Oceania Football Center

David Browne shines in Finland to lead HJK against FC Haka

HJK visited FC Haka at Tehtaan Kenttä in another match of Veikkausliiga – the top-tier of Finnish football. Papua New Guinea international David Browne was in HJK’s starting eleven for the first time in Veikkausliiga – a milestone for him as he had only played 48 minutes in the league so far.

Browne did not disappoint the coaching staff and he showed that he deserves a spot in the starting eleven as he ruled his opponents in an incredible performance. He opened the scoreboard for his side in the 50th minute after a shot saved by Haka’s goalkeeper. A few minutes later, Browne was fouled inside the box and Ferhan Hasani extended the lead from the penalty spot.

David Browne had an amazing performance against FC Haka – *HJK Media*

Browne was unstoppable and the HJK’s third goal came from a cross from the left by the Papua New Guinean. The 24-year-old winger was fouled inside the box once again and Hasani scored another goal from the penalty spot. At the final whistle the score was 4-1 in favour to HJK. You can check the highlights of the match by clicking here.

HJK are now in the second position in Veikkausliiga with 21 points in ten matches – four points behind current league leaders Inter Turku. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.

Mathias Iani expects Laugu to recover balance after embarrassing defeat to Henderson Eels

Laugu United had a very good start of season as they smashed Real Kakamora by 5-0 in their opener in Telekom S-League. The impressive front line of the team made up by Gagame Feni, Mathias Iani and Coleman Makau was effective in their debut, but not in their second match against the powerful Henderson Eels.

Even counting on important players such as Allen Peter and Atkin Kaua, Laugu could not hold the offensive power of Eels and suffered an embarrassing 7-0 defeat in the last Saturday. With four goals of Joses Nawo, two of Raphael Lea’i and one of Tutizama Tanito, Eels got their second win in two matches – scoring a total of 12 goals in two matches and only conceding once. “That was the first time I suffered a so harsh defeat,” said Laugu’s Mathias Iani to Oceania Football Center, “I used to be defeated by 3-1, 4-3 scorelines, but not 7-0,” added the striker.

The former Marist FC striker, scored a brace for Laugu in their opener against Kakamora, but his side was outplayed by the current runners-up of the Solomon Islands’ top-tier league: “we performed good from the first 20 minutes, but Els is a very good team“, said Iani – “they prepare and the play together for a few years and we just started months ago, I believe that we can slowly building; a main thing we must work is our fitness, COVID-19 pandemics spoiled everything, but we will work hard for the remaining games“, stated the tall striker.

“Our main issue was defense, we will need to work extra hard in our defensive system“, stated Iani – “It makes me angry [to lose by 7-0], but it is a challenge for me, so I must work harder for the next games,” added the striker. Iani and his teammates certainly have what it takes to retake their balance for their next matches in the league – “we must win now, but If we lose I expect close scorelines for the rest of the season,” explained the player – with players with international experience, the team coached by Paul Kakai is expected to make it hard for the top-teams in the league, but they will need to forget their nightmare performance against Henderson Eels when they take on their next challenges.

Nasinu’s Jasnit Vikash receives BOG ‘Golden Boot’ award

The 26-year-old attacking midfielder of Nasinu Jasnit Vikash was the goalscorer of the 2020 edition of the Battle of Giants in Fiji. The good performer new man of the team coached by Tagi Vonolagi already knew he was awarded the ‘Golden Boot’ of the tournament as Oceania Football Center recently reported in the weekend, but the player was still to receive the award as his side did not take part of the final stages of the competition at Churchill Park, Lautoka – Nasinu was knocked-out of the tournament in the group stage.

Vikash (left) receiving the prize from Fiji FA’s Mohammed Yusuf – *Fiji FA Media*

Vikash has been impressing since signed for Nasinu in the mid-season transfer window in Fiji. The player scored three goals in Battle of Giants, the same number of goals scored by other players such as Avinesh Suwamy and Darold Kakasi, but he was the player who less minutes played in the competition and this decided the award in favour of the Nasinu’s midfielder.

Battle of Giants champions Rewa have six players called up for Fiji national team training camp

After celebrating the glory of Battle of Giants last weekend in Lautoka, the Delta Tigers have even more to celebrate as six of their players were called up by Fiji national team new head coach Flemming Serritslev to an one-week training camp in order to prepare for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – competition that is still not scheduled by Oceania Football Confederation.

Rewa celebrates the BOG title – *Fiji FA Media*

Key players such as Setareki Hughes and Kavaia Rawaqa were called up for the national team training squad alongside young talented players like Inoke Turagalailai. You can see all Rewa players selected by Flemming Serritslev and the entire squad called up by clicking here.

Young Ba’s Isikeli Sevanaia called up for Fiji national team training camp

The only 17-year-old goalkeeper Isikeli Sevanaia is one of the four goalkeepers called up by Fiji national team head coach Flemming Serritslev. The Ba shot-stopper impressed during the 2020 edition of the Battle of Giants and received a chance to impress to the new head coach in an one-week training spell.

Sevanaia is son of former Fiji national team goalkeeper – Isikeli Sevanaia senior – and has still a long to go to reach the milestone achieved by his father. The very young player certainly has what it takes to get to the national team as Serritslev is willing to bring new tallent to his team. The Ba goalkeeper defended three penalty kicks in the Battle of Giants semi-final against Rewa, but unfortuantely his side could not end up with a win.

Isikeli, Mitieli Naiviro and Abbu Zahid are the only three players from Ba that were called up by the Danish coach for this one-week training camp. You can see the full list of players selected by Serritslev by clicking here.

Fiji: Flemming Serritslev names training squad heading for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

It was released by Fiji FA Media a list of 30 players called up for a training camp. The new national team head Flemming Serritslev will evaluate his option in a period of training that is set to key for the final selection of the national team that is set to battle for a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The period of training will be of one week, finishing on 28th August.

“It’s a part of our preparation for the World Cup qualifiers. Since we do not know when the qualifiers will be, we need to be ready as soon as we get the message when those qualifiers will be played. “We cannot wait to prepare until it is only one month away from the qualifiers,” Serritslev said to Fiji FA Media.

Coach Serritslev (right) alongside star player Roy Krishna – *Fiji FA Media*

Lots of young players were called up for the training period: “This time we have some young players in the squad. It’s not because they are present national team players but we want to see them among the experienced national team players how they are doing. “Mostly likely next time we will try some other very young players in the camp. If they (young players) are good enough then they are also old enough,” said the Danish coach.

30-men call-up by Flemming Serritslev:

Goalkeepers: Isikeli Sevanaia (Ba), Akuila Mateisuva (Labasa), Vereti Dickson (Nadi) and Beniamino Mateinaqara (Suva)

Defenders: Mitieli Naiviro (Ba), Lekima Gonerau (Labasa), Antonio Tuivuna (Labasa), Sitiveni Rakai (Labasa), Edward Aaron (Lautoka), Afraz Ali (Nadi), Sekove Naivakananumi (Nasinu), Inoke Turagalailai (Rewa), Simione Nabenu (Suva), Remueru Tekiate (Suva) and Filipe Baravilala (Suva).

Midfielders: Abbu Zahid (Ba), Malakai Rakula (Lautoka), Muni Shivam Naidu (Lautoka), Thomas Dunn (Navua), Kavaia Rawaqa (Rewa), Patrick Joseph (Rewa), Anish Khem (Rewa), Tevita Waranivalu (Rewa), Ilisoni Logaivou (Labasa), Akeimi Ralulu (Labasa) and Ashnil Raju (Labasa).

Strikers: Roy Krishna (ATK-Mohun Bagan), Setareki Hughes (Rewa), Siotame Kubu (Labasa) and Christopher Wasasala (Suva).

Important overseas-based players such as Kishan Sami and Nicho Prasad are not inlcuded in the list as they are not currently based in Fiji. The only player listed that is currently playing his club football aborad is the star Roy Krishna that is on vacation in his country as the Indian Super League is on a break.

Solomon Warriors’ Tigi Molea suspended for six matches in Telekom S-League

Solomon Islands international Tigi Molea was suspendend by SIFF (Solomon Islands Football Federation) for the first six matches of the 2020 Telekom S-League as outcome of the accusation of assault in a Telekom S-League match in the last season. The Solomon Warriors’ player will also be fined for $1000 for his conduct.

“SIFF Secretariat has already communicated the decision to the player and Solomon Warriors. Upon hearing and reading the materials presented before the DC, it found the player guilty of physical assault contrary to article 48 (1) of the SIFF Disciplinary Code (“the Code’’) for which a four (4) matches suspension has been imposed on the player. A fine of $1000 is imposed on the player pursuant of article 48(3) of the Code. Furthermore, DC has found the player guilty of offensive behaviour contrary to article 55(1) of the Code for which two (2) matches suspension has been imposed“, said SIFF Media in a press release.

Molea assaulted Henderson Eels player Derrick Taebo after a match between Taebo’s side and Molea’s Solomon Warriors last season. Lots of questions emerged during the period – as why SIFF took too long to evaluate the case and give a final outcome – but it is understood the OFC Champions League preparations and then the COVID-19 pandemics were sensible barries for the resolution of the case.

However, SIFF also stated both Molea and Warriors can appeal against the final decision of the board – what is expected as the player is an important member of the Warriors squad. The current Telekom S-League champions counted the midfielder in the OFC Champions League campaign this year that qualified the team for the knock-out stage. Warriors is set to make their debut in the league season this Wednesday (19th Aug) at Lawson Tama Stadium against Marist FC.

Star Mountain’s Tau Winnie honours COVID-19 victims against FC Bougainville

The twelfth matchweek of 2019-20 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League was played on last Saturday as two matches were contested in Lae and three other matches were contested in Port Moresby – the capital of the country.

After a bad campaign in the first half of the season, Star Mountain show that they are a better team now. The team coached by Selan Elizah drew with Vitiaz United in the previous round and beat FC Bouganville 2-1 last Saturday. This match also reserved a beautiful moment during the celebration of one of the goals.

Attacking midfielder Tau Winnie scored Star Mountain’s second goal in the match and his celebration was very special: the 34-year-old player wore a facemask to show his respect to all people that lost their lives due to COVID-19 pandemics.

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Tau Winnie expects Star Mountain to improve in PNG National Soccer League

Tau Winnie celebrating his goal against FC Bougainville – *PNGFA Media*

Star Mountain are currently in the sixth position with twelve points in twelve matches. They are six points behind fourth-placed team Tusbab Stallions which means that Winnie and his teammates still have the chance to advance to National Soccer League’s semi-finals. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.

Solomon Warriors: John Alick determined to defend Telekom S-League title

The second matchweek of 2020 Telekom S-League reaches its end on Wednesday when current league champions Solomon Warriors will face Marist FC at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara – the capital of Solomon Islands.

It is going to be Warriors’ first match in the season as they had a bye week in the opening round which means that they had one more week to get ready for the season: “We worked hard over the past weeks to recover our fitness level. We are ready to play this week,” said midfielder John Alick.

Alick is a key player for Solomon Warriors. The 29-year-old player from Vanuatu was named the best player of 2019-20 Telekom S-League and he knows that fans will expect more from him this season: “Receiving this award was an honour for me. Now I also have a big responsibility on guiding the team this season,” he stated.

John Alick playing in 2020 OFC Champions League – *OFC Media*

This Telekom S-League has eleven teams fighting for the title – two more teams in comparison with last season. After finishing the 2019-20 season in the second position, Henderson Eels had a powerful start this season by winning two matches (5-1 and 7-0). Alick knows that they are going to have tough rivals in the title race: “We will do our best to defend our national title,” he pointed.

The clash between Warriors and Marist FC will be broadcasted by Telekom S-League on their Facebook page. You can check the current league standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

PVFA Knock-out Tournament kicks-off in Vanuatu

A new tournament kicked-off in Vanuatu on last weekend. The PVFA Knock-Out Tournament started with four matches being contested at Port Vila Stadium: one on Friday and three on Saturday. This championship was created due to the postponement of 2019-20 PVFA Premier League’s resumption.

The eight teams from PVFA Premier League were split in two groups of four teams each. Tafea have beaten Mauwia by 5-0 in the opening match with a hat-trick scored by John Thomas while Galaxy FC smashed Erakor Golden Star by 3-0 with two goals scored by striker Kensi Tangis and one netted by Brazilian player Roberson. You can check all results of the opening round by clicking here.

Tangis (left) and Roberson (right) scored for Galaxy against Erakor Golden Star – *Galaxy FC Media*

Current PVFA Premier League was scheduled to resume on August 15. However it was postponed because of VFF National League that is going to kick-off on this weekend. So the Knock-Out Tournament is an alternative tournament created to help players from top clubs from PVFA to stay fit.

Eighteen players from PVFA Premier League were picked to represent the member association in the National League so these players are not available to play for their local clubs which would upset the clubs.