Lae City did not have many problems to surpass Gulf Komara in the weekend – as you can read in our matchweek review. Lae City counted on star players such Emmanuel Simon and Alwin Komolong in the match, but it was Jacob Sabua who got the spotlight with a superb finish in one of the five goals of his team in the match.
Sabua celebrates his goal – PNGFA Media
Sabua put the ball in the back of the net with a fantastic long range finish – as you can watch here – scoring one of the most beautiful goals of the season in PNG National Soccer League so far. With this important win, Lae City moved back to the top of the table of the national league as Vitiaz United were denied a win after suffering a late equaliser against Star Mountain.
Kolu Kepo scored twice to give Hekari United an important win over Bougainville on last Saturday for PNG National Soccer League. Hekari struggled and only found the nets in the final 15 minutes of play. It could had been much different if the new star-duo that recently signed for Hekari United, Nigel Dabinyaba and Raymond Gunemba, was able to field for this match.
As spotlighted in the media recently, new issues on Gunemba-Dabinyaba case transfer to Hekari United were put in question as their former team Lae City’s chairman said both players were not cleared to represent their new team. Hekari United stated both were legally active and ready for the clash, but their doubts put them in caution to use their new stars.
Gunemba and Dabinyaba
Hekari management decide to request a release letter to PNGFA before using the players in the PNG National Soccer League; so they were not in the matchday squad of Hekari last saturday against Bougainville.
During the week, it is expected to have the confirmation if both PNG Kapuls stars will be able to represent Hekari United when they take on Lae City – one of the most awaited matches of the season due the circumstances we are into and as both sides are currently at the top of national league table.
Telekom S-League started with some quality football matches this past weekend in Honiara, where talented players shown what they are capable of inside the football field. The title race and the top-two position spot that guarantee spots in OFC Champions League are the top priority for the clubs, but at individual matters certainly the most important prize is the Golden Boot award; the prize given to the top goalscorer of the league season.
Various candidates started to show their credentials in this weekend of football in Solomon Islands: Raphael Lea’i – that scored 24 goals in 7 matches in the last edition of the Telekom S-League, already started in fashion with a brace against Isabel United. In the first day of action, two more players added a brace to their goalscoring tally: the impressive Augustine Halumwane of the debutants Southern United score twice in his defeat to Kossa. In the same match, Kossa was lead by top-quality prodigy Barrie Limoki that also scored two goals to give his team their first win of the season against Halumwane’s Southern United.
Gagame Feni, Barrie Limoki, Raphael Lea’i and Mathias Iani all scored two goals so far in TSL
In the strong victory of Laugu United over Real Kakamora by 5-0, two players from the squad scored a brace: Mathias Iani and Solomon Islands international Gagame Feni – so currently, in the goalscorers table, we have five players with two goals scored each.
Other football stars in the league might be certainly looking to get the Golden Boot award; Dennis Ifunaoa of Solomon Warriors might be one the top contesting players for the prize, alongside the legend Benjamin Totori now player of FC Isabel United. Henderson Eels’ Joses Nawo is also another very strong name in order to achieve this important milestone.
The first matchweek is still to be completed as Marist FC will take on newcomers Honiara City this Wednesday (12th Aug), which means we still have a long season ahead to see which football star from Solomon Islands will be the glorious season’ top goalscorer.
The current top goalscorer of the season in Papua New Guinea top-tier league has debut for his new club Lae City. Stahl Gubag recently moved to Lae City coming from Madang-based side Tusbab Stallions – the player scored nine goals for Stallions in the PNG National Soccer League and he is a fantastic addition to the stellar squad of Lae City now coached by former PNG Kapuls head coach Bob Morris.
Stahl Gubag – PNGFA Media
In Gubag’s debut, Lae City recorded a strong win over Gulf Komara by 5-0 thanks to goals coming from Felix Komolong, Obert Bika, Jacob Sabua, Joshua Oscar and Emmanuel Airem. The current national champions are back to the top of the table as Vitiaz United could not beat Star Mountain in this weekend of football in Papua New Guinea top-tier league.
Despite having a strong victory in this first game, Gubag had the chance to score through the penalty spot but he wasted it with a very sloppy finishing.
The 2020 edition of Battle of Giants in Fiji approaches its decisive moments, the group stage had finished and the four teams qualified for the semi-finals are already known – and the title holders Labasa are not among them. Despite counting on important players such as Siotame Kubu and Akeimi Ralulu, the current title holders of the Battle of Giants will be unable to defend their glory as they were knocked-out of the tournament in the group stage: three games, three 1-1 draws and the bottom of the Group A of the competition.
The first match against Suva saw the Babasiga Lions trailling by a goal until the 86th minute of play, when experienced Taniela Waqa scored thorugh a powerful header to equalise and secure at least a point from the match to the team coached by Ronil Kumar. Against Ba, Labasa had Akeimi Ralulu sent off early in the match, but still managed to score first through Ilisoni Logaivau. Ba scored and put the things leveled minutes later of Logaivau’s strike, but the game also ended up in an 1-1 draw. Labasa just needed a win over Nasinu to proceed; they counted on the return of Antonio Tuivuna for the decisive clash – Ilisoni Lolaivalu scored in the first half, but the star goalkeeper Akuila Mateisuva commited a foul inside the box on Solomon Islands’ striker Marlon Nonone – penalty well taken by Jasnit Vikash to equalise the clash – once again, Labasa was not able to get a winner and they went out of the tournament with three points in the group. Ba and Suva were the 1st and 2nd placed sides of the group to qualify for semi-finals.
Akuila Mateisuva
Labasa fans were very disapointed with their team performance in the Battle of Giants – they expected the team could contest again the for title as they did in 2019. A share of Labasa supporters elected Mateisuva was one of the responsibles for the elimination of the group stage – especially for this terrible foul in the box that resulted in a penalty for Nasinu and a penalty miss in the first half. But Mateisuva should not be blamed for Lions‘ faillure: in the penalty commited, Nasinu striker was left unmarked in an one-on-one situation and the goalkeeper tried to prevent his finish, but his shock with the opposition player was a clear foul – inside the box; a penalty. In the first half, Lions had the chance to double the score in a penalty kick – something unusual in football was seen when the goalkeeper Mateisuva stepped up to take the kick. Unfortunately, the goalkeeper could not put the ball in the nets. But the question is: why a goalkeeper to take a so important penalty, a player from a position that is not used to finish plays? Why not a player such as Siotame Kubu was chosen?
Labasa, after suffering the equaliser against Nasinu, was empty of ideas to find a winner: wrong choices made by Ronil Lal, wrong choices made by his player. Players such as Siotame Kubu and Antonio Tuivuna were outplayed – the team focused only on long balls, something easy for Nasinu’s defense to deal with.
Mateisuva might not had good performances as usual in 2020 Battle of Giants – but the entire Labasa squad did not display good football as well. A despair team with the ball, rushing forward without a game plan, just expecting a miracle to happen to keep them in the tournament. There is certainly much to be rethought, to be trained and improved for the Babasiga Lions if they want to return to the winning ways as in 2019.
Terrible news for Ba football fans – and for entire Fiji football community. Fijian international Saula Waqa is suspended for three years due being tested positive on marijuana – an illegal substance on Fiji FA regulations. “He’s a second offender, a repeat offender so three years and a $500 fine,” said Fiji FA chief executive Mohammed Yusuf to FBC News. Saula, which captained Ba in the recent group stage of 2020 Battle Giants, was the only player that tested positive to an illegal substance.
Saula Waqa – FFA Media
Waqa, one of the current star players of football in Fiji, gave a very bad example for the footballers in Oceania. The three-year suspension is a long period of absence for the player – recently, some players went back from suspension in Fiji, not serving all the period of suspension, meaning Fiji FA lifted their ban before the completion of the formal period of suspension. Despite all possbilities, we will have to wait, but from now on it is confirmed Waqa is suspended from all football activities until further notice.
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.
