After five months, the 2019-20 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League is ready to resume this weekend as five matches will be contested on Saturday – two in Lae and three in Port Moresby. With eight rounds to go until the end of the regular season, the possibilities are still open for all teams including the only club from Madang: Tusbab Stallions.
Currently in the fourth position with seventeen points in ten matches, Stallions are having a marvelous season but now they have to deal with the absence of rising star Stahl Gubag who left the team to join Lae City.
Despite Stahl Gubag’s departure, Tusbab Stallions still have a good squad for the National Soccer League: “Some new players joined the team while other players are going to have a bigger role now. We are working hard and looking forward for the upcoming matches,” said young midfielder Ricky Wadunah.
Ricky is a regular starter in the team and he is surely one of the most important players in the squad. When asked about the remainder of the season he was clear: “It is going to be tougher. All teams had time to work on their weakness“.
Stallions were performing in a very good level before the COVID-19 pandemics but the 19-year-old midfielder is sure that they can perform even better now to book a spot in the National Soccer League semi-finals.
Wadunah and his teammates will face Kutubu at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae. You can check the update schedule of the league by clicking here.
With the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League due to kick off on Saturday 8 August after almost five months of suspension due to COVID-19 restrictions in the country, and having just witnessed a bonus week of transfer activity within the division, here we go through each side’s transfer activity and assess their chances of claiming the title at the end of the season.
We will go through each side in the order they find themselves in the table, talk about their transfer activity (in BOTH transfer windows), and discuss what they might be hoping to achieve before the season concludes.
1. Vitiaz United – 25 points
In: Andrew Baniau [GK] (from FC Bougainville) Peter Dabinyaba Jr. [RB/LB] (from Lae City) Mathew David [CM] (from Lae City) Jonathan Allen [RW/LW] (from FC Bougainville) Donovan Murray [CM/AM/LW/ST] (from Gulf Komara)
Out: Darius Edwin [CM] (released) Russell Nirik [RW/ST] (released) Bernard Purari [ST] (to FC Bougainville) Rayan Albert, Isaac Agapi (both released)
Surprise league leaders Vitiaz United made all their transfer moves in the first, mid-season transfer window, bringing in five shrewd transfers to further bolster their already impressive-looking squad. In a recent article in The National, manager Rogena Strach said that he was happy with his signings and wouldn’t be considering any more during the extra window – and you can see why.
While the loss of Russell Nirik for personal reasons is a loss – the striker scored three goals for the side in the first half of the season – the players the side have brought in have shown a great deal of promise: Peter Dabinyaba Jr. plays on both sides of defence and played with the U-23 side at the 2019 Pacific Games; fellow Lae import Mathew David scored two goals in his debut for the club, a 3-2 victory over Morobe United on March 14, with another debutant, young winger Jonathan Allen, scoring the third.
Allen so far has seven goals this season, just two short of leading scorer Stahl Gubag, so is a magnificent capture for the club. Andrew Baniau strengthens their goalkeeping depth, while Donovan Murray is also a skillful winger and was, at times, Gulf Komara’s best player before his departure.
With the turmoil at Lae City and the shock defeat of Hekari United against Star Mountain in the last game week, Vitiaz’s stability and shrewd transfer policy may just propel this brand new side into Papua New Guinea footballing history.
Due to the timing of Gunemba’s departure, many of the players that left the club – including Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba, two of the best players in Papua New Guinea footballing history – had initially been unable to find a new club in time for the second half of the season. Thanks to the bonus transfer window, Gunemba and Dabinyaba have now joined Hekari, while Obert Bika and Ronald Warisan have returned to the club. However, experienced defensive players Matheson Nasa, Mosie Milubwa, Goropaul Albert, and Valentine Nelson have not returned.
Stahl Gubag is one of the new recruits at Lae City.
Furthermore, new coach Bob Morris already has a team that was showing signs of potential before the break. The two Ecuadorian imports appear to still be in Papua New Guinea and were beginning to show signs of settling in before the break, while the core of the squad is still strong: captain Emmanuel Simon is the heartbeat of the midfield, while the likes of Jacob Sabua and Emmanuel Airem have plenty of experience. The squad may be a little thin, but the first eleven is one that could challenge any team in the league. Don’t count them out.
3. Hekari United – 23 points
In: Carlos Onne [CB] (from Gulf Komara) Gregory Togubai [CM] (from FC Bougainville) Wira Wama [CM] (free transfer) Nigel Dabinyaba [LW] (from Lae City) Raymond Gunemba [ST] (from Lae City)
Out: Magalu Guena [CB] (to FC Kutubu) Erick Joe [CB] (released) Vinicius Reis [CM] (released) Jonah Philip [LW] (to FC Kutubu) Aisome Kila [ST] (to FC Kutubu)
Eight-time champions Hekari United are desperate to win their first National Soccer League in five years, and stability seems to have been the keyword in their title push this season. Jerry Allen, the manager who steered them to OFC Champions League glory in 2010, has been in charge across the entire season and has the side playing some good, if not spectacular football.
Lae City’s tumultuous few months has played into Hekari’s hands: the side brought in Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba in the bonus transfer window to add experience and firepower to their front line. While the likes of Kolu and Ati Kepo added pace and energy to Hekari’s attack, they have lacked a man to put the ball in the back of the net consistently; Gunemba should solve this problem, for this season at least.
Unlike Lae City, the club was not able to retain their South American imports: Erick Joe and Vinicius Reis departed midway through the coronavirus crisis, leaving a sizeable gap in defence and midfield. The arrival of young Carlos Onne from Gulf Komara will go some way to plug the defensive gap, while Wira Wama and Gregory Togubai may between them provide enough flair in the midfield areas.
Hekari is still a long way short of the force that they were ten years ago, but all their recent signings have definitely strengthened the side. The key to this Hekari side is teamwork; whether Dabinyaba and Gunemba can eschew their selfish tendencies and become part of that team could be the decisive factor in whether the side can pick up their ninth title or not.
Somewhat in no-man’s-land, Tusbab Stallions are six points adrift of the top three, but four point clear of their nearest rivals Gulf Komara. With coronavirus having disrupted the PNG NSL season, it’s unclear whether there will actually be Championship Playoffs at the end of the season, but in any case, the Stallions will want to fight for that place in the top four and ward off any challenges from the teams behind them.
While transfer activity has been quiet at the club, the management will be disappointed to have lost their two key players to champions Lae City over the course of both transfer windows. Having been chased for the majority of the mid-season window but refusing to leave Madang due to educational commitments, the season delay has meant Stahl Gubag is free from those commitments and has finally made the move to the reigning champions. Star centre-back Nigel Malagian made the move mid-season, leaving the young side somewhat short of experience.
Samuel Kini’s experience will be a boost to a Tusbab side who have lost key players.
The signing of experienced attacking midfielder Samuel Kini from FC Kutubu will go some way to filling the gap left by Gubag, and the side still has the likes of Papalau Awele, Michael Saun, and midfield sibling-duo Jason and Ricky Wadunah to provide creativity and flair in attack. But one can’t help but wonder if the loss of two such key players will affect their ability to continue their playoff push as effectively as they have so far this season.
It has been a quiet period for the team in fifth place, Gulf Komara. The side are four points adrift of Tusbab Stallions in fourth, and given their transfer activity – or rather, lack of it – it looks doubtful that the side will be able to make a serious challenge for the playoffs – unless, of course, stability proves to be the key element of a late-season surge.
The side’s transfers out give some cause for concern – Carlos Onne is one of the most promising young defenders in the country, as evidenced by his move to Hekari United, one of the biggest sides in the country, while versatile attacker Donovan Murray looked skillful and assured in possession in the early stages of the season. With neither of these players having been replaced, it could be difficult for the side to maintain the surge in form they were enjoying before coronavirus precautions kicked in.
Many may have forgotten that Jamal Seeto, who has two caps for the national side and was the Golden Boot winner for the 2010–11 season while playing for Besta PNG United, is contracted to the side, although a lack of appearances so far may throw into question his fitness. Other players that the side will need to rely on are midfielder Max Sengum, topscorer Numa Kila, and striker Jordan Kaven. Whether or not they have enough about them to truly challenge for the playoff spots remains to be seen, and many might argue that they should be more concerned about the sides behind them than those ahead.
6. FC Bougainville – 11 points
In: Steven Inia [CM] (from Star Mountain) Roniel Igens [CM] (free transfer) Gabby Yanum [LW/RW] (from Morobe United) Bernard Purari [ST] (from Vitiaz United)
Out: Andrew Baniau [GK] (to Vitiaz United) Luke Kaprangi Jr [GK] (to Star Mountain) Gregory Togubai [CM] (to Hekari United) Jonathan Allen [LW/RW] (to Vitiaz United) Stanley Tumun [AM/ST] (to Star Mountain)
It has been a mixed season for FC Bougainville so far this time around. They have come close against the likes of Lae City and Hekari United, and remain the only side to have beaten league leaders Vitiaz United this season so far following a 2-0 victory over the newcomers on January 18th, with goals coming from midfielder Gregory Togubai and winger Jonathan Allen.
However, those two players have now left the club, with Togubai moving to Hekari United and Allen heading off to Vitiaz; both players could well be considered to be key men in this Bougainville side. They have been replaced, however: the side has brought in Steven Inia from Star Mountain as a direct replacement for Togubai. Inia has five caps with the U-20 side from 2014 and five for the U-17s the year before, and the central midfielder was also part of the Madang FC side that went to the OFC Champions League in 2017. Up front, Bougainville have recruited Gabby Yanum from Morobe United and Bernard Purari from Vitiaz United (via Star Mountain). Both men were part of the PNG U-23 setup for last year’s Pacific Games, so should provide a clinical edge in attack moving into the final stages of the season.
Whether or not Bougainville will be able to put up a challenge to both Gulf Komara and Tusbab Stallions for that final playoff slot is as yet unknown, but the side has shown remarkable organisation and a decent defensive structure throughout the season so far, even if results haven’t quite gone their way. With ex-Star Mountain manager Percy Mataio joining the club in July, and with both Stallions and Komara noticeably weaker than they were before the break, they must be feeling as if they could capitalise.
7. Morobe Wawens – 9 points
In: Albert Goroko [RB/LB/RW/LW] (free transfer) Obert Dickla [ST] (free transfer) James Seske [ST] (free transfer)
Out: none
Morobe Wawens are somewhat of an enigma for an outsider looking in: generally speaking, the side does not have many transfer dealings with any of the other clubs in the league, and usually recruit from local associations. As a result, many of the players at the club, both past and present, will only ever be seen in action as Wawens players, and won’t be seen plying their trade anywhere else within the National Soccer League.
This has both its benefits and drawbacks: the club seems to essentially have a monopoly on all talent coming out of the Morobe Football Association, but also seems to shun recruiting from within the NSL, meaning players who join the club have little to no elite experience. We know very little about the three players which have been brought into the club during this transfer window aside from where they play on the field; nor do many names in their squad list stand out.
There are a few that do: winger-cum-striker Barthy Kerobin is one for the future who has already impressed at international youth level, while defensive midfielder Dallas Namuesh adds steel to the heart of the Wawens midfield. But with little to no evidence of their squad really having improved since the first half of the season, it’s difficult to see Wawens making a charge for the top four, despite that being the aim of vice-president Peter Seske, according to a recent article in The National.
8. Star Mountain – 8 points
In: Luke Kaprangi Jr [GK] (from FC Bougainville) George Gerega [GK] (free transfer) Moses Arisib [CB/LB] (free transfer) John Ray [CB/RB] (from Morobe United) Sammy Campbell [CB/CM] (free transfer) Toru Simoi [RW/LW] (free transfer) Kapret Tingut [RW/LW] (free transfer) Stanley Tumun [AM/ST] (from FC Bougainville) Riggie Togubai [ST] (free transfer) Ryan Gerega [ST] (free transfer) July Elijah [ST] (free transfer) Lance Vincent (free transfer)
Before leaving, Mataio brought in almost an entire squad of new players to help him drag the team away from the dogfight at the bottom of the league as well. The highlights include experienced central player Sammy Campbell, who, while having never been capped, has travelled with the senior national team on occasion, and John Ray, who is capped at U-17, U-20 and U-23 level. Several of the free transfers coming into the club have experience playing in the Port Moresby Soccer Association Premier Division as well as previous NSL experience, so it certainly seems as though Mataio had been on somewhat of a recruitment drive for players who have ‘been there and done that’ since taking over the reins at the club. Whether the new manager will be able to work with what Mataio has provided him remains to be seen.
The victory against Hekari is thus far the only indication we have of the new-look Star Mountain, but if that result is anything to go by, we could see a second-half resurgence from the Tabubil side that may see them push their rivals for a playoff spot, providing they get going quickly enough upon the resumption.
9. Morobe United – 7 points
In: Jonathan Pole [GK] (from FC Kutubu)
Out: John Ray [CB/RB] (to Star Mountain) Dinniget Luaine [CM] (to FC Kutubu) Gabby Yanum [LW/RW] (to FC Bougainville) Emmanuel Simongi [AM] (to FC Kutubu) Oberth Simon [AM] (to FC Kutubu)
To call it a disappointing season for Morobe United would be an understatement: the side made it to last season’s semi-finals, but this year sit second from bottom as we head for the resumption of the season post-coronavirus restrictions. The transfer window also looks like a disappointment for the side, having lost five players, none of which have been replaced, and who look like they might leave some gaping holes in the squad.
Attacking midfielder Emmanuel Simongi has scored four of the side’s ten goals so far this season, while Gabby Yanum also has one, meaning the side has essentially lost half of its goalscorers in the window to rival clubs. Three of them have been lost to FC Kutubu, the only side beneath them in the table, and while the signing of goalkeeper Jonathan Pole is a boost to their defensive prowess, one wonders how much creativity they have left in the side to put the ball in the opposition net.
Dinniget Luaine and Emmanuel Simongi both left the club.
They will need to rely on centre-back Jeremy Yasasa adding to his two-goal tally from defence, as well as the likes of Alex Kamen, Dominic Onea, and Giwi Simon going forward. One would hope that perhaps news of Morobe United’s signings simply hasn’t reached us here at Oceania Football Center, because the way we see it, the squad looks mightily thin without additional transfers in, and they could be heading for a rock bottom finish at the close of play.
Out: Jonathan Pole [GK] (to Morobe United) Jes Moses [CB] (released) Samuel Kini [AM] (to Tusbab Stallions) Andrew Apo [ST] (released)
Two wins from ten games is not a good record, and clearly, Kutubu sponsors felt the same way, with manager Mathew Witu losing his role as head coach during the coronavirus break. Several players followed him out of the club, with some apparently not happy with the way the management had dealt with certain aspects of the club’s day-to-day activities.
Nevertheless, the new management has recruited well ahead of the resumption this weekend. While three younger players were brought in from Hekari United’s ‘reserves’, the most eye-catching signings are those from the club directly ahead of them in the table: Dinniget Luaine, Emmanuel Simongi, and Oberth Simon, all three of whom should walk into the first team and considerably strengthen the midfield.
The identity of the new number one at the club remains to be seen, and young players such as Herry Gulf and Karesa Morris, who have shown sparks of potential so far this season, must also step up now that the most experienced veterans of the club have left. It could be an intriguing battle at the bottom of the table for the final eight game weeks.
Gagame Feni is one of the most talented footballers from Solomon Islands. The 27-year-old forward recently left Galaxy FC from Vanuatu to join Laugu United from his homeland as he is currently stuck in the country due to border restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemics.
It is already confirmed that Feni is Laugu United’s squad for 2020 Telekom S-League that kicks-off this weekend at Lawson Tama Stadium. Desplite playing 2020 OFC Champions League group stage for Galaxy FC, he will not be eligible to represent the team in the knockout stage if the tournament resumes.
Feni played for Galaxy FC in 2020 OFC Champions League group stage
According to OFC transfer rules he is not be available to return to Galaxy FC for the current continental tournament season because it would be his second transfer in the same season, which is not allowed by the rules.
Now Feni will keep his focus on the 2020 Telekom S-League alongside his National Team teammates Allen Peter and Atkin Kaua. He can rejoin Galaxy FC in the next international transfer window if border restrictions are lifted.
After confirming that he will not play the upcoming Telekom S-League season, the 29-year-old forward revealed to Oceania Football Center that he took a career break: “I am taking a break from football for nowbecause I want to help Solomon Islands football,” he stated.
Lea’alafa playing for Solomon Islands National Team
Lea’alafa also explained his plan for the upcoming months: “I will be going to villages and communities around the country. I will teach them how to play football and futsal and I will also share the experience I had as a professional footballer”.
Micah is not the first national team player to show interest on helping football’s development in Solomon Islands. Having some local icons helping to develop the sport in the country is a very important point.
Phoenix needed to battle hard to draw against Brisbane Roar in Newcastle by 1-1. The Nix displayed good football during the clash, but its opponent also had quality to harm the defensive line led by Steven Taylor.
Roar started on top in the match pressing Phoenix, but the New Zealanders also had their spell of possesion in order to balance the encounter. The first good shot of the clash was from the Mexican Ulises Davila that almost surpassed the goalkeeper Jamie Young that was in a great night.
Roar had quality to disturb Stefan Marinovic, that was there to save an amazing finish from Dylan Wanzel-Halls. Both sides crated their chances, had their efforts, but the final result of the first half was 0-0 – something that kept the Nix in the 2nd place in the ladder.
In the second half, in a moment the team coached by Ufuk Talay had most of the ball possesion and created danger to Roar’s defense, it was exactly when former Australian international Scott McDonald hit from the edge of the box a magnificent shot that found the corner of Marinovic to put his side upfront in the scoreline.
Nix needed a goal to keep their place in the standings; imediately Alex Rufer was introduced in place of Matt Steimann in order to help in the build of plays to attack. Gary Hooper lost an incredible chance in front of the goal after a fantastic play by Liberato Cacace, but the same Hooper would equalize for the New Zealand side in the 82th minute of play: the same Liberato Cacace was found inside the area, he headed it to the bar, but in the rebound the Englishman made no chance to Jamie Young to equalize the clash.
Gary Hooper saved the day for the Nix
Even with few minutes missing, both sides had chances to win the game: the team which got closest was Brisbane, through the effort of the substitute Matthew Ridenton that forced his All-White teammate Marinovic to make an amazing stop to keep the things leveled.
The result make the chances to get the 2nd place very slim for the New Zealand side, but they continue two points upfront Roar in the 3rd spot. Phoenix will have their final match in the regular season against Newcastle Jets next Thursday (13th Aug) to decide its fate in the postseason of the Hyundai A-League.
Ba is well-known for having a very strong grasroots system – to keep producing very good players for Fiji Football. For this Battle of Giants, Ba will be fielding some of these young talents in order to achieve glory in the very traditional tournament. That is what the young Mitieli Naiviro expects: “couting on this squad of young players, everything is possible for Ba in the tournament,” said the talented player -“plus the bonding of the team is so strong, we know very well each other,” added Naiviro.
Naiviro (19) in action for Ba – FFA Media
Naiviro also seems very satisfied with his start in Ba: “It has been a very a good beginning for me in Ba team. I feel ready for the challenge,” said the young player. The player also revelead the goals for his team in the season at the moment: “we are looking forward to Battle of Giants, Ba main goal at the moment is to lift this trophy,” confirmed Naiviro.
The youngster is among the 22 players that will be representing the traditional Men in Black at Churchill Park, in Lautoka. Ba will be taking on Nasinu, Labasa and Suva in the Group A of the 2020 Battle of Giants.
Henderson Eels added another very important player to their squad heading for the Telekom S-League season in Solomon Islands; former Hekari United defender Robert Laua had his ITC (International Transfer Certificate) isses solved and he is now the new reinforced for the squad of Eddie Marahare’s coached side.
Robert Laua in Hekari colours – PNGFA Media
The player, who represented Solomon Islands national team nine times, also represented the Bilikiki and plays usually futsal in his country. Laua played football for important teams back in Solomon Islands as Solomon Warriors and Kossa and now is set to be a key figure in Eels’ squad.
The bottom ranked side of the current edition of Vodafone Premier League is certainly coming as underdogs in the Group B of the 2020 Battle of Giants alongside the hosts Lautoka, Rewa and Nadi. That is what exactly the experienced defender Seveci Rokotakala told to Oceania Football Center in interview heading to the traditional tournament: “we are going as underdogs. But we also going as our build up fornational league due we are ranked in the bottom of the table in the Vodafone Premier League,” said the central defender. “We have been preparing well as we work on our fitness which was our down fall,” observed the experienced Navua player. Rokotakala, a 42-year-old player, is not the only very experienced played in Navua’s squad; some players such as Vineet Chand and Apisai Smith are already in their late 30’s, so working in fitness in the preparation for the tournament – three games in three days – seems something crucial for Navua side in the competition.
Seveci Rokotakala
Even coming as underdogs in their pool, Seveci and his teammates have an optimistic view of what they can in the very traditional tournament that is going to be held in Lautoka this weekend: “As said we will look to improve our game for the national league, but not just that – we will try to upset some big teams in the tournament and try to win games,” explained the experienced player.
Navua’s first challenge in the 2020 Battle of Giants will be against Nadi this Friday (07th August) – then so they will have to face Lautoka and Rewa in the pool expecting to give fight to all big teams draw alongside the brave Seveci’s side.
In the match that is certainly one of the most important of Phoenix in the season so far, the team coached by Ufuk Talay will need a much better performance than in their 1-0 defeat against Western Sydney Wanderers – result that costed to the New Zealand team the 2nd place in A-League standings – against Brisbane Roar.
A defeat for the Nix must be a disaster for the team as they will drop 4th in the process – Roar is just two points away from the New Zealand and can take their spot in the ladder. Phoenix is also just three points away the 5th placed side Perth Glory, so a defeat in this clash might be really terrible for the aspirations of the club in A-League postseason.
Luke DeVere will not be available for this clash as he was red carded in the previous match against Wanderers. Despite the suspensions of Oliver Sail and Tim Payne are over, both players were not listed in the matchday squad.
Phoenix is in need of a win agianst Roar – Phoenix Media
A win can almost guarantee the third spot for Phoenix as they will keep their hopes alive to reach Melbourne City for the second place. Talay and New Zealand fans will be hoping the key man Ulises Davila gets back to his usual quality performances while Gary Hooper needs to be inform to combine well with David Ball – to give a performance the supporters were used to during the season.
The defense will miss DeVere – Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi or Liam McGing might be taking his place in the starting eleven -, something that they will need to be careful as the veteran striker Scott McDonald netted once in most recent Roar’s clash and is eager to keep his form against the Nix.
The match will kick-off at McDonald Jones Stadium at 8pm NZT and it will be live on FoxSports and in MyFootball app and YouTube channel.
After losing important players in the Papua New Guinea transfer window, FC Kutubu can be satisfied with the quality of the replacements for the restart of PNG National Soccer League this weekend. The Goroka-based side signed three players from Morobe United: Oberth Simon, Dinniget Luaine and Emmanuel Simongi.
Usual starters for the Lae-based team when players of Morobe United, especially Luaine and Simongi boosts the quality of the current bottom ranked team of the competition: the defender Luaine was called up for the provisional squad of 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa, but could not make it to the final squad. Simongi, that already trialed in Australia when younger, played the U23 Olympic Qualifiers in 2019 in Fiji.
Dinniget Luaine and Emmanuel Simongi
The team from Goroka will be restarting their campaign this Saturday (08th Aug) against Tusbab Stallions at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae. Kutubu will be looking for a very important win in order to improve their rankings in the league as they are just ranked at the bottom of the standings.
Oceania Football Center 