The final scoreline was in favour of Makira Ulawa: 3-0.
Makira Ulawa collected their second victory in two games played – SIFF Media
The second match of the day was even more contested; the Batram Suri coached side Renbel Ibis had to battle until the last minute of the game to confirm their first win in the competition against Central Shields.
Only at the 93th minute of the game Renbel Ibis took the lead with a header of Lavenstar Puia – you can watch the goal here. The first win of Ibis in the tournament put them in position to contest for one spot in the decisive phase of the 2020 Solomon Cup.
The round of football started this Thursday at Port Vila Municipal Stadium with the clash of the current national champions Galaxy FC against the newcomers at PVFA Vodafone Premier League Seveners United.
The match was totally under control of the team captained by Bong Kalo. The powerful striker Kensi Tangis opened the scoreline in favour of Galaxy and still in the first half the recent signing Andre Batick added another for the team coached by the Brazilian Diego Máximo.
Galaxy FC – PVFA Media
In the second half the party continued for Galaxy: the defender Joseph Iaruel came as attacker to add another for Galaxy and minutes later Galaxy’s star the Brazilian Roberson Felipe scored the fourth for his team.
Tangis still had time to score his second goal of the day and Yvong August finished the game giving it final numbers: a strong performance for Galaxy that ended up with a convincing 6-0 win over Seveners United. The newcomers did not have a chance against the top side.
After a lot of polemics, it was recently confirmed the match between Nadi and Rewa – one of the semi-finals of the 2020 Fiji FACT – will be continued this weekend at Subrail Park from the second half. Both sides have played the first 45 minutes last Saturday and Nadi was leading by 1-0 thanks to an early goal scored through a header by Vuniuci Tikomaimereke – watch the goal here.
The match was interrupted during the half-time as the officials of Fiji FA, finally, decided to postpone the matches due the bad weather and especially due the terrible conditions of the pitch at Subrail Park. After meetings, the decisive part of the Fiji FACT was decided to be played this next weekend at the same venue.
Fiji FACT’s Rewa and Nadi clash – FBC News
Rewa wanted to play 90 minutes in semifinals’ rematch, but their appeal was denied by the Fiji FA that decided to keep the scoreline of the first 45 minutes played last weekend. Many footballs fans expressed their doubts in the social media regarding the clash – a part in favour of Nadi, another in favour of Rewa. At the end of the day, the decision was taken to keep the result and restart from the second half this Saturday.
There are no specific FIFA regulations for this case; each tournament and national federation can create its own rules regarding the reschedule of abandoned matches. The situation was very unclear for this Fiji FACT as many football fans appealed saying in the past full rematches were played, not only a half of football. But the decision taken by the entity stands as the first semi-final will have only more 45 minutes; Labasa and Suva will decide the other finalist of the last major tournament of the year in Fiji.
Batram Suri is coaching Renbel Ibis in Solomon Cup – OFC Media
One of the most important players from Solomon Islands in the 1990’s, Batram Suri is still involved with football as he became one of the best head coaches in the country. The 49-year-old legend has already coached clubs in Vanuatu and U-20 and U-23 National Teams from his homeland.
Now, Suri is having a very interesting challenge in his career: to lead Renbel Ibis in Solomon Cup, one of the most traditional tournaments in the country. Ibis did not have a good start in the tournament, as they were defeated by Makira Ulawa by 5-0 in he opening clash. However, the 2-2 draw against Isabel Frigates brought hopes to the fans, who believe that they can still fight for a spot in the semifinals.
With two more matches to play in the group stage, Suri relies on the talent of Pateson Tongaka and Steve Mane in today’s do or die clash against Central Shields. Both teams need to win, since the loser of this match can be eliminated from the competition with a game in advance.
The clash between Renbel and Central is scheduled to kick-off at 4pm (local time) and it is going to be livstreamed by Solomon Islands Football Federation on Facebook. You can check more details about 2020 Solomon Cup by clicking here.
Malaita Eagles and Western Tomoko shared the spoils at Lawson Tama Stadium – Danzo Photography
The 2020 Solomon Cup reached its fifth day as two Group A games were contested his Wednesday. This matchday marked Temotu Warriors’ first win, while favourites Malaita Eagles and Western Tomoko shared the spoils at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands.
In the first clash of the day, Allen Aubo scored a brace to lead Temotu Warriors against Choiseul Kuvojo, as Warriors defeated their opponents by 3-0. The remaining goal was scored by Moffat Mongatea. With this result, Temotu Warriors reached the third position in the Group A with three points in two matches, while Choiseul Kuvojo remain on bottom of the group with two losses in two games.
The most exciting game was surely the clash between Malaita Eagles and Western Tomoko, two of the best teams in the tournament. Despite all excitement, neither team has found the net, as the final score was a nil-nil draw. This result keeps Eagles on top of the group, one point ahead Tomoko. You can check more details about 2020 Solomon Cup by clicking here.
After lots of complainings about Subrail Park’s pitch, the semifinals of 2020 Fiji FACT have been postponed. Now, the four remaining teams are getting ready for these clashes that are going to be contested this weekend.
It was confirmed by Fiji Football Association (FFA) that Subrail Park remains as the venue of the tournament, as this period of one week should be enough to improve the pitch conditions in the stadium. Also, FFA’s chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf revealed that the clash between Nadi and Rewa will not be restarted, so both teams will play only 45 minutes this weekend.
Nadi are the current Fiji FACT champions and the Green Machine takes an important advantage to the second half, as they were leading by 1-0 when the game was postponed. Despite being ahead by one goal, Nadi’s head coach Kamal Swamy keeps the focus on the rest of the match: “Our team is a young team with only three senior players, but we will do our best and we will try to win,” said Swamy to FBC Sports.
On the other hand, the decision taken by FFA disappointed Rewa’s board, as they were expecting to play 90 minutes this Saturday. Anyway, the Delta Tigers are good enough to bounce back and get a spot in the final: “Winning this Fiji FACT will be a boost for everyone. We’ll have something to take home at the end of the season,” stated Rewa’s player Tevita Waranaivalu.
Referees and captains before last weekend’s first half in the clash between Rewa and Nadi – Fiji FA Media
The second semifinal will be contested between hosts Labasa and current Vodafone Premier League champions Suva. The postponement of the match was good for both teams: Labasa can count on Ashnil Raju, who is back in the squad after his wedding, while Suva will probably count on key players like Beniaminio Mateinaqara and Christopher Wasasala – two players who would not have played if the match had contested been last week. However, it was reported by Suva’s president Ritesh Pratap that Kelvin Naidu and Simione Nabenu are expected to lose this clash due to injury.
Current Inter-District Champions, Labasa can count on the crowd support against Suva. However, the Babasiga Lions know that it is an extra pressure on them: “There is additional pressure to play at home having the expectations of the fans but, we wil do well,” stated Labasa’s president Rayaz Khan.
The winner of each match will meet at Subrail Park on Sunday to decide which side will lift the Fiji FACT’s trophy this year. You can check more information about the tournament by clicking here.
Manukau United starting eleven in a Lotto NRFL Premier Men’s match – Manukau United Media
Only eight teams are fighting for the title in the current ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership, the national football league from New Zealand, once Southern United and Tasman United merged with Canterbury United for 2020-21.
However, the number of participants in the ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership is likely to increase again for the next seasons. After applying for a National League Club License in September, Manukau United board was informed that their application has been successful, allowing them to be part of the national league.
“A special thank you to the volunteer Manukau United board for driving this important work and to New Zealand Football for working with us through the club licensing processes and understanding the opportunities that enabling progress in our region brings to our communities and for football in Aotearoa,” stated the club on social media.
Manukau United currently play the Lotto NRFL Premier, one of the most important regional leagues in the country. They are also known for promoting diversity, as the team includes players of various nationalities and backgrounds. Oceania Football Center congratulate Manukau United for this major accomplishment.
AS Magenta’s midfielder Fonzy Ranchain undergoes knee surgery after getting injured against Hienghène Sport at the Caledonia Cup’s semi-final on 17 October. The 26-year-old midfielder is expected to spend a couple of months out of football due to this injury.
Ranchain was being an important player in the team coached by Alain Moizan, and his absence is being felt inside the pitch, especially at the current moment of the season, when AS Magenta battle for the national title against Hienghène Sport, Horizon Patho and Tiga Sport.
Ranchain playing for AS Magenta in 2020 OFC Champions League – OFC Media
He joined AS Magenta earlier this year coming from AS Lössi to play 2020 OFC Champions League. He scored one goal and delivered one assist in two matches in the continental tournament. Oceania Football Center wish him a fast recovery.
Savusavu players celebrating the title – Fiji FA Media
The 2020 Fiji FA Presidents Cup reached its end in Fiji as the final clash of the tournament was contested this Sunday. Six teams, all from Vanua Levu, were split in two groups of three teams each and Savusavu were crowned champions after defeating Nadogo in the final clash.
After finishing the Vodafone Senior League on top of Vanua Levu Zone, Bua did not have a good performance in this tournament. The orange side lost all their two matches and finished on bottom of Group A. Savusavu advanced to the final after finishing on top of the group, followed by Seaqaqa. In the Group B, Nadogo secured a spot in the final clash, while Taveuni finished second. Despite the favouritism, Dreketi had a bad performance in the tournament to finish on bottom of the group.
The second placed side of each group clashed in a third place play-off match, and Seaqaqa defeated Taveuni by 2-0 in this match, while Savusavu defeated Nadogo in the penalties to win the Fiji FA Presidents Cup.
Savausavu’s forward Maciu Dunadamu was the top scorer of the tournament while his teammate Shavneet Chandra received the Golden Ball Award – an award given to the best player of Fiji FA Presidents Cup. Nadogo’s Ravinesh Singh was considered the best goalkeeper of the tournament, and he deservedly received the Golden Glove. You can check more information about 2020 Fiji FA Presidents Cup by clicking here.
Oceania Football Center 