Oceania Football Center

Malampa Revivors and RueRue advance to VFF National Super League’s semi-finals

The Group A of VFF National Super League has come to an end as the last two matches were played this Friday at Soccer City Stadium in Luganville, Vanuatu. While Malampa Revivors had already qualified for the semi-finals, RueRue and Waterfall came face to face in a game whose winner would advance to the next round.

After a nil-nil draw in the first half, RueRue’s captain Ajay Bule opened the scoreboard in the 66th minute to put his side ahead. This result would be enough for them to advance to the semi-finals, but the team coached by Partrick Gaji still had time to score two more goals. Current VFF National Super League’s top scorer Melkyzedeck Gasi and Oliver Vira scored once each to seal the 3-0 win.

Malampa Revivors (left) and RueRue (right) advanced to 2020 VFF National Super League’s semi-finals

Already qualified for the semi-finals, Malampa Revivors were defeated by Patvuti in the last match of Group A. With an alternative team, Revivors lost by 4-2. However, the current national champions remained on top of the table with nine points in four matches.

Malampa Revivors and RueRue are now waiting for their opponents as the Group B has not started yet. You can check 2020 VFF National Super League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Lewis and McGarry set to join Wellington Phoenix

The next Hyundai A-League season will start in December, but Wellington Phoenix are already looking for new footballers to strengthen their squad for 2020-21 – and there are two young players that are set to join the team for the next season: Clayton Lewis and James McGarry.

According to Stuff, both players are understood to have agreed terms with the franchise. Lewis and McGarry have already represented New Zealand at senior level and they would be huge additions for the team coached by Ufuk Talay.

SEE ALSO
Clayton Lewis targets Tokyo Olympics as he explains his return to New Zealand;
James McGarry sees a return to Wellington Phoenix as a real possibility

Lewis is a talented 23-year-old midfielder who last played for Auckland United at Lotto NRFL Men’s Premier League while McGarry is a full back who had his last experience as a footballer in Netherlands by playing for Willem II from 2018 to 2020.

The 2020-21 Hyundai A-League season is scheduled to kick-off on December 27. Twelve teams are going to fight for the title this year as Macarthur FC will be making their A-League debut this season.

Ravinesh Kumar leaves Lautoka

After losing 2020 Inter-District Championship’s final earlier this month, Lautoka will have to look for a new head coach, as Ravinesh Kumar informed Lautoka Football Association that he resigned from his position on this Wednesday.

Kumar was appointed as Lautoka’s head coach in July and his debut was in a 2-1 loss to Ba. He coached Lautoka in fifteen matches: three wins, five draws and seven losses: “I’m not joining any other association but yes this is part and partial of football. I will say that this is a professional reason and I will not continue on with Lautoka,“ he said to FBC Sports.

Ravinesh Kumar stepped down from his position – *Fiji FA Media*

Despite the good campaign at 2020 Inter-District Championship, Kumar’s stint as Lautoka’s head coach will surely be marked by a poor record at Vodafone Premier League – the top tier league from Fiji. The Bluez have won just six points in seven games coached by Kumar.

Lautoka’s next match will be this weekend against Labasa at Subrail Park in the twelfth matchweek of Premier League. You can check the current Vodafone Premier League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Warriors beat Honiara City as Telekom S-League’s first round comes to an end

Solomon Warriors and Honiara City clashed at Lawson Tama Stadium in the eleventh matchweek of Telekom S-League – the national football league from the Solomon Islands. It was the last match of the first round and now teams will have a break as the mid-season transfer window opens next Monday.

Honiara City just needed 35 seconds to open the scoreboard. Junior Annie passed by a defender and crossed from the left to Cleophas Oriana who pushed the ball into the net. Sixteen minutes later, Tigi Molea was fouled inside the box by Prince Pue and Dennis Ifunaoa scored from the penalty spot to equalize.

Ifunaoa was having a great day and he found the net for the second time to put Warriors ahead in the 36th minute while Vanuatu international John Alick headed the ball into the net after a corner kick to extend the lead in the final minutes of the first half. The final goal of the contest was scored by Norman Winford in the beginning of the second half. At the final whistle, the score was 4-1 in favour of the Warriors.

Solomon Warriors’ players celebrating a goal – *SIFF Media*

Solomon Warriors finished Telekom S-League’s first round with nineteen points in ten matches. They are currently eight points behind league leaders Henderson Eels, which means that the team coached by William Omokirio will have a lot of work in the second round of the season.

On the other hand, newcomers Honiara City finished the first round in the sixth position with thirteen points – a solid campaign for a debutant. You can check 2020 Telekom S-League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Vanuatu: Galaxy and Ifira to clash for a spot in VFF National Super League

Erakor Golden Star and Galaxy FC clashed at Port Vila Stadium on this Wednesday to decide which team would advance to PVFA Top Four final. After a draw in the first 45 minutes, Galaxy FC scored four goals in the second half to stay alive in the tournament.

Kaltfer Kaltack opened the scoreboard for Erakor Golden Star in the 13th minute. However, they did not have much time to celebrate as Kensi Tangis equalized two minutes later. In the second half, Bong Kalo scored an early goal to put Galaxy ahead: 2-1.

Erakor Golden Star worked hard to fight against their opponents, but they did not manage to hold Galaxy’s powerful attack in the final minutes: Bong Kalo, Kensi Tangis and Brazilian star Roberson scored once each after the 80th minute. At the final whistle, the final score was 5-1 in favour of Galaxy FC.

Galaxy’s starting eleven against Erakor Golden Star – *Vanuatu Sports News*

Despite the heavy loss, Erakor’s staff is happy with their performance in the season as they reached the Top Four with a very young squad: “Our development goals have been achieved so far through our young players,” stated Erakor’s head coach Kalo Noel Benjamin after the match

Galaxy will face Ifira Black Bird at PVFA Top Four final. The winner of this match will advance to VFF National Super League to fight for the national title and a spot in 2021 OFC Champions League. You can check more information about 2020 VFF National Super League by clicking here.

Kalotang: a surname to watch in Vanuatu football

Throughout the history of football, we have seen some families and surnames that have gained notoriety in the sport. The Maldini are one of the greatest examples: Cesare and Paolo have made history playing for Milan, each in their own time.

Another great example are the brothers Jerome and Kevin-Prince Boateng, who play for different National Teams and played against each other in the 2014 World Cup. Another notable case is the Tehau family, who had four of their number representing Tahiti in the Confederations Cup in 2013.

In Vanuatu it is no different either as Brian Kaltak, Jean Kaltack and Tony Kaltack are relatives and represented their nation internationally. However, there is a new surname that is calling the attention in the country: Kalotang.

Keiben Kalotang, Massing Kalotang and Tonly Kalotang: three young players that are starting to shine in Vanuatu. They are nephews of Noel Kalotang, former goalkeeper and current Erakor Golden Star’s goalkeepers coach. Keiben and Massing are brothers while Tonly is their cousin. All of them have passed through the Erakor Golden Star’s youth system.

Tonly (left), Kieben (middle) and Massing (right)

Tonly Kalotang left Erakor Golden Star and joined Ifira Black Bird last year. The 23-year-old forward became one of Ifira’s most important players this season, scoring important goals and helping the team win the 2019-20 PVFA Premier League title.

Massing Kalotang recently lived the best moment of his career by coming from the bench to save three penalty kicks to help Erakor Golden Star Tafea on shoot-out in the first round of PVFA Top Four. His elder brother, Keiben, is one of the most talented players to come from Erakor’s youth system in the past seasons.

None of the three have played for National Team at youth level. However, it would not be a surprise if we see the surname Kalotang in the next call-ups, both at senior level and at youth level.

Marko Stamenic promoted FC København’s first team in Denmark

Marko Stamenic is one of the most promising players from New Zealand. The 18-year-old joined FC København from Denmark last month but he is already impressing the coach staff with his talent and intelligence.

After playing four matches for his new team in the U-19 National League, the young midfielder received the opportunity to train with the main squad, which means he will have the opportunity to train with some Denmark National Team players like Mathias Jørgensen, Peter Ankersen and Viktor Fischer.

SEE ALSO
All Whites’ forward Myer Bevan joins TS Galaxy FC from South Africa;
Elijah Just scores as Callum McCowatt debuts for FC Helsingør in Denmark

Stamenic used to be a regular starter at New Zealand U-17 National Team and he was one of the most important players in the squad that went to Brazil to play FIFA U-17 World Cup last year. It seems only a matter of time before he makes his first-team debut for both All Whites and FC København.

VFF National Super League: a competition under the shadows of misinformation

The VFF National Super League is the national football championship in Vanuatu. This year’s edition began last Thursday when two matches of Group A were played at Soccer City in Luganville. As it was previously reported, five teams are in Group A while three other teams are in Group B.

Group B has not started yet. On the other hand, Group A reached its third matchday on this Monday and the results of the matches are only known thanks to the efforts of local people who provide this information in social media groups.

While other federations provide reports and updates about their national leagues, Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) has not made a public statement on the championship. The impression given by the federation is that they do not want people to know about what is happening in local football.

By the way, Malampa Revivors are leading the Group B with six points in two matches, followed by RueRue and Police with four points each. You can check the standings and results of 2020 VFF National Super League by clicking here.

Oceania Football Center would like to thank all those who provide information about the tournament in social media groups. You are helping Vanuatu football to come out of the darkness, unlike the local federation.

Brian Kaltak back to action with Auckland City in New Zealand

After being crowned champion of the 2019-20 ISPS Handa Premiership, Auckland City is back in action in New Zealand. The team, which continues to be coached by Jose Figueira, beat Manukau United 2-0 in a friendly match contested this weekend.

Many of the players who were in the squad last season have returned to the club, such as goalkeeper Cameron Brown, Argentinian striker Emiliano Tade and Vanuatu defender Brian Kaltak, who were in Auckland City’s starting eleven against Manukau United.

Brian Kaltak is going to play his third ISPS Handa Premiership season with Auckland City. The 27-year-old central defender from Vanuatu has established himself as one of the best defenders playing in New Zealand and he must be a regular start in the team coached by Jose Figueira for another season.

The Navy Blues will debut at 2020-21 ISPS Handa Premiership on November 15 against Eastern Suburbs at Kiwitea Street. You can check the full schedule of the upcoming Premiership’s season by clicking here.

Youngsters debut for Manukau United’s first team in a friendly against Auckland City

Regional football leagues were cancelled in northern New Zealand due to restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including Lotto NRFL Premier Men’s – the stronger regional league from New Zealand’s winter football season.

Despite that, local teams resumed their activities with training sessions and friendlies. One of these teams is Manukau United that recently played a friendly match against current ISPS Handa Premiership’s champions Auckland City FC.

This game was very special for seven young players: Avishek Nand, Aydin Mustahib, Etonia Dogalau, Jeremiah Ruawhare, Mohammed Nabeel, Rahul Naresh and Yunus Atiq. All these players had the opportunity to make their debut for Manukau United’s first team, after having participated throughout the year in the reserve team and the U-19 team.

From left to right: Nabeel, Ruawhare, Mustahib, Atiq, Naresh, Nand and Dogalau – *Manukau United Media*

Auckland City have beaten Manukau United by 2-0 with goals scored by Abdul Khalifa – who played the first half for Manukau United – and Jordan Vale in the second half as Navy Blues‘ head coach Jose Figueira made some tests in this match.

The Navy Blues will debut at 2020-21 ISPS Handa Premiership on November 15 against Eastern Suburbs at Kiwitea Street. You can check the full schedule of the upcoming Premiership’s season by clicking here.