One of the top teams from Papua New Guinea, Hekari United is building a very strong squad to play the remaining of 2019-20 PNG National Soccer League season as they signed with Nigel Dabinyaba and Raymond Gunemba.
The quality of these two players will surely boost the quality of the team. Moreover, the arrival of Dabinyaba and Gunemba increased team’s morale specially for young players like 18-year-old right back from Solomon Islands Junior David.
David talked to Oceania Football Center and shared his thoughts about the duo: “Nigel and Raymond are two great additions to the team. I am pleased to play with them,” he said.
Junior David playing for Hekari United
Junior David joined Hekari United last year after having a good season playing for Marist from his homeland. He is one of the youngest players in the current squad but he has already proven his quality to be in the team.
Hekari United’s next match in the National Soccer League will be against FC Bougainville at PNG Football Stadium. You can see the current league standings and the top scorers by clicking here.
The 40th anniversary of Vanuatu’s Independence was on last Thursday. However the celebrations happen throughout the month of July, including concerts and football tournaments.
Despite not being in Vanuatu at the moment, Brian Kaltak did not lose the opportunity to show how much he loves his homeland. The 26-year-old defender that is currently playing for Central United from New Zealand expressed his feelings on social media – “I am proud to be a Ni-Vanuatu,” he posted on his official facebook account.
Kaltak playing for Vanuatu National Team
He was not the only footballer from Vanuatu that expressed their thoughts about the 40th anniversary of Vanuatu’s Independence as another players like Solomon Warriors’ midfielder John Alick, Malampa Revivors’ star Edwin Bai and Galaxy FC striker Kensi Tangis also did it.
Kaltak is the captain of Vanuatu National Football Team and his amazing career surely makes him one of the best Ni-Vanuatu footballers of all time.
The 2020 PVFA Independence Cup finished on Thursday when Galaxy FC beat Ifira Black Bird by 2-1 to clinch the title for the first time in the club’s history. Despite all celebrations due to Vanuatu’s Independence Day, we also remember a sad day that happened in the PVFA Independence Cup last year.
Eight clubs took part of 2019 PVFA Independence Cup and Tupuji Imere was crowned the cup champions after beating Tafea by 3-1 in the final. However that tournament was the last one played by legendary club Amicale FC.
Amicale logo
Amicale played only one match in that tournament as they lost to Ifira Black Bird by 1-0 in the quarter-finals. One week later it was announced that the club was finishing its football activities to live forever in our memories.
We will never forget when Amicale reached OFC Champions League final in 2011 and 2014. Unfortunately they did not manage to win the continental tournament as they lost both finals. According to local sources, the reason for Amicale’s death was a six thousand Swiss Franc (Switzerland’s currency) due to irregularities on international transfers.
Hope one day this important club can resume its activities in Port Vila. We miss you, Amicale FC.
An uninspired Wellington Phoenix could not create much danger to Western Sydney Wanderers at Bankwest Stadium and suffered a disapointing 1-0 defeat thanks a to a goal from Kwame Yeboah. Phoenix is now under risks to not finish second in the ladder after being stuned by a Wanderers side that were in a despair need of a win.
Despite a very good start of the game, Phoenix could not continue their undefeated run; finally, Gary Hooper and Ulises Davila started together, but both of them were in a bad night and could help much Phoenix – both players were subbed in the second half. David Ball worked hard the entire match, but his only good moment in the match was when he hit the post early in the game at 4th minute of play. Phoenix created some danger in the first part of the initial period of the game, but when Louis Fenton saw a deserved yellow card after hitting WSW’s attacker Nicolai Müller in the chin the game suddenly change: the German player needed to be attented in the field for around five minutes – being unconscious in the ground for a period -, but nothing much serious happened to the player that subbed by the striker Kwame Yeboah.
Western Sydney Wanderers took control of the game and neutralize Phoenix midfield that was always missing creativity from the likes of Davila and Devlin. Despite the home side pressure, Phoenix managed to keep the game in a 0-0 to the break. In the second half the story of the game was the same: Wanderers being dangerous with especially their strikers Simon Cox and Mitchell Duke and Phoenix commiting a number of silly mistakes.
In the 65th minute of the player, the defender Luke DeVere saw a second yellow card after fouling Kwame Yeboah at the edge of the box putting Nix in a very hard situation. Liam McGing was placed in the defense forcing the coach Ufuk Talay to sack Gary Hooper – Jaushua Sotirio was also introduced of a unrecognisable Ulises Davila.
It did not take long for the home side to be one goal ahead in the scoresheet: Tate Russell centered the ball to the box that found a free Kwame Yeboah to head it home past Stefan Marinovic to give Wanderers the lead.
Kwame Yeboah scored his 4th goal of the season against Phoenix
The Nix improved in the match sending bodies forward to pursue an equalizer: Alex Rufer and Ben Waine were introduced in order to strenghten the attack of the New Zealand-based club, but it was Reno Piscopo, introduced in place of Callum McCowatt that had the best opportunities for Phoenix; first with a brilliant individual play he passed two defenders put could not connect in the middle of the box with David Ball and in two opportunities with wasted free-kick attempts.
In the last minutes, Phoenix had four opportunities to put the ball in the box – all went wasted, even with the goalkeeper Marinovic joining the attack in a despair attempt to find an equalizer.
Phoenix took to long to realise they could not lose this match: Melbourne City, that is still to play in the round, already retained the second spot in the ladder with Phoenix defeat and turned the challenge of Ufuk Talay and his player much more difficult if they want to grant a semifinal direct entry in the A-League playoff. Phoenix will have a very important match next Wednesday against Brisbane Roar, where they will not count on the suspended Luke DeVere, but finally Tim Payne will be allowed to return to action after facing disciplinary sanctions from the club.
The young goalkeeper Jonathan Pole joined Morobe United in the PNG National Soccer League transfer window as recently he departed from Goroka-based side FC Kutubu. The goalkeeper is an important addition in the squad of Morobe United that will be looking to improve their rankings in the second round of the national league.
Recently, Pole was called up for U23 OFC Olympic Qualifiers played in Fiji, where Papua New Guinea could not go through the group stage.
As recently reported, Solomon Islands international Michael Boso has joined Isabel United in Honiara to play the upcoming edition of the Telekom S-League back in his country. Although, a future deal is already granted for Boso as recently stated Suva FA in its official social media account: “Suva FA boss Ritesh Pratap has confirmed that Solomon Islander, Michael Boso has been released to play for Isabel United in his home country. The understanding between Suva and Isabel is that when travel restrictions are lifted, Boso will rejoin Suva in a transfer window“.
Michael Boso officialy announced in Isabel United
Isabel United will count on the services of Boso until the borders restrictions are lifted – something that is being an issue for various players that are being unable to rejoin their clubs overseas. According to the current health situations in Pacific, the stay of Boso might be longer than his club in Fiji would want to be.
Paulo Buke recently departed from Ba to move back to his roots in Nadroga, the attacker talked to Oceania Football Center about his move and about his expecations in the future. Buke, that works as a police officer, moved to Nadroga due his work commitments, as he says: “I needed to move back to Nadroga because of my work committment. I also did not have much game time in Ba,” disclosed the Fijian international. The attacker was frustrated due being dropped from OFC Champions League – “They brought many players from other districts and also foreigners. So we knew that we wouldnt be having a chance“, stated Buke.
Buke, that already debut in the last weekend in a 2-0 win of Nadroga, also disclosed that other districts from the Premier League wanted to sign him, but he opted to move back to Nadroga, where he got fame in Fijian football: “Nadi and Lautoka also approached me, so maybe I will think about transfering my work and play there, but not at the moment. I am focused to promote Nadroga back to first division, where they deserve to be,” said the new signing of the Stallions.
Paulo Buke in Nadroga colours – FFA Media
“I have very strong links with Nadroga, they respect a lot their players. I had some issues on this matter in Ba, but Ba is in my heart – I will always be positive about my home town Ba -, every team has its ups and downs,” stated Paulo Buke.
Despite playing now in the second tier of Fijian football, the Vodafone Senior League, Buke is positive about restarting his project to move back to Fiji national football team: “It was the happiest part of my life since that was one of my aim to wear that Fiji jersey – now I am training hard to have another chance in the national team under the new head coach,” explained Buke. The striker was called up for the Bula Boys by the former Fiji head coach, the French Christophe Gamel – “I admire a lot coach Gamel, a very good head coach that gave chance for players coming from little teams“, added the striker.
Buke (7) in Fiji national team
“It is not easy to balance work and football as we need to do in Fiji – It is not also easy to manage a team here in the country,” stated the new Nadroga signing, “but I will continue training hard to put Nadroga up and have my chance to wear Fiji jersey again – I will make sure I get back to the national team and represent my country,” completed a proud Buke.
Nadroga will continue their campaign in Vodafone Senior League as they take on Rakiraki this Saturday (01st Aug) at Lawaqa Park – counting, certainly, on the quality of Paulo Buke.
Suva is marching on to take on Ba this weekend for Vodafone Premier League – this will be the last match of both teams before the traditional Battle of Giants start on 8th Aug. Ba will be looking to continue their good run after beating Labasa by 2-1, while Suva also comes from a victory – 1-0 against Nadi away from home – in what something will be a very entertaining match.
But, there’s another very important milestone to feature in this match: the armband, or better, the one that will be wearing it: Ravnesh Karan Singh. The former Labasa player is the new captain for Suva – he already captained the team coached by Babs Khan in their recent match against Nadi. In a squad with so many experienced players such as Laisenia Raura, Christopher Wasasala and Beniamino Mateinaqara, the chosen one to guide the team inside the pitch is the 28-year-old midfielder that just rejoined Suva from the Babasiga Lions.
Karan Singh in action against Nadi – FFA Media
Suva is not going to have an easy challenge against Ba, but they know they rely on the experience of their players and count on the determination of its new captain, that is certainly looking to prove why he is wearing the armband.
The current Telekom S-League runners-up Henderson Eels announced its squad for the 2020 edition of the national league in Solomon Islands and for OFC Champions League knock-out stage – you can see the full squad by clicking here.
One of the most interesting additions to the squad announed by head coach Eddie Marahare was the Solomon Islands futsal international Arnold Maeluma. The player recently helped the Kurukuru to qualify for their 4th consecutive FIFA Futsal World Cup after winning the OFC Futsal Nations Cup last year in New Caledonia.
Arnold Maeluma – OFC Media
The player, that in 11-a-side football plays as midfielder, already has experience in football and is a very important addition to the team coached by Marahare. Maeluma was the saviour of Solomon Islands in the grand final played last year against New Zealand in OFC Nations Cup as he scored in the final seconds of the game the equalizer that sent the game to the penalty shootout – shootout that Solomon Islands had won.
The Telekom S-League is set to start in Honiara next 8th August. Solomon Warriors are the current title holders as Eels finished the last season in the second place.
Former Hekari United and Papua New Guinea national team member Samuel Kini has joined Madang based-club Tusbab Stallions. Recently, Kini left FC Kutubu and decided to accept Stallions’ offer. The midfielder will be a key addition for the team coached by Rachel Wadunah as two important players – Stahl Gubag and Nigel Malagian – departed from Madang to join current PNG National Soccer League title holders Lae City.
Samuel Kini – PNGFA Media
“Tusbab Stallions called me to finish the season representing them. I am glad to join the team; looking forward to play with the talented young guns in the team,” said Kini to Oceania Football Center. “I will give my best to the team, I will be joining them in Lae next week when the competition restarts,” explained the experienced player.
Due work commitments, Kini will not be available for all matches of his new team, but it is confirmed the player is free to represent Stallions in all matches played on the month of August, then he will need to depart for his work at Air Niugini Oil Search – being so only available for coach Wadunah in October.
Kini played six matches for the Kapuls scoring three goals. He took part in 2011 Pacific Games and 2012 OFC Nations Cup in Solomon Islands – he last played for the national team in 2017 during OFC World Cup Qualifiers in a 2-1 victory of Papua New Guinea against Tahiti. Kini also represented Port Moresby-based side Hekari United and Madang FC in six editions of OFC Champions League, playing a total of 20 matches and scoring two goals in the regional tournament in all his participations.
Oceania Football Center 