Oceania Football Center

Nadi’s youngster Eshan Kumar debuts with a goal in Vodafone Premier League

After a very good campaign in 2020 Battle of the Giants, Nadi received Navua at Prince Charles Park on this Sunday in the eighth matchweek of Vodafone Premier League – the top-tier of Fijian football – and the final score was a huge win by 5-0 for the hosts.

Rusiate Matarerega opened the scoreboard in the 38th minute while Sakaraia Naisua extended the lead three minutes later. Nadi kept the good performance in the second half and Avinesh Suwamy scored the third goal of the game. Despite the easy match, it was a very special match for 17-year-old Eshal Kumar who came from the bench in the 70th minute to make his debut in Vodafone Premier League and he just needed two minutes to score his first goal at senior level to put Nadi ahead by 4-0.

Eshan Kumar made his debut in Vodafone Premier League

Kumar is one of the most talented players from Nadi’s youth system. He represented Fiji internationally in the OFC U-16 Championship two years ago and he scored two goals in four matches during the tournament.

Nadi’s last goal of the match was scored by Ame Votoniu in the stoppage time to seal the 5-0 win. The Jetsetters are in the fourth position in the league with twelve points in eight matches. You can check the current Vodafone Premier League standings by clicking here.

Vodafone Premier League: Rusiate Matarerega back to Golden Boot race

After a very good campaign in 2020 Battle of the Giants, Nadi received Navua at Prince Charles Park on this Sunday in the eighth matchweek of Vodafone Premier League – the top-tier of Fijian football – and the final score was a huge win by 5-0 for the hosts.

While Avinesh Suwamy kept his good moment by scoring a goal to become the league’s top scorer with five goals, his teammate Rusiate Matarerega is finally finding the path of the goal as the 27-year-old forward opened the scoreboard for The Jetsetters in the 38th minute.

It was Matarerega’s first goal in Vodafone Premier League since the tournament resumed after COVID-19 pandemics. He has now four goals in the league which means he is in the second position in the Golden Boot race alongside with Christopher Wasasala, Dave Radrigai, Siotame Kubu and Shazil Ali.

Nadi are in the fourth position in the league with twelve points in eight matches. You can check the current Vodafone Premier League standings by clicking here.

Real Kakamora shows evolution in Telekom S-League

After finishing the last Telekom S-League season in the last position with one point in sixteen matches, Real Kakamora’s management tried to build a stronger squad for this season in order to become a competitive side.

The team coached by Sam Wa’aria brought good players like Adrian Mara, Benji Toata, Joachim Rande, Richard Raramo and Zantas Kabini – which improved the squad’s quality considerably. However it is known that having good players and having a good team are not the same thing – and Real Kakamora felt it in the opening match of the season against Laugu United when they were smashed by 5-0.

Real Kakamora players before a Telekom S-League match – Telekom S-League Media

Despite the bad result against Laugu, Wa’aria did not give in and his team kept working hard for upcoming matches and the evolution is notorious as they have not lost in the league since then. Forward Adrian Mara proved that he can be a reliable one after scoring four goals in the last three matches – including a hat-trick against Southern United – while Kabini, Rande, Raramo and Toata are being regular starters in the season which is helping the team to keep the unbeaten run.

It is obvious that Real Kakamora still have a lot to improve, but they finally became a competitive side in the Telekom S-League, and it helps to improve the level of the league. Regardless of what happens until the end of the season, Real Kakamora fans already have a reason to be proud of.

Real Kakamora are currently in the seventh position in the league with five points in four matches. You can check the current Telekom S-League standings, top scorers and results by clicking here.

New Caledonia Cup: Hienghène suffer to win; AS Lössi, AS Wetr and Horizon Patho out

🇫🇷 France

The New Caledonia Cup’s Round of 32 is over as all sixteen matches were contested this weekend and there were not many surprises despite the elimination of three teams from Mobil Super Ligue – the top-tier of New Caledonian football.

Current Mobil Super Ligue leaders Tiga Sport had to fight to advance to the next round as they have beaten AS Lössi by 3-2 at the extra time while JS Baco had a tough clash against Horizon Patho that was decided in the penalties. The third match between two teams from the first division was contested by SC Ne Drehu and AS Wetr and Ne Drehu won by 2-1.

AS Mont-Dore and AS Magenta did not have any difficult in their matches as both teams smashed their opponents. On the other hand, current cup champions Hienghène Sport had to fight hard against AS Kirikitr and the final score was 1-0 for Hienghène with a goal scored by Yvanoe Bamy.

Hienghène Sport’s starting eleven against AS Kirikitr

One of the most breathtaking matches was contested by AS Kunié – that were recently promoted to Mobil Super Ligue – and ES Wacaele that were relegated to New Caledonian second division last season and Kunié won by 3-2 at the extra time.

The Round of 16’s draw will be held this Monday at 6pm (local time). You can check all this weekend’s results by clicking here.

Tonly Kalotang decisive for Shefa FA win in VFF National League Championship

Shefa FA won the first ever edition of the VFF National League Championship and one of their forwards was in the spotlight all over the competition and specially in the grand final against Sanma FA. The former Erakor Golden Star striker Tonly Kalotang scored a brace in the decisive clash of the tournament to seal the title and confirm an 1M Vatu prize for his member association.

The current Ifira Black Bird player is being a very important member of his team in the PVFA Premier League so far and he had shown his credentials for Shefa in the National League Championship. The player scored twice in the group stage and recorded more two goals in the grand final against Sanma.

The 23-year-old striker is getting attention in Vanuatu at the moment and as the international football is set to return in the early 2021, it will not be a surprise if Kalotang gets his first ever national team call-up for Vanuatu.

Telekom S-League: Solomon Warriors record important win as Honiara City draw against Kakamora

The weekened of football in Solomon Islands’ capital city came to an end as two matches continued the mathcweek of the Telekom S-League. One match is still to be played in the mid-week to complete the round.

The first match of the day saw the newcomers Honiara City take on Real Kakamora. Both sides won their last matches in the league and were expecting to continue their good run, but a 0-0 draw was the final outcome of the clash. A match marked of the lack of cretiavity saw both defensive systems to suceed in their duties to record clean sheets. Collecting one point for each of the two sides from this match might not be ideal for the teams expectations, but not a disaster for their long-term aspirations in the season.

The second match of the day had the defending champions Solomon Warriors facing the disappointing side of the season so far Malaita Kingz. A massive win was expected for Warriors, but they could only take the lead through a goal scored in the final minute of the first half by Lency Norman.

Solomon Warriors players celebrate one of their goals – *TSL Media*

In the second half, Molis Gagame scored in the 55th minute of the game through a beautiful finish from the edge of the box to double the lead of the current title holders. The substitute Norman Winford confirmed the win for Warriors with a goal at the 90th of play. Warriors now retake the 2nd position in the league after this win, having now seven points in the table surpassing Laugu United.

You can see the update standings, results and top scorers of the league so far by visiting our sessions of the 2020 Telekom S-League.

33 years of Roy Krishna

Today, 30th August, the arguably best player ever from Fiji turns 33. Roy Krishna already represented his country 40 times and scored 29 times – the now 33-year-old striker is the 2nd player ever to score more for his country, being now only three goals away from the also legendary Esala Masi who is the current the all-time top goalscorer.

Krishna, a Labasa-born star, made most of his career in New Zealand. The Fijian played for teams such as Waitakere United and Auckland City, but the most notably of them was the professional outfit Wellington Phoenix, where the Fijian is the all-time top goalscorer and won the best player award of the 2018/19 season of the Hyundai A-League.

The legendary striker reached some very important milestones in his career – representing Fiji and Oceania football. Krishna was the first Fijian and Pacific Islander to play at FIFA Clubs World Cup and also to score in the tournament. The player participated in two editions of the tournament for Waitakere United and Auckland City. Krishna also scored in the 2016 Rio Olympics for Fiji and also turned himself into the first Fijian to win a national league outside of Oceania – he led ATK to win the 2019/20 Indian Super League.

Vodafone Fiji - Congratulations to Fiji-s Wonder Boy, Roy Krishna — Roy Krishna turns now 33

Krishna is also set to make history in the upcoming season as the first Fijian and Pacific Islander ever to play in a club international competition outside of Oceania as the player will feature at AFC Cup for his team ATK-MB.

A happy birthday for Roy Krishna, a player that is enjoying the best moment of his career – proving himself overseas and turning into an icon and inspiration for the new generations of footballers in the Pacific Islands.

Fiji: Sairusi Nalaubu hattrick gives Suva win over Labasa as Nadi smashes Navua

Three matches complete the round of football in Fiji’s top-tier league Vodafone Premier League; Lautoka was once again unable to record a win in a match against Nasinu, while Suva recorded a very important win over Labasa and Nadi put five past the bottom-ranked side Navua.

The situation of Navua seems to be betting anything better as they were smashed hard by Nadi at Prince Charles Park. Rusiate Matarerega opened the scoreline for Nadi, Sakaraia Naisua and the experienced Avinesh Suwamy added another two for the Jetsetters still in the first half. The debutant Eshan Kumar scored the fourth for Nadi in the second half while the Fijian international Ame Votoniu finished the day for Nadi with a no-mercy win over Navua. With the goal scored in this match, Avinesh Suwamy takes the lead for the ‘golden boot’ award with now five goals scored in the league.

Lautoka continues their bad moment after a terrible Battle of Giants tournament; the team coached by Ravinesh Kumar was lucky to end up with a point of the match against Nasinu in Nausori. The Giant Killers took the lead thanks to a first half goal of the Solomon Islands’ sensation Marlon Nonone. Despite all efforts of the Sugar City Boys they seemed to be not effective upfront. Only in the 90th minute of play, Lautoka got their equaliser thanks to a well-taken penalty of the experienced Zibraaz Sahib.

In the final match of the day, the Babasiga Lions fans might be once again very dissapointed with their team as they were defeat by the Capital City Boys in Suva. Sairusi Nalaubu was the man of the day for Suva as he scored a hatrick for the team – with the win, Suva is now only two points away the top-tabled side Rewa.

Nalaubu (left) and Suva celebrate their win – *Suva FA Media*

The party started early for Suva as Nalaubu scored at 10th minute of play after a corner well-taken by Kelvin Naidu. At the 21th minute the striker scored another for his side as he break through Labasa’s defense to finish past Akuila Mateisuva. In the second half, Ilisoni Logaivau scored through a penalty kick to reduce the scoreline for Labasa, but Nalaubu added a third to his tally at the 92th minute to confirm a very important win for Suva.

You can see the update standings, results and top scorers of the Vodafone Premier League so far by visiting our sessions of the national league.

Kakasi and Hughes goals seal the draw between Ba and Rewa in Vodafone Premier League

Two of the best teams so far in the season of the Fijian top-tier Vodafone Premier League played a very important this Saturday at Fiji Academy Ground in Ba. The hosts Ba took on the top-placed side and current Battle of Giants champion Rewa. The match started very well for the team coached by Ronil Kumar as the Solomon Islands’ talent Darold Kakasi continued in his good form to put his team upfront just after the first whistle at the 2nd minute of the game.

Rewa had some uncommon issues in this match; the team was forced to change their uniforms due sponsorship reasons – a situation that made Rewa’s managers furious – and played with an unusual blue kit for the rest of the match. For more than 80 minutes, the known reds of Nausori weared blue.

Darold Kakasi and Setareki Hughes scored the goals of the match – *OFC Media & Fiji FA Media*

The good form of Setareki Hughes continued even when playing a very different key; the Rewa’s star-player scored at the 77th minute of the game to come in rescue of the Delta Tigers. Despite scoring three goals in the recent succesful campaign of Rewa, this was the first goal of Seta Hughes in the Vodafone Premier League.

The final result ended up in a stalemate 1-1 between the two sites and Rewa sticks in the first position of the national league. You can check the full standings, results and top scorers of the Vodafone Premier League by clicking here.

William Omokirio set to be Solomon Warriors’ new head coach

Currently in the sixth position in 2020 Telekom S-League, Solomon Warriors started the season looking for a new head coach because Selson Molea was not on the bench in the first two matches of the season, as it was reported by midfielder Judd Molea.

Molea used to be with the team in the training sessions over the weeks but he was not on the bench in Telekom S-League matches, that is why 28-year-old player Dennis Ifunaoa was leading the team in the 2-2 draw against Kossa last week.

Solomon Warriors starting eleven against Kossa FC – *Telekom S-League Media*

It was confirmed by people linked to Solomon Warriors that William Omokirio is set to be the new head coach of the team and he must be on the bench in today’s match against Malaita Kingz at Lawson Tama Stadium while Selson Molea remains as assistant coach.

The clash between Solomon Warriors and Malaita Kingz is expected to kick-off at 4pm (local time) and the match will be livestreamed on Telekom S-League’s Facebook page. Oceania Football Center wish good luck to both teams.