Oceania Football Center

Fiji FACT: Ba and Labasa are ready for key clash

Ba and Labasa will clash at Subrail Park

The 2020 Fiji FACT’s group stage reaches its final day and there is one team that is in a very comfortable situation: Rewa. The Delta Tigers are on top of Group A with four points in two matches, the same number of points Ba have.

After an 1-1 draw against Ba, Rewa can secure their place in the semifinals even if they are beaten by Nasinu today. However, the Delta Tigers must stay focused on finishing on top of Group A. Anyway, fans must see a couple of regular starters on the bench at Subrail Park.

While Rewa must confirm seal their spot in the semifinals, Ba and Labasa are ready for a maginificent clash. While the Men in Black can qualify with a nil-nil draw, Fiji FACT hosts Labasa will count on the crowd support to fight for an important win to stay alive in the tournament: “It is going to be a tough game, as we are going to face the hosts,” stated Ba’s head coach Ronil Kumar.

One of the major concerns for this matchday is the quality of Subrail Park’s pitch, which was covered in mud after yesterday’s matches. We hope the rain will not punish the grass so we can watch good football matches today. You can check more information about 2020 Fiji FACT by clicking here.

Fiji FACT: Labasa heads to decisive match against Ba after win against Nasinu

The Babasiga Lions did not have only to deal with Tagi Vonolagi’s Nasinu men as the muddy conditions of Subrail Park were a real obstacle for them to display their normal football style. Ronil Lal and his players knew they were forced to win if they wanted to continue with chances to reach the semi-finals of Fiji FACT – Nasinu also could not lose to keep their chances alive.

Starting without Siotame Kubu upfront, Lal decided to field the experienced Taniela Waqa as striker and the former Fijian international proved a danger for the defensive system of Nasinu led by the young talented defender Sekove Naivakananumi. Nasinu pressed high Labasa and looked dangerous into the first ten minutes of the game, but a hard hit from long distance shown that Labasa was alive in the clash: Antonio Tuivuna sent a free-kick direct to the post of Nasinu to thrill the fans at Subrail Park.

The game was heavily affected due the terrible pitch conditions; still in the first 45 minutes, Labasa took the lead thanks to a deflected shot from Tuivuna. The defender received the ball close to the box after a free-kick and fired away, the ball deflected in Taniela Waqa and went direct to the nets: party on the stands, Labasa is ahead!

Labasa players before the match – *Fiji FA Media*

In the second half, Labasa came stronger: Ilisoni Logaivau received a fantastic pass and in an one-on-one situation put the ball in the nets to double the lead of the Lions – Nasinu was almost knocked-out. Ten minutes later, a handball in the box made the referee point to the spot to award the home team a penalty-kick. The same Logaivau went to the spot, but his shot was stopped by Nasinu’s Epeli Loaniceva, unfortunately for the goalkeeper the super-sub Melvin Mani was there to fire the rebound into Nasinu’s nets.

Labasa still managed to create possibilities – even an goal was ruled out due offside, the same as Nasinu that also had one goal that was disallowed due offside, but nothing that changed the final outcome of the clash. Nasinu is out, Labasa now heads to a decisive clash against Ba to seal its fate at 2020 Fiji FACT. Unfortuantely for Nasinu’s attacker Marlon Nonone, he was forced to leave the pitch before the final whistle due a injury in his shoulder – the severity of the injury is still uncertain.

You can check the complete standings, results and news about the 2020 Fiji FACT by visiting our session of the competition.

Fiji FACT: terrible pitch condition takes good football away from Subrail Park

The 2020 Fiji FACT kicked-off at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday with two matches, while two other games were contested at ANZ Stadium on Sunday. After these four clashes, all teams travelled to Vanua Levu, as the rest of the tournament is set to be contested at Subrail Park in Labasa.

What should be a great spectacle, ended up becoming a nightmare for players and fans. The terrible condition of Subrail Park’s grass was a huge obstacle to good football. The ball could not roll properly due to mud and water, and players were forced to take the ball out of the ground in an attempt to play football.

The situation got even worse in the last match of the day, contested between hosts Labasa and Nasinu, when most of the pitch was covered by the mud. Having in mind that four more matches are going to be contested in the same stadium tomorrow, it is conceivable that the quality of the pitch tends to get worse – to the sadness of Fijian football fans.

Fiji FACT: Nalaubu shines as Suva defeat Nadi in a muddy clash

Nadi and Suva clashed at Subrail Park in Labasa in the second round of 2020 Fiji FACT, one of the most important football tournaments in Fiji. Despite the rain and the mud, Suva managed to defeat their opponents in a hard-fought contest.

Shivneel Pillay took advantage of a defensive mistake to open the scoreboard for Nadi in the 11th minute. Suva had a big chance to equalize a few minutes later, but Christopher Wasasala‘s shot went wide. Despite this failed opportunity, Wasasala did not give in and he found the net in the 30th minute after a nice cross from the right wing by Shahil Dave to even the score. Wasasala almost scored his second goal of the day in the final minutes of the first half, but Nadi’s goalkeeper Vereti Dickson saved it.

After a good performance in the first half, Wasasala left the pitch in the beginning of the second half, and this gave room for Sairusi Nalaubu to shine. The 23-year-old forward showed his class by scoring two goals in a row to put Suva ahead: 3-1. With these goals, Nalaubu took the Golden Boot Race’s lead with four goals in two matches.

Nadi’s head coach Kamal Swamy made important changes after Suva’s third goal: Beniamino Lebatavatava and Joeli Severo came from the bench to replace Vuniuci Tikomaimereke and Shivneel Pillay, respectively. The Green Machine managed to find the net in the 89th minute when Afraz Ali scored a beautiful free kick, but it was too late for them to prevent Suva from winning. At the final whistle, the score was 3-2 in favour of the Capital City Boys.

Suva are leading the Group B with six points in two matches while Nadi and Lautoka are sharing the second position with three points each. You can check more information about 2020 Fiji FACT by clicking here.

Rewa’s late goal punishes Ba in Fiji FACT

Rewa players celebrating the late goal scored by Anish Khem – *Fiji FA Media*

After winning in the first matchweek of 2020 Fiji FACT, Ba and Rewa clashed at Subrail Park to fight for the first position in the Group A, and the rain and the bad condition of the pitch did not prevent them to fight for the victory until the final whistle.

Abbu Zahid opened the scoreboard for Ba in the 18th minute after a nice cross by Darold Kakasi from the left wing. Rewa created many opportunities to score in the first half, but goalkeeper Sanaila Waqanicakau made good saves to show that he is not only a good striker.

Savenaca Nakalevu left the pitch due to injury and he was replaced by Mitieli Naiviro in the beginning of the second half. A few minutes later, Darold Kakasi scored but the goal was disallowed because he was caught offside.

Rewa took the control of the match in the final twenty minutes, while Ba maintained their advantage until the 84th minute, when Tevita Waranaivalu crossed from the left wing and Anish Khem headed the ball into the net to equalize. At the final whistle, the score was an 1-1 draw – a fair result for both sides.

Ba and Rewa are sharing the first position of the Group A with four points each. You can check more details about 2020 Fiji FACT by clicking here.

Fiji FACT: Lautoka claim narrow victory against Navua

After being defeated in the opening round of 2020 Fiji FACT, Lautoka and Navua came to the pitch focused on grabbing their first three points in the tournament – and the Bluez fared better in this important clash.

Dave Radrigai opened the scoreboard for Lautoka after a nice pass by Edward Aaron in the 11th minute, while Sekove Finau headed the ball into the net after a corner kick taken by Malakai Rakula to double Lautoka’s lead. Navua managed to score in the final minute of the first half with a beautiful header by Jesoni Takala.

Navua came to the second half focused on equalizing the match and they managed to create chances and to put pressure on their opponents. However, the first goal of the second half was scored by Lautoka’s Avneel Nand who pushed the ball into the net after a great cross by Malakai Rakula from the left wing. The final goal of the match was scored by Suliano Doli, who headed the ball into the net after a free kick taken by his father Apisai Smith. At the final whistle, the score was 3-2 in favour of Lautoka.

Lautoka have three points in two matches while Navua lost their two matches in the tournament. You can check more details about 2020 Fiji FACT by clicking here.

Team Wellington’s star Jack-Henry Sinclair to miss three months due to shoulder injury

Team Wellington is one of the two teams that are still unbeaten in 2020-21 ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership, the national football league in New Zealand. The team coached by Scott Hales is sharing the lead with Hamilton Wanderers with six points each.

Despite the good start in the season, Hales will have to deal with the absence of Jack-Henry Sinclair, who got injured in the match against Hawke’s Bay United last weekend. According to Team Wellington’s media, Sinclair has suffered a dislocated Acromioclavicular joint in his shoulder with torn ligaments meaning he will be out for 12-16 weeks.

Sinclair is one of the most talented players in New Zealand. The 22-year-old right winger scored Team Wellington’s winning goal against Wellington Phoenix Reserves in the opening matchweek of the current season. He was also one of the top scorers of Team Wellington in the last ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership with seven goals. We wish him a good recovery.

Henderson Eels unable to beat Central Coast at Telekom S-League

The current top-tabled team of Solomon Islands’ S-League could not surpass the young squad of Central Coast FC. Led by important players such as Boni Pride and Anthony Talo, Henderson Eels scored first through the youngster Raphael Le’ai, but could not defend their lead until the final whistle.

The newcomers in the national league Central Coast counted on the pace of Charles Mani and Philip Ropa upfront, but Eels scored first at the 34th minute of play. But it did not take long as the former U17 Solomon Islands international Javin Wae equalised for Central Coast six minutes later of Le’ai’s opener.

Central Coast and Henderson Eels draw at Lawson Tama Stadium – *TSL Media*

Eels battled hard in the second half to find a winner, but their best efforts were denied by Central Coast defense. This was only the second game of the Telekom S-League season that Eels did not win – they were beaten by Honiara City in the first round of the league and now draw against Central Coast.

Despite not collecting all points from this clash, Eels continue with a solid margin above Solomon Warriors, the second in the run – nine points separate the first and second places in the standings. Central Coast is doing an impressive first season as they are currently ranked fourth, just behind the giants Henderson Eels and Solomon Warriors and good team of Laugu United.

You can check the updated table, results and top-goalscorers of the season so far by visiting our session of the 2020/21 Telekom S-League!

New Zealand: Hamilton Wanderers make history at ISPS Handa Premiership

This weekend one of the most traditional football clubs from New Zealand celebrated a very important at ISPS Handa Premiership, New Zealand’s top-tier of football; the Hamilton Wanderers coached by Kale Herbert, son of the legend Ricki Herbert, played at Porrit Stadium against Auckland City, the eight-time champions of the national league.

Since the introduction of the Hamilton-based team in the national league in 2016, they never won Auckland City – this time the history was made thanks to a brace of the current MVP of the ISPS Handa Premiership Derek Tieku, Hamilton collected very important three points in the run and also created history for them and their city.

Derek Tieku scored twice to give Hamilton a historic win – *Phototek*

After a Joe Harris’ well-taken free-kick hit the crossbar, the striker was there to put the ball in the back of the net with header past the goalkeeper Cameron Brown. Still in the first 45 minutes, a brilliant solo effort by Mark Jones allowed Tieku to score again in the middle of the box to double the lead of the home side.

Auckland missed a lot the likes of Emiliado Tade and Logan Rogerson and was unable to create much trouble to the well organised Wanderers’ defense in the second half. With the points collected from this clash, Wanderers are currently at the top of the table of ISPS Handa Premiership.

Also on the weekend Waitakere United allowed Wellington Phoenix Reservers to comeback at Seddon Fields giving to the WeeNix their first three points of the season – the final result was 4-1 with a brace of Benjamin Old. Team Wellington bounced back of an early scare of Hawke’s Bay United at David Farrington Park and confirmed their second win thanks to goal of the Portuguese João Moreira – 2-1 for Team Wellington. To complete the round, Eastern Suburbs beaten Canterbury Dragons by 3-1 in Auckland. You can see the top-goalscorers, updated table and latest results of the competition by visiting our sessions of the ISPS Handa Premiership.

PNG Women’s National Soccer League to start this weekend

Finally the women of Papua New Guinea got their deserved recognition from its football governing body; the Papua New Guinea National Women’s Soccer League is set to start this weekend. After so many years, one of the most important football nations of Oceania develops its own women’s soccer league. The current Pacific Games medalists, Papua New Guinea already hosted a U20 FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2016 – finally now, four years later, a revamped women’s league is set to thrill the fans all over the country.

Hekari United women’s team during trainings – *PNGFA Media*

“The Northern Conference has Sepik FC, Pacific Gardens FC, Markham Raings FC, Morobe Tulips FC, Bara FC, Rainy Lae FC, Poro FC and Tusbab Laidamon FC while Southern Conference has Port Moresby City FC, Port Moresby City Academy, National Capital District Public Servant Soccer Association, Hekari United FC, Genesis FC and Amoana FC“, said the PNGFA website in a press release.

“There is a huge interest in women’s football and it has grown massively over the years. We have seen young women and girls coming out from different settlements, communities, tribes, clans and provinces in Papua New Guinea and excelling in the sport,” said Pius Letenge, Papua New Guinea Football Association General Secretary – “our women’s national team is the only team in the country which has won five consecutive gold medals in the Pacific Games. We are currently ranked 48 in the world and second in Oceania behind New Zealand which is something very good… Our aim now for 2020 is to identify talented women and girls in football for development“, completed Letenge.

During the week, the PNGFA will unveil the final draw for the national league that is going to start November, 28th and it is scheduled to finish on February 2021.