Oceania Football Center

Adrian Mara’s fantastic performances guide Real Kakamora to a much better season

Solomon Islands’ premier league is running riot; very important players were played in the past weekends and one team in particular is showing a lot of development in comparison to the 2019/20 season of the Telekom S-League: Real Kakamora.

Kakamora had a terrible season in the last edition of the Solomon Islands’ top-tier league; from 16 matches played in the season, Kakamora lost 15 – the team just draw one match in the entire season. The club also recorded some terrible defeats during the last season, including a 19-0 defeat against Henderson Eels.

One of the most important players of the team, Solomon Islands international Adrian Mara, is being one of the biggest responsibles of the recovery of Kakamora in the current season of the league. The striker is ranked third in the ‘Golden Boot’ race so far; Mara scored seven goals in the season.

Kakamora, with only six matches played in the season, is already having much better results; the team is ranked 6th with already two wins recorded in the season – something they were unable to in the past edition of the Telekom S-League.

The team also added some important names for their return to Telekom S-League, as the experienced goalkeeper Zantas Kabini, certainly something that is helping Kakamora so far. The team imposed a lot of difficulties to current champions Solomon Warriors – got beaten by 3-2 – and recorded important wins so far against Southern United and Marist FC.

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

Fiji: Avinesh Suwamy having the best moment of his career after leaving Ba

Nadi is not currently at the top of the table of Fijian’s Vodafone Premier League, but we can not deny the Green Machine is having a good season. The team also reached the semi-finals of the latest Battle of Giants and one player is being one of the biggest responsibles for the boom of Nadi: the legendary Avinesh Suwamy.

Suwamy is a legend of another team in Fiji – Ba. The midfielder helped Ba to achieve very important milestones in Fijian and Oceanian football. Suwamy was called up for the Bula Boys a number of times due his very good performances for the Men in Black. After leaving Ba due job commitments – Suwamy was transfered from to Ba to work in Nadi – some football fans expected Suwamy not to perform as good as he used to in his good moments for Ba. Suwamy in his last years for Ba did not play a major role as often – even not taking place of the last participation of Ba in the OFC Champions League.

But, since the start of season in Fiji, it seems Suwamy is like wine: the older, the better. The midfielder is top scorer of Nadi in the season – 9 goals – and was until the last weekend the top scorer of the Vodafone Premier League, the Suva’s prominent striker Sairusi Nalaubu took the top of the race with seven goals leaving Suwamy behind with six.

The 34-year-old star is having the best moment of his football career; despite helping Ba in the past to reach the finals of OFC Champions League, the Fijian Beckham was never in a so fantastic goalscoring form. The midfielder is captaining Nadi to their improvement in the league, being probrably the most important player of the team coached by Kamal Swamy.

A well-known player by his hardwork and commitment, the reality is that the midfielder is far from the final moments of his career, Suwamy can be still much useful in the next seasons for Nadi. As recently said by Suwamy, Ba is always in his heart, but now he is commited to deliver the best for Nadi – and it seems he is doing much more than expected.

Lupe o le Soaga have powerful start in Samoan Premier Men’s League

Current league champions Lupe o le Soaga had a powerful start in Samoan Premier Men’s League. The team coached by Paul Ualesi are on top of the table with twelve points in four matches and it would not be a surprise if they clinch the title for the second straight year.

Lupe have the best attack in the league with 35 goals scored and youngster Vaa Taualai is the league’s top scorer with eleven goals. Ualesi counts on a powerful squad that made history in the OFC Champions League this year by beating Ba FC from Fiji by 4-3. Besides these players, Lupe also have some African power in the team with Kenneth Kerewi from Nigeria and Oscar Anto from Ghana.

Lupe’s starting eleven against Togafuafua – *Lupe o le Soaga Media*

After fighting for the title in the past season, Kiwi FC did not have a good start in the season as they have already lost two matches in the league. On the other hand, Vaipuna and Vaivase-Tai are sharing the second position with ten points each. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.

Tupapa Maraerenga beat Puaikura to stay on top of Vans Premiership

Tupapa Maraerenga have beaten Puaikura in a clash of titans to stay on top of 2020 Vans Premiership while Titikaveka reached the second position in the table after beating Avatiu in the fifth matchweek of the season.

Albert Taru put Puaikura ahead in the first half but Anthony Samuela, Dave Milanovic and Paavo Mustonen scored once each to give the lead to Tupapa Maraerenga. Conroy Tiputoa still managed to find the net for Puaikura but it was not enough. At the final whistle the score 3-2 in Tupapa’s favour.

Tupapa have beaten Puaikura by 3-2 – *CIFA Media*

Nikao Sokattak kept the bad streak as they were outmatched by Matavera while Titikaveka have beaten Avatiu by 4-2.

Tupapa are now leading the league with thirteen points in five matches while Titikaveka reached the second position with the same amount of points as Puaikura that are now in third. You can check the current league standings and results by clicking here.

Kunié and Ne Drehu to clash in New Caledonia Cup’s quarter-finals

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The 2020 New Caledonia Cup is reaching its and as only eight teams are still alive in the tournament and ready for the next battle in the quarter-finals that is scheduled to take place on September 26 – and the four clashes are still decided!

Quarter-finals’ draw was released on this Monday and there is only one the clash between AS Kunié and SC Ne Drehu is the only match that will be contested two teams from Mobil Super Ligue – the major football league from New Caledonia. Both teams recently clashed in the league and the final score was an 1-1 draw.

Ne Drehu and Kunié will clash in New Caledonia Cup *– FCF Media*

Current New Caledonia Cup champions Hienghène Sport will face AS Qanono while AS Magenta are going to play against RC Poindimié. The remaining match is set to be contested between AS Mont-Dore and Olympique. You can check more information about this tournament by clicking here.

Ali Mekawir’s Langney Wanderers knocked-out of English FA Cup

After making history last week, Ali Mekawir and Ian Kula from Solomon Islands came to the pitch with Langney Wanderers on this Saturday to play in the Preliminary Round of English FA Cup – one of the biggest football cups in the world.

Langney Wanderers received Harrow Borough FC at Priory Lane. The final score was an 1-1 draw in the regular time and Harrow advanced to the further round after beating their opponents in the shootout by 3-2.

Mekawir’s team is out of 2020-21 English FA Cup

Despite being knocked-out of the cup, Wanderers’ fans have reasons to be proud of the team while Solomon Islanders are proud of Mekwair and Kula. They are now focused on Southern Combination Football League Premier Division – their regional league that is part of English 9th tier.

Steven Taylor leaves Wellington Phoenix

Following the departure of English striker Gary Hooper, one more Englishman decided to leave Wellington Phoenix – this time the now former team captain Steven Taylor. “Today we have mutually agreed to part ways with our beloved captain, Steven Taylor. Farewell Steven and thank you for some amazing memories – we wish you the very best“, said Phoenix in social media.

The former Newcastle United defender joined Phoenix in 2018; the 34-year-old played a total of 49 matches for the New Zealand-side scoring a total of three goals. Taylor helped the Nix to return to the A-League finals in the 2018/19 season after a long period away from finals football. After a number of departures at the end of that season, Taylor was named the team captain and under his guidance Phoenix made their best ever regular season campaign in the previous season.

Rumours report Taylor is linked to Indian Super Ligue side Odisha – Hooper also departed to play in India. It seems Phoenix will be facing a similar issue they had at the end of the 2018/19 season as many players left the squad and new head coach Ufuk Talay was forced to rebuild the team that had in that time only seven players in the team. As two pillars of the Phoenix’s good campaign left the club surely Talay and Phoenix management will be looking in the market for new imports for the 2020/21 season.

New Zealand: NRFL season is cancelled

Sad news for New Zealand and Oceania football fans as the Northern Region Football leagues are now officialy cancelled “following the confirmation from the Prime Minister earlier today that Auckland will remain at Covid-19 Alert Level 2.5 until further review on Monday 21 September“.

“Should the current Covid-19 Alert Level be further revised in the future and gathering sizes altered to allow matches to progress, clubs will be able to schedule friendlies should they wish to do so“, said NRF in press release.

NRF completed their statement as follows:

“– Northland competitions currently in operation remain as scheduled and are not impacted by the above

– All Auckland-based winter football and futsal competitions and the LOTTO NRFL are cancelled effective immediately

o As per Friday’s communication, with no further play able to be delivered, competition champions will not be declared

o The NRF Futsal Premier League set to begin in October remains as scheduled currently pending revision of Alert Level status

– We will confirm early next week the impact of today’s announcement on fees paid to NRF for the 2020 season

– Please contact the respective Competitions Managers with any specific queries for given competitions

While we are all disappointed at the situation we are faced with, public safety remains the key principle driving our decision-making process around the season.“

Galaxy FC’s star Roberson in a fantastic moment in Vanuatu

Galaxy FC made history in 2020 as in their first ever participation at OFC Champions League they made it through the group stage; the Ni-Vanuatu powerhouse was in a very hard pool alongside New Zealand’s Eastern Suburbs, New Caledonian Hienghène Sport and the hosts from Papua New Guinea Hekari United. The star midfielder Roberson Felipe was a key factor for the success of the team then coached by Solomon Islands’ football legend Batram Suri.

Roberson guided Galaxy to win the last two football tournaments played in Port Vila: the Port Vila Independence Cup and the PVFA Mini Knock-Out tournament. Now Galaxy turns their attention to PVFA Premier League, competition where they are placed third just one-point away the leaders Ifira Black Bird. As the 2020 OFC Champions League was cancelled in result of the COVID-19 pandemics, Roberson and his teammates will be looking to lift one more trophy, this time of the most important regional league of Vanuatu.

The number 10 scored a hattrick last Saturday in their first match for the league since the COVID-19 break in a 4-0 win over Erakor Golden Star. Roberson is being highly praised by local media and fans in Vanuatu – named as probrably the best player ever to play in the country. Fans say they expect the local players learn from the Brazilian in order to develop the local football.

You can see the current standings, last results and current top scorers of the PVFA Premier League by visiting our session of the competition.

Emile Ounei goal gives win to Avenir Lavitois in France

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The weekend was good for Avenir Lavitois and as well for New Caledonian international Emile Ounei; the team from Lavit started their campaign at the Regional 3 – the 9th tier of football in France – with a win over Meauzacaise JS by 1-0. The only goal of the match was scored by the New Caledonian that in his country played for AS Magenta.

Avenir Lavitois before the match – *Avenir Lavitois Media*

With the three points collected from this game, Avenir Lavitois is sitting 7th after the first matchweek of football for Regional 3. The team is coached by former New Caledonia national team head coach Thierry Sardo that recently departed for his homecountry.