Oceania Football Center

What happened to Lautoka?

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.

Flemming Serritslev keeps evaluating players for Fiji National Team

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.

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.

Emile Ounei signs for French club coached by Thierry Sardo

🇫🇷 Français

Recently, Oceania Football Center released that Thierry Sardo, former New Caledonia national team left his spot to return to his home country. Now, Sardo took control of the Regional 3 – 8th tier of France – side Avenir Lavitois. One of Sardo’s first acts as their new head coach was to grant the signing of the New Caledonian international Emile Ounei.

Emile Ounei when AS Magenta player – *OFC Media*

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.

Ba ready to appeal Saula Waqa’s suspension

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.

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.

John Alick: the only foreigner in Telekom S-League season

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*

Having Alick in the squad is something huge for Warriors as he was named the best player of 2019-20 Telekom S-League after leading his side to clinch the national title.

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.

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

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.

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.

John Aeta ready for another Telekom S-League season with Marist FC

The first matchweek of 2020 Telekom S-League will finish on this Wednesday with a clash between Marist FC and Honiara City. After finishing the last season in the seventh position, Marist FC staff and players are now looking for better results and they have a tough contest about newcomers Honiara City.

While Honiara City’s squad was already released, the official squadlist of Marist FC remains unknown. However it is known that youngster John Aeta is confirmed in the squad for this Telekom S-League season – “We are looking forward for the upcoming challenges in this season,” said Aeta.

John Aeta will play another Telekom S-League season for Marist FC

Despite being a 19-year-old full back, Aeta has already some good experience as he represented his country at youth level and senior level. He made his official debut for Solomon Islands National Football Team last year in the 2019 Pacific Games.

This clash between Marist FC and Honiara City is scheduled to take place at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara. This match will be livestreamed in Telekom S-League Facebook page.

Gunemba and Dabinyaba heading to face former club as they wait PNGFA clearance

Hekari United is working to get cleared the two Papua New Guinean internationals they recently signed for the second round of PNG National Soccer League. Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba are involved in a never-ending sitution about their transfer to Hekari United. According to Lae City’s chairman, both players were not released according to PNG National Soccer League transfer rules and are unable to join Hekari until further notice. This forced both players to not feature in the recent match of Hekari against Bougainville.

Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba – *EMTV*

The next weekend match for both players might be very special: Hekari United is sheduled to play against Lae City, their former club – a match that will be one of the most interesting football clashes from the last years in the country.

Hekari United fans can have high expecations on the availabilty of Gunemba and Dabinyaba for the match. Raymond Gunemba confirmed to Oceania Football Center his team already got in touch with PhNGFA requesting their release: “yes, everything is fixed. We are just waiting the letter from PNGFA to be cleared to play,” stated Gunemba.

Certainly, it will be very interesting to see how both players perform against their former club in the next weekend. Both Lae and Hekari are tied at the top of national league table with 26 points – this will be a crucial match as the two teams are strong contenders for the title.

Green Machine: captain Avinesh Suwamy put Nadi at high level again

Football fans in Fiji were expecting a good contest in the 2020 Battle of Giants group stage – high expectations were put in the shoulders of Rewa and Suva players as they were claimed to be the two heavy favourites of the tournament. Despite having problems in the first stage, Suva proceeded to the semi-finals while Rewa got the second place in the Group B to also grant a spot in the next stage.

The hosts Lautoka were knocked-out with three defeats as Ba topped the Group A, but had only one victory in the process. If all these four teams could not have a good competition, maybe it was time for the reigning champions Labasa to shine. Indeed, the Babasiga Lions could not play as expected from them in the tournament and were also knocked-out in the group stage. The question is: which district played the best football so far? Well, for those who did not expect, it is Nadi.

Nadi impressed in BOG group stage – *FFA Media*

The side coached by Kamal Swamy did not have any problems to surpass Navua in the opener of Battle of Giants as they smashed the opponents by 4-1. In the team second match, the Green Machine faced a strong Rewa side by a thunderbolt finish from Afraz Ali gave the win for the Jetsetters and the team final match in the pool they took on the hosts Lautoka – despite suffering an equaliser in the late stages of the game, captain Avinesh Suwamy was able to score in the final minutes to secure another win for Nadi.

Suwamy, a legend of football in the country, guided Nadi to its best performances so far in the season. The captain scored a hattrick in its final match against Lautoka – a total of four in the group stage – to give the team three wins in three matches. Nadi also have important players available for the coach Swamy, as Ame Votoniu, Sakaraia Naisua, Rusiate Matarerega and Navneel Nand.

Team captain, Avi is the current Fiji’s top goalscorer of the year with eight goals counting all senior tournaments played in the country. Despite being not an offensive player primarly, the 34-year-old midfielder is a key member of Swamy’s team that impressed everyone with its results in the BOG group stage. The strong Suva team that will take on Nadi in the semi-finals of the tournament will certainly need to take a look on Nadi’s performances and key players and seek for a strategy on how to stop the Green Machine.

All Whites international Chris Wood linked to SS Lazio from Italy

One of the most important players from New Zealand, Chris Wood might be joining a new club soon. The 28-year-old striker is being linked to Lazio from Italy.

According to Corriere dello Sport Chris Wood has been offered to Lazio in a potential summer move and it was reported that the Italian team is working on the possibility of submit a bid to take Wood out of Burnley FC.

The 2019-20 season was surely the best of his career. The striker from New Zealand scored fourteen goals in 32 matches in the English Premier League.

Lazio finished the Serie A in the fourth position with 78 points which means that I Biancocelesti will play the next UEFA Champions League.