Oceania Football Center

Micah Lea’alafa returns to training as Kurukuru reset World Cup preparations in Honiara

If there was no COVID-19 we would be months away the fourth participation in a row of Solomon Islands at the world’s most important Futsal event: FIFA Futsal World Cup. As this does not match the reality, we can only state by now the Kurukuru resumed their preparations for the tournament that will be held in Lithuania in 2021 – the World Cup was postponed due the hard hit of COVID-19 in the European continent.

The team led by Elliot Ragomo won last year New Zealand in the grand final of the OFC Futsal Nations Cup held in New Caledonia to confirm their dominance in the region and their slot in the next FIFA World Cup. Some young new faces are included in the team that is training in Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara, as the Kooline’s 18-year-old Benjamin Mana. Mana was awarded the ‘Golden Boot’ of the first ever OFC Futsal Champions League last year in New Zealand helping his side Kooline to the regional glory.

Former Auckland City and Maritzburg United man Micah Lea’alafa is back to action after a long period as he is part of the training camp. Recently, Lea’alafa stated his taking a break of his career, but certainly he will not be losing the opportunity to take part of his fourth appearance in a row at the most important futsal event.

According to local federation (SIFF), twenty players were called up to attend the training sessions led by assistant coach Francis Lafai, trainer Nelson Kabitana and SIFF Futsal Development Officer, Dickson Kadau. You can check the 20-men list by clicking here.

This is the first training spell the Kurukuru are having since the succesful campaign at OFC Futsal Nations Cup. A training camp was schedule at the start of the year, but it was forced to be cancelled due the restrictions on COVID-19 pandemics. This is also the first time since Micah Lea’alafa departed from South African professional outfit Maritzburg United that he is back to action. The player is also taking up a team analyst role for Southern United FC’s side at Telekom S-League, the top-football league of Solomon Islands.

Lea’alafa in interview to Oceania Football Center explained his decision to take a break in his career as he is focused on his own football and futsal development programs accross Solomon Islands. A commendable attitude by an international player of the caliber of the former Auckland City man.

Rewa on the verge of first ever national league title

The fantastic run of the Delta Tigers put them at the top of the table of Fijian’s top-league, the Vodafone Premier League. Rewa is now four points clear at the top with more four matches to be played in the season; this can be the first ever national league title for the Nausori-based side.

The team coached by Marika Rodu is having a superb season so far, the Tigers also won the latest edition of the Battle of Giants held in Lautoka as they beat Suva by 1-0 in the grand final matches at Churcill Park. The likes of Setareki Hughes, Gabriele Matanisiga and Peniame Drova are being instrumental for the team in the season – the mix of experienced players alongside youth talented players is proving to be key for Rewa at the moment.

Rewa players celebrating a goal against Nadi – *Fiji FA Media*

Rewa collected all points from their latest match at Vodafone Premier League against Nadi; Peniame Drova goal in the second half confirmed a hard fought win over the Green Machine by 2-1 – a direct contender for the top-spot in the season.

Rewa’s next match in the national league is also not going be an easy one as they take on Labasa. Despite the Babasiga Lions are not doing a so good season so far, their recent win over Nasinu gave them a relief in the table and they will come fired to challenge Rewa.

A historical team in Fiji already collected trophies from all other major tournaments traditionally played in the country, the only glory missing for the Delta Tigers is the national league; their supporters are hopeful for another good match this weekend against Labasa to mantain their comfortable lead at the top of the table.

Fiji: Lami FA to be re-established in 2021

The second-tier of football in Fiji is certainly missing one its districts; Lami after almost being promoted in the previous season to the Vodafone Premier League is not taking part of the second most important football league of the table. The reason was unclear at the time, but Oceania Football Center investigation confirmed the Lami FA was punished by Fiji Football Association.

Recently, Fiji FA in a press release stated they have plans to re-establish the district to take part in the Vodafone Senior League in the next season. “We have a group of interested people who came forward to take over the association and we accepted their proposal but they will be on interim basis and will operate under the specific terms under Fiji Football Association, “said Fiji FA’s Mohammed Yusuf.

The problem that made the entity to punish Lami was the lack of activity of intern football leagues in the district: “Under the compliance Yusuf said the Lami Football Association need to have a minimum of six clubs with at least 16 licensed players“.

“The interim community will need to work out ways to upgrade Johnny Singh Park to cater for youths and for Lami Football Local League and training. The interim committee will need to open a new bank account and operate as the old account will be ceased pending investigation and all money earned either fundraising, donations or Fiji FA grants need to be deposited and accounted for, the Chief Executive Officer added the association would need to have at least $5000 in their bank account to allow them to participate in the Vodafone Senior League 2021. The association was de-registered this year after the previous management failed to comply with the statute and regulations of Fiji FA“, was also mentioned in the press release.

Solomon Islands: Kossa’s Lore Fonaota scores four goals in eight minutes in his team win against Malaita Kingz

Kossa imposed a harsh defeat to the bottom-ranked side Malaita Kingz at 2020 edition of Solomon Islands’ Telekom S-League. The experienced James Naka scored for his team in the process, but it was the half-time substitute Lore Fonaota who made history for Kossa and certainly at the Solomon Islands’ stage as he scored four goals in only eight minutes.

Fonaota had already scored twice in the current season of Telekom S-League, but he did not start the game as an option of team head coach Fred Osifelo. But the Wednesday was to be Lore’s day: he was introduced just after the start of the second half and did not take long to hit the net; at the 59th minute his scored his first goal, but the party continued: two minutes later Fonaota was on target again, he repeated it more two times – at the 65th and 67th minute of play – to confirm his side win. At the moment the game was already 6-1, Malaita was able to score another at the end of the game, but nothing that changed the fantastic performance of Kossa and especially of the 35-year-old Lore Fonaota.

Lore Fonaota (second from left) celebrating one of his goals with his teammates – *TSL Media*

“Lore’s a natural sprinter turned footballer. The likes of Tibon Oge mentored him as he switched to football. Now as an experience striker, we’re very pleased to have him in Kossa FC. He does have his special factor which the team appreciates a lot,” said on the player Kossa’s tactical analyst Alex Waimora.

“Lore was on fire, especially after missing one-on-ones against Marist last week – he regrouped and improved rapidly“, added Waimora. Kossa added very important three points to their campaign after an unfortunate defeat against Marist in their previous match in the national league. Now the team seems stronger and expects to battle at the top of the table.

You can check the recent match results, top scorers and the current updated standings of 2020 Telekom S-League by visiting our session of the Solomon Islands’ national league.

Lae City: the good job of Bob Morris

Since Lae City’s historical head coach Peter Gunemba departed from the team this year, many questions were raised by the fans as how would be the future of the current national league champions in Papua New Guinea. Alongside the head coach important players such as Raymond Gunemba, Nigel Dabinyaba and Mosie Milubwa departed from the team.

Lae City’s boss Ian Chow reacted quickly after the bad campaign at OFC Champions League sacking the coach, but he was not expected to see some of his important players out. Despite arguments around stating players such as Raymond Gunemba were not having a professional attitude raised by Chow, certainly counting on the quality of him and Dabinyaba was something he did not want to lose.

Former PNG Kapuls head coach Bob Morris was appointed for the job and fielded a completely new side for his first match against Tusbab Stallions – before the COVID-19 break -, a game that ended up in a 1-1 draw. Since then, Lae City signed two very important players: Stahl Gubag and Alwin Komolong; the already very good squad already counted on the likes of Felix Komolong and Emmanuel Simon, giving Morris a very good bunch of players to choose from. Before the resumption of the national league after the COVID-19 break, Ronald Warisan and Obert Bika that left the team when Peter Gunemba departed decided to return to Lae City.

Since Morris took charge of Lae City the team seems playing even better than before; Lae is currently at the top of table of PNG National Soccer League, despite their unlucky 1-1 draw in their latest match in the league against Morobe United.

The introduction of the Komolong brothers added a lot of defensive force for the Morris coached-side. Lae City seems currently the only team in PNG National Soccer League to have a solid defensive system, the team suffered only four goals since the resumption of the league – they have the second best defensive record in the season (14 goals allowed) and the best scoring record (51 goals scored).

Lae City was able to beat Hekari United in Port Moresby under the guidance of Morris by 1-0; the team that seemed to lose striking force with the departure of Gunemba and Dabinyaba, saw Stahl Gubag return to his goalscoring ways and Jacob Sabua having an impressive streak of goals scored – as an example of this, Lae City won by 9-2 FC Boungainville recently.

It seems like Chow made the right call to bring Morris to the job, his team now only depends on their forces to confirm the minor-premiership title as they are three points ahead Hekari United in the PNG National Soccer League table. The good combinations and confidence brought by the experienced Morris are being a key factor in the recent very good results of the current national league champions.

Star Mountain’s team manager Joseph Ame to take legal action against PNGFA and NSL

Weeks ago one case got widely debated in Papua New Guinea – Star Mountain FC walked off pitch after a disallowed goal against Morobe United, forcing the referee to finish the game early. Here you can see the disallowed goal that caused all the problems. Recently, despite PNGFA and NSL Board did not make any official statement regarding the case, Oceania Football Center investigation confirmed all points from the game were awarded to Morobe United – Star Mountain’s head coach Selan Elizah was also penalised by the entity as outcome of the walk off.

Despite the responsible entities did not come to public to explain the situation, the points were really awarded to Morobe United as you can see in the updated standings provided by the football association. Oceania Football Center talked to Morobe United’s defender Valentine Nelson and now it is time to give voice to Star Mountain’s part of the case; the STM‘s team maanger Joseph Ame talked to OFCe regarding the case.

“The decision from PNGFA and NSL committee to give the game away to Morobe United FC was unfair and uncalled for“, said Ame – “I have spoke to my management already so they will engage a lawyer to appeal against the decision from PNGFA and NSL,” completed the team manager.

“PNGFA and NSL board did not act in benefit of the football clubs and the players with the people behind them – I can confirm Star Mountain FC will take legal action against PNGFA and NSL committee decision from forteiting the match to Morobe United FC with no good grounds” said Joseph Ame.

Ame provided to Oceania Football Center evidence of the response from PNGFA and NSL board to his questions to the entity; in the letter it is stated the final decision in favour of Morobe United explaining Star Mountain’s head coach Selan Elizah was the responsible to encourage the players to leave the field of play before the completion of the match. The letter is signed of by PNGFA caretaker administrator Mr. Dan Kakaraya.

“They did not respond to my appeal letter under grounds of two points that we appeal against: first the referee award the and later disallowed the goal; why did the referee lesion to the Morobe United players that confronted and complain to him then later in the 15 minutes of the game stop he decided to disallowed the goal“, completed Ame.

While Star Mountain’s staff do not start their legal process against PNGFA and NSL board, the table of the national league stands as it is. More two final rounds are yet to played in Papua New Guinea and Ame’s team is in the run to qualify for the semi-final stage, being three points away the fourth-placed Tusbab Stallions.

Telekom S-League: Lore Fonaota stars in Kossa big win over Malaita Kingz

When is Malaita Kingz terrible run to have an end at Telekom S-League? The team coached by Michael Alafa lost all their matches so far in the league and in their midweek clash against Kossa nothing seemed to be different; a total domination by the team coached by Fred Osifelo as Kossa hammered Kingz by 6-2. With the win Kossa is now ranked 6th in the process.

Eddie Kasute’e started the party early for Kossa as he opened the scoreline for his side at the third minute of the game. The experienced James Naka doubled the scoreline for Kossa at the 18th minute of play and still in the first half Kingz pulled one back through Ashley Liu.

But when the pacy Lore Fonaota was introduced in the second half, the gap turned into something much bigger: exacly in eight minutes Fonaota concluded the win for his side, he scored four goals starting from the 59th minute of play and ending at the 67th minute. The other two goals scored by Fonaota were at the 61th and 65th minutes. Suddenly, the match was already 6-1 for Kossa.

Kossa had no mercy of Malaita Kingz – *TSL Media*

Philip Lamana still reduced the scoreline for Kingz with a goal scored at the 90th minute of play, but it was already too late to start a recovery in the game. The final result was a massive 6-2 win for Kossa in the mid-week clash of the Telekom S-League.

You can see the current standings, top scorers and full results of the season so far by visiting our session of the Telekom S-League.

Graham Berigami: Tusbab Stallions’ secret weapon

After seven matches without a single win, Tusbab Stallions are back on the right track as they have beaten Gulf Komara by 2-1 on last Saturday to stay alive in the fight for a spot in National Soccer League’s semi-finals.

Stallions’ opening goal was scored by Graham Berigami, which may be something strange for those who keep up with Papua New Guinean football as he is well known for being a goalkeeper as he represented his country at youth level playing as a keeper.

Having Berigami in the starting eleven as a forward was a shock and people got surprised with that. However, the 20-year-old player is already used to it as he has already played as a striker in local football leagues. He showed that the decision made by Stallions’ technical staff was a good one by opening the scoreboard for his side in the sixth minute of game.

Berigami opened the scoreboard for Stallions – *PNGFA Media*

Despite having scored the opening goal, Berigami did not have much time to celebrate as Renagi Ila equalized a few minutes later. The winning goal was netted by Jason Wadunah in the second half to put an end to Tusbab’s bad streak.

Tusbab Stallions are currently in the fourth position in PNG National Soccer League with 21 points in sixteen matches. You can check the current league standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Tevita Ravai debuts for Nadi

Sunday’s loss to Rewa was not so good for Nadi as the Green Machine lost the opportunity to get closer to the leaders in Vodafone Premier League – the top-tier league from Fiji. However it was a very special match for Tevita Ravai.

Ravai is an 18-year-old goalkeeper who made his official debut for Nadi in this match. He had the opportunity to play because Vereti Dickson was not available for the match. Despite the loss, he had a good performance in the match.

Ravai made his official debut for Nadi at senior level – *Fiji FA Media*

Nadi are currently in the fourth position in the league with fifteen points. You can check the current Vodafone Premier League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Equipment stolen from Solomon Islands Football Federation’s office

This Tuesday was a very bad day for Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) as two men broke into SIFF’s office in the early hours. Some equipment like laptops and cameras were stolen by the two men.

The thieves have broken a window to break into the office before stealing the equipment. It was reported that a Security Firm officer who was supposed to be on duty for the night did not turn up for work to left the compound unattended.

The case is now with the Police and the two suspects have been spotted on surveillance cameras. Oceania Football Center will keep up with this situation to keep people updated about this case.