The football star from Papua New Guinea Felix Komolong played his second match as Lae City player last weekend when his side won by 5-0 Gulf Komara in Port Moresby for the 11th round of matches of the PNG National Soccer League.
It was a special match for Felix as he could play for the first time in the club alongside his brother Alwin Komolong. Felix also managed to find the nets for the first time as Lae City player as he oppened the account for Lae against Komara.
Felix Komolong (yellow) playing for Lae City – PNGFA Media
The debut of Felix Komolong was against Tusbab Stallions in the previous match of Lae City before the forced break due COVID-19 pandemics. The match ended up in an 1-1 draw.
Nadi displayed good football in the group stage of 2020 Battle of Giants, but they are in a real trouble as they are set to lose important players for the semi-final clash against Suva. According to Fijivillage, “Nadi’s top striker, Rusiate Matarerega may not feature for Nadi in the semi-final of Punjas Battle of the Giants as he has an ankle injury. Coach Kamal Swamy says there is a 50% chance that he may not play against Suva“.
Top striker Rusiate Matarerega will be a huge miss for Nadi in a decisive match. Also important forward Napolioni Qasevakatini is on doubts if he will return or not to the game as he sustained a groin injury in first pool match against Navua: “I am still recovering from my groin injury, I will try my best to return for the semi-final,” said Qasevakatini to Oceania Football Center.
Nadi won all their matches so far in Battle of Giants – Fiji FA Media
Suva will be also having injury problems as well, something that shown the problems of playing three matches in three days – putting players’ health under risk as many of them got injured for the decisive clashes of the 2020 edition of Battle of Giants.
Suva had to win Ba in their final pool match to proceed to the semi-finals of 2020 edition of the traditional Battle of Giants. The Capital City Boys had luck at their side in the weekend of football in the group stage of the tournament as the result from Labasa vs. Nasinu match allowed them a possibility to qualify – and they did so as they won 1-0 against Ba thanks to a goal from Sairusi Nalaubu.
Now the team coached by Babs Khan will have problems as they approach an important clash against Nadi in the weekend: Christopher Wasasala and Iosefo Verevou are on doubts for the weekend match. Both players sustained injuries recently and they are being monitored to confirm their avalability or not the semi-finals. “Suva FA president Ritesh Pratap says they are closely monitoring Wasasala and Verevou’s fitness and the final decision will be made on Friday,” said Suva’s chairman to FBC.
Wasasala and Verevou
While both players are on doubts, the news are even worse for the young Solomon Islander Patrick Taroga: “At the moment they are both not part of the squad. Then we will monitor their injury and then we will decide on Friday. Patrick Taroga got injured against Nasinu so he is out of the semifinals on Saturday“, said Ritesh Pratap to FBC – “Christopher Wasasala, Iosefo Verevou and Patrick Taroga have ankle and knee injuries and are not training with the team“, completed the info local source Fijivillage.
It is also known Simione Nabenu has a shoulder injury and he is also on doubts for the upcoming clashes. Meli Codro and Nickel Chand are also sustaining minor injuries and they will be also monitored by Suva’s officials whether they will be available or not for the match against Nadi.
Playing three matches in three dayso is something rare to be seen in worldwide football – the chances of getting injured are much more bigger. We can see this is unfortunately happening to Suva at this point of the tournament – heading for a very important challenge without counting on their top players.
The completion of the first round of football in Solomon Islands happened this Wednesday (12th Aug) as the traditional Marist FC played against the first first-timers in the national league Honiara City.
The debutants could not could on their best known player Anthony Talo while Marist FC awas captained by talented young player John Aeta. Late in the first half, Marist took the lead thanks to a goal scored by Fred Osifelo Jr – Marist was able to defend their 1-0 lead until the half-time break to keep its advtange.
Marist vs Honiara City – S-League Media
The newly raised Honiara City went forward in the second-half looking for an equaliser, Marist managed to keep well the defense – but unfortunately for the side coached by Patrick Miniti, the debutants in Telekom S-League would grab a point from this game thanks to a goal of Alick Solo in the 88th minute of play. Marist did not have power to seek for a winner as the match finished 1-1 with each side collecting a point from their debut in the league.
This was the final match of the first round of Solomon Islands’ national league – you can see the full standings, top scorer and results by clicking here. In the weekend, more four matches will entertain the fans in Honiara with the kick-off of the second round of matches in Solomon Islands.
After a good start in 2020 Vodafone Premier League with two wins by 6-0 against Nadi and Nasinu, Lautoka’s season turned into a real tragedy. The Bluez had a ridiculous performance in the OFC Champions League as they were knocked-out in the group stage with one point in three matches.
Lautoka played thirteen official matches in 2020: seven in Vodafone Premier League, three in OFC Champions League and three in Battle of the Giants. If we disregard the two wins against Nadi and Nasinu, the record gets even worse: one victory in eleven games.
Lautoka’s starting eleven against Navua in 2020 Battle of the Giants – Fiji FA
Ravinesh Kumar was appointed Lautoka’s head coach in the last month and his first official challenge with the Bluez was in a 2-1 loss against Ba. Kumar’s current record is not so good as well as his side won just one game out of the six in which he led the team – the only victory was against Navua in the Vodafone Premier League on July 19.
It is known that Lautoka is missing some important players like Shazil Ali who is injured and Vanuatu international Alex Saniel who is not available to travel to Fiji due to border restrictions caused by COVID-19 pandemics. Anyway the results are unnaceptable and the fans want and deserve more.
Lautoka is surely facing a terrible moment and things need to get better as soon as possible if they want to fight for the national title. Something must be done otherwise this season will be a real failure for the Bluez.
Since being announced as the new coach of Fiji National Football Team in January, Flemming Serritslev has been working hard to get to know the players and find new talent in local football. The 72-year-old head coach from Denmark is being very active in local football and it is being considered a very good point by local supporters.
Serritslev is always attending football matches and he is constantly seen in local stadiums and it was not different in the Battle of the Giants as the Danish head coach has been watching the first stage of the tournament to scout local players.
Flemming Serritslev
He had the opportunity to work with some players in camps held at Fiji FA Academy earlier this year. From his observations in the first camp, Serritslev stated that local players need further development and exposure.
Fiji’s next international challenge is not known yet but football fans can not wait to watch the Bula Boys in the pitch with Flemming Serritslev being the head coach.
Ounei can add much experience to the team based in Lavit. The former AS Magenta striker already played three matches for New Caledonia national team, scoring two goals in total – one against Fiji and another against Estonia. Ounei also played for AS Magenta in OFC Champions League campaigns for the club from Nouméa.
Ounei is one more of the various New Caledonian players to move to France to pursue a career as footballer. Les Cagous count on various players based in Europe – something that can help a lot the development of football in New Caledonia.
One of the most important players from Ba, Fijian international Saula Waqa was suspended for three years after being tested positive on marijuana – an illegal substance on Fiji Football Association (FFA) regulations. However it was confirmed that Ba will appeal the decision of the FFA.
According to reliable sources, Ba’s president Rynal Kumar decided to appeal the decision because the player was not given the opportunity to defend himself. On the other hand, it was confirmed by Fiji FA chief executive Mohammed Yusuf that it is not the first time that Waqa tests positive for illegal substances.
Saula Waqa
Waqa was performing in a very good level before being suspended. His last appearance was in Ba’s 7-3 win over Nasinu in Battle of the Giants’ opening matchday. If his suspensio remains Ba will have to deal with a huge problem.
Ba advanced to Battle of the Giants’ semi-finals after finishing on top of the Group A with four points in three matches. The Men in Black will face Rewa in the semi-final on Saturday at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
The 2020 Telekom S-League is already special for two reasons: the increase in the number of teams from nine to eleven and the official livestreaming of all league matches on Facebook. This season is also a little bit different when it comes to talent as some good players like Atkin Kaua, Benjamin Totori, Gagame Feni and Michael Boso are back to the country.
It is important to remember that Boso, Feni and Kaua are playing the Telekom S-League because they were not able to leave the country due to border restrictions caused by COVID-19 pandemics. On the other hand, there are other players that were not able to travel to Solomon Islands, like Vanuatu international Tony Kaltack who is still in his homeland because he could not rejoin Solomon Warriors for this season.
Kaltack’s absence in 2020 Telekom S-League means that John Alick is the only foreigner that will play in the current season of the major football season from Solomon Islands. The 29-year-old midfielder from Vanuatu remained in Solomon Islands during the pandemics and he is confirmed in Solomon Warriors squad.
John Alick (left) is the only foreigner in 2020 Telekom S-League – S-League Media
Solomon Warriors’ debut in Telekom S-League will be against Marist FC on next Wednesdey at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara. You can check the schedule of the round one of the league by clicking here.
After five months, the 2019-20 PNG National Soccer League season is back as five matches were contested on last Saturday – two in Lae and three in Port Moresby. One of the most important matches was contested between Star Mountain and Vitiaz United.
Star Mountain side denied Vitiaz a victory thanks to a goal scored by Pettyshen Elijah two minutes into injury time. The final score was a 2-2 draw: something disappointing for Vitiaz, but a great result for their opponents: “It was a tough and physical match. We still need to work on our finishing touches upfront,” said Star Mountain’s Tau Winnie.
Tau Winnie
Winnie also pointed that they need to work on keeping the ball possession even when they have to deal with the pressure from the other team. Dealing with pressure is an important thing in football specially in tough matches.
Star Mountain is currently in the eighth position with nine points in eleven matches. You can check the full league standings by clicking here.
Oceania Football Center 