Oceania Football Center

Vodafone Premier League: important clashes thrill the weekend of football in Fiji

Vodafone Premier League continues this weekend with what Fiji football has at its best; important clashes will certainly thrill the fans in well-known stadium around the country.

The 3rd-placed side Suva will travel to Prince Charles Park in Nadi to take on the local side. Suva comes from an apathetic 0-0 draw against Rewa last weekend, while Nadi recovered in style from a 1-0 defeat against Labasa as they demolished Ba at home with a brace of Sakaraia Naisua. Suva is expected to feature Fijian international Iosefo Verevou as the attacker is recovered from injury. Suva will also have back to their squad, both players available for the coach Maxwell Thaggard in this clash, the important Jonetani Buksh and Kelvin Naidu. The only Capital City Boys‘ player to miss this clash will be the Nigerian forward Jibola Afonja.

Nadi comes in a high after thrashing Ba in the mid-week and will count on once again with their home fans, certainly expecting to continue in this good run. The star Avinesh Suwamy is certainly one of the most important players in Nadi squad alongside the Fijian international Ame Votoniu, but their striking force might be not as strong as usual as the powerful Rusiate Matarerega is still in doubts for the clash. Sakaria Naisua that scored twice against Ba will also not be available, Afraz Ali and Vunici Tikomaimereke will also miss the clash – all of them suspended.

Afraz Ali (23) scored a great goal against Ba in the mid-week – *FFA Media*

In the Fiji FA Academy in Ba, the Men in Black will take on the commanded players of Ronil Lal looking for revenge after suffering a defeat in the Champion vs Champion series in the start of the year against Labasa. Ba will certainly be hungry for a win as the team coached by Ronil Kumar suffered two defeats in a row for Nasinu and Nadi. The important Ilimotama Jese will be available for this clash after serving supension in the most recent match of Ba. Despite the good news, the number-one goalkeeper of the team Misiwani Nairube is still in doubts for the clash against Labasa as Saula Waqa stil has one match-ban after being sent-off against Nasinu.

The Babasiga Lions had only their second win in the league when they had beaten Nadi by 1-0 at Subrail Park thanks to a goal of the man of the moment Siotame Kubu. The fans from Labasa will expect the team can approach the bad moment of Ba and grab another much needed three points against the Men in Black away from home. Certainly, the likes of Atonio Tuivuna and Akuila Mateisuva will need to step up to help the team in one of the most important matches so far of the season.

On Sunday a double header will take place in Nausori at Ratu Cakobau Park: first, the 1st placed Rewa will take on the 2nd placed-side Lautoka. Rewa is three points clear at the moment in comparison to Lautoka – a win for the Blues might mean a lot in the chase of the leaders. The importance of players such as Zibraaz Sahib and Dave Radrigai will be crucial for the outcome of this match for Lautoka. The former OFC Champions League finalists come from a hard fought 2-1 win over Navua in the last weekend, where Radrigai was instrumental for the team coached by Ravinesh Kumar.

The men of Marika Rodu will need to improve their game if they want to beat Lautoka at home this Sunday. After a 0-0 draw against Suva in a much awaited clash last round, the Delta Tigers will expect the influence of players such as Kavaia Rawaqa and Gabriele Matanisiga can return in the next match in order to increase their lead at the top of the table in the national league. The Rewa’s fans will be happy to know two important players – Bruce Hughes and Samuela Nabenia – will be available for this clash after serving suspension against Suva. Rewa is currently seeking for their first ever national title and a win over Lautoka can give them some advantage in the next matchweeks.

Kavaia Rawaqa (red) can be influential for Rewa – *FFA Media*

The second match of the double header in Nausori will see the two bottom-ranked sides Nasinu take on Navua. The team comanded by Tagi Vonolagi comes in a high after surpassing Ba by 2-0 thanks to two goals of the newly signed midfielder Jasnit Vikash. Despite not counting on players such as the Solomon Islands international Atkin Kaua that is still unable to return to Fiji due borders restrictions on COVID-19, Nasinu will expect to continue in their run against Navua. The attackers Marlon Nonone and Nasoni Mereke might be well watched by Navua’s defense if the last-placed team in the table wants to get their first win of the season.

Despite being in the 9th spot, Nasinu is five points ahead Navua in the table – the team commanded by Sailosi Danford just collected one point so far in the season and they need to be fast to recover in the league if they want to avoid relegation back to the Vodafone Senior League in 2021. The striker Apisai Smith scored three goals in two matches played since signed for Navua; the veteran player is the best hope of goals for Navua in this clash against Nasinu. After scoring first against Lautoka, the team conceded a heartbreaking comeback at home and suffered another defeat in the season last weekend.

You can see the updated results and table of the Fijian top-tier by visiting our session of the Vodafone Premier League.

Fiji: 2020 Battle of the Giants draw is released

One of the most important football competitions in Fiji is just a few weeks away from its kick-off. The 2020 Battle of the Giants (BOG) is set to begin on August 7th and the official draw was released by Fiji Football Association (FFA) today.

All eight teams that are playing the current Vodafone Premier League season were split in two groups of four teams each. Current BOG champions Labasa will face Ba, Nasinu and Suva in the Group A while Lautoka, Nadi, Navua and Rewa are in the Group B.

The group stage matches will be played from 7th to 9th August at Churchill Park in Lautoka. Oceania Football Center wishes good luck to all teams involved.

Stahl Gubag joins Lae City

After a long chase Stahl Gubag is finally a Lae City’s player. It was reported that the 21-year-old forward is leaving Tusbab Stallions to join Lae City. He is going to be officially announced when the Papua New Guinean transfer window opens.

It was confirmed by Tusbab Stallions’ management that all necessary paperwork will be processed by next week to allow for his transfer – “While we are sad to leave him, we are also proud of the opportunity that his departure will give to our other developing players. We have trust in our management and technical team and we know another young prospect will be given the opportunity to shine,” said Stallions’ president Afinini Tawi.

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Stahl was being pursued by Lae’s management since the beginning of this year as it was previously reported by Oceania Football Center. He is going to meet his former teammate Nigel Malagian in Lae City who left Tusbab Stallions in March.

Gubag is the current top scorer of 2019-20 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League with nine goals scored. You can check more information about the current league season by clicking here.

Solomon Islands: Benjamin Totori signs for Isabel United

Oceania football community is shaken by big news: former Wellington Phoenix, Lautoka and Ba striker Benjamin Totori is the new player of Isabel United, in the Telekom S-League in his home country. The Solomon Islander recently left his former club Ba after the OFC Champions League campaign. The information was confirmed by FC Isabel United social media account.

Totori playing Solomon Islands national team

The Solomon Islands international, the player who most scored goals ever in the OFC Champions League, has plenty of experience and will be certainly one of the most important players in the 2020 edition of the Solomon Islands top-tier league.

Recently, it was stated by Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) that Benjamin Totori and three other known players were suspended from Solomon Islands national football team – the player did not take part of the national team camp that happened before the COVID-19 pandemic. It is still unsure if the 34-year-old football legend will play for Solomon Islands in the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

“Having been released by Ba FC (Fiji), Totori has been a free agent since returning from Fiji, he has already started training with the team as of this week. His presence amongst the team will surely be a good example & experience for our youthful side,” stated FC Isabel United in social media. The club was recently created and already took part of the last edition of the Telekom S-League, where they finished in the 4th place. The 2020 edition is set to start in the next month.

Iosefo Verevou ready for Suva clash against Nadi

The Fijian international Iosefo Verevou is cleared to play the next match for Suva agianst Nadi this weekend. The information was confirmed by Suva FA social media accounts. The attacker will be a valuable addition for Suva as the team lacked creativity in the final third in their most recent match against Rewa at ANZ Stadium last Sunday.

Verevou is fully recovered from an injury that did not allow him to take part in Suva clash against Rewa. It is also known Suva will also count on Jonetani Buksh that served suspension in the last match and Kelvin Naidu that had this ban lifted by Fiji FA. The only player not available for the coach Maxwell Thaggard is the Nigerian striker Jibola Afonja.

Phoenix surpasses Perth Glory at Bankwest Stadium

At Bankwest Stadium, Glory met Phoenix in the second game of both sides since the return from COVID-19 break. A different Perth Glory than usual, fielding the 16-year-old attacker Gabriel Popovic, made it hard for Wellington Phoenix to grab a very important win. The team coached by Ufuk Talay seemed dangerous since the start of the match – the Mexican star Ulises Davila started from the bench, but the English marksman Gary Hooper partnered upfront with his compatriot David Ball. Cameron Devlin made his return to the starting eleven in the midfield playing alongisde Matti Steinmann – the surprise of the night in the starting eleven was the New Zealand international Callum McCowatt that started in the right flank.

Phoenix did not have the possession of the ball in the early stages of the match, but Glory could not create any harm despite having the ball. Some runs of Reno Piscopo and Liberato Cacace posed some threats for the defensive system of the coach Tony Popovic, but the scoreline would just be opened when McCowatt assisted Gary Hooper – a fantastic long range pass that found Hooper coming from the defensive half of the pitch, upfront the back three of Perth Glory. The striker made no mistake in front of the goalkeeper Liam Reddy to put Phoenix up by 1-0.

Glory pressed for a fast equalizer, but could not create real goalscoring chances. The Uruguyan striker Bruno Fornaroli made Stefan Marinovic to make a couple of hard stops still in the first half, but nothing the Kiwi number one goalkeeper could deal not with.

Perth Glory's push towards finals stumbles after 2-1 Wellington ... — Callum McCowatt (center in yellow) made a terrific match for Phoenix

The 1-0 lead was the scoreline for Phoenix in the break, but it changed just after the return of both sides for the game: David Ball in a brilliant move was fouled down inside the box – a penalty kick was awarded for the New Zealand club. The newly introduced Davila made no mistake from the penalty spot to score his 12th goal of the season and the second of the Nix in the match.

A much better Ulises Davila than in the latest match against Sydney posed a lot of threats for defensive line led by Alex Grant. Phoenix created a number of chances after scoring their second goal – Ball sent a terrific finish above the bar, Davila and Ball almost combined inside the box for a third goal, while a Cacace’s cross could not find the target inside the area.

The story of the game changed when Nicolas D’Agostino received a short-corner pass and found the New Zealand international Dane Ingham free to fire away a fantastic shot – the ball was lightly deflected in Libby Cacaces’s right leg, finding the tight right corner of Stefan Marinovic’s goal; Perth was back to the game.

Minutes after scoring, a mistake by Devlin allowed a quick counter-attack of Glory – Fornaroli tried his trademark shot lobbying Marinovic, but unfortunately for him the ball went in the arms of the New Zealand international shot-stopper. Talay tried to change the things introducing Jaushua Sotirio in place of Reno Piscopo, but the speedy attacker could not have any counter-attacking chance to approach.

In the 83th minute, Phoenix tactician decided to ‘park the bus’ introducing the New Zealand defender Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi in place of Callum McCowatt. The strategy proved right as Hudson-Wihongi cleared a number of balsl from the penalty box, helping Phoenix to clinch very important three points in the A-League table.

A much better presentation for Phoenix in comparison to their latest match against Sydney – especially in defense – allowed the New Zealanders to get closer to Melbourne City in the ladder. The club is just one-point away from City in the standings; the Nix still has one match to be played in comparison with the Melbourne-based side.

Phoenix next challenge will be against Adeilade United this Saturday at the same Bankwest Stadium at 5pm local time.

Vodafone Premier League: Nadi demolishes Ba in Prince Charles Park

The encounter of Avinesh Suwamy with his former club was glorious for him and a nightmare for the district he used to defend. Nadi could not count on the star Rusiate Matarerega and Jeshal Kumar injured, but Ba missed many other important players in their squad: Ilimotama Jese, Misiwani Nairube, Malakai Tiwa and Saula Waqa could not play this match against Nadi. Ba line up had many youngsters, such as goalkeeper Isikeli Sevanaia and the midfielder Peceli Sukabula. Manasa Nawakula weared the captain armband while Samuela Drudru was the most known player in attack for the Men in Black.

If Nawakula captained Ba, for Nadi side Avinesh Suwamy was the captain. In the 31th minute of play, Nadi took up advantage: Afraz Ali with a powerful longe range surpassed Sevanaia to give the Jetsetters the lead at Prince Charles Park. Six minutes later, a corner well placed by Suwamy found the head of Sakaraia Naisua to double the lead for Nadi.

Nadi could maintain their 2-0 lead to the first half; the second period of the game started promising for ba as Manasa Nawakula did not make any mistake from the penalty spot to cut the deficit for Ba. But then the nightmare restarted for Men in Black: three minutes later of Nawakula’s goal, Sakaraia Naisua dribbled Isikeli Sevanaia and sloted the ball home to an empty net to score his second in the clash and the third of the Green Machine.

Nadi vs Ba before the clash – *FFA Media*

Again, one minute later of Naisua goal, Napolioni Qasevakatini scored the fourth for Nadi. Two goals in two minutes for Nadi – proving the fragility of Ba’s defensive system. To get things even worse for the visitors, Jonetani Newa received a second yellow card in the clash and he was sent off in the 72th minute of play.

The final goal of the match was scored seven minutes later: the recent signing Navneel Nand scored his first goal for Nadi and the fifth of the encounter. The final score proved to be a hummiliation for Ba: 5-1.

Nadi recovers in style from their 1-0 defeat against Labasa in the weekend, but Ba suffer another shocking defeat – the Men in Black were stunned by Nasinu on the last Saturday by 2-0. This was the second defeat of Ba in the tournament from five matches played so far.

Galaxy surpasses Erakor GS in penalty shootout to qualify for PVFA Independence Cup semi-finals

Galaxy and Erakor clash to decide each team would proceed to the semi-finals of PVFA Independence Cup needed a penalty shootout to have a winner. A thrilling match certainly entertained the local fans at Port Vila Municial Stadium.

In the first half, Kaltfer Kaltack opened the scoreline for Erakor Golden Star. The slight advantage for EGS was held until the half time, but in the early stages of the second period the Brazilian attacking midfielder Roberson scored Galaxy equalizer in the clash.

The 1-1 was the final result of the match; as both teams were tied in the standings of Group A – a rare complete tie happened between both sides, in points, goal difference and goals scored and suffered – a penalty shootout was required to decide each side would join Ifira Black Bird coming from Group A to the semi-finals of 2020 PVFA Independence Cup.

Unfortunately for Erakor Golden Star, Gershom Kalsong was the only player to lose a penalty. The final outcome of the penalty shootout gave to Galaxy a hard 5-3 win and a spot in the semi-final.

EGS and Galaxy clashes were very tied – a first match between both sides on Saturday ended up in a 0-0 draw. As on Saturday the match was the last one in the day, the game could not continue as night was coming and currently there are not lights in Port Vila Municipal Stadium. A new match was schedule for this Wednesday to decide the 2nd team from Group A to proceed to the semi-finals of the traditional tournament.

Galaxy joined Ifira Black Bird to qualify for the knock-out stage; from the Group B, Tafea topped the group while Yatel clinched the second spot. It is expected the semi-finals will take place this Saturday (25th Jul) in Port Vila.

Wellington Phoenix take on Perth Glory expecting to recover from recent defeat

Wellington Phoenix did not have a good return to competitive football last week, when they suffered a heartbreaking 3-1 defeat against Sydney FC. The only New Zealand’s full-professional club – and of entire OFC – expects a much better performance today when they take on Perth Glory at Bankwest Stadium, 9:30pm NZT.

Glory won their most recent match against Central Coast Mariners thanks to a goal of New Zealand international Dane Ingham, while the Nix could not hold they 1-0 lead against Sydney and ended up suffering a 3-1 defeat full of defensive mistakes from the team coached by Ufuk Talay.

The New Zealanders Tim Payne and Oli Sail continue out of Phoenix squad; they were suspended for four matches after breaking quarentine in Phoenix camp in Australia and will be out of the clasg against Glory and the next two matches against Adeilaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers.

The good news for the Yellow Fever is that the good performer Cameron Devlin is back from suspension and will be available for Ufuk Talay. Devlin is expected to start the match in place of Alex Rufer.

After the worst match so far for Ulises Dávila as Wellington Phoenix player, it is also expected the Mexican can start the match alongside the English marquee striker Gary Hooper. Ben Waine and Jaushua Sotirio started the match instead of the usual duo in the latest clash against Sydney.

Phoenix will not need to worry to stop the Spanish playmaker Diego Castro; the veteran player decided not to play for Glory regarding concerns on COVID-19 infection. Despite Castro’s absence, the Uruguyan marksman Bruno Fornaroli will be there and he might be the top priority for Steven Taylor and Luke DeVere to deal with.

A defeat could be terrible for Phoenix aspirations in the league: the club is placed 3rd in the ladder, while Glory is 5th. A win for the Perth side would put them ahead of Phoenix in the table – sending the Nix for the 4th place.

Yatel qualifies for PVFA Independence Cup semi-final despite loss against Mauwia

The PVFA Independence Cup held in Vanuatu’s capital got to know the second team of Group B of the tournament to proceed to the semi-final. Yatel surpassed Mauwia and Tupuji Imere in the goal difference and granted a spot in the decisive part of the competition.

In the Group B, Tafea topped the group with 9 points – winning all its matches – while Yatel and Mauwia had still a match to played to decide which side would qualify for the next stage – that was played this Tuesday. Mauwia knew they would have a hard job if they wanted to qualify for the semi-final: beat Yatel by at least 4 goals difference.

The result of the match was in favour of Mauwia, 1-0, but not the result the team in red needed to proceed. The club raised by Malampa region citizens, Yatel, is qualified for the semi-final where they will play Galaxy FC or Erakor Golden Star in one of the semi-finals.