Oceania Football Center

Vanuatu: Port Vila Football Association’s new Executive Committee has been elected

The most important football association from Vanuatu has a new Executive Committee! The new board will be in charge of Port Vila Football Association (PVFA) for the next four years after being elected in a meeting held this week.

The new president of PVFA is Andrew Leong, who is well known in Vanuatu and all over Oceania for his strong connections with football. He was the man behind Amicale FC for many years and he is the currently owner of local powerhouse Galaxy FC that played OFC Champions League for the first time this year.

The Vice President is also an important person linked to the sport in Vanuatu: Harry Attison. He is well known for running Vanuatu Sports News on Facebook and he is one of the big responsible for keeping the fans informed about what happens in local football. His presence on the board of the PVFA is seen with good eyes, since the lack of information is a recurring problem in Vanuatu.

PVFA new Executive Committee *– Robert Calvo*

Other names involved in the Executive Committee for the next four years are Richard Tatwin (secretary) and Mathew Ayong (treasurer). Oceania Football Center wish good luck to them in the command of Port Vila Football Association.

Rising star Charles Mani chased by many Telekom S-League teams

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 expected to take part of 2020 Telekom S-League’s second round.

There was an initial rumor that Mani would join Isabel United. However, it is known that there are more teams interested on signing with him for the rest of Telekom S-League’s season: “I am thinking a lot before taking my final decision,” he revealed to Oceania Football Center.

SEE ALSO
Charlie Otainao joins Henderson Eels;
Gagame Feni joins Solomon Warriors;
Jared Rongosulia joins Kossa FC

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.

13-year-old football player passes away in the Solomon Islands

Sad news shook Solomon Islands football on this Wednesday: the death of Kisina Kuliusu Damutalau, who was only 13 years old. The young player was killed by a crocodile at Koltakesa (Isabel Province) on this Tuesday.

Kisina represented Isabel Frigates in the Solomon Islands Football Federation Just Play National U-14 Championship held in Honiara a couple of weeks ago.

Kisina (right) playing for Isabel Frigates U-14 – *SIFF Media*

Crocodile attacks on people in Solomon Islands has increased significantly over the past decade. However, killing crocodiles is forbidden in many of the local cultures that depicting them as, taboo, sacred animals or ancestral spirits.

Oceania Football Center send condolences to Kisina’s family and friends.

Charlie Otainao joins Henderson Eels

Despite having finished 2020 Telekom S-League’s first round on top of the table with 27 points in ten matches, Henderson Eels still want more as they are strengthening their squad in the current transfer window.

Head coach Eddie Marahare revealed on social media that three new players are going to join the team for the second round of the season. Dois destes nomes ainda são desconhecidos, mas um deles já foi revelado: Charlie Otainao. The 28-year-old midfielder was Malaita Kingz’s captain in the first half of the season and he has now the opportunity to play for Henderson Eels.

SEE ALSO
Gagame Feni joins Solomon Warriors;
Jared Rongosulia joins Kossa FC

Otainao is well known for his futsal skills, as he is part of Solomon Islands National Futsal Team. He also represented his country at 11-a-side football in two friendly matches against New Caledonia back in 2016. Oceania Football Center wish him good luck at his new club.

Solomon Islands: Gagame Feni joins Solomon Warriors

The Telekom S-League’s mid-season transfer window has just opened but the first major transfer has already been made official as Gagame Feni left Laugu United to join Solomon Warriors for the second half of the season.

Gagame Feni was Laugu’s most important player in the first half of the season by scoring eight goals in ten matches. His arrival is a major boost to Solomon Warriors’ attack that did not perform in a great level so far in the season.

Feni is already known by Warriors’ fans as he helped the team to reach OFC Champions League’s quarter-finals in 2018. He is also one of the Solomon Islands’ most important players with thirteen goals in 25 matches for the National Team.

Victory against JS Baco puts an end to AS Mont-Dore’s suffering at Mobil Super Ligue

🇫🇷 Français

After a terrible start at Mobil Super Ligue – the top-tier football league from New Caledonia – AS Mont-Dore have beaten JS Baco by 2-0 at Stade Numa Daly last Sunday to put an end to their suffering in the current season.

Adolphe Tamai and Glen Wayaridri scored once each to give AS Mont-Dore a very important victory against a competitor in the fight against relegation. This result pushed them to the eighth position in the league while JS Baco are now in ninth.

AS Mont-Dore are now in the eighth position at Mobil Super Ligue – *FCF Media*

In the other match contested at Stade Numa Daly last Sunday, AS Kunié were defeated 5-1 by Tiga Sport and remain in the last position of the championship with two draws and five defeats in seven games. You can check the current Mobil Super Ligue standings by clicking here.

Iosefo Verevou ready to boost Suva’s attack in the final games of Fijian football season

One of the most talented players from Fiji, Iosefo Verevou is not having an easy season. The 24-year-old winger from Suva spent seven months away from football due to a knee injury, and now he is back on time to help his team in the fight for Vodafone Premier League’s title.

Verevou scored his first goal of the season last weekend in a 5-0 win over Nasinu at ANZ Stadium. He came from the bench in the 35th minute and scored Suva’s fourth goal in the beginning of the second half. His presence and quality are a major boost for the Capital City Boys, that can clinch the national title this weekend if they beat Rewa.

Suva’s head coach Babs Khan already relies on Christopher Wasasala and Sairusi Nalaubu, two forwards who are fighting for the Golden Boot Award this season. The presence of these two players is always a threat, but Rewa’s defence needs to keep an eye on Iosefo Verevou who has enough quality to decide a match by himself.

The rivalry between Rewa and Suva will gain a new chapter this Sunday when both teams will clash at Ratu Cakobau Park in Vodafone Premier League’s thirteenth matchweek. You can check the current league standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Youngster from Papua New Guinea joins a new club in England

One of the most promising players from Papua New Guinea, Terry Stephenson is playing for a new club in England. The 18-year-old left back joined Billingham Town FC after leaving Middlesbrough’s youth system earlier this year.

Billingham Town is currently playing in Northern Football League Division 1, one of the leagues that make up the 9th division of English football. Stephenson made his official debut in a 5-0 loss to Newcastle Benfield two weeks ago.

Stephenson (in blue) playing for Billingham Town FC – *John Coulson*

Stephenson, who is eligible to represent Papua New Guinea, has already been contacted by PNG Football Association to check his interest in playing for Kapuls. His presence would certainly be a great addition to the National Team.

He is not the only footballer from Papua New Guinea who is currently playing in Europe as powerful winger David Browne joined HJK from Finland earlier this year.

Father and son shine to pull Navua out of Vodafone Premier League’s relegation zone

Navua received Rewa at Uprising Resort Ground in the twelfth matchweek of 2020 Vodafone Premier League – the top tier football league from Fiji – and the hosts surprised their opponents with an incredible win by 2-0.

It was a very special match for Suliano Doli. The 18-year-old player was Navua’s starting goalkeeper in their previous Vodafone Premier League match against Suva last month. However, Doli was as an outfield player against Rewa and he did not disappoint head coach Mohammed Shafil as he opened the scoreboard for Navua in the 20th minute. It was Doli’s first ever goal at Vodafone Premier League.

Doli left the pitch in the second half to be replaced by his father Apisai Smith. In the final minutes of the game, Alfred Ali was fouled by Josateki Tamudu inside the box and Smith doubled Navua’s lead by scoring from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute.

Apisai Smith (left) and Suliano Doli (right) scored once each against Rewa

This surprising result pulled Navua out of Vodafone Premier League’s relegation zone as they are currently in the seventh position with ten points, two points ahead bottom-placed side Nasinu. You can check the current Vodafone Premier League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Surprising results change the course of Vodafone Premier League in Fiji

The twelfth matchweek of Vodafone Premier League – the top tier football league from Fiji – was contested this weekend in the country. What appeared to be another matchweek, turned out to be a huge turnaround in the season with two matches to go.

As it was previously reported, Labasa have beaten Lautoka by 2-0 with goals scored by Ilisoni Lolaivalu and Akeimi Ralulu to escape from relegation while the Bluez still have mathematical chances of being relegated. This result was certainly the least abnormal this weekend.

In the second match of the weekend, Nadi visited Ba at Fiji FA Academy and grabbed three important points to stay alive in the title race. The only goal of the match was scored by the powerful forward Rusiate Matarerega. It is important to point that the Men in Black did not count on Isikeli Sevanaia and Misiwani Nairube, their two main goalkeepers. Sitiveni Matalaba was the starting goalkeeper in this match.

The biggest upset of the weekend took place at Uprising Resort Ground where Navua have beaten Rewa by 2-0 with goals scored by Suliano Doli and Apisai Smith. With this result, Navua left the relegation zone while Rewa are not on top of the table anymore.

Navua caused a major upset to Rewa – *Fiji FA Media*

Talking about being on top of the table, Suva are the new league leaders. The Capital City Boys have smashed Nasinu by 5-0 to place the Giant Killers on bottom of the table. Christopher Wasasala and Sairusi Nalaubu scored twice each as Iosefo Verevou scored his first goal in the season. With these two goals, Nalaubu took the lead of the Golden Boot Race with nine goals.

There is a lot to happen in these two final matchweeks, like the clash between Rewa and Suva next weekend. Fijian football fans must wait a thrilling end season finale in the national league. You can check Vodafone Premier League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.