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.

Solomon Warriors’ forward Dennis Ifunaoa ready to debut in 2020 Telekom S-League

After missing the first weeks of 2020 Telekom S-League due to a head knock, Dennis Ifunaoa is ready to debut in the season. The 28-year-old winger was cleared to play and he will be part of Solomon Warriors’ squad in today’s match against Malaita Kingz.

It is not known if Ifunaoa will be at Warriors’ starting eleven today, but his absence was felt once the team’s attack is having a poor performance so far in the season. If he plays, the current league champions will be even stronger.

Dennis Ifunaoa playing for Solomon Warriors in the past Telekom S-League season

Currently in the sixth position with four points, Warriors need to win if they want to get closer to the leaders. The clash against Malaita Kingz is expected to kick-off at 4pm (local time) at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara – the capital of the Solomon Islands – and there will be an official livestream on Telekom S-League’s Facebook page.

All Whites defender Nando Pijnaker joins Rio Ave FC from Portugal

🇵🇹 Português

Nando Pijnaker is the newest player of Rio Ave FC from Portugal. The official announcement was made on Rio Ave’s official Instagram account. The 21-year-old defender from New Zealand moves to Portugal after spending eight months with Grasshopper from Switzerland.

Pijnaker played only two matches for Grasshopper’s main team in Challenge League – the second-tier of Swiss football. Now he has the opportunity to show his talent in Portugal’s first division.

Pijnaker joins Rio Ave FC – Rio Ave Media

Rio Ave is Pijnaker’s third club in European football. He arrived in the continent last year when he joined Torslanda IK from Sweden after performing in a great level during 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup held in Poland.

Oceania Football Center wish good luck to Nando in his new club!

Telekom S-League: Eels smash Southern United as Central Coast reach the second position

The fourth matchweek of 2020 Telekom S-League kicked-off on this Saturday as two matches were contested at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara – the capital of the Solomon Islands. It was an amazing day for Henderson Eels that are now five points ahead second-placed Central Coast FC.

A well organised Central Coast faced a weird Isabel United in the first match of the day and the final score was not a surprise. Youngster Philip Ropa and Atana Fa’arodo scored once each in a 2-0 win that pushed Central Coast into the second position in the table.

Current league leaders Henderson Eels faced Southern United in the second match of the day and the final score was better than the expectation of the most optimistic Eels fan: 10-0. Joses Nawo (4) and Raphael Lea’i (2) were on fire once again to lead the team against Southern. Derrick Taebo, Hudson Felani, Obed Ofea and Tutizama Tanito scored the other goals.

Henderson Eels’ Joses Nawo scored four goals against Southern United – Telekom S-League Media

The team coached by Eddie Marahare is living a marvelous moment in the league: four wins and 23 goals scored in four matches. Henderson Eels are deservedly on top of the table and it seems that there is no other team that can stop them.

Two other matches will be contested at Lawson Tama Stadium on this Sunday: Honiara City vs Real Kakamora and Solomon Warriors vs Malaita Kingz. You can check the current league standings and the top scorers of the tournament by clicking here.

Tahitian legend Marama Vahirua back to OGC Nice from France

🇫🇷 Français

Marama Vahirua is surely the greatest Tahitian footballer from all time. Retired from football, he had a good career playing for French clubs like Monaco Nantes and OGC Nice and now he is back to football, not as a player, but as a coach.

The Tahitian legend was appointed the assistant coach of OGC Nice U19 team where he is working with his former teammate Emerse Faé: “The stress of training, of competition, even if I amnot a player anymore, these are things that I missed and that I found with pleasure,” revealed Vahirua.

Vahirua is back to OGC Nice as U19 team’s assistant coach – OGC Nice Media

Despite knowing the club very well, he found a different club than the one he played many years ago: “This is no longer the same club at all. It is a club that has grown a lot in recent years. I am proud to have been able to contribute to this construction. And what makes me even prouder today is to continue to contribute to the club’s further growth. I am proud to be able to pass on the values and love of this jersey to our youngsters,” he revealed ito Tahiti Infos.

Vahirua scored 23 goals in 111 matches for OGC Nice from 2004 to 2007. Oceania Football Center wish him good luck in his career as a coach.

Tongan youngster Kina Likiliki scores his first goal for Christchurch United’s main team

Christchurch United visited bottom-placed Western AFC at Walter Park in the fifteenth matchweek of 2020 Mainland Premier League – one of the football leagues from New Zealand winter season – on this Saturday.

Despite playing at home, Western AFC were not the favourites to win. The team coached by Kelly Jarden won only one match in the current season – a 2-1 win over Selwyn United three weeks ago. Christchurch United took advantage of Western’s fragility to score many goals.

Max Chrétien was surely the best player in the contest as he scored four goals for his side. However the most celebrated moment of this match took place in the second half when Tongan youngster Kina Likiliki scored his first goal for Christchurch United’s main team.

Likiliki (right) scored his first goal for Christchurch United’s main team – Christchurch United Media

The 20-year-old forward came from the bench in the 50th minute and ten minutes later he received a long pass and he had the composture to beat the goalkeeper before pushing the ball into the net: “It was amazing. I remember just coming to the game visualizing myself scoring […] but the best is yet to come as I am working hard to improve more and more,” revealed Likiliki after the match.

Christchurch United are in the sixth position in the Mainland Premier League with eighteen points in fifteen matches while Western United remain in the last position with four points. You can check all results from Mainland Premier League by clicking here.