Kishore Nand Govind passed away in Sydney, Australia. Govind was a politician and he was the Mayor of Ba from 1969 to 1975. He was also a judge of the High Court of Fiji. He was a passionate supporter of Ba FC and the team’s stadium (Govind Park) is named after him.
The stadium was officially opened on 17 July 1976 by the ex-president of Fiji Football Association, Manikam Pillay. Govind Park has also hosted many international matches with teams from Asia and Oceania.
Govind Park was named after Mr. Kishore Nand Govind
Ba’s home ground fell down a few years ago after a cyclone. However the stadium it is close to being finished and it must be ready to host football matches by the end of this year as the 2020 Inter-District Championship is expected to take place there.
Govind will never be forgotten as his name is forever written in the history of Fijian football. Oceania Football Center sends condolences to all his friends and relatives.
HJK faced KuPS at Savon Sanomat Areena in Kuopio in the eighth matchweek of 2020 Veikkausliga – the top-tier of Finnish football. This match marked the return of Papua New Guinea international David Browne to the main squad after one month.
The 24-year-old forward came from the bench in the 62nd minute to replace Riku Riski. Browne recently played 45 minutes for HJK’s second team in the third division of local football. Tim Väyrynen, Roope Riski and Riku Riski scored one goal each to seal the 3-0 win against KuPS.
David Browne
HJK’s next match will be against FC Honka on Saturday at Helsinki Football Stadium. Browne’s side is currently in the second position in Veikkausliga with seventeen points in eight matches. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.
Five goals from five different players saw Lae City return to the top of the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League after their thrashing of Gulf Komara on Saturday, while league leaders Vitiaz United were denied victory by a late goal by Star Mountain.
With the games taking place without spectators and in a reduced number of stadiums – the PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby and the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae – the football was more concentrated and less spread around the country, but supporters were nevertheless excited to see top-level action return to the country after almost five months without football.
League leaders Vitiaz United took on a new-look Star Mountain side in the early kick-off in Port Moresby. Vitiaz took the lead on 22 minutes after Yagi Yasasa scored his second goal of the season, but they were pegged back around 15 minutes later as Pettyshen Elijah slotted home for the Tabubil side.
Vitiaz (blue) and Star Mountain (yellow) players challenge for the ball in Port Moresby on Saturday. Photo: PNGFA
Winger Jonathan Allen, a new signing from FC Bougainville, scored for Vitiaz with a quarter of an hour to play. That goal takes Allen to eight for the season – two in two games for Vitiaz so far – one behind current leading scorer Stahl Gubag. The goal looked to be enough to retain the club’s two-point lead at the top of the table, but Star Mountain had other ideas.
With 90 minutes already gone, the hard-working Star Mountain side denied Vitiaz a victory thanks to a second goal from Pettyshen Elijah two minutes into injury time. Elijah now has four goals for the season and is the club’s top scorer, with the 25-year-old centre-forward having passed veteran Tau Winnie‘s season tally of three.
With Vitiaz failing to win, Lae City knew that if they could secure victory against Gulf Komara, they would leap ahead of the newcomers and to the top of the table. Despite being without the quality of Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba, who have both moved to Hekari United, the side once again had few problems finding the net, coming away with an impressive 5-0 victory against the side from the Erema Gulf region.
Captain Emmanuel Simon lines up a corner for Lae City during their 5-0 victory over Gulf Komara. Photo: PNGFA
Goals came from familiar faces: Felix Komolong scored his first goal since his return to the club, while there was also one each for Jacob Sabua, Obert Bika, Joshua Oscar, and Emmanuel Airem. Incidentally, Oscar made a touching tribute to teammate Nigel Malagian which he was able to highlight after netting his goal; he was wearing an armband with Malagian’s nickname on it. Malagian is currently in hospital recovering after having had a stroke during a training session.
With Lae having won, the pressure was on Hekari United in the late fixture in Port Moresby to keep pace with the two teams ahead of them. They faced a tough FC Bougainville outfit under the shrewd management of Percy Mataio. Due to the confusion of the eligibility of new signings Gunemba and Dabinyaba, the pair was not risked for the fixture, and Hekari struggled to break down the defences of a well-organised Bougainville side – indeed, the two sides went in at half-time goalless.
The current standings after match day 11.
With time ticking on, Hekari’s superior fitness prevailed: pacy striker Kolu Kepo scored his fifth and sixth goals of the season, and Bougainville were unable to find an answer in time. With Ishmael Pole sidelined with malaria, stand-in goalkeeper Dave Tomare will be happy to have been able to keep a clean sheet for the Red Army.
Lae therefore hit the top of the table on goal difference, having scored 35 goals and conceded 10 so far this season. Hekari also move ahead of Vitiaz with their +16 goal difference, while Vitiaz drop to third with +8, having been slightly less efficient up front and at the back compared to their rivals. All three teams are dead level on points, though, which means the remaining seven matches will certainly lead to an exciting season run-in.
Hekari United notably lined up without Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba as debate over their eligibility rages on. Photo: PNGFA
In Lae, fourth-placed Tusbab Stallions extended their cushion in fourth place, but only by a single point, as they were matched by FC Kutubu in a 2-2 draw. Despite Stallions taking the lead twice in the game, the absence of the departed Nigel Malagian and Stahl Gubag – as well as key midfield maestro Ricky Wadunah due to his studies – had a big impact on Stallions as a creative and attacking force, and both their goals came from counter-attacks against a Kutubu side who look to have reinforced in precisely the right areas in the two transfer windows.
Stallions opened the scoring with a swift counter, with Nehemiah Gebul slotting home, but Kutubu, bolstered by new signings Dinniget Luaine and Oberth Simon, began to grow into the game, and dominated for the majority, with Simon equalising with twenty minutes gone. Stallions’ Solomon Mapai capitalised once again on his side’s youth and pace to put Stallions back in front before half-time, but Kutubu forced another equaliser through Isome Kila to tie the game. Kutubu had two clear cut chances to win the game late on, but Stallions goalkeeper Graham Berigami was able to preserve the draw for the Madang-based side.
With both Komara and Bougainville losing, Stallions’ draw sees them stretch their playoff advantage to five points, despite slipping back from the title chasers above them.
In the final game in Lae, Morobe rivals United and Wawens went head-to-head, and it was Wawens who came out on top, securing a 3-1 victory with goals from ex-Stallions squad player George Korei, centre-forward Joshua Paget, and defensive midfielder Ferdallas Namuesh. A consolation goal from Tosh Ibax was all that a depleted Morobe United could muster, and they look a shadow of the side that reached the playoff semi-finals last season.
Results:
FC Kutubu 2-2 Tusbab Stallions Vitiaz United 2-2 Star Mountain Morobe United 1-3 Morobe Wawens Lae City 5-0 Gulf Komara Hekari United 2-0 FC Bougainville
The 2020 Telekom S-League kicked-off this weekend as four matches were contested at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara – the capital of Solomon Islands. However another important event related to football took place in the same city this weekend as the National Women’s League was officially launched.
The official launch of the Solrais Women’s Premier League was attended by some prominent business people, government officials, Miss Solomon Islands and players. It was confirmed that Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) signed a one-year sponsorship contract with Solrais to become the major sponsor of the 2020 season. Besides Solrais, other co-sponsors such as Kramer Ausenco, the Coral Sea Resort and Appco agreed to support the women’s top tier league.
SIFF president William (left) approved the partnership – SIFF Media
It is not known how many teams will play the tournament but it is a huge step for women’s football in Solomon Islands. The last women’s championship held in the country was the Preseason Tournament contested in the last month and Koloale FC was the champion.
The fourth matchweek of 2020 Mobil Super Ligue reached its second day in New Caledonia. Two more matches were being contested and you can check the details of each match in the paragraphs below
AS Magenta conceded its first draw of the season against AS Mont-Dore on this Sunday at Numa-Daly stadium. The current OFC Champions League runners-up finished the first half winning by 3-1 as Jean-Christ Wajoka, Fonzy Ronchain and Jérémy Jeno scored once each. However the hero of the day was surely Titouan Richard that scored a hat-trick to lead AS Mont-Dore. At the final whistle the final score was a 3-3 draw.
The other match of the day was contested between JS Baco and AS Kunié. Mathieu Douépéré opened the scoreboard for AS Kunié in the 13th minute but his side did not manage to keep the lead as 19-year-old forward Théo Bosshard scored a brace to for JS Baco that won by 2-1.
Despite this result, AS Magenta remains on top of 2020 Mobil Super Ligue one point ahead Hienghène Sport and Tiga Sport while AS Mont-Dore is in the ninth position with five points. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.
Former Ba football player and legend of the Men in BlackAvinesh Suwamy is the current player who most scored goals in Fiji football competitions in the year of 2020. Suwamy is the current joint-top scorer of Vodafone Premier League alongside players such as Christopher Wasasala and Siotame Kubu with four goals and is also is the top scorer of the 2020 Battle of Giants so far – as the group stage just finished and Suwamy scored four goals in his team campaign.
Avinesh Suwamy
The 34-year-old is a legend of football in Fiji; despite still in his career late stages, Avi still manages to have one of his best moments in his succesful career. Suwamy is the team captain of the Green Machine, guided them to a very good group stage in BOG and is helping his team to climb in national league standings.
Suwamy is not an attacker; he played mostly as a defensive midfielder his entire career, but his powerful long shots, free-kicks and passing skills make him a real threat to any defensive system in Fiji football currently. The player, that scored eight goals so far in the season to top the goal list of Fiji football in 2020, is enjoying a great spell in Nadi and certainly the Jetsetters fans are very happy with Avinesh’s contribution.
The Sunday of football was full of emotions for the Solomon Islanders as the Telekom S-League first matchweek continued. Two matches entertained the fans at Lawson Tama Stadium – six goals were scored in total, being Laugu United responsible for five of them.
The first match of day saw the debutants Central Coast take on Malaita Kingz. A match with no much opportunities created in the first forty-five minutes of action, but it was in the second half the impressive 20-year-old Junior Fordney scored the winner for the newcomers Central Coast with a clinical finish just past opposition’s goalkeeper. Central Coast counts on various young talented players, such as Philip Ropa, William Komasi, Densly Geseni and Javin Wae – as well the team captain is Solomon Islands national team goalkeeper Phillip Mango. The first match of CCFC history in Telekom S-League was already an impressive win over Kingz.
Junior Fordney celebrates his goal – CCFC Media
The second match of the day saw the stellar squad of Laugu United took on the good side of Real Kakamora. Despite counting on interesting players such as Joel Nanago, Kakamora was unable to hold the firepower of star player Gagame Feni and his attacking partner Mathias Iani. The first goal for Laugu was an own goal that Joachim Rande unfortunately put it to his own nets – minutes later Feni made a great play and assisted to Iani score his first in the clash.
In the second half, Mathias Iani secured his brace at the 61th minute of play as four minutes later Gagame Feni scored his first goal as Laugu United player. Feni also added another to his tally at the 71th minute of play to finish the account for Laugu – an emphatic 5-0 win over Real Kakamora in the team’s season opener.
Gagame Feni celebrates his goal – S-League Media
Gagame’s brotherMatson Feni was sent-off in the 80th of play to reduce Laugu to 10-men. Despite the numerical advantage, Kakamora was unable to create serious goal scoring chances to reduce the margin as the game finish 5-0 in favour of Laugu United.
The completion of Telekom S-League first round of matches will be on Wednesday (12th Wed) when Marist will take on debutants Honiara City to finish the five matches of the round. Current champions Solomon Warriors are on bye this week as they will debut in the season in the next weekend.
Labasa is definitively not performing as they had done in the past season – when they clinched Battle of Giants and Inter-District Championship titles. This year, Labasa is underperforming in Vodafone Premier League and is already knocked-out of BOG as they could not win any of its matches in the group stage of the traditional tournament.
Some Labasa fans are asking questions: what is missing for the Babasiga Lions? The question might be simple and direct: Dennis Ifunaoa. The Solomon Islands star departed from Labasa in the beginning of the season to join Solomon Islands’ giants Solomon Warriors where he helped the team to qualify for OFC Champions League knock-out stage.
Dennis Ifunaoa – FBC
This season, without Ifunaoa, Labasa is depending a lot on Siotame Kubu in attack, while his possible replacement Ratu Anare started well the season with a brace to win Champion vs Champion series against Ba, but since then the player is still to score.
Ifunaoa was one of the biggest responsibles of the Inter-District Championship title in 2019, scoring a very beautiful goal in the final match. The Solomon Islander stated that he was approached recently by Labasa’s management to return to the club, but the COVID-19 situation is still a barrier and he is likely to stay in his country in order to compete in OFC Champions League quarter-finals.
Certain Labasa supporters are already mentioning how important the Solomon Islander was for the team and wishing his return to the Lions. If it happens, sooner of later, would be certainly a major boost for the team coached by Ronil Lal.
Nadi surpassed Lautoka in the final match of Battle of Giants group stage; star Avinesh Suwamy scored three goals to help his side to confirm three wins in three matches played in the tournament. Sumway scored rapidly in the first two goals to put Jetsetters in advantage – the 2-0 in favour of Nadi was the final result of the first half.
Star Avinesh Suwamy
In the second half, Merrill Nand reduced the scoreline for Lautoka that aimed to give some pride to its fans depite being aready eliminated from the tournament. Shivam Naidu scored another for Lautoka, but Suwamy still managed to score a third goal for Nadi to complete his hattrick in a fantastic performance.
Nadi qualified for the semifinals being the best campaign in the tournament, while hosts Lautoka stood at the bottom of the Group B.
After a bad start in the 2020 Battle of the Giants, Suva surprisingly arrived in the last round with a chance to advance to semi-finals and Labasa’s draw against Nasinu kept the chances open so the Capital City Boys would qualify for the next stage of the tournament if they beat Ba.
In a very tough match, Suva managed to overcome Ba to win by 1-0 with a goal scored by Sairusi Nalaubu. With this result, Ba and Suva are the two teams from Group A that advanced to the semi-finals while Labasa and Nasinu were knocked out of the tournament.
Ba and Suva are now waiting for the end of Group B in order to know their opponents in the semi-finals. You can check more information about the tournament by clicking here.
Oceania Football Center 