Oceania Football Center

Fijian international Nicho Prasad ready for another season in Germany

The 2020-21 season has already kicked-off in some European countries. Although the first three divisions have not started yet, Regionalliga – the fourth-tier of German football – is already back which means that it is time to see Fijian international Nicho Prasad in action with Bischofswerdaer FV 08.

Bischofswerdaer had a powerful start in the current league season with two victories in two matches – the same number of victories they had last season. However Prasad was not in the squad in the opening clashes: “I have been injured for four weeks but now I am ready to play my first game of the season,” said Prasad.

Prasad in action for Bischofswerdaer FV 08

Prasad joined Bischofswerdaer in February but he did not have many time to show his quality once the league was called-off due to COVID-19 pandemics. Now the Fijian defender has the opportunity to play a whole season with the club.

Bischofswerdaer’s next league match will be against SV Babelsberg 03 on Sunday. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.

David Browne scores as HJK beat Nikko Boxall’s SJK in Finland

HJK received SJK Seinäjoki at Helsinki Football Stadium in the twelfth matchweek of Veikkausliiga – the top-tier league from Finland. It was a special match for Oceania as two OFC players were face to face in this clash: David Browne and Nikko Boxall.

Roope Riski opened the scoreboard in the first half to put HJK ahead. On the other hand, SJK’s central defender Nikko Boxall saw a yellow card in the 62nd minute. The second and last goal of the match was scored by David Browne who pushed the ball into the net after a cross from the right side in the 75th minute. At the final whistle the score was 2-0 in favour of HJK. You can check the highlights of the match by clicking here.

Browne celebrating his goal against SJK – *HJK Media*

Browne is living a huge moment in Finland as he scored two goals in the last three matches while Boxall was in SJK’s starting eleven for the seventh straight game. HJK are now on top of the table with 27 points in twelve matches while SJK Seinäjoki are in the tenth position with only eight points. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.

Vanuatu: Shefa FA reach VFF National League Championship’s final

The third and last matchday of 2020 VFF National League Championship’s Group B took place on this Saturday as the final games of the group stage were contested at Korman Stadium in Port Vila – the capital of Vanuatu.

Shefa FA and Tafea FA clashed in the first match of the day. Despite all efforts, Tafea FA were not able to stop their opponents as Kenry Arsen passed by three players before Tonly Kalotang push the ball into the net the 80th minute to seal Shefa’s 1-0 win – which means that Kalotang and his teammates will play the tournament’s final on Saturday. You can check Kalotang’s goal by clicking here.

Shefa FA players celebrating the goal against Tafea FA – *Vanuatu Sports News*

The second match of the day was contested between Malampa FA and Port Vila FA. Both teams entered the field already eliminated from the tournament, however that was not an obstacle for Port Vila’s striker Kensi Tangis who scored a hat-trick in the 3-0 win against Malampa.

Shefa FA will meet Sanma FA in VFF National League Championship’s final. You can check more information about this tournament by clicking here.

Koriak Upaiga available for Hekari United’s decisive match against Vitiaz United

After a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat against their rivals Lae City two weeks ago in Port Moresby, Hekari United recovered with a strong 6-0 win over FC Kutubu in PNG National Soccer League last weekend. Now the Papua New Guinean powerhouse will have another massive match ahead against the 2nd placed side Vitiaz United.

Hekari is three points away from both Lae City and Vitiaz in the national league standings, and they just cannot afford another defeat against a direct rival for the two top-spots in the league; the first two teams at the end of the regular season will get a berth in the 2021 edition of the OFC Champions League. Eric Komeng’s team will be happy to know they now can count on the important defender Koriak Upaiga; the player was not available for the club last matches since he was injured.

During Upaiga’s absence, Hekari was able to beat FC Bougainville by 2 goals to nil, but could not provide their best against a strong Lae City FC in the most important match of the season so far. Their win over Kutubu kept them on the run, but this upcoming clash against Vitiaz could be decisive for Hekari in the regular season.

The Papua New Guinean international is back to normal training since last week according to reliable sources, but he was not completely fit to play against Kutubu last weekend. Certainly, Hekari United will field their full force against Vitiaz hoping to collect all three points from this very important match.

Benjamin Totori scores his first goal as Isabel United player

Despite the 3-2 defeat of Isabel United in the mid-week clash for Telekom S-League against the strong side of Laugu United, the Isabel’s recent signing Benjamin Totori shown his credentials: the Solomon Islands’ football legend scored his first goal as Isabel United player in his second official match for his new club.

Totori scored after a counter-attack, he received the ball just in front of the goalkeeper and with a powerful finish he put the ball in the back of the net. He put his side upfront Laugu at that moment of the game, but Gagame Feni and Mathias Iani strikes gave the win to their side, breaking the hearts of Totori and his teammates.

This was the second defeat in two matches for Isabel United. The team coached by Gideon Omokirio will certainly need to improve in the season if they want to battle for the top of the table, but it is good remember both Isabel opponents in these two first fixtures were the very good sides of Henderson Eels and Laugu United.

Telekom S-League: Gagame Feni and Mathias Iani goals give Laugu win over Isabel United

The final match of the third matchweek of Solomon Islands’ Telekom S-League saw an entertaining match between two of the very good sides of this season. Laugu United captained by Solomon Islands international Atkin Kaua faced Benjamin Totori‘s Isabel United.

Both sides last matches were against Henderson Eels – Isabel United had their bye week in the second matchweek – and suffered heavy defeats. For this match, the two teams would be looking to bounce back in the competition playing all out in the Lawson Tama Stadium.

The day started well for the Gideon Omokirio’s coached side Isabel United thanks to an early goal of Alvin Ray, but still in the first half the star Gagame Feni equalised for Laugu with a powerful finish that found the top corner of the opposition goalkeeper.

In the second half, Isabel United pulled upfront again at the 56th minute of play thanks to the first goal of the season of Benjamin Totori, but Feni added another to his tally five minutes later – in a controversial play – to put Laugu United leveled again the in scoreline.

Iani and Feni scored the goals of Laugu United against Isabel United

In the 87th minute of play, the decisive goal of the clash was scored by powerful striker Mathias Iani – a perfect long-range finish that got the top-corner of Isabel United’s goalkeeper to seal the second win in three games played for the team in black and white.

Unfortunately for Isabel United, with this defeat they continue without any point recorded in the league. Laugu is now ranked 2nd, three points away the top-placed Henderson Eels. You can see the full standings and results by clicking here.

All Whites’ Tommy Smith joins League Two side Colchester United

Former Colorado Rapids and Sunderland Tommy Smith defender has joined the English side Colchester United. This will be the second spell of Smith in the club as he played for Colchester in 2011 – when he was loaned by Ipswich Town to the team.

The New Zealand international has 38 caps for the national and most recently played for Sunderland also in England. “The experienced defender has put pen to paper on a two year deal and committed to the North Essex side following a trial period where he has been involved in a number of pre-season friendlies“, said Colchester United’s press release.

Smith was called up by New Zealand’s new head coach Danny Hay in the two friendly matches played by the All Whites in Europe last year – the last two matches played the national team – against Republic of Ireland and Lithuania.

Colchester expects the experience of Smith helps them to get a promotion in the upcoming season. The club finished sixth in the 4th tier of English football last season – very close to grant a promotion – and hope to return to their good moments when in Championship, second tier of football, in the past years.

PNG National Soccer League: Tusbab Stallions has to improve as Gulf Komara knocks at the door of top-four spot

Since the departure of Nigel Malagian and Stahl Gubag, Tusbab Stallions are suffering to get back to the winning ways in the PNG National Soccer League. The team coached by Rachel Wadunah is now five in a row matches without a win in the competition and saw their advantage on the 5th placed side to decrease to only two points – Gulf Komara is the side two points away Stallions in the standings, while Morobe Wawens are three points behind them in the 6th position.

After a heartbreaking defeat against Vitiaz United in the last weekend, Stallions saw themselves for the first time so far in the season their top-four place challenged. While the team is 11 points away from Hekari United in the 3rd place, it seems their clear goal is to defend their top-four spot to guarantee an entry in the semi-final stage of the national league.

Tusbab Stallions FC – *Tusbab Stallions FC Media*

The Madang-based side is impressing everyone to continue in the top-four in this stage of the season, but much of this is due their fantastic first part of the league as in their last five games they were able to collect only three points.

When Stallions take on Star Mountain in the next Saturday (29th Aug) at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae, they will depend only on themselves to defend their spot in the top-four. If they are unable to surpass their opponent, maybe this time their luck will not be enough to help them to keep their 4th place; in the recent weeks, despite Stallions weak performances, their direct opponents for the top-four spot were also unable to grab good results, but now with the both Komara and Wawens victories in the last matchweek of football in the national league, another failure by the Madang-based side might mean their final stay within the best four ranked teams in the top-tier of Papua New Guinean football.

The bad start of Malaita Kingz in Telekom S-League

Telekom S-League resumed this month with the promise of being the best season in the history of the competition – and expectations are being met so far. With the live broadcast of all league matches, football fans from Solomon Islands are having the opportunity to enjoy the local league and get to know the players better.

While Henderson Eels and Solomon Warriors must fight for the title once again, newcomers Central Coast FC, Honiara City FC and Southern United have showed that they are going to be competitive sides in the league. On the other hand, Malaita Kingz – a very traditional team – did not have a good start in the league.

After finishing the past season in the fifth position, Malaita Kingz lost important players: Edward Huniuehu – who scored 15 goals for Malaita Kingz in the last Telekom S-League season – left the team to join Isabel United as William Komasi joined newcomers Central Coast FC. Benji Toata and Sammy Aurara joined Real Kakamora while Emmanuel Simon, Michael Foster and Nigel Dabinyaba returned to Papua New Guinea.

With the departure of so many important players, Malaita Kingz needed to bet on young players like midfielder Frank Kabui and forward Bradley Irosaea while some other experieced players like Charlie Otainao have the missionn to lead the team. Despite having talented players, the lack of organization is being a huge problem for the team: “We have been failing to meet our responsibilities inside the pitch. Discipline is more important than talent,” said Malaita’s head coach Michael Alafa.

Irosaea (left) and Otainao (right) are two key players for Malaita Kingz this season – *Telekom S-League Media*

The team’s situation got even worse after the 5-1 loss to Honiara City last weekend: “It was a very bad game. We had a good start, but things went wrong after conceding the first goal,” stated Alafa. Kingz are now in the last position with three losses in three matches – a terrible start for them.

Alafa and his players will have to work hard if they really want to fight for something in the league. Malaita’s next challenge of the season will be against current league champions Solomon Warriors on Sunday – a very difficult test for them. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.

Rambo Tapui: a football legend from American Samoa

Rambo Tapui is a legendary football player from American Samoa. The 34-year-old striker took part of some important moments of the sport’s history in his homeland and he was also one of the best players from this tiny nation with just over 50 thousand inhabitants. However, what few people know is that he retired from football last year.

Tapui left his homeland and he is currently living in the United States of America which ended a successful career as a football player in American Samoa: “I wanted to retire in order to live a different life,” he said.

Rambo have lifted eight national leagues – four with PanSa and four with Pago Youth. He also won the league’s best player award on five occasions. However, when asked about the biggest moment of his career, he mentions a great moment of American Samoa National Football Team: “The best moment of my football career was the 2-1 win over Tonga in 2011. It was amazing, I felt like a curse was lifted, like all that weight on my shoulders went away,” stated Tapui.

Tapui playing for Pago Youth in 2018 OFC Champions League – *OFC Media*

He has been involved with football in his homeland since he was a kid and he notices a great evolution of local football, but he believes that American Samoa can do more: “I believe that football in American Samoa is improving a lot. We have facilities and help from out of the country, which is a big thing. I think American Samoa will get there soon,” he pointed.

Despite being out of football, he admits that he can get involved with the sport again in the future: “The passion for football is still there, maybe one day I might get back to be a coach,” explained Rambo who was Pago Youth’s head coach in 2019 OFC Champions League.

His legacy for American Samoa’s football is huge and we hope that one day this nation will have more players with the same passion for our beloved sport.