Jesse Randall officially debuts for Hawke’s Bay United

After finishing ninth in the last ISPS Handa Premiership’s season, Hawke’s Bay United tried to build a stronger side to become a competitive side in 2020-21 – and the team’s biggest signing was Jesse Randall, one of the most promising players in local football.

Randall had a great breakthrough season in 2019-20 playing for Tasman United. He was also scored eighteen goals at 2020 Ultra Football Central League – one of the most important regional leagues from New Zealand – playing for North Wellington FC, and his arrival was celebrated by Hawke’s Bay United fans.

Jesse Randall playing for Tasman United at 2019-20 ISPS Handa Premiership season – NZF Media

The 18-year-old winger made his official debut for his new team in today’s 3-0 loss to Hamilton Wanderers at Bluewater Stadium. Despite the unfavourable result, Randall had a good performance in the match, being responsible for his team’s biggest goal chances.

His first opportunity was in the final minutes of the first half when his shot was easily saved by Wanderers’ goalkeeper Matt Oliver. A few minutes later, he came from the left wing and forced Oliver to make a good save.

Randall also had two more chances in the second half, especially in set-pieces. He took two free kicks that brought danger to Oliver in the final minutes of the second half. In addition to these opportunities to score, the rising star impressed with his good pace, which made him a real threat for for the opposing defenders.

His debut left a good impression on the fans, who can certainly expect a great season from the young player. It remains to be seen, however, whether Hawke’s Bay United are ready to become more competitive this season.

Solid performance gives Wanderers a win over an apathetic Hawke’s Bay United

Derek Tieku scored one of Wanderers’ goals in the match – NZF Media

Hamilton Wanderers travelled almost 300km to face Hawke’s Bay United at Bluewater Stadium in the first matchweek of 2020-21 ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership, the most important football league from New Zealand.

It did not take much time for the visitors to show their power: Tommy Semmy scared his opponents in the third minute of play as his shot found the external part of the net. The Papua New Guinean international was part of a powerful offensive trio alongside Derek Tieku and Mark Jones.

Semmy had his second big chance to score in the 21st minute. He dispossessed Jesse Randall, ran with the ball to the box and shot – unfortunately the ball hit the post and went out of the pitch. Wanderers hit the post once again eight minutes later with a great free kick taken by Joe Harris.

While Wanderers’ attack was trying to score the goal, the team’s defense was performing at a high level, dispossessing opponents and forcing offside situations. Despite the great defensive performance of the team coached by Kale Herbert, rising star Jesse Randall had two chances to score, both defended by goalkeeper Matt Oliver.

The second half started the same way as the first, with Hamilton Wanderers playing better and creating opportunities to score. After many attempts, Wanderers’ finally found the net through Josh Signey’s feet in the 52nd minute. Signey scored another goal four minutes later after a beautiful team play that culminated in his goal.

Hawke’s Bay United were down and out, while the visitors were keeping the possession as the clock was running out. In a few rare moments, the hosts launched themselves into attack, leaving large spaces in defense enabling counter-attacks. It was in one of these situations that Tommy Semmy advanced on the right flank and almost scored Wanderers’ third goal, with his shot passing a few millimeters away from the post. Semmy did not score his goal, but the 26-year-old winger crossed a nice ball from the right wing to find Derek Tieku who pushed the ball into the net in the 83rd minute.

The hosts still had an opportunity to score in a free kick taken by Jesse Randall, but it was saved by Matt Oliver. At the final whistle, the score was 3-0 in favour of Hamilton Wanderers that deservedly won this contest.

Wanderers’ next match will be against Auckland City at Porritt Park while Hawke’s Bay United will visit Team Wellington in the country’s capital. You can check more details about 2020-21 ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership by clicking here.

Big wins for Galaxy and North Efate in PVFA Vodafone Premier League’s opening round

The 2020-21 PVFA Vodafone Premier League kicked-off on Thursday when Tafea defeated Seveners United by 3-2. However, the first matchweek of the season finished this Saturday as the remaining four matches were contested in Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu.

Galaxy faced Mauwia at Port Vila Stadium and the current national champions were taken by surprise when Moffat Kiriau scored an early goal to put Mauwia ahead. However, the red side did not have a lot to celebrate as Andre Batick equalized five minutes later while Brazilian star Roberson scored twice in the first half to put Galaxy ahead by two goals before half time.

Mauwia tried to bounce back and Tord Pakito found the net in the beginning of the second half to bring the goal difference to just one goal. The bad news for Mauwia is that Roberson was on fire and he scored his third goal of the day to complete a hat-trick, while Yvong August and Evaristo Kapalu scored once each to seal Galaxy’s win by 6-2.

Galaxy defeated Mauwia by 6-2 – PVFA Media

Erakor Golden Star and Tupuji Imere also clashed at Port Vila Stadium in another match with a big amount of goals. Donald Napat opened the scoreboard for Tupuji while Azariah Soromon extended their lead a few minutes later. Things got even better for Tupuji in the second half as Alex Saniel and Azariah Soromon scored once each: 4-0.

The match already seemed to be decided, but Erakor did not give in as an unlikely reaction started to happen in the last minutes of the contest. Erakor almost managed to steal a point from their opponents as Norman Kency, Japhet Toukoune and Loic Coulon scored once each in the final minutes of the game. At the final whistle, the score was 4-3 for Tupuji Imere.

Meanwhile, two other matches were contested at Korman Stadium. North Efate United faced Sia-Raga and the newly promoted side did not have difficulties to smash their opponents. Davidson Tatalele opened the scoreboard in the beginning of the match while Jason Ben and Steven Silas scored twice each to lead North Efate United to a 5-1 win.

North Efate United defeated their opponents by 5-1 – PVFA Media

The final clash of the day was contested between Ifira Black Bird and Yatel. In a very hard and physical match, the current league champions were the winners. Yatel had opportunities to equalize, including a penalty kick, but they did not manage to find the net. At the final whistle, the score was 1-0 in favour of Ifira with a goal scored by Samuel Robinson.

Roberson is the current top scorer of the league with three goals while four players are tied in the second position with two goals each. You can check more details about 2020-21 PVFA Vodafone Premier League by clicking here.

Malaita Kwikwi win Solomon Islands’ National Beach Soccer Championship

Malaita Kwikwi players celebrating the title – SIFF Media

The Solomon Islands’ 2020 National Beach Soccer Championship reached its end. Nine teams took part of the tournament that was very well organised by Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) at DC Park.

The teams were splited in two groups and the top two teams from each group advanced to the semi-finals. Malaita Kwikwi booked a spot in the final clash after beating Western Kikio White by 9-3 while Honiara Titans advanced to the final by beating Honiara Lightning by 5-3. Malaita Kwikwi were crowned national champions as they defeated Titans by 6-5 in the final

Kwikwi’s captain Roy Mafane was elected the best player of the tournament and Honiara Titans’ James Naka was the top scorer with 15 goals. Mae Ome of Malaita Kwikwi won the Golden Glove Award, an award given to the best goalkeeper. Oceania Football Center’s team congratulates SIFF and all people involved with this tournament.


Central Coast jump to second as Eels remain on top of Telekom S-League

The thirteenth matchweek of 2020-21 Telekom S-League started this Saturday with two matches being contested at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, and it was such a very bad day for Laugu United that saw Central Coast jumping to second in the league table.

Central Coast and Real Kakamora clashed in the first match of the day and the two goals of the match were scored in the second half in counter-attack situations: Philip Ropa found Charles Mani free inside the 6-year-box and he just had to push the ball into the net to open the scoreboard.

Twenty five minutes later, Atana Fa’arodo dashed a nice assist to Desmond Hanaka who scored the second and final goal of the contest. At the final whistle, the score was 2-0 in favour of Central Coast FC that are now in the second position with 24 points in twelve matches.

Central Coast reached the second position in the table – TSL Media

The second match of the day was contested between league leaders Henderson Eels and Laugu United. Joses Nawo opened the scoreboard in the 22nd minute while Arnold Maeluma extended the lead with an easy goal in the final minutes of the first half.

Laugu tried to bounce back in the second half. Ian Paia scored a beautiful goal in the 48th minute after a good cross by team captain Atkin Kaua to bring Eels’ lead to just one goal. However, the goal scored by Paia was not enough Joses Nawo scored his second goal of the day to seal the 3-1 victory in favour of Henderson Eels.

With these two goals scored against Laugu, Joses Nawo reaches the top of Golden Boot Race with 20 goals while his teammate Raphael Lea’i scored 19 goals so far in the season. You can check the current Telekom S-League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Fijian defender Shuiab Khan debuts at 2020-21 ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership

The 2020-21 ISPS Handa Premiership kicked-off and Waitakere United smashed Canterbury United by 4-0 with two goals scored by Spanish midfielder Gerard Garriga Gibert in the opening round of the most important football league from New Zealand.

It was a very good match for football fans from Fiji, as Shuiab Khan played the whole match. Despite being a left back, he played as a left centre back since Waitakere United played with three at back. With a good performance, he helped his side to finish the game with a clean sheet.

Shuiab Khan played 90 minutes in Waitakere’s win – NZF Media

Khan is not the only Fijian in Waitakere’s squad as Samuela Kautoga has joined the team this season. However, the 33-year-old has yet to make his official debut for his new team, as he has not been listed for the season’s opening match.

With this big win, Waitakere are currently leading the league. Their next match will be against Wellington Phoenix Reserves at Seddon Fields next weekend. You can check the full schedule of the current ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership season by clicking here.

Waitakere United start in style at ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership

Waitakere United defeated Canterbury United to grab their first three points in the season – NZF Media

The delegation of Waitakere United travelled to the Southern Island to face Canterbury United at English Park in the first matchday of 2020-21 ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership, the most important football league from New Zealand.

Canterbury started the match in a great level by keeping the ball possession in attack while Waitakere United have been struggling to hold the ball properly. Little by little, the visitors organized themselves in a satisfactory way and the first goal came in the 45th minute: Canterbury’s forward Ihaia Delaney was dispossessed by Gerard Garriga Gibert in the middle and this culminated in a goal scored by Alex Greive.

Despite all their efforts, Canterbury failed to maintain the good performance of the first half and they and succumbed in the second half: Garriga Gibert extended Waitakere’s lead after a nice one-two play with Dane Schnell inside the box while Alex Connor-McClean, who came from the bench to replace Angus Kilkolly, scored a wonderful goal to put his side ahead by 3-0 goals.

The visitors still had time to find the net again when Garriga Gibert scored his second goal of the day in the stoppage time after a little confusion in the box. After the final whisle, the score was 4-0 in favour of Waitakere United that will return to Northern Island with three points.

Sinclair’s late goal takes Team Wellington forward against Phoenix Reserves

Jack-Henry Sinclair scored a late goal to give an important win to Team Wellington – NZF Media

In a windy afternoon, Wellington Phoenix Reserves and Team Wellington clashed at Fraser Park in the first matchday of 2020-21 ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership, the most important football league from New Zealand. This is one of the league’s most special games, as it marks the meeting between the two teams from the country’s capital, which makes this derby be called ‘WelClasico’.

The Reserves did not have an easy start as defenders and midfielders were having many troubles with Team Wellington’s forwards who were putting a lot of pressure on them. Team Wellington started with three at the back and concentrating their actions on the right side of the pitch with Justin Gulley, Andrew Bevin and Jack-Henry Sinclair, while WeeNix tried to make their 4-4-2 work with Luis Toomey and Benjamin Old helping Riley Bidois and Thomas Rainbault in the attack

WeeNix was the first team to find the net when Riley Bidois scored in the 36th minute after a beautiful pass by Toomey, but it was disallowed because the 18-year-old forward was in an offside position. In the second half, Ollie van Rijssel crossed from the left wing and Bidois pushed the ball into the net, but this goal was disallowed as well.

The two coaches made changes as the match progressed to a melancholy ending: Finn Surman, George Ott and Oskar van Hattum came to the pitch for Wellington Phoenix Reserves as Jake Williams, Nathaniel Hailemariam and Wan Gatkek joined the match for Team Wellington.

The nil-nil draw seemed an inevitable end until the 88th minute when Mario Barcia dashed a long ball to Jack-Henry Sinclair who scored an amazing goal to put Team Wellington ahead. At the final whistle, the visitors won by 1-0 to grab all three points.

Nicho Prasad: living a new reality on and off the pitch in Germany

It has been almost ten months since Nicho Prasad joined Bischofswerdaer FV 08 from Germany. However, it is only now that the Fijian defender is having a good number of opportunities in the team by being a regular starter.

Prasad played ten matches so far in the season: five as a starter and five coming from the bench. However, his team is in the 20th and last position at Regionalliga Nordost, one of the leagues that compose the fourth tier of German football.

Prasad in action for Bischofswerdaer FV 08

Despite being known as a good defender, Prasad is having to adapt to new positions as the Fijian player has already been used as full back, midfielder and winger at Bischofswerdaer FV 08 this season. The bad news for him is that the league is currently stopped due to COVID-19 pandemics.

Oceania Football Center’s team keeps up with the updates about 2020-21 Regionalliga Nordost in order to bring accurate reports about Nicho Prasad for those who love Fijian football.

Yatel FC announce new kit and sponsor for PVFA Vodafone Premier League

Ready to play PVFA Premier League for the second season in a row, Yatel FC announce a three-year sponsorship deal with iCOUNT Limited in a move that is sure to raise the club’s domestic and regional profile.

Yatel will display iCOUNT’s logo on their home and away kits: “The freshly inked deal marks the end of many years of tireless efforts to secure a corporate sponsor,” stated the team in a press release on social media.

This company also sponsors Vanuatu Para-Olympic Team. According to Daniel Agius, the Managing Director of iCOUNT, these sponsorships are good ways to give back to community and to get involved in promoting social and sporting advancements within the society.

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Yatel FC and iCOUNT signed a three-year sponsorship deal – Yatel FC Media

Yatel have ambitious plans and this deal will help them to keep moving forward: “The team has faced challenges over the years and with this sponsorship deal we hope to re-establish the team’s competitiveness in the PVFA,” stated Yatel’s president John Stephens Tougon.

The team managed by Tougon debuts at 2020-21 PVFA Vodafone Premier League on this Saturday against current league champions Ifira Black Bird. You can check more information about the tournament by clicking here.