The 2020 Police Inter-District Championship was contested this week in Fiji and this tournament counted on many local players that are also police officers in the country including many National Team representants.
After a week of matches, the final clash was contested by Southern Division and Western Two on this Friday at Nasova Ground in Suva. Southern have beaten their opponents by 1-0 with a goal scored by Suva’s defender Filipe Baravilala to clinch the title.
Southern Division celebrating the title – Fiji FA Media
Most of these players are now back to their respective teams to play this weekend in Vodafone Premier League or Vodafone Senior League – the first and second divisions of Fijian football. Oceania Football Center congratulate all people involved in the Police Inter-District Tournament.
One of the most talented players from Solomon Islands, youngster Charles Mani is back to his homeland after a two-year scholarship at the Long Bay College in New Zealand. The 18-year-old forward arrived in the country on Monday in a repatriation flight.
In New Zealand he had the opportunity to play for Hibiscus Coast in Lotto NRFL Division 2 – one of the regional leagues from the country – and he scored one goal in seven matches. He revealed to Sun Sport that Hibiscus want him back next year while East Coast Bay FC from Lotto NRFL Division 1 also want to count on him in 2021.
Charles Mani
Mani is currently passing by a 14-day quarantine and then he is going to be available to resume training in his homeland. It is already known that some Telekom S-League clubs are interested on signing with him for the second round of the season so we must see him back to the pitch in a few weeks.
The most important football league of Papua New Guinea is close to the end of its regular season; Lae City is currently at the top of the table and will travel to Port Moresby to play against Star Mountain, while Hekari United will take on Morobe United also at PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
The third-placed side Vitiaz United will have an interesting match against Gulf Komara, while in Lae Tusbab Stallions will start the round of football against Morobe Wawens and Kutubu will take on FC Boungainville.
Tusbab Stallions FC – PNGFA Media
One of the most important matches of the weekend will see the Madang-based side Tusbab Stallions taking on Morobe Wawens at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium. After an impressive 2-1 win last Saturday against Gulf Komara, Stallions will be looking to solidify their fourth place in the rankings as the contest is fired up for the final spot in the semi-finals. The same Gulf Komara, Star Mountain and FC Boungainville are just behing them battling for a chance in the decisive clashes of the national league.
Another very important match in the battle for the last spot in the semi-finals will see the bottom-ranked FC Kutubu taking on FC Bougainville also in Lae. Boungainville comes in a high after a surprising win over Vitiaz United last weekend and wil hope to continue their good run against Kutubu. The Goroka-based side has no more chances to qualify for the semi-finals, but they will certainly want to represent in a good way their fans in this match against Bougainville.
Hekari United FC – PNGFA Media
Hekari United will hope to continue their good run as they take on the 9th team in the table Morobe United in Port Moresby. After hard fought win over Morobe Wawens last weekend, the team coached by Eric Komeng can not expect an easy match against Morobe United as they draw in the last weekend against the current top-tabled side Lae City FC.
Also in Port Moresby, Star Mountain will have a harsh challenge against Lae City; the team will be looking to continue their run as they come from a 4-3 win FC Kutubu in Lae last weekend. Star Mountain has all to play if they want to qualify for the semi-finals – they are currently now three points away the fourth placed Tusbab Stallions. Lae City is close to confirm their minor premiership title, depending on the results of the day they can confirm their glory this Saturday, but they know they will need to beat Star Mountain.
Lae City FC – PNGFA Media
To complete the round Vitiaz United will hope to bounce back from their heartbraking 1-0 defeat against FC Boungainville last Saturday in a very important match ahead against Gulf Komara. The team captained by Eliud Fugre wants a spot in the next OFC Champions League, for this they will need to end the regular season inside the the top-two tabled sides. A win is crucial for them as it is for Gulf Komara -if they are unable to beat the current third-placed team, they may see Tusbab Stallions increase their point difference ahead in the top-four.
The seventh matchweek of Telekom S-League – the major football league from the Solomon Islands – is set to kick-off this Saturday at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara. It is going to be a very important week for Honiara City and Laugu United that are going to face off for third place while league leaders Henderson Eels want to win again – and all these three teams have something in common: they are all cheering for a Solomon Warriors’ defeat against Isabel United.
After smashing Malaita Kingz by 6-2 on Wednesday with four goals scored by Lore Fonaota, Kossa’s staff and players are motivated to win another match this weekend against Real Kakamora: “It is a good feeling to win a game but again it also adds to the expectation of playing well again in our next match,” said Kossa’s head coach Fred Osifelo. On the other hand, Kakamora also won in the last week and once again they will rely on talented forward Adrian Mara to grab three more points. It is going to be an interesting clash as both teams have eight points in the current season.
The second match of the week will be contested by league leaders Henderson Eels and Marist FC and local fans are expecting another win for Eels. However, the team coached by Eddie Marahare had to pay some attention on Abraham Iniga and Bobby Lesley that may offer some danger to Eels’ defense. On the other hand, Marist’s head coach Patrick Miniti needs to find a way to stop a powerful attack led by youngster Raphael Le’ai who has already scored ten goals in the current Telekom S-League season.
After losing to Eels in the last week, Solomon Warriors now have to work the extra mile to get closer to their rivals and Sunday’s match against Isabel United is more than important for them. Warriors’ head coach William Omokirio counts on a very good squad but he needs to have in mind that their opponents have won their last two matches and they have legendary Benjamin Totori in the attack. Losing this match would not be a disaster because Isabel have a good squad, but it would be a terrible result specially if Eels beat Marist.
The most interesting match of the week must be the clash between Laugu United and Honiara City. While Laugu are living a good moment led by powerful winger Gagame Feni, Honiara City need to get back on the right track after losing for the first time in the season last week. Both teams will come to the pitch right after Solomon Warriors’ game which means that they might have the chance to finish the week in the second position if Warriors lose to Isabel United.
Laugu United (left) and Honiara City (right) will clash on this Sunday – Telekom S-League Media
The last clash of this matchweek will be contested by two newcomers: Central Coast FC and Southern United. While Southern are living a very bad moment as they lost five of their six matches in the season, Central Coast are back to the pitch after having a bye week. It is going to be a very interesting contest because the best (Central Coast) and the worst (Southern) defense of the league will be clashing on Wednesday. Let’s see how Central Coast’s young forwards will behave against Southern’s poor defense.
Malaita Kingz are not going to play as they are having a bye week. It is a very good opportunity for Michael Alafa to work on his team to become a competitive side in the league as they are in the last position with six losses in six matches.
Hekari United had retaken the second position at PNG National Soccer League table after a 2-1 win over Morobe Wawens last weekend; Vitiaz United got beaten by FC Boungainville helping the Red Army to be back as second in the table. One of the biggest responsibles of the good form of Hekari is their new goalkeeper Dave Tomare; the back up option for the PNG Kapuls member Ishmael Pole is proving is capabilities during the absence of Pole that was suspended for two matches after receiving a straight red card against Lae City.
Pole had returned to Hekari squad after serving his suspension, but head coach Eric Komeng decided to continue fielding Tomare as his first option keeper for the last two matches of Hekari – proving the good performances of Tomare were not only satisfying the fans and media, but as well the coaching staff of the Port Moresby-based team.
Dave Tomare
As Hekari heads to another very important match this weekend, with the return of the fans of the stadiums in Papua New Guinea, the coaching staff of Hekari has to decide whether Pole will return to the team or Tomare will be given sequence. Tomare played five of the six matches after the resumption of the national league – he conceded just two goals and is his team is still to lose having him in the posts -, Pole only featured in the 1-0 defeat of Hekari against Lae City when he was red carded. The only thing that can be assured at the moment is that the 23-year-old Dave Tomare is being highly praised and proving to be an asset for the Reds.
The three players in particular, goalkeeper Charles Hauka, striker Ilagi Geno and the defender Kila Numa were already absent in the last match of Gulf Komara against Tusbab Stallions last Saturday. It is uncertain if they will be available to play this weekend for their team as the suspension notice was just released by PNGFA this week, precisely on 16th September: “Hauka is hereby suspended for one-match and a fine of K1,000.00. Geno and Numa also face the same suspension, however will pay a fine of K2,000.00 each. In accordance with Article 58 of the PNGFA Disciplinary Code and Code of Ethics, provided that should the fine referred to is not paid at the end of the suspension period, the suspension shall continue untill the said fine is paid in full. The decision is final and should the three players intend to appeal, they must lodge an appeal in writing within 14 days“, said PNGFA Media in press release.
Ilagi Geno is one of the players penalised by PNGFA – PNGFA Media
Gulf Komara is currently ranked fifth in the PNG National Soccer after suffering a heartbreaking defeat against Tusbab Stallions last Saturday by 2-1. The team is still in contention to take the final spot in the semi-finals stage of the national as they are just one point away Stallions that is currently ranked fourth.
One of the most traditional football tournaments of Fiji, the Inter-Disctrict Championship, will be played from 6th to 11th October at the ANZ Stadium in Suva – and now the pools of both Premir League and Senior League tournaments are released by Fiji FA.
Group A: Suva, Lautoka, Nasinu and Rewa Group B: Ba, Navua, Nadi and Labasa
In the Senior Division, Tailevu/Naitasiri, Rakiraki, Dreketi and Seaqaqa are in Group 1 while 2019 runners-up Nadroga is in Group 2 with Tavua Bua and the fourth qualifying team from the North. The northern qualifiers for the senior division are still ongoing, as reported by FBC.
Pools of IDC were drawn – FBC
The IDC pays the biggest prize of Fijian football, $25,000, for the winner of the Premier Division’s competition. The current title holders of the competition are the Babasiga Lions; Labasa will be battling to defend their glory this year in Suva.
The 2019-20 PVFA Premier League is reaching its end in Vanuatu as the eleventh matchweek of the season kicks-off today at Port Vila Stadium. While Ifira Black Bird, Tafea and Galaxy are fighting for the title, Erakor Golden Star and Tupuji Imere want to book a spot in the top four to advance to the next stage.
Current league leaders Ifira Black Bird are going to face Yatel in the opening match of the week. After smashing Sia-Raga by 5-0, Ifira need to win again to stay on top of the table. On the other hand, seventh placed Yatel have to win in order to get out of the relegation zone.
While Yatel want to get out of the relegation zone, Sia-Raga do not want to get into the zone. However Sia-Raga have a tough challenge against Galaxy on this Saturday. Despite being in the third position, Galaxy lost to Sia-Raga in the first round of the season, but the team coached by Moise Poida will probably win to keep fighting for the title with the help of Brazilian star Roberson.
Galaxy FC are fighting for 2019-20 PVFA Premier League’s title – Galaxy FC Media
After beating Yatel by 3-1 last week, Tupuji Imere want to keep the good moment against Mauwia in order to stay alive in the fight for the fourth position in the league. On the other hand, Mauwia are having a very difficult season and winning this match would be a huge accomplishment for them.
The last match of the week will be contested between Erakor Golden Star and Tafea and fans must expect an exciting match. After being smashed by Galaxy last weekend, Erakor need to get into the right track in order to stay in the fourth position but they are going to face a strong Tafea that will go all out to keep fighting for the title.
You can check the current PVFA Premier League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.
Good news for football fans in Papua New Guinea as supporters are set to be allowed back to stadiums to watch the remaining PNG National Soccer League matches. Oceania Football Center had access to the response of David Manning, controller of National Pandemic Response, to Micah James, acting execute director of Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation regarding the situation. You can see the full letter by cliking here.
Fans are allowed back to stadiums in Papua New Guinea – PNGFA Media
“l am satisfied with the protocols to allow for paying spectators into outdoor sporting venues. This includes rugby (Union and League), cricket, soccer and softbal“, said Manning in the letter – “You are hereby approved to allow paying spectators into the outdoor sporting venues as per the match day protocols“, completed Manning in responde to Mr. Micah James.
Despite the allowance, Manning reminded the importance to follow the guidelines in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19: “My approval is conditional upon the strict adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines that the NCC has distributed and the limit on spectators that I have previously approved […]”.
It is highly expected the fans will be already allowed for the matches played this weekend in Port Moresby and Lae. Recently, the Hekari United’s key playerIshmael Pole posted in his social media “spectators allowed this weekend; come relax and support your team“, although there still no confirmation from responsible entities if this weekend’s matches crowd will be allowed in PNG Football Stadium and Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.
The most recent signings made by Ni-Vanuatu powerhouse Galaxy FC attended their first training session with the club this weekend. The strikers Andre Batick, former Malampa Revivors, and Jack Vira, former Sia-Raga Santo, joined the club in the last week.
In the last weekend, Galaxy recorded a strong win over Erakor Golden Star at the PVFA Premier League by 4-0. The Brazilian midfielder Roberson Felipe played a major role scoring a hattrick to confirm Galaxy’s important win over a direct contender to the top-four of Port Vila.
Jack Vira and Andre Batick – Galaxy FC Media
The addition of the two front man might be crucial for Galaxy in the remaining matches of the PVFA Premier League as the team is just one point behing Ifira Black Bird, the top-tabled side in the competition so far.
Oceania Football Center 