Nasinu or Navua: which side will escape from relegation in Fiji?

The 2020 Vodafone Premier League season is getting closer to its end in Fiji, but there is nothing decided in the championship. While Rewa, Suva and Ba are fighting for the national title, two other teams still have to fight in order to avoid relegation: Nasinu and Navua.

Currently in the seventh position with eight points, Nasinu’s last victory in the league was against Ba three monts ago. Since then, The Giant Killers played five league matches, one draw and four losses – a very bad record for the team coached by Tagi Vonolagi.

It is known that Atkin Kaua and Jared Rongosulia are not with the team anymore as they are currently playing the Telekom S-League in Solomon Islands because they could not return to Fiji due to border restrictions caused by COVID-19 pandemics. However, Vonolagi still relies on Isikeli Ratucava, Jasnit Vikash and Marlon Nonone to lead the team inside the pitch to avoid relegation.

Despite being in the last position with only seven points, Navua is still breathing. The team coached by Mohammed Shafil won two of their last five league matches. With the help of great players like veteran striker Apisai Smith and youngster Thomas Dunn, Navua fans can dream of staying in the Vodafone Premier League next season.

Nasinu (left) and Navua (right) are fighting against relegation to Senior League – Fiji FA Media

Depending on the results of the next two matchweeks, the decision on which team will be relegated to Senior League can be left to the fourteenth and final matchweek when Nasinu and Navua will clash at Uprising Resort Ground. By the way, it would be a thrilling end for this marvelous season. You can check the schedule of the last matchweeks of 2020 Vodafone Premier League by clicking here.

AS Magenta and Hienghène Sport ready for a huge clash in New Caledonia Cup

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AS Magenta and Hienghène Sport: two of the biggest football teams from New Caledonia. The clash between these two teams always brings lots of expectations to football fans in the French territory as both sides recently clashed in the 2019 OFC Champions League final.

These teams will be face to face again this weekend at Stade Numa Daly to fight for a spot in 2020 New Caledonia Cup’s final. Hienghène Sport are the current champions while AS Magenta is the most successful team in the tournament with eleven titles.

Hienghène Sport and AS Magenta will meet at 2020 New Caledonia Cup semi-final – OFC Media

According to reliable sources, Hienghène Sport might not count on forward Antoine Roine who got injured in the quarter-finals clash against AS Qanono three weeks ago. However Bertrand KaĂŻ, Miguel Kayara and Rocky Nyikeine are ready to lead Hienghène in the clash: “I have total confidence in the group, everyone is involved and concentrated. I am not worried, we will be ready for the big day,” said Nyikeine to Foot-NC.

The last match between both teams was contested on July 25 and Magenta won by 3-2. However, Magenta’s players and coaching staff know that it means nothing for this weekend’s clash: “We’re going to face an opponent we know well […] We’ve just come out of two weeks without official matches but we tried to prepare ourselves as best we could,” said the 24-year-old midfielder Didier Simane.

This huge clash is going to be livestreamed on Facebook. The match is scheduled to kick-off at 4pm (local time) on Saturday. Oceania Football Center wish good luck to both teams!

Kossa’s youngster Barrie Limoki back from injury in Solomon Islands

One of the most promising players from Solomon Islands, Kossa’s youngster Barrie Limoki is back to training after getting injured in Kossa’s 4-1 loss to Henderson Eels three weeks ago in the eighth matchweek of 2020 Telekom S-League.

The 16-year-old forward returned to training last weekend and e is expected to be in Kossa’s starting eleven against Central Coast FC on Sunday: “We want to make sure he is 100% but he shows commitment and hunger for football,” said team’s technical analyst, Alex Waimora.

SEE ALSO
Hiromana and Teleda to join Kossa FC for Telekom S-League’s second round;
Referees step up in Solomon Islands

Limoki is back from injury – Telekom S-League Media

Having Limoki back is a major boost for Kossa as he is one of the top scorers of his team in the league with six goals in seven matches. You can check more information about the current Telekom S-League season by clicking here.

VFF National Super League kicks-off in Vanuatu

The VFF National Super League started on this Thursday in Vanuatu as two matches were contested at Soccer City Stadium in Luganville – the second largest city in the country. Eight teams are fighting for the national title while the top two teams qualify for 2021 OFC Champions League.

The eight teams are split in two groups, but in a not very conventional way: five teams are in Group A while Group B will have three teams. The matches played this Thursday are from Group A. Current national champions Malampa Revivors from Luganville faced RueRue from Penama in the opening match of the tournament.

Edwin Bai opened the scoreboard for Malampa Revivors in the beginning of the second half while Melkyzedeck Gasi equalized. However, RueRue did not have much time to celebrate as youngster Armando Ravo scored to put Revivors ahead again.

Melkyzedeck was on fire and he scored his first goal in the game to tie the match in the 79th minute. Revivors’ midfielder Jean-Claude Batick still had time to score the winning goal in the stoppage time. At the final whistle, the title holders defeated RueRue by 3-2.

Malampa Revivors are the current national champions – OFC Media

The second game of the day was a breathtaking clash between Police from Malampa and Patuvuti from Sanma. In a very interesting match, Police have beaten their opponents by 4-3. You can check more details about 2020 VFF National Super League by clicking here.


Clayton Lewis targets Tokyo Olympics as he explains his return to New Zealand

Clayton Lewis is one of New Zealand’s most important players. The 23-year-old midfielder has already represented his country fourteen times and guided the OlyWhites to a spot in the men’s football tournament of Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

The former Scunthorpe United footballer recently played for Auckland United in the NRFL Premier League before the league was called off due to COVID-19 restrictions. Lewis also won the ISPS Handa Premiership last season as one of Auckland City’s most important players.

The midfielder talked to Oceania Football Center about some topics regarding his career, football in New Zealand, and his future goals. You can check the full interview below:

After a few seasons in European football, you decided to return to Auckland City FC. Why did you decide to move back to the Navy Blues?

It was tough in England because I was not getting many opportunities to play. We were losing games and I would always ask why I was not playing. I always got given the excuse of “we want to go with experienced players for this game” so it was hard to take for two years. Coming back to Auckland City was a chance to play games for seven months before the Olympic Games. But with Covid-19, that has pushed the Olympics back a year, so that was a shame for me.

Despite the Covid-19 situation, you will be able to play for the Olywhites next year in Tokyo. Was it a relief for you?

Yes, definitely. I was very worried that another chance at the Olympics was going to be taken from me. I cannot wait to get as fit as I can, and hopefully I get selected by the coach.

Since you returned to New Zealand, you captained the U-23 National Team which sealed their spot in Tokyo, you qualified for the OCL knockout stage, and you lifted the ISPS Handa Premiership trophy. Good start isn’t it?

Yes, it’s a good start, but I want more now. Hopefully options will open up elsewhere.

How was being part of this new project at Auckland United?

It was amazing. The club’s goals and expectations from the start have been very high and professional, and the group we have I think could achieve so much if the season were not called off. The youth academy has a lot of prospects I can see playing for the first team and moving overseas as well.

How has this new lockdown affected you as a footballer?

It has been tough: I had nine matches where I played the full 90 minutes, so my match fitness was good, I knew I could run all game; whereas now, there is no football, no training, so I am having to do things myself, for example, go for runs, set up running drills, speed drills etc., to try keep up the fitness. But nothing compares to match fitness.

New Zealand is having a boom in football currently. Many young players are departing to Europe, while the league itself is receiving more interest and investment. Why is this?

I think New Zealand has always had the talent, but no one ever looked or scouted here. Now they are starting to, and you can see so many young Kiwis growing into true professionals and making a name for themselves in the game. Hopefully someone will come in for me soon, too.

Clayton Lewis is still young and will certainly have many opportunities in his career. We thank him for the interview and wish him luck in his next steps as a footballer.







Lupe o le Soaga: the team to be beaten in Samoa

The ninth week of the 2020 Premier Men’s games is coming to an end in Samoa as Sogi and Vaipuna keep fighting for the second position in the league. And this should be the biggest fight of the season, since Lupe o le Soaga are leading the league comfortably.

Lupe o le Soaga still have a perfect campaign in the league: nine wins in nine matches. The team coached by Paul Ualesi is performing in a high level with 54 goals scored and only four goals conceded: “We are work hard to remain unbeaten beacuse all the teams in the league want to beat us. Our first mission is to be the champions of Samoa and then to represent the country in the next OFC Champions League,” said Ualesi.

Lupe o le Soaga’s starting eleven in a league match – Lupe o le Soaga Media

With a powerful squad led by veteran Andrew Setefano, Lupe o le Soaga also count on Oscar Anto and Vaa Taualai, two young players that are performing well in the season by scoring a good amount of goals.

This year is being very special for Lupe as they had their best ever campaign at OFC Champions League and now they are marching to win the national title for the second year in a row. However, Ualesi knows that players need to keep their feet on the ground: “We have that mindset to keep low profile and do a lot of work. One other challenge this year, all the teams from other clubs is really good and well organised,” he said.

Lupe’s latest match was contested on this Wednesday and they defeated Vaitele-Uta by 2-0. You can check the current league standings and results by clicking here.



Will Lautoka finish their second consecutive season without a national title?

This week is not a good one for Lautoka fans as they are still feeling the bitter taste of the defeat to Labasa in the Inter-District Championship final. Currently in the fifth position at Vodafone Premier League, the Bluez have no chance of being league champions this year.

Lautoka started the season on fire by winning two matches by 6-0 against Nasinu and Nadi. However, the team failed to maintain the level and the season of the Bluez is being nothing more than average in Fiji. This raises a big question: will Lautoka finish their second consecutive season without a national title?

Lautoka’s starting eleven at 2020 Inter-District Championship’s final – Fiji FA Media

The Bluez won the Pacific Cup last year, but this is not a national or official tournament. Lautoka’s last national trophies were lifted in 2018, when they won Vodafone Premier League and Inter-District Championship.

The team coached by Ravinesh Kumar still has one last chance to try to win a title this year as FIJI Fact will be contested later this year – a glimmer of hope for them.

The fantastic season of Bua’s sensation Mohammed Zaid

The current football season is coming to an end in Fiji as the national leagues are just a few games away from being completed. Meanwhile, many players have written their names in the history of Fijian football and many more will do so until the end of the year.

One of the players that must be highlighted is Mohammed Zaid. Despite playing at Vodafone Senior League – the national second division – he is having a wonderful season by scoring many goals to help Bua to reach the final of Senior League’s Inter-District Championship. He is also the current top scorer of Vodafone Senior League with eleven goals in ten matches.

SEE ALSO
Bua and Nadroga to fight for a spot in 2021 Vodafone Premier League;
Bua and the dream of reaching Vodafone Premier League

Mohammed Zaid is the current top scorer of Vodafone Senior League

Zaid scored 15 goals in 15 matches in 2020 – no other player has scored more goals than him this season. However, the 24-year-old forward has a greater mission than winning the Golden Boot Award: to take Bua to Vodafone Premier League.

Bua will face Nadroga in a two-legged playoff to decide which team will be promoted to 2021 Vodafone Premier League. Both matches are scheduled to be contested next month. You can check more information about the current Vodafone Senior League season by clicking here.

Osea Vakatalesau goes public about playing for Nadroga

One of the best footballers from Fiji in the 2000s, Osea Vakatalesau spent seventeen months suspended from football. His suspension was lifted in July and then he joined Nadroga to play Vodafone Senior League – the second tier league from Fiji.

His decision surprised many people as the legendary 34-year-old forward is still good enough to play for bigger teams like Ba and Lautoka. But the reason why he chose Nadroga is special: his mother. Vakatalesau’s mother was born in Korotogo, Located in Nadroga-Navosa Province.

Vakatalesau (right) playing for Nadroga – Fiji FA Media

The legendary forward is playing an important role in the team by scoring six goals in eight matches this season to help his team win the Senior Division Inter-District Championship. However, his mission is not over yet, as they are still one step away from being promoted to Vodafone Premier League: “My mother asked me to come and help Nadroga qualify and play in the Premier Division next year,” said Vakatalesau to Fiji Sun.

Nadroga will face Bua in a two-legged playoff to decide which team will be promoted to 2021 Vodafone Premier League. Both matches are scheduled to be contested next month. You can check more information about the current Vodafone Senior League season by clicking here.


Vanuatu National Team’s new kit is launched

Vanuatu National Team’s new kit was launched. The announcement was made by KPI Sports – the new kit supplier of Vanautu National Team – on their Facebook account.

KPI Sports is a company based in Australia that has been creating custom teamwear, sports uniforms, equipment and accessories for high performing teams and clubs. They recently secured a partnership with Cook Islands Football Association for the next three years.

Vanuatu National Team’s new jersey – KPI Sports

As you can see in the picture above, yellow and black remain as the main colours of the National Team. This kit is already on sale and you can order your jersey by clicking here.