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.

Henderson Eels beat Real Kakamora to extend their lead at Telekom S-League

After facing difficulties in the first half, Henderson Eels got back on track in the second half to beat Real Kakamora by 4-0 at Lawson Tama Stadium in the tenth matchweek of Telekom S-League – the national football league from Solomon Islands.

Eels’ forward Tutizama Tanito had a good opportunity to open the scoreboard in the twelfth minute but Kakamora’s veteran goalkeeper Zantas Kabini saved it. A few minutes later, Tanito crossed from the left wing and Arnold Maeluma pushed the ball into the net, but the goal was disallowed because Maeluma was in an offside position.

Real Kakamora had a chance to score in the 41st minute in a free kick but Bartholomew Talakoro sent it over the crossbar. The first half finished at a nil-nil draw, a result that was not making Eels’ head coach Eddie Marahare happy: “We needed to make some changes as we need to keep the ball and then try to penetrate towards into the spaces,” he said in a post-match interview.

For the second half, Derrick Taebo replaced left back Robert Laua while Augustine Waita came from the bench to replace Arnold Maeluma. Despite having been Laua’s replacement, Taebo played on the right side as Sedrick Doliasi was moved to the left side.

Waita started the second half as a left winger while youngster Raphael Le’ai – who played as a left winger in the first half – was moved to the right wing and it worked perfectly. Joses Nawo opened the scoreboard for Henderson Eels in the first minute of the second half after a great cross from the right wing by Raphael Le’ai.

Henderson Eels’ players celebrating a goal – Telekom S-League Media

In the 54th minute, Le’ai was fouled inside the box by Joachim Rande. However, the referees said it was outside the box. The referee’s mistake was not a problem for Joses Nawo who extended Eels’ lead with a powerful free kick. A few minutes later, Le’ai passed by two defenders before giving the ball to Augustine Waita who pushed it into the net to score Eels’ third goal.

After delivering two assists, youngster Raphael Le’ai scored an amazing free kick goal from the left wing to put his side ahead by four goals – A great goal to crown his great performance. Applauded, he was replaced by Hudson Felani in the 80th minute.

Both teams worked hard to find the net in the final minutes of the clash, but the score did not change in the last ten minutes and Henderson Eels defeated Real Kakamora by 4-0: “We came up with the objective to get the maximum points from this game and I’m very happy that we achieved that today,” stated Eddie Marahare.

Eels remain on top of the table with 27 points in ten matches while Real Kakamora is currently in the eighth position in the league. You can check 2020 Telekom S-League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Jesse Randall joins Hawke’s Bay United for 2020-21 ISPS Handa Premiership

The 2020-21 ISPS Handa Premiership is scheduled to kick-off next month and the participating teams are starting to release their squads for the upcoming season. The first team to make official statements about players’ signing was Hawke’s Bay United that start to announce their squad. The biggest news is that youngster Jesse Randall has joined the team for the upcoming season.

Randall is going to play his first season with Hawke’s Bay United after scoring 18 goals at 2020 Ultra Football Central League – one of the most important regional leagues from New Zealand. The 18-year-old forward is one of the most promising players from his country and this will be his second ISPS Handa Premiership season as he played for Tasman United in 2019-20.

Jesse Randall

Hawke’s Bay United will face Hamilton Wanderers at Bluewater Stadium on November 15 in the first matchweek of 2020-21 ISPS Handa Premiership. You can check the full schedule of the season by clicking here.



Hiromana and Teleda to join Kossa FC for Telekom S-League’s second round

Telekom S-League’s mid-season transfer window has not opened yet but teams are already trying to bring new players to strengthen their squads for the second round of the major football league from Solomon Islands.

Currently in the seventh position with twelve points in nine matches, Kossa’s season is worse than expected. Despite counting on great forwards like Barrie Limoki, Harrison Mala, James Naka and Lore Fonaota in the squad, the team coached by Fred Osifelo faces defensive problems that prevented the team from getting better results in the season.

Kossa’s defense must receive a big boost for the second round of the season as Richard Hiromana is set to rejoin the team in the mid-season transfer window, which will open on October 26. Hiromana is a 23-year-old defender who has played eleven matches for Solomon Islands National Football Team.

Richard Hiromana

Another player who is expected to strengthen Kossa’s squad for the remainder of the season is former international Himson Teleda. He is a 28-year-old winger and he represented Solomon Islands at 2012 OFC Nations Cup.

According to team’s media, both players will have their first training session with the team this week: “They are here and ready to train. Both Teleda and Hiromana will join the team,” said team manager Mark Danny. Kossa’s next match will be against Central Coast FC on Sunday. You can check Telekom S-League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Referees step up in Solomon Islands

The current Telekom S-League season is already being historic as the number of league teams has increased to eleven. After many years, the major football league from the Solomon Islands is finally being livestreamed.

Football in Solomon Islands continues to develop on and off the field. One of the things that has developed most in local football is refereeing – and local fans recognize it. The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) has been working hard for the development of the sport in the country, especially with regard to referees and coaches.

SIFF recently announced that an electronic board and communication kits have been purchased, which means that referees now have better working conditions at Telekom S-League and Solrais Women’s Premier League.

SEE ALSO
Henderson Eels’ head coach Eddie Marahare focused on improving his team in S-League;
Telekom S-League’s mid-season transfer window to open this month

Referees testing the eletronic board at Lawson Tama Stadium – SIFF Media

Despite some minor mistakes, referees have been performing in a very good level at Telekom S-League. Referees’ good performance helps to increase the level of the league as they are responsible to run the football matches.

It is very good to see the development of the sport in the Solomon Islands. Oceania Football Center congratulate Solomon Islands Football Federation and Telekom S-League Board for all efforts to promote the sport in the country.

Yagi Yasasa: a new football star in Papua New Guinea

After a breathtaking final match, the 2019-20 PNG National Soccer League came to an end in Papua New Guinea. It was a very interesting season as Vitiaz United almost broke Lae City’s hegemony in the championship, while FC Bougainville, Gulf Komara and Tusbab Stallions starred an incredible fight for a spot in the semi-finals.

It was Vitiaz’s first ever season at the National Soccer League. However, the team coached by Nathan Vincent surprised bigger teams with a powerful midfield led by Eliud Fugre and Yagi Yasasa. Vitiaz became even stronger in the second half of the season when forwards Jonathan Allen and Mathew David joined the team to build a great quartet alongside Fugre and Yasasa.

Yagi Yasasa was one of the best players in the season as he had a wonderful season playing for Vitiaz United. He finished the season with five goals scored, but the size of his quality cannot be measured by the number of goals as he is not a striker.

Yasasa (right) was one of the best players at 2019-20 PNG National Soccer League – PNGFA Media

He impressed the fans with his quality and skills during the whole season. His talent was already known in the country as he represented Papua New Guinea at youth level, but now local fans are demanding that Yasasa be called up to the National Team – and he deserves it.

Yasasa used to be one of the most promising players from Papua New Guinea, but now he is a reality. We cannot wait to see his quality again in the next National Soccer League – whether by Vitiaz United or not.