Oceania Football Center

Vodafone Premier League: Rewa clashes Nadi as Labasa has do or die match against Nasinu

Only five more matches for each team and the season of the Vodafone Premier League is over – who is going to lift the trophy this year? Very important matches for the outcome of the national league are going to be played this weekend throughout the country.

The only match to be played this Saturday (12th Aug) will see the Men in Black taking on Navua. The team coached by Ronil Lal needs a win if they want to decrease the margin to leaders Rewa after a heartbreaking defeat last weekend against Suva in the Fijian capital. Ba will expect the experience of Samuela Drudru and Abbu Zahid can combine well against the bottom ranked Navua.

The Navuans, in the other hand, come from a very important win over Labasa. The team captained by Vineet Chand has a real chance to leave the last place of the standings for the first time in a while if they are able to stop Ba. Navua will count again with their home fans as they did to surpass Labasa, expecting the brilliant Thomas Dunn can continue in his good form.

On Sunday Suva will receive Lautoka at ANZ Stadium, being just two points away the first-placed side Rewa. The fantastic run of Sairusi Nalaubu – scoring five goals in the last two matches – will be a problem for Ravinesh Kumar’s Lautoka. The Blues are not in a good moment, but they had shown good signs to bounce back in the season despite suffering a 3-2 loss against Nadi in the last weekend. The likes of Malakai Rakula and Zibraaz Sahib can be instrumental for Lautoka as the experienced Shazil Ali returned to trainings this week after a long period after suffering a broken leg; the midfielder might not be available for this weekend match, but he is set to reinforce Lautoka’s squad for the rest of the league.

Suva will host Lautoka at ANZ Stadium – *Fiji FA Media*

Also on Saturday, but this time at Subrail Park, Fijian football fans will be watching closely the encounter of Labasa against Nasinu. The Babasiga Lions are living a terrible moment in the season especially after suffering a shocking defeat against Navua in the last weekend. Nasinu is just one point above Labasa in the run and will travel to Vanua Levu expecting to record a much needed win.

Labasa will count on the return of Antonio Tuivuna, Lekima Gonerau and Ilisoni Lolaivalu to the team after serving suspension – certainly the home fans will mark their presence at Subrail Park to help the Lions in this particular complicated moment. Nasinu will expect to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat last weekend against Rewa – counting on the likes of Jasnit Vikash and Nasoni Mereke to help them in this very important match.

Labasa will have a very important match against Nasinu – *Fiji FA Media*

The final match of the weekend will be played at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori as the leaders Rewa will meet Nadi – also a very important match in the weekend. Both sides come in good moments in the competition. The Delta Tigers are leading the standings with 20 points, but Nadi is only five away sitting 4th in the process.

The Fijian international Setareki Hughes is the key man for Rewa, while Rusiate Matarerega and Avinesh Suwamy combined 11 goals so far in the season for the Jetsetters. The match will be crucial for the outcome of the league – if Nadi can stun Rewa away from home, the Tigers might lose their top-spot and see Suva obtain the lead.

You can see the updated standings, results and top-scorers of the Vodafone Premier League season by visting our session of the league.

New Caledonia: Coupe de Calédonie continues this weekend

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The most important football cup of New Caledonia is now in the Round of 16 – the competition will continue this weekend with do or die matches all over the country. Seven teams from the top-league Mobil Super Ligue continue in the run; only AS Wetr, Horizon Patho and the current runners-up of the competition AS Lössi are the top-tier teams already knocked-out. Despite not matching their expectations in the tournament, all three sides were beaten by other teams in the most important league of New Caledonia – AS Wetr was beaten by SC Ne Drehu, AS Lössi lost by 3-2 against Tiga Sport while JS Baco surpassed Horizon Patho in the penalty shootout.

Hienghène Sport surpassed AS Kiriktr in the last round of Coupe de Calédonie – *Alain Vartane*

If in the previous round we had three matches between teams of Mobil Super Ligue, in the Round of 16 only Hienghène Sport will clash against the current leaders of the national league Tiga Sport. The decisive match will be played at Hienghène’s domain in north of the territory.

All matches will be played this Saturday (12th Aug). In the competition we still have nine teams from Promotion d’Honneur – the second tier of football in New Caledonia. The leagues are divided in three regions: FC Gaïtcha, Dumbéa FC, ASC Boulouparis, CA Saint-Louis and Olympique de Nouméa are representing PH South; RC Poindimié, US Gélima and GS Oundjo are representing the PH North while only AS Qanono is the remaning team from PH of Islands in the run. See here all the matches for the upcoming round.

Fiji: Lekima Gonerau speaks about Labasa’s bad moment

Labasa heads for a crucial game this weekend against Nasinu, the Babasiga Lions are in a terrible moment and is tied in points at the bottom of the stadings of Fiji’s Vodafone Premier League with Navua – after losing a crucial game against the same side last weekend.

If Labasa wants to end this nightmare, getting all points from the match against Nasinu will be the perfect start. The team will have the return of Antonio Tuivuna, Ilisoni Lolaivalu and Lekima Gonerau, all returning from suspension. One of the most experienced players of the squad, Gonerau, talked to Oceania Football Center about the bad moment of Labasa.

“We are preparing well, as we know Nasinu will be coming out firing. We can see the changes with the boys in their approach during the training,” said the 30-year-old as Labasa prepares for this very important match – “with all the talks and with the preparation going, we will surely can change the situation we have right now,” added Gonerau.

Gonerau also tried to explain what happened to Labasa – after a very good season in 2019 – to be in this very bad situation at the moment in the Vodafone Premier League table: “From my view, the boys were not taking a serious approach on game day, lot of jokes and secondly since our manager left for New Zealand and now no other manager stepped up to take care of the boys especially in our away games, the boys do whatever they want to… No seriousness and lack of focus before the game gave us so bad results,” said the midfielder.

The experienced played also praised the hardwork of the head coach Ronil Lal to make Labasa improve: “He is doing a great job, but I think a lot of pressure too on him doing his job on the field and out of the field,” said Gonerau on his head coach – “Lal is trying everything to get the boys back in winning ways,” added the player.

Labasa has everything to play against Nasinu – another defeat for the Lions can make them drop for the last place in the run while if they can win this match against the Giant Killers, Labasa will retake the 6th place and get a relief after three defeats in a row in the national league.

Vanuatu: Galaxy FC confirms two new signings as PVFA Premier League is set to restart

The Ni-Vanuatu football powerhouse Galaxy FC is even stronger now. The team coached by football legend Moise Poida confirmed the signing of two players coming from the second-most important league of Vanuatu: Luganville Premier League.

As recently reported, Malampa Revivors’ Andre Batick was set to join Galaxy FC and the rumours are now confirmed. The Ni-Vanuatu international is the new recruit of Galaxy that will battle for the title of the current edition of the PVFA Premier League that is set to restart this weekend. Galaxy also confirmed the signing of former Sia-Raga Santo FC Jack Vira. The striker was impressing for Sia-Raga and now gets a golden chance to prove his capabilities in the Vanuatu capital city.

Andre Batick and Jack Vira – *Galaxy FC Media*

Andre Batick turned himself into a hero in Luganville after scoring a hattrick against Papua New Guinea’s Lae City in the last edition of the OFC Champions League, helping his team to qualify for the first time ever for the knock-out stage of the regional tournament.

Galaxy is going to have a hard challenge in the resumption of the Port Vila-top tier league as they face Erakor Golden Star this Saturday (12th Aug) and Vira and Batick are expected to make their debut for their new club.

New Zealand: Manukau United interested on joining ISPS Handa Premiership

The major football league from New Zealand is the ISPS Handa Premiership that used to be contested by ten clubs. However it is going to change as only eight teams are confirmed for the next ISPS Handa Premiership season as Tasman United and Southern United merged with Canterbury for the next season. The news that only eight teams will compete next season was not so good, but football fans are waiting for new clubs to join the championship, and one of this teams can be Manukau United.

It was reported by Manukau United’s official media that the club has applied for a National League license with the aim of participating in New Zealand’s major football league: “After a lot of tireless work over many years by a lot of wonderful people we’re pleased to announce that Manukau United Football Club has applied for a NZF National League license with the view of competing in the top tier of club football in Aotearoa,” stated the club on social media.

Manukau United were formed through a merger of Manukau City and Mangere United in 2018 and they play Lotto NRFL Premier Men’s – one of the most important leagues from winter football season in the country. The team owned by Hone Fowler counts on many players from smaller nations like Kishan Sami and Rahul Naresh from Fiji: “Excited about Manukau United applying for a National League licence in New Zealand. I was given my first opportunity to play in Auckland through the New Zealand National Football League and I am sure more doors will open for Pacific Island youngsters through this. Well done Manukau United Football Club,” said Fijian legend Roy Krishna.

No new teams have entered the league since 2016. At the time, Eastern Suburbs, Hamilton Wanderers and Tasman United joined the Premiership as part of a league expansion project. Oceania Football Center wish good luck to Manukau United in the process.

Solomon Islands’ forward Ali Mekawir scores at Langney Wanderers’ loss in England

Ali Mekawir is living a blessed moment in England. The 20-year-old forward wrote his name in the history as he became first Solomon Islander to score a goal in the well-known English FA Cup by scoring once in Langney Wanderers’ 3-1 win over Tower Hamlets last week.

The young forward remains on fire as he found the net again. He scored Wanderers’ goal in the 6-1 loss to Pagham on Saturday while his countrymen Ian Kula was also in the starting eleven in this league match.

Ali Mekawir – *Langney Wanderers’ Media*

Langney Wanderers are currently in the 16th position at 2020–21 Southern Combination Football Premier League – one of the leagues that compose English 9th tier – with one point in two matches. Oceania Football Center congratulate Mekawir and Kula for being in the starting eleven last weekend.

Lautoka’s Shazil Ali is back to football after suffering serious injury

Lautoka is not having a very good second part of the season in Fiji, the team was knocked-out in the group stage of the 2020 edition of Battle of Giants despite being the hosts and currently sits only 5th in the standings of the Vodafone Premier League with 11 points.

But now the team commanded by Ravinesh Kumar has something to celebrate: the midfielder Shazil Ali is back to training after suffering a very serious injury in June. The last game of Ali for Lautoka was in March – the player is still the top-scorer of Lautoka in the season with four goals.

Ali is not expected to play this weekend for Lautoka in Vodafone Premier League, the player is still not totally fit for football, but the decision is totally on the team staff. The midfielder reintroduction to the Blues might be the turning point in the season by the current runners-up of the Fiji’s top-tier league.

New Zealand to challenge England at Wembley

It is confirmed! New Zealand will be travelling to Europe for one more round of friendly matches – this time, they will be playing against some of the best national teams worldwide. As recently reported, New Zealand will be playing Belgium in October and now the NZF announced a new opponent for one more historical clash: England.

The English Team will host the All Whites in one of the most important football stadiums worldwide: Wembley. The match is scheduled to be played at 12th November. This is certainly going to be a huge test for the team coached by Danny Hay, but also certainly a momemt to remember for entire New Zealand’s squad.

The likes of Sarpreet Singh and Liberato Cacace will have the opportunity to rub shoulders alongside some of the best football players in the world, such as Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Liverpool’s Trent-Alexander Arnold.

This is an important moment not only for New Zealand football but also for the entire Oceania football community.

Why did PNGFA Media delete Morobe United-Star Mountain livestream from social media?

On last Saturday the Oceanian football community was shocked when Star Mountain FC decided to leave the pitch before the completion of the game against Morobe United in protests against a disallowed goal. Oceania Football Center already interviewed one Morobe United played regarding the case.

Now, if the fans want to rewatch the disallowed goal that caused all the problems they will not be able to if they go to PNG Football Association official account in Facebook. The livestream was deleted – all others games of PNG National Soccer League previously streamed by the page are still there, only missing the clash between Morobe United and Star Mountain. But this is not a problem: Star Mountain’s disallowed goal against Morobe United is available for the viewers through Oceania Football Center – see here.

Fans were not happy with the decision of the entity to delete the footage of the match. The question is: why did PNGFA Media delete Morobe United-Star Mountain livestream from social media? Recently, Oceania Football Center also denounced a possible attempt of external interference in the match by the PNGFA Media team – something not allowed by football rules once the league does not adopt the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

No statements were issued by the PNGFA nor the NSL Board regarding the match; almost one week later, no updates were given by the official organisors. At the moment, both Morobe United and Star Mountain prepare their teams for the 16th round of the national league, but everything can change suddenly in their campaign as their last game’s outcome continue to be a mystery.

Edwin Sahayam: the possible solution for the end of Labasa’s nightmare

It is nothing new the Babasiga Lions are living a nightmare – probrably, their worse moment in the past few years. The current Inter-District Championship title holders were not expecting nothing similar to what is currently happening in the 2020 season.

Before tasting glory in 2019 led by the likes of Antonio Tuivuna and Siotame Kubu in two major tournaments, Labasa is not being able to repeat the performances of the last season. The team recently was defeated by Navua in the national league and sits only 7th in the standings – tied in points with the bottom-ranking side.

Recently, head coach Ronil Lal gave voice to his frustration about his players – problems seem to be everywhere for Labasa. During this turmoil that does not seem to be ending soon, who can come in rescue of the Babasiga Lions? The answer might be returning to action very soon…

Labasa certainly has a very good squad, Labasa was the district with most players called up for Fiji national team training camp, but still things are not working for Ronil Lal and his squad. One addition might be coming back to action soon in rescue for the Lions: Edwin Sahayam.

Sahayam is one of the higly praised players from Labasa that is currently in the final stages of his recovery from a very serious knee injury sustained last year. The now 30-year-old player has still a lot to offer Labasa and can be turning point for the team in the five remaining matches of the Vodafone Premier League.

Sahayam is known for scoring very beautiful goals in his time in Labasa; the attacker is expected to return to action next month, in time to take part in another two major tournaments of the year – Fiji FACT and Inter-District Championship – and save Labasa from this nightmare: the unexpected battle against relegation.