After two months of youth tournaments, the Premier Men’s kicked-off in Samoa. Senior clubs are back to action after nine months as the past season was called-off due to measles outbreak. Twelve teams are fighting for the title this year – the same amount of teams in comparison with last season.
Current league champions Lupe o le Soaga had a marvelous start in the season as they smashed Moata’a by 18-0. On the other hand, Kiwi FC that finished the last season in the second position lost to Lepea by 3-2.
Lupe o le Soaga squad – Lupe o le Soaga Media
Three other matches were contested in the opening matchweek: Vaipuna have beaten Vaiusu by 5-2 while Sogi thrashed Fa’atoia United by 5-0. The only draw of the round came in the match between Vaivase-Tai and Vaitele-Uta and the final score was 2-2.
A sixth match was scheduled to be contested between Moaula and Togafuafua but there are no official reports about it. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.
The Sunday of football was full emotion and water in Honiara; heavy rains also took place in the two matches of the day that continued the third matchweek of football for the top-tier league of Solomon Islands.
The first game of the day saw Real Kakamora get their first win of the season thanks to a hattrick of the young talented forward Adrian Mara against the newcomers Southern United. Kakamora got the lead at the 7th minute of play with Mara adding his first of the day, but the black and white side suffered a huge loss as the defender Richard Raramo Jnr was sent off after a terrible action: Raramo kicked an opponent and received a straight red from the referee.
The good performer Augustine Halumwane scored through a header to equalise for Southern still in the first half, but Adrian Mara approached a defensive mistake of Southern’s defense to add another to his tally only five minutes later of Halumwane’s equaliser: Kakamora was up by 2-1 in the first half. Ian Ngahu scored another for Real Kakamora within the first ten minutes of the second half, but the substitute Aden Seymour cut the deficit six minutes to put Southern again in the match. The Stanley Waita-coached side went upfront seeking for another goal, but Adrian Mara got his hattrick at the end of the match to seal Kakamora’s win over Southern United.
Real Kakamora celebrates one of the goals – TSL Media
In the second match of the day, the then 2nd placed side Central Coast took on the top-tabled team Henderson Eels. The heavy rain was hard to surpass by both sides – Eels had to face the sad loss of their goalkeeper Desmond Tutu early in the match to be replaced by Junior Barna -, and a weird goal still in the first half gave the lead for team coached by Eddie Marahare: Raphael Lea’i put the ball in the area and a deflection from Central Coast’s defender ended up putting the ball in his own nets, giving Eels the lead at the 36th minute of play – you can watch the goal by clicking here.
Central Coast led by young player Javin Wae gave a lot of fight for the strong side of Eels, but the final outcome of the ball was to be another important win for Eels that is the only side to win all matches so far in the Telekom S-League season. Raphael Leai’, that was awarded with the goal in the match, is the top goalscorer of the season so far.
Raphael Lea’i (left) scored the winner for Henderson Eels – TSL Media
The completion of the round will see Laugu United taking on Isabel United on Wednesday (26th Aug). Eels continues at the top of the table followed now by Honiara City and Kossa in the 2nd and 3rd places. You can see the updated standings of the Telekom S-League current season and its top goalscorers and full results by clicking here.
Ni-Vanuatu international Kensi Tangis is back to his usual form after his debut in the newly-raised VFF National League Championship. The league was created as an effort of Vanuatu Football Federation to kick-off a new brand National League format, as currently the football leagues in the country are separted by regions.
In the competition, the eight Member Associations of the country take place; Tangis represents Port Vila as he is currently attached to Port Vila Premier League’s top-club Galaxy FC. The striker was crucial for his side win over Tafea FA in the kick-off of the Group B – alongside Malampa Revivors’ Azariah Soromon that scored a brace in the win. Soromon, that currently is attached to the Luganvile-based side Malampa Revivors, is available to represent Port Vila FA because he was born in the capital city of Vanuatu.
Tangis (with the ball) playing for Port Vila FA – Vanuatu Sport
Tangis assisted for the two goals scored by Azariah Soromon in the 3-2 win of his side Port Vila against Tafea FA. The player ended up scoring the third goal of his team to secure their much needed win in their first match in the competition.
After some criticism to his recent performances, the 30-year-old player helped Galaxy FC to win the most recent Port Vila Independence Cup and now is displyaing all his quality for Port Vila FA in VFF National League Championship. Certainly, Tangis is now back to the peak of his form for the joy of the Ni-Vanuatu football fans.
After a lot efforts to realocate to Australia to play the final regular season matches, Wellington Phoenix failed once again to win in the elimination final as they were surpassed by Perth Glory by 1-0. Glory that was ranked 6th in the regular season will be certainly satisfied to beat the 3rd ranked-team in the process – now Glory continues in the run as Phoenix season is over.
Ufuk Talay guided Phoenix to its best ever regular season campaign despite only one win after the resumption of A-League. Until the forced break in March, Phoenix was enjoying a fantastic season, but the team never could get the same level of performances after the return of the competition.
In the decisive match played at Bankwest Stadium, Glory almost scored in the starting minutes of play, but Bruno Fornaroli was denied by Stefan Marinovic. The All Whites‘ defender Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi started the match alongside Steven Taylor in defense – in place of the injured Luke DeVere – and minutes later of Fornaroli’s chance Wihongi could not get to Chianese that received the ball and with a clinical finish he put the ball in the left low corner of Marinovic’s goal.
Phoenix managed to have the ball, but could not create real goalscoring chances in the first half. Glory always seemed to be dangerous in the counter-attack specially through Fornaroli. In the second half Phoenix was running against the clock to find at least an equaliser to send the game to extra-time. Long range shots from the Mexican Ulises Davila started to disturb Glory’s gloveman Liam Reddy, but the best opportunity of the game came from a great solo effort play by Callan Elliot that passed the ball back to the middle of the box, he found Jashua Sotirio that unfortunately send the ball away from the target.
The end of the road for Wellington Phoenix – Phoenix Media
The Nix pressed high, introduced Callum McCowatt and Alex Rufer in the game, but both New Zealand internationals could not connect with the front line of the team. The skills of Reno Piscopo were not enough for the Nix – the young Australian prospect made some impressive plays during the match, but none of them could not end up with a real chance for his side.
Davila had a last chance in a free-kick, but the Mexican wrongly decided to pass the ball to a teammate in the middle of the penalty box – the chance was once again wasted. The final result ended up being in favour of Perth – the club proceeds to the next stage as Phoenix one more time was unable to win an elimination final match.
Phoenix also lost in the last season in their first elimination final game against Melbourne Victory, being one more time unable to keep the dream alive to win their first ever A-League title. For the second time in a row the New Zealand-based club qualified for the A-League finals – showing a clear improvement of the club performance that was for a number of series away from the final stages of the top-tier league.
The fifth matchweek of Mobil Super Ligue is over as five matches were contested in New Caledonia over the weekend. After some unexpected results a new team reached the top of the table. Scroll down to check what happened in the major football league from New Caledonia!
AS Wetr and Hienghène Sport clashed at Stade Numa Daly in a livestreamed match on Saturday. The title holders had a powerful start as Yvanoe Bamy, Joseph Athalé and Nelson Kaï scored once each in the first half to put Hienghène ahead by 3-0 before the half time. However AS Wetr did not give in as they found the net twice in the second half to put some pressure on their opponents. Despite being ahead, things got worse for Hienghène when Jean-Luc Decoire was red carded in the secold half when his side was ahead by 3-2.
Antoine Roine scored Hienghène’s fourth goal in the 67th minute after a deadly counter-attack and they kept the lead until the final minutes when AS Wetr scored two goals in the 83rd and 90th minutes to equalize. The heroes of the day were Germain Haewegene (twice) and Edouard Zohune who came from the bench to score for Wetr in this amazing comeback while Rozen Mataika scored the remaining goal. At the final whistle the score was a 4-4 draw.
Meanwhile, Horizon Patho and AS Magenta were clashing at Stade la Roche in Maré. While Magenta were looking for another win to remain on top of the table, Horizon Patho players were working hard to steal some points from league leaders to get closer to them – and that’s exactly what happened! With goals scored by Jean Claude Jewiné and Jean-Paul Wamejo, Horizon managed to beat AS Magenta by 2-1 to reach the fourth position in the league. Magenta’s goal was scored by Shene Welepané.
Horizon Patho’s starting eleven against AS Magenta – Horizon Patho Media
After a breathtaking match between Hienghène and Wetr, AS Lössi and AS Mont-Dore came to Numa Daly’s pitch to fight for the win but the final score was a 1-1 draw – a disappointing result for both teams as they remain close to bottom-placed team AS Kunié.
As Hienghène Sport and AS Magenta failed to win, Tiga Sport had the opportunity to reach the top of the table if they beat JS Baco, and they did it. Freddy Hmej and Morgan Mathelon scored twice each while young striker Lues Waya found the net once in a 5-1 win over JS Baco. This result put Tiga on top of the table with seventeen points – two points ahead Hienghène and Magenta.
Lues Waya (left) scored one of Tiga Sport’s goals against JS Baco – FCF Media
The final match of thee weekend was contested between AS Kunié and SC Ne Drehu at Stade Numa Daly on Sunday. While AS Kunié could leave the bottom of the table with a win, Ne Drehu could get closer to the leaders with a positive result. However the final score was frustrating for both teams: a 1-1 draw. Mathieu Douépéré scored for Kunié while talented Josua Hlému found the net for Ne Drehu.
As it was reported above, Tiga Sport are the new league leaders with seventeen points while Hienghène Sport, AS Magenta and Horizon Pahto are tied in the second position with fifteen points each. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.
Mathew David of Vitiaz United has burst onto the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League scene in the last few weeks after shooting to second place in the league’s goalscoring charts following three goals against Morobe Wawens last weekend and four goals against Tusbab Stallions yesterday. But who exactly is this new goalscoring machine?
David was born on 6th April 1993, making him 27 years old. He was born in a small village called Baindoang in the Nawaeb District of the Morobe Province. He became interested in football at a very early age and excelled in his natural position of striker at a local tournament in Tubi at the age of 15, picking up the Golden Boot at that event.
After featuring in a local Christmas tournament in Pohom settlement, David was scouted by Bumayong United FC, one of the largest clubs in the LFA local association, and began to ply his trade at local level. That same year, he caught the attention of Peter Gunemba, who was in the process of founding Lae City Dwellers FC (now Lae City), and Gunemba signed David up as one of the original members of the squad which would become dominant domestically over the next five years.
Due to the wealth of talent that Lae City had at their disposal up front, David was pushed out to the left flank, where he appeared mainly as a substitute for the soon-to-be league champions. The first media coverage we have of the player comes from an article in The National ahead of the 2015 NSL Grand Final against Madang FC, where David was part of Lae’s substitute bench.
Mathew David in action against Morobe Wawens last weekend. Photo: PNGFA
David’s season with Lae in 2016 seems to have been a decent one: the player was selected in the club’s squad for the 2016 OFC Champions League, and he came off the bench in both of Lae’s defeats to New Zealand side Auckland City and the Solomon Warriors. David also scored one of Lae’s five goals in their thrashing of Rapatona in the 2016 NSL Playoffs, although David’s role at the club continued to be one of an impact substitute.
David’s role with Lae City grew as the 2017 season kicked-off. The winger played in all three of Lae’s OFC Champions League games in 2017, including starting for the first time in the 5-3 defeat to Western United, while there are local media reports of David again making an impact with goals off the bench domestically.
Mathew David (#12) playing for Lae City against Team Wellington back in 2018. Photo: Radio NZ
David once again travelled with Lae to the 2019 OFC Champions League, but managed just over ninety total minutes in four games for the side, and was again sidelined domestically. Later in the season, he came off the bench to score the decisive goal against Morobe United in the 2019 NSL playoff semi-finals, which took the side to the final against Hekari United. While David had made an impact at Lae City as a ‘super-sub’ for most of his playing career, there was a sense that he wasn’t truly fulfilling his potential.
Having missed out on 2020 OFC Champions League action due to a knee injury, and following four years of failing to make a real breakthrough at the club, David finally made the move away from Lae in the mid-season transfer window to Vitiaz United, with the club promising to give him plenty of game time and to play him in his natural position as a striker. Since then, he has scored nine goals in four games and is just one goal away from being at the top of the league’s goalscoring charts.
In whatever country football is played, it’s nice to see squad players move to a different club and become breakout stars; it’s good for their career and it makes the game more three-dimensional. We very much look forward to seeing where David’s goals can take Vitiaz United, as the surprise package of this year’s NSL continues to win matches and stake a strong claim to the title of the domestic league in Papua New Guinea this year.
The 2019 Vodafone Futsal Inter-Distict Championship was contested at FMF Gymnesium in Suva – the capital of Fiji – in the past weekend. The tournament was originally scheduled to be contested last year but it was postponed twice due to measles outbreak and COVID-19 pandemics.
Suva were crowned as the champions after beating Lami in the final match by 3-2 with two goals scored by Reginald Singh and one scored by Amitesh Kumar. Besides scoring in the final, Kumar was also chosen as the best player of the tournament as the 24-year-old player scored four goals in five matches to lead his side to clinch the tournament’s title.
Kumar with Golden Ball Award’s trophy – Fiji FA Media
Akitesh Kumar is not an unknown player for those who watch Oceanian futsal as he was part of Suva’s squad that played OFC Futsal Champions League last year in New Caledonia. Oceania Football Center congratulate Kumar for this accomplishment.
The 2019 Vodafone Futsal Inter-Distict Championship was contested at FMF Gymnesium in Suva – the capital of Fiji – in the past weekend. The tournament was originally scheduled to be contested last year but it was postponed twice due to measles outbreak and COVID-19 pandemics.
Despite having finished in the third position, Rewa still have something to be celebrated as Bruce Hughes was the top scorer of the tournament with nine goals in five matches – six in the group stage, two in the semi-finals and one in the third place play-off.
Bruce Hughes with Golden Boot Award’s trophy – Fiji FA Media
Hughes also play for Rewa in 11-a-side football and he helepd the Delta Tigers to clinch 2020 Battle of the Giants’ title in Lautoka earlier this month. Oceania Football Center congratulate Hughes for this accomplishment.
Viking FK visited Strømsgodset at Marienlyst Stadion in Drammen in a match valid for the 15th round of Eliteserien – the top-tier league from Norway. Strømsgodset were the favourites to win this match but they were surprised by their opponents.
After a 0-0 draw in the first half, Viking FK opened the scoreboard in the 74th minute when Jack Ipalibo scored an own goal. Young midfielder Joe Bell came from the bench in the 87th minute to replace Adrian Nilsen Pereira. Four minutes later he got the ball from Veton Berisha and set the pace towards goal. Between two defenders, he shot from the penalty spot, and the ball found its way down to the nearest corner. It was Bell’s first official goal in Norway.
Joe Bell scores his first goal in Norway – Viking FK Media
Despite having come from the bench, Bell is a regular starter for Viking FK. He has now one goal and two assists in fifteen matches in the major football league from Norway.
At the final whistle the score was a 2-0 win for Viking FK. It was a very important result for the team coached by Bjarne Berntsen as they are now two points ahead of Mjøndalen that are in 14th. Viking FK are now in the 11th position with sixteen points in fifteen matches. You can check the current Eliteserien standings by clicking here.
After a long wait, the 2019 Vodafone Futsal Inter-District Championship was finally contested. The tournament was originally scheduled to take place in the last year but it was initially postponed due to a measles outbreak and then it was postponed again due to COVID-19 pandemics.
Eight teams were split in two groups of four teams each to fight for the title. All matches were contested at FMF Gymnesium in Suva – the capital of the country. Hosts Suva and Lami were the top teams from Group A while Rewa and Nadi were the two teams from Group B that advanced to the semi-finals.
Suva and Lami showed that the power was in the Group A as both teams reached the final. Suva smashed Nadi by 5-1 while Lami have beaten Rewa in the penalties to book a spot in the final. In the final contest, Suva had a good performance to beat Lami by 3-2 to clinch the title.
Oceania Football Center 