Oceania Football Center

Gulf Komara players penalised for assaulting referee after polemics against Hekari United

Three players of PNG National Soccer League’s side Gulf Komara FC were suspended and fined by PNGFA after assaulting referee David Yareboinen two weeks ago in a match they lost by 2-0 against Hekari United. Despite the obvious offense, none of the players were red-carded in the match by the referee – you can watch here footage of the assault.

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.

Fiji: 2020 Inter-District Championship pools confirmed

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.

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.

Vanuatu: PVFA Premier League heads into crunch time as three teams fight for the title

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.

Papua New Guinea: crowd to be allowed back to PNG National Soccer League matches

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 player Ishmael 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.

Vanuatu: Galaxy FC’s new signings attend first training session with their new team

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.

Galaxy is going to have another important match in the season as they take on Sia-Raga this Saturday at Port Vila Municipal Stadium. You can check all you need to know about the current season of the Port Vila’s top-tier league by visiting our session of the competition.

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.