Oceania Football Center

Tahiti: Ligue 1 VINI to kick-off on Thursday

The wait is almost over in Tahiti as 2020-21 football season will kick-off next week in the French Territory as AS Central Sport will receive AS Tefana at Stade Pater on Thursday in the opening match of Ligue 1 VINI – the top-tier league from Tahiti.

Football fans will have the opportunity to watch an official match for the first time since March when 2019-20 season was called off due to COVID-19 pandemics. This situation caused something new in Ligue 1 as thirteen teams will fight for the title this season – three more teams than in the past season – because there was no relegation last season.

2020-21 Ligue 1 VINI season kicks-off next Thursday – *FTF Media*

Current league champions AS Pirae have the tough mission to defend their title while AS Vénus seem to be the strongest side for this season. You can check the full schedule of 2020-21 Ligue 1 VINI by clicking here.

Isabel United come from behind to beat Kossa FC in Telekom S-League

Isabel United and Kossa FC clashed at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara in the ninth matchweek of Telekom S-League – the major football league from Solomon Islands. Despite having scored the opening goal of the contest, Kossa did not manage to win as Isabel came from behind to grab three important points in the table.

Ian Paia opened the scoreboard for Kossa in the 15th minute after beating Isabel’s goalkeeper Polycarp Bonave to put his side ahead. Eddie Kasute’e had the chance to extend Kossa’s lead but a defender headed the ball away to save Isabel United.

Isabel’s head coach Gideon Omokirio was forced to make a substitution in the first half as Eddie Sanga had to leave the pitch due to an injury and Cecil Buru came to the pitch to replace him. Omokirio’s side managed to equalize in the final minutes of the first half with a goal scored by Bently Kelobi from the penalty spot.

Isabel United players celebrating a goal – *Telekom S-League Media*

Despite having scored Isabel’s goal, Kelobi did not return for the second half as he was replaced by legendary Benjamin Totori. Leslie Ramo also left the pitch to be replaced by veteran Alick Maemae. Kossa’s goalscorer Ian Paia also left the pitch in the half time as Lore Fonaota came from the bench to replace him.

The most important moment of the match took place in the 73rd minute when Isabel’s Tuita Maeobia came to the pitch to replace Edward Huniuehu. Maeobia delivered a nice assist to Thomas Amasia in the 86th minute and scored once himself four minutes later to seal Isabel’s win by 3-1.

Isabel United are currently in the eighth position with ten points – only one point behind fifth placed side Kossa FC. You can check the current Telekom S-League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Can Rewa win a domestic treble this year in Fiji?

Currently leading Vodafone Premier League with 23 points in eleven matches, Rewa are living a marvelous season in Fiji. The Delta Tigers clinched Battle of the Giants’ title in August and they are some steps away from winning the Premier League.

Winning the league would be a huge milestone for Rewa as they have never won the national league. However, the team coached by Marika Rodu can do something even bigger this season as they can win a treble.

A treble in association football is achieved when a club team wins three trophies in a single season. A continental treble involves winning the club’s national league competition, main national cup competition, and main continental trophy. A domestic treble involves winning three national competitions—normally the league title, the primary cup competition, and one secondary competition.

Rewa clinched 2020 Battle of the Giants title – *Fiji FA Media*

For this to happen, the Delta Tigers need to win two more of the three titles still to be played this year: Vodafone Premier League, Inter-District Championship and Fiji FACT. It is known that head coach Marika Rodu is focused on winning the league but he counts on a very strong side that is capable to fight for every single trophy in the country.

Rewa’s next challenge is the Inter-District Championship that will be contested next week at ANZ Stadium in Suva. You can check the tournament schedule by clicking here.

SIFF Just Play U-14 National Championship finishes in Solomon Islands

Football in Solomon Islands is living a very good moment as Telekom S-League is being livestreamed on Facebook while the first ever edition of Solrais Premier League – the women’s national league – is a success in the country.

Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) and Just Play Solomon Islands organised SIFF Just Play U-14 National Championship that was held at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara – the capital of the country. Dozens of teams took part of the competition that finished on this Friday.

Western Tomoko have beaten Isabel Frigates in the shoot-out to clinch Girls’ Tournament title while Honiara Thunder were crowned Boys’ Tournament champions after beating Honiara Tigers in the final clash by 1-0. Both matches were livestreamed by SIFF on Facebook.

Western Tomoko (left) and Honiara Thunder (right) were the U-14 champions in Solomon Islands – *SIFF Media*

The winners received twenty balls while the runners-up received fifteen balls as prizes. Oceania Football Center congratulate SIFF, Just Play Solomon Islands and all people involved in the tournament for promoting youth football in the country.

Women’s IDC postponed in Fiji

Fijian fans will have to wait a little more to watch 2020 Women’s Inter-District Championship as the tournament was officially postponed by Fiji Football Association (FFA) due to bad weather conditions in Suva – the capital of the country.

The tournament was scheduled to kick-off on Tuesday alongside men’s Inter-District Championship. According to FFA’s Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Yusuf a new schedule is going to be released soon.

SEE ALSO
Nadroga aiming for a perfect season in Fiji;
Player and coach pass away in Fiji

2020 Women’s IDC is postponed – *Fiji FA Media*

It was also reported that the group stage matches of Men’s Senior Tournament might be postponed to Uprising Sports Center in Navua if the weather continues the same in the region. On the other hand, Premier Men’s Tournament matches at ANZ Stadium are confirmed.

Player and coach pass away in Fiji

This Saturday is a sad day for Fijian football as a young player and a coach died tragically. Dreketi women’s coach Karalaini Matare and 16-year-old player Shainaz Begum were walking along a road when a truck tumbled causing the logs to fall from the truck whereby it hit the two victims who were by the side of the road.

Despite being very young, Begum was a regular starter in Dreketi’s team that contested Vodafone Women’s Senior League this year.

Oceania Football Center send condolences to their friends, families and teammates in this tough moment.

Nadroga aiming for a perfect season in Fiji

Currently playing in the second tier of Fijian football, Nadroga is one step away from being promoted to Vodafone Premier League as they are going to face Bua in the promotion play-off next month after a marvelous campaign in the league’s first stage.

Nadroga built a very strong squad with important players like Jonas Naceva, Osea Vakatalesau, Paulo Buke and Sunny Deol who have major roles in the team. The Stallions are still unbeaten in the season and they want to keep the moment in the Inter-District Championship (IDC) that will kick-off on Tuesday as they are the favourites to win the Senior Tournament.

SEE ALSO:
Bua and Nadroga to fight for a spot in 2021 Vodafone Premier League
Nadroga one step closer from Vodafone Premier League

Nadroga might have a perfect season in 2020 – *Fiji FA Media*

They will have three tough challenges in the Group 2 of the tournament: Bua, Nadogo and Tavua. It is going to be a huge opportunity to know Bua better before the relegation play-off. With a powerful team, it would not be a surprise if Nadroga clinch IDC title and the spot in 2021 Vodafone Premier League. You can check the IDC schedule by clicking here.

Raphael Le’ai scores seven as Henderson Eels thrash Malaita Kingz in Telekom S-League

The ninth matchweek of Telekom S-League started with a huge victory by current league leaders Henderson Eels as they thrashed Malaita Kingz by 15-0 at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara – the capital of the Solomon Islands.

Raphael Le’ai was on fire as the 17-year-old forward scored seven goals. Joses Nawo found the net for six times while Rodney Suri and Arnold Maeluma scored once each. Le’ai and Nawo are leading the Golden Boot race with 18 and 16 goals respectively.

Raphael Le’ai scored eight goals against Malaita Kingz – *Telekom S-League Media*

Henderson Eels are living a wonderful moment with seven victories in eight league matches. On the other hand, Malaita Kingz are having a terrible season as they have lost all their Telekom S-League games so far. You can check the current league standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Ifira Black Bird clinch PVFA Premier League’s title in Vanuatu

Ifira Black Bird are the 2019-20 PVFA Premier League champions in Vanuatu! The green and yellow side have beaten Galaxy FC by 2-0 to clinch the title for the second time in three seasons. Jonathan Spokeyjack and Godine Tenene were the heroes of the day as both players scored once.

Despite not being the favourites to win the league, Ifira showed that they are a very strong side and they deservedly clinched the title as they finished ahead Tafea and Galaxy FC that were – in theory – stronger than Ifira.

Ifira players and staff celebrating the title – *Vanuatu Sports News*

Ifira and Galaxy are already qualified for PVFA Top Four that will be contested later this month. Oceania Football Center congratulate Ifira Black Bird for the amazing season. You can check the current PVFA Premier League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Hekari and Lae City qualified for 2021 OFC Champions League

Hekari United and Lae City are qualified for 2021 OFC Champions League. The biggest teams from Papua New Guinea booked their spot in the continental tournament after finishing 2019-20 PNG National Soccer League’s regular season in the top two positions.

Despite the qualification, both teams still have a lot to do in the season as the National Soccer League play-offs start today at PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby – the capital of Papua New Guinea. Hekari United will face Vitiaz United as Lae City are going to clash against Gulf Komara.

SEE ALSO:
Jordan Kaven: Gulf Komara’s hero in PNG National Soccer League;
NSL Playoff Preview: Crunch Time for Top PNG Clubs as Season Heads to Playoffs

Hekari and Lae are qualified for 2021 OFC Champions League – *PNGFA Media*

Both teams did not have a great performance in OFC Champions League this year as they were knocked-out in the group stage. However they are going to have another opportunity to fight for the continental title as they joined Hienghène Sport, AS Magenta, Auckland City, Team Wellington, AS Pirae, AS Vénus and Pago Youth in the list of qualified teams for the next Champions League.

Hekari United is the only team from Papua New Guinea to ever lift OFC Champions League trophy. They were crowned continental champions in 2010 after beating Waitakere United from New Zealand in the final. You can check more information about the next OFC Champions League edition by clicking here.