Oceania Football Center

Solomon Islands’ forward Richard Fono debuts for Australian team

Football in Solomon Islands is developing quickly and it is possible to see local players having opportunities abroad. The most known names are surely Benjamin Totori and Henry Fa’arodo – two legends from Solomon Islands. However there is a not so known player that had his first opportunity as a player in Australia last weekend: Richard Fono.

Fono made his debut for Mareeba United against Edge Hill United. He came from the bench in the second half and score a goal in the 83rd minute. Despite having scored a goal, his team lost by 2-1: “We kept Richard quiet for a while, he has been training with us for the last few weeks and will bring a bit more spark to the forward line and he did get on the score sheet in his first game off the bench, very much a handy player to have at our disposal,” said team’s head coach Ang Tatti to The Expresser Newspaper.

Fono (left) made his debut for Mareeba United – *The Expresser Newspaper*

Fono is temporarily living in Australia as he has a work visa. He used to play for Malaita Kingz in his homeland and he was also part of Solomon Islands National Team’s squad that faced New Caledonia in two friendly matches back in 2016.

Mareeba United play in the FNQ Premier Men’s, a regional league in North Queensland. Oceania Football Center congratulate Richard Fono for this accomplishment.

Horizon Patho make history against AS Magenta in Mobil Super Ligue

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The fifth matchweek of Mobil Super Ligue was very interesting as Tiga Sport took the lead while AS Magenta are now in the third position after a 2-1 loss against Horizon Patho – a disappointing result for the team coached by Alain Moizan.

On the other hand, this was historic for Horizon Patho because it was the first time ever that they have beaten AS Magenta. Jean-Claude Jewiné and Jean-Paul Wamejo were Horizon’s goalscorers in this unforgettable match for the club: “It is the victory of an entire island. We dedicate it to our sponsors and supporters. We beat the best Mobil Super Ligue’s team of the moment so that the boys gain confidence and see their progress as the games go on,” said Horizon Patho’s manager Kuan Bearuné.

Horizon Patho’s starting eleven against AS Magenta – *Horizon Patho Media*

Despite the unprecedented win, Bearuné knows that it was just another league match: “The efforts are rewarded, we take a little time to savor this victory but we must not get too excited but we must get back to work because the championship is long and the cup games are coming too,” he pointed.

Horizon Patho are currently in the fourth position in the league with fifteen points – just two points ahead current league leaders Tiga Sport. You can check the current Mobil Super Ligue’s standings by clicking here.

Roy Krishna: I am happy to be back to football

The Fijian football star Roy Krishna is back to action as he is part of the national team camp guided by new head coach Flemming Serritslev. The ATK-MB star player expressed his gratitude to be back to the game in his social media accounts: “I’ve missed playing football so I’m very happy to be back at the Fiji Football Academy in Ba“.

Krishna had returned to Fiji after the finish of the Indian Super Ligue season in March; the Fijian helped his side ATK to clinch their third ever title of the league being the top scorer of the team in the season. Krishna was one of the best players of the season and caugh the attention of the fans with his impressive peformances.

Krishna is three goals away to tie the record of Esala Masi as all-time top goalscorer of Fiji national team – and also nine appearances away to be tie with the same Masi as the player who most represented Fiji internationally. The striker that is going to turn 33 this month is arguably the best Fijian player ever. “This week I join the national camp led by our new head coach. It’s going to be a fruitful one as it will help me get my fitness back up and I get to play alongside the future stars of football in Fiji“, said Krishna.

The striker is going to be more time in Fiji as the season in India will only start in November. Unlike other seasons, this season will entirely take place behind closed doors in three venues across the state Goa due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both Gunemba and Dabinyaba scored their first goals in their return to Hekari United

After so much wait, in their second match as Hekari United players since they rejoined the Port Moresby-based club, the starlet duo Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba scored their first goals for the team. FC Kutubu was the victim of the day – Hekari smashed the Goroka-based side at PNG Football Stadium in the most recent clash of the both sides last Saturday (22th Aug).

Both PNG Kapuls members were in the scoresheet – Gunemba scored a brace and Dabinyaba netted once for the team coached by Eric Komeng in a strong 6-0 victory over FC Kutubu. Despite the win, Hekari United continues ranked third in the PNG National Soccer League as both Vitiaz United and Lae City also recorded important wins in the weekend of football in Papua New Guinea.

Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba – *PNGFA Media*

After this weekend clash, Raymond Gunemba has now a total of eight goals scored in the season and Dabinyaba, six. All goals in the season before this match were scored by the duo when players of Lae City FC.

Hekari United fans were in high expectance for to see their new stars in action. Unfortunately, they could not provide their best against their former club Lae City in their debut for Hekari United as they were defeat by 1-0, but now against Kutubu they got back their usual form scoring half of the goals of the Red Army in the clash. Both players already represented Hekari in the past, but now they are seeking to help the team to achieve so big glories as they could when playing for Lae City FC.

Vanuatu: Jayson Timatua impressing in VFF National League Championship

Shefa FA stuned Port Vila in the most recent round of matches of the newly-formed VFF National League Championship. The 1-0 win put Shefa in the top of the Group B of the league and one of their players is highly impressing the football community in Vanuatu.

The Tafea FC’s midfielder Jayson Timatua is being a key figure for Shefa FA so far in the competition. The team captain is displaying his class in the middle of the park playmakings most of the offensive actions of his side. The only 21-year-old player that debut for Vanuatu national team in 2018 is being rated as one of the best players so far in the tournament by Vanuatu media.

The former Shepherds United man is being a regular starter for Tafea in the PVFA tournaments – Tafea is currently ranked 2nd in the most important regional football league of Vanuatu. Timatua represented Vanuatu in their historical U20 World Cup appearance in 2017, when Vanutu played against Venezuela, Mexico and Germany – the Ni-Vanuatu side scored four goals in the tournaments, two against Mexico and two against Germany.

Timatua will be looking to continue in his great form to lead Shefa FA to their final match against Tafea FA to guarantee their spot in the semi-final stage of the VFF National League Championship.

Fiji: Bula Boys training camp is underway

The 30-men squad selected by Fiji national team head coach Flemming Serritslev is already training at Fiji FA Academy grounds in Ba. As mentioned by the Danish coach in interview to Fiji FA Media, the aim of this training camp is to kick-off preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – despite it is still unknown when it will start in Oceania, Serritslev wants to continue his work in evaluation of players for a possible call up list when necessary.

Important players from all top-eight districts in the country are taking place of the national team training camp, but certainly the most important of them is not representing any Fijian team at the moment. The wonderboy Roy Krishna, currently attached to Indian Super League’s ATK-MB, is also part of Serritslev’s list and is currently part of the training camp in Ba.

Fiji national team in camp – *Fiji FA Media*

Fiji national team latest duties were in 2019 Pacific Games where the team won bronze after beating Papua New Guinea in the penalty shotoout to confirm their medal. Since then, specially due COVID-19 situation, the national team is still to play any international matches – something that seems to be still far to happen -, but Serritslev continues in his progressive support to keep possible national team players fit and close for trainings expecting to have the best of them when the international duties knock back at the door.

Stahl Gubag stands as PNG National Soccer League top scorer thanks to his goal as Lae City player

Lae City’s FC new signing Stahl Gubag is enjoying a lot of game in his new club; finally in his third match as Lae City player the former Tusbab Stallions forward scored his first goal. In the massive 9-2 win over FC Boungainvile, Gubag netted once to help his side continue at the top of the table of PNG National Soccer League.

Vitiaz United’s Mathew David scored seven goals in two matches for his side and now reached nine in the season – the same amoung of goals scored by Gubag when played of Tusbab Stallions, but thanks to his debut goal as Lae City player he continues as the top scorer of the season so far.

Gubag is being one of the top-performers in the season so far and getting attention all over the country – a great signing by the team coached by Bob Morris. You can see the updated standings, top scorers and results of the current season of the PNG National Soccer League by clicking here.

Alwin Komolong scores his first goal for Lae City FC

The 13th matchweek of 2019-20 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League was contested on last Saturday as two matches were played in Lae and three matches were played in Port Moresby. Lae City and Vitiaz United are still sharing the first position in the table with 29 points each as you can check here.

Lae City’s faced FC Bougainville and the final score was a 9-2 win for Lae. Despite the huge amount of goals, this match was special for Alwin Komolong who scored his first goal for Lae City FC since he returned to Papua New Guinea. His celebration was also special as he paid tribute to his aunt.

Alwin Komolong paid tribute to his aunt – *PNGFA Media*

Komolong is a key player in Lae City’s squad. The 25-year-old defender is a leader inside the pitch – specially on defense – and now he had the opportunity to score his first goal for the club. Oceania Football Center congratulate Alwin for scoring this goal.

VFF National League: Noah Roger shines for Tafea FA; Shefa FA reach the top of the table

The second matchday of 2020 VFF National League’s Group B took place on this Monday as two matches were contested at Korman Stadium in Port Vila – the capital of Vanuatu.

Shefa FA and Port Vila FA clashed in the first match of the day in a very interesting match. After a nil-nil draw in the first half, Shefa FA took the lead in the second half with a goal scored by youngster Keiben Kalotang in the 62nd minute. The victory by 1-0 placed Shefa FA on top of the table while Port Vila FA are now in the second position.

Kalotang (right) scored Shefa’s winning goal against Port Vila FA – *Vanuatu Sports News*

After Shefa’s win, Malampa FA and Tafea FA came to the pitch in the second match of the day. Malampa showed their power as Jordy Tasip opened the scoreboard in the third minute while Andre Batick extended the lead nine minutes later. Tafea FA managed to find the net in the final minutes of the first half with a goal scored by Noah Roger.

Things have changed in the second half when Tafea FA equalized with a goal scored by Roger Dick Noukout and Noah Roger scored his second goal in the game to put his side ahead by 3-2. Andrew Barry came from the bench and equalized for Malampa in the 79th minute but it was not enough because Noah Roger found the net for the third time in the day to put Tafea FA ahead. After the final whistle the score was 4-3 in favour of Tafea.

Tafea FA starting eleven – *Vanuatu Sports News*

The final round is scheduled to take place on this Wednesday while the final of the tournament will be contested on Saturday. Shefa are leading the group with four points in two matches while Port Vila and Tafea are tied in the second positions with three points each. You can check the current standings and the tournament’s schedule by clicking here.

Samuel Kini unavailable for Tusbab Stallions

Former Papua New Guinea international midfielder Samuel Kini will be temporarily unavailable for Tusbab Stallions FC. The player joined the club recently, but needed to depart to Mount Hagen due work commitments – it was already known when Stallions signed Kini that he would be not available for one month soon due his current off-football job.

The former Hekari United midfielder played only three matches for Stallions before his departure – against FC Kutubu, Morobe United and Vitiaz United. Kini had little time to have impact in his new team since signed for the Madang-based side.

Stallions is still to record a win after the resumption of the 2019/20 PNG National Soccer season; the club that is currently ranked 4th in the standings is now only two points ahead of the 5th place Gulf Komara and will need to start getting points in the next fixtures of the league if they want to confirm their spot in the top four of the most important football league of Papua New Guinea.