Oceania Football Center

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

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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.

Labasa beat Lautoka to stay in Vodafone Premier League

Labasa and Lautoka clashed at Subrail Park in the twelfth matchweek of Vodafone Premier League – the top tier league from Fiji. It was a very important match for both sides as a victory would mean staying in the league for next year. Also, this match could be Lautoka’s chance to get even after losing to Labasa in the Inter-District Championship final, but it was not.

This match was a delicate one for Lautoka, as head coach Ravinesh Kumar resigned from his position on Wednesday and Anginesh Prasad was the head coach in this match. Furthermore, goalkeeper Joela Biuvanua is still injured so Viliame Tabucala was Lautoka’s goalkeeper this match.

After winning Inter-District Championship’s Golden Boot earlier this month, Ilisoni Lolaivalu kept the good moment and opened the scoreboard for Labasa in the 18th minute while Akeimi Ralulu extended the lead in the second half. At the final whistle, the score was 2-0 in favour of Labasa.

Labasa won Lautoka by 2-0 – *Fiji FA Media*

The Babasiga Lions are now in the fifth position with sixteen points in twelve matches, three points ahead Lautoka. You can check the current Vodafone Premier League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Galaxy FC win PVFA Top Four and qualify for VFF National Super League

The eighth participant in the 2020 VFF National Super League has finally been known as Galaxy FC have beaten Ifira Black Bird at PVFA Top Four’s final to seal a spot in the national tournament.

Jonathan Spokeyjack opened the scoreboard for Ifira in the first minutes of the game while Brazilian defender Diego headed the ball into the net to equalize in the 35th minute. The tie remained until the 76th minute when defender Joseph Iaruel scored to put Galaxy ahead while forward Kensi Tangis found the net in the final minutes to seal the 3-1 win for his team.

Galaxy FC players and staff celebrating the title – *Vanuatu Sports News*

Galaxy are drawn in the Group B of VFF National Super League alongside Iwoka FC and LL Echo. The blue team from Port Vila has clear goals for this season: to qualify for the 2021 OFC Champions League and to be national champions. You can check more information about 2020 VFF National Super League by clicking here.

Samoa: Lupe o le Soaga qualifies for 2021 OFC Champions League

Samoa’s representative in 2021 OFC Champions League is defined as Lupe o le Soaga clinched the title of Premier Men’s first stage with one game in advance. The team coached by Paul Ualesi will play the continental tournament for the second straight year.

With the OFC Champions League spot secured, they now have the mission to win the Top Eight, a knock-out tournament with the top eight teams from the regular season: “Our team has a good quality and a combination of experienced and young players who have some level of exposure, as we played the OFC Champions League this year. In fact, our team had most of the experienced players who played for Lupe in the 2018 OFC Champions League,” said Lupe’s midfielder Ken Kerewi.

Lupe o le Soaga’s squad – *Lupe o le Soaga Media*

Lupe has 30 points in ten matches, which means that Kerewi and his teammates are still unbeaten in the season: “Winning ten matches in a row is not an easy task […] We had tough games to get here, having to play and win against teams like Vaivase-Tai, Vaitele-Uta, Kiwi and Vaipuna. These games tested the quality of our team,” stated Kerewi.

The Samoan team is the tenth side to secure a spot at 2021 OFC Champions League. You can check the list with all qualified teams by clicking here.

Royals Academy’s stint in England is over as players return to Solomon Islands

The footballing relationship between the Solomon Islands and England seems to have come to an end as Royals Academy’s players are ready to go back home after staying in the European country for over a year.

This partnership has brought good things to the Oceanian nation, as young athletes from the Solomon Islands had the opportunity to train and play for English clubs during their time in Europe like Ali Mekawir and Ian Kula, who were key players at Langney Wanderers: “We wish you both well in your future and your footballing progression and hopefully, our paths will cross again in the future,” stated Wanderers on their website.

Two other players have joined the Wanderers, but they did not have the opportunity to debut: Don Keana and Jackson Wale. Another player that was linked to an English club was Absolom Wawane, who recently joined Hollington United FC.

Going back home means that these players will have the opportunity to take part of Telekom S-League, the national league from Solomon Islands, as the mid-season transfer window is set to open on next Monday.