Oceania Football Center

New Caledonia: Gilles Tavergeux is the new president of FCF

Gilles Tavergeux is the new president of Fédération Calédonienne de Football (FCF). He received 11 of the 19 votes in an election held in Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia, last Saturday. He takes over the post previously held by Steeve Laigle, who received the remaining eight votes in the above-mentioned election.

Tavergeux is a former goalkeeper, which means that he has strong links with local football. He won 1997 Caledonia Cup with CA-Saint Louis by scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout against Gaïtcha. The new FCF president is also the president of AS Mont-Dore, one of the most important teams from New Caledonia.

Gilles Tavergeux is the new president of FCF – *LNC NC*

Noam Tiem was elected as the First Vice President. Adrien Apikaoua, André Hnawang, Hari Irene, Michel Messaud and Tony Dupre are confirmed as Ordinary Members while Women’s Member and Second Vice President spots are not decided yet.

It is not going to be his first experience inside FCF as he was the vice-president of the federation from 2007 to 2011. Tavergeux will be in charge of the local federation until 2024. Oceania Football Center congratulate him for being elected as the new president.

Teaonui Tehau scores six goals as Vénus demolish Excelsior in Ligue 1 VINI

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AS Excelsior and AS Vénus clashed at Stade Pater in the fourth matchweek of Ligue 1 VINI, the top tier football league from Tahiti. After losing to AS Pirae by 12-1 last weekend, AS Excelsior players and staff were trying to recover from this heavy loss against AS Vénus, one of the strongest teams from Tahiti.

Orirau Tehio opened the scoreboard for AS Excelsior in the seventh minute of the game, which put a smile on their supporters’ faces. However, this happiness did not last long: Teaonui Tehau found the net for AS Vénus in the 12th minute while his teammate Tauhiti Keck scored three minutes later to put them ahead.

This match started to become a nightmare for AS Excelsior: Teaonui Tehau scored his second goal of the day in the 31st minute while Gael Mabiala also found the net to put AS Vénus ahead by 4-1 in the first half.

Teaonui Tehau led AS Vénus against AS Excelsior

Unable to sketch out any kind of reaction in the second half, AS Excelsior succumbed and ended up defeated by 10-1. Powerful striker Teaonui Tehau finished the match with six goals scored. Gael Mabiala scored a brace while Tauhiti Keck and Manuarii Shan scored once each. Tehau is the current top scorer of 2020-21 Ligue 1 VINI with ten goals in three matches.

AS Vénus are currently in the third position with three wins in three matches. On the other hand, AS Excelsior have four losses in four matches. In addition, AS Excelsior have the worst defensive record in the league with 27 goals conceded. You can check the current Ligue 1 VINI standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Charles Mani joins Central Coast FC

One of the most promising players from the Solomon Islands, Charles Mani is back to his homeland after a stint in New Zealand and now the 18-year-old forward is ready to take part of 2020 Telekom S-League’s second round as he joined Central Coast FC.

Charles will team up with another rising stars like Densly Geseni, Javin Wae and Philip Ropa – who were Mani’s teammates in the U-17 National Team last year. The arrival of this great forward is a big deal for the tem coached by Jacob Moli as Central Coast FC have the third worst offensive record in the league this season with only eleven goals scored in ten matches.

Mani is one of the most promising players from the Solomon Islands *– OFC Media*

Mani played for Kossa FC in the last Telekom S-League season before moving abroad to study at Long Bay College in New Zealand. The young forward last played for Hibiscus Coast at LOTTO NRFL Division 2, one of the regional football leagues from New Zealand.

Ba win Women’s IDC for the second straight year in Fiji

Ba and Labasa clashed at ANZ Stadium in Suva to decide which side would lift the 2020 Women’s Inter-District Championship trophy. Despite being the favourites, Ba had to work the extra mile to beat their opponents to win the tournament for the second straight year.

Koleta Likuculacula opened the scoreboard in the 19th minute to put Ba ahead while Labasa equalized in the beginning of the second half. With The 1-1 draw remained until the end of the 90 minutes and the winning team was decided in the extra time.

Both teams had chances to score but the draw remained until the second half of time when Ba’s captain Koleta Likuculacula scored her second goal of the day to help her side to clinch the Inter-District Championship’s title. Likuculacula performed in a great level during the tournament and she received the Golden Ball Award, while her teammate Cema Nasau won the Golden Boot Award for scoring ten goals in the tournament.

Ba players and staff celebrating the title – *Fiji FA Media*

In the third place play-off match, Suva have beaten Rewa at extra time to secure the third place. Viniana Riwai and Jijilia Dugucanavanua scored once each to seal Suva’s 2-0 win. You can check more information about 2020 Women’s Inter-District Championship by clicking here.

Dona and Massing join Yatel FC

Despite finishing 2019-20 PVFA Premier League in sixth place, Yatel FC have faced many problems over the season and management is looking for new players to strengthen their squad for next season so they can be even more competitive in 2020-21.

Three new players are already confirmed in the squad for next season. The first one is Jackson Tasso – a 27-year-old midfielder who last played for Erakor Golden Star – while the other two players are Frederick Massing and Gordshem Dona.

SEE ALSO
Jackson Tasso joins Yatel FC
Lucien Hinge joins Ifira Black Bird

Dona (left) and Massing (right) will strengthen Yatel FC next season

Dona is a reliable defender who last played for Tafea and he also played nine matches for Vanuatu National Football Team. On the other hand, Massing is a talented midfielder who wrote his name in the history of national sport by scoring the goal that qualified Vanuatu for 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

David Browne shines as HJK clinch Veikkausliiga title in Finland

HJK visited IFK Mariehamn at Wiklof Holding Arena in the 21st matchweek of Veikkausliiga – the top tier league from Finland. This match could be special for the HJK, as a victory would give them the national title, and it was!

After starting three consecutive matches on the bench, Papua New Guinea international David Browne was finally back to HJK’s starting eleven, and he did not disappoint as the 24-year-old winger shone by delivering three assists in the contest.

Markus Halsti opened the scoreboard for HJK after a nice cross from the left wing by David Browne. The Papua New Guinean winger was on fire as he delivered his second assist of the day a few minutes later by crossing a perfect ball to Roope Riski who headed it into the net to extend HJK’s lead.

David Browne had a great performance against IFK Mariehamn – *HJK Media*

Riski found the net again in the 38th minute by scoring direct from a corner while Eetu Vertainen scored HJK’s fourth goal in the beginning of the second half. The last goal of the contest was scored by Tim Väyrynen who pushed the ball into the net after a nice pass by Browne.

HJK have now 47 points in 21 matches. They are now six points ahead second placed side KuPS with one match to go, which confirmed the 30th Finnish championship in the history of the club. It was Browne’s second title with HJK as they won the local cup earlier this year. You can check the current Veikkausliiga standings by clicking here.

Fijian defender Scott Wara on trial with Newcastle United from England

Fijian youngster Scott Wara is on trial with Newcaslte United from England. The 21-year-old defender was part of Newcastle U-23 squad in a 3-2 loss against Reading in Premier League 2, the U-23 Football League from England. Wara was in the starting eleven and he played 88 minutes before being sent off.

The Fijian defender was released by Stoke City in July and now he is looking for a new club. He already spent some time training with Wrexham FC – a football team from Wales that is currently playing at English 5th tier – and now he is having the opportunity to stay with Newcastle U-23 team.

SEE ALSO
Ba and Labasa to clash at Women’s IDC final in Fiji;
Fijian youngster Kishan Sami on trial with Auckland City

Scott Wara is currently on trial with Newcastle United U-23 squad

Wara was born in Lautoka, Fiji, but he moved to England with his parents when he was a child. He represented his homeland at senior level as he debuted for Fiji National Team in 2018. Oceania Football Center wish him good luck on his trial.

ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership kicks-off in New Zealand

The 2020 ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership kicked-off in New Zealand as three matches were contested this weekend in the country. This is the first year that the championship is held under the name of ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership, since until last year the tournament was called National Women’s League.

The opening match of the season Current league champions Canterbury United Pride faced Southern United at Dunedin Artificial Turf on Saturday. Led by Britney-Lee Nicholson, who scored a brace, Pride beat their opponents by 4-1.

After finishing the past season in the third position, Auckland Football smashed Central Football by 9-1 at Riverhills Park. Rina Hirano scored a brace while Arisa Takeda, Ava Collins, Casey Elizabeth Berrier, Ella Russ, Liz Anton, Maisy Dewell and Paige Satchell scored once each.

Auckland Football smashed Central Football by 9-1 – *AFF Media*

The remaining match of the weekend was an 1-1 draw between Northern Lights and Capital Football. As the championship is contested by seven teams, WaiBOP Football had a bye week and has not yet debuted in the season. You can check more information about the tournament by clicking here.

AS Pirae beat AS Arue to reach the top of Ligue 1 VINI’s table

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AS Pirae and AS Arue clashed at Stade Pater in the fourth matchweek of Ligue 1 VINI – the top tier football league from Tahiti. With no big surprises, AS Pirae won their second straight match to reach the top of the table.

Midfielder Patrick Tepa used his left foot to open the scoreboard in the 35th minute in a great shot from outside the box while youngster Louis Gitton extended the lead in the second half to seal the 2-0 win for AS Pirae. Despite the positive result, the orange side will have to deal with Steven Tetuanuitefarerii who saw the red card in the 77th minute.

AS Pirae players celebrating a goal – *Christophe Fotozz*

The current league champions had some help to reach the top of the table as the clash between AS Dragon and AS Central Sport was a nil-nil draw.

Two other matches were contested on this Saturday. AS Pueu beat AS Manu-Ura by 2-1 to reach the third position in the table while the clash between AS Tiare Tahiti and AS Jeunes Tahitiens finished drawn. You can check the current Ligue 1 VINI standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Jackson Tasso joins Yatel FC

The PVFA football season is over in Vanuatu and now teams are looking for opportunities to strengthen their squads for the next season. After helping Erakor Golden Star to finish 2019-20 PVFA Premier League in the fourth position, Jackson Tasso is leaving the team to join Yatel FC.

The 27-year-old midfielder was a regular starter for Erakor Golden Star and he was part of the squad that played 2019 OFC Champions League. Tasso has now a new challenge in his career: helping Yatel to become a stronger side in Vanuatu.

SEE ALSO
Eight new players join Galaxy FC in Vanuatu;
Lucien Hinge joins Ifira Black Bird

Tasso playing for Erakor Golden Star in 2019 OFC Champions League – *OFC Media*

He is a very consistent midfielder and he is going to be a huge addition to Yatel FC squad. Tasso also represented Vanuatu National Football Team back in 2018, in an 1-0 loss to New Caledonia in a friendly match. Oceania Football Center wish him good luck at his new team.