Oceania Football Center

Ifira Black Bird and Tafea qualified for PVFA Independence Cup’s semi-finals

The group stage of 2020 PVFA Independence Cup is reaching its end as four matches were contested in Port Vila during this weekend. Ifira Black Bird and Tafea sealed their spots in the semi-finals while Galaxy and Erakor Golden Star will have to fight once again for a spot.

Ifira Black Bird faced Sia-Raga and they came to the pitch having in mid that they had to win by a good goal margin. On the other hand, Sia-Raga was already eliminated and they did not have anything to lose in this contest.

Led by powerful forward Tonly Kalotang who scored a brace, Ifira thrashed their opponents by 11-0 to take the lead of the Group A. The Tenene brothers Godine and Sylvain also scored twice in the match while Frederick Massing, Jacques Wanemut, Jonathan Spokeyjack, Loic Boulet and Sam Kalter found the net once each.

The other match of the Group A was contested by Erakor Golden Star and Galaxy. Both teams knew that they had to win because Ifira Black Bird was already qualified for the semi-finals. It was a very interesting clash but the final score was a 0-0 draw. Both teams are tied in the second position of Group A and another match will be contested by Erakor and Galaxy to decide which club will advance to the next stage.

In the other group, Tafea faced bottom placed team Mauwia and won by 3-0 with goals scored by Allista Kalip, Evaristo Kapulu and John Thomas which means that Tafea is still unbeaten in the tournament with three wins in three matches.

Allista Kalip (left) celebrating a goal against Mauwia – *Vanuatu Sports News*

In the last match of the weekend Yatel faced Tupuji Imere and also won by 3-0. Yatel is very close to advance to the semi-finals as they just need to draw against Mauwia on Tuesday to book their spot in the next stage – “We ask all people from Malampa to support Yatel in this Independence Cup as we are the only team from Malampa in the PVFA Premier League,” said the team’s president John Stephens Tougon.

Ifira’s forward Tonly Kalotang is the current top scorer of the league with four goals in three matches. You can check the current standings and the top scorers by clicking here.

Former Team Wellington’s player on trial in Netherlands

Former Team Wellington’s player Ollie Bassett is having the opportunity to stay with a professional football club as the 22-year-old attacking midfielder is currently on trial with TOP Oss from Netherlands’ second tier.

Bassett was born in England but he represented Northern Ireland at youth level. He arrived in New Zealand in 2018 and he played for two ISPS Handa Premiership’s clubs in his stint in the country: Waitakere United and Team Wellington. He scored ten goals in 28 matches during his two seasons playing the ISPS Handa Premiership – the major football league in New Zealand.

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Bassett playing for Team Wellington in 2019

He left Team Wellington in the beginning of this year to join Australian club St Albans Saints SC and now he is trying to have another opportunity in Europe.

Oceania Football Center wishes good luck to Ollie and we hope that he can get a contract with a professional club.

Nasinu’s Jasnit Vikash scores a brace as Ba loses for the first time in 2020 Vodafone Premier League

After beating Navua and Lautoka in the past week, current league champions Ba received Nasinu at Fiji FA Academy in order to maintain their unbeaten run while the visitors needed to win to escape from the seventh position.

The Man in Black had a huge problem for this clash as starting goalkeeper Misiwani Nairube got injured in the clash against Lautoka so Ba’s head coach Ronil Kumar had to put 17-year-old goalkeeper Isikele Sevanaia in the starting eleven. It was reported in the match sheet that forward Sanaila Waqanicakau was on the bench as the back-up goalkeeper. This match also marked the return of Isikeli Ratucava to Nasinu. The 21-year-old midfielder returned to The Giant Killers after spending a semester with Suva.

The Giant Killers showed to people why they have this nickname. Jasnit Vikash opened the scoreboard for Nasinu with a shot from outside the box. Vikash got his brace and extended Nasinu’s in the second half by scoring a penalty kick after a handball by Samisano Waqabuli.

Vikash scored a brace for Nasinu – *FFA Media*

Things got even worse for Ba in the 75th minute when Saula Waqa – who scored a marvelous goal against Lautoka on Wednesday – was sent off by the referee for a violent conduct on a Nasinu player who was down on the ground.

Nasinu managed to keep the lead until the end of the game to win the match by 2-0. The bad news for The Giant Killers came in the 91st minute when Meli Nagusudrau saw the red card which means that he is going to miss the next match.

After the match, Nasinu’s player Marlon Nonone said: “We were efficient in our game plan based on counter-attack. I played today as a number 10 in the midfield. Jasnit was very good helping us in the creation of plays; we missed Atkin Kaua and Jared Rongosulia, but we could still manage to get an important win. Coach Vonolagi was very happy with our performance and I felt Ba understimated Nasinu“.

Ba is currently in the second position with nine points in four matches while Nasinu overtook Nadi to reach the sixth position. You can check the current standings by clicking here.

Siotame Kubu leads Labasa over Nadi

Labasa received Nadi at Subrail Park in Labasa on this Saturday. Both teams were playing an official match for the first time in fourth months and the hosts took the advantage of playing at home to grab all three points.

Nadi did not count on talented Jeshal Kumar who is recovering from an injury. On the other hand, midfielder William Valentine returned to the team after spending one year far from football due to suspension.

As it was reported a few hours before the match, Siotame Kubu was in the starting eleven after deciding to stay with Labasa and he did not disappoint the fans as he opened the scoreboard in the beginning of the second half to give Babasiga Lions the 1-0 lead.

Labasa had another opportunities to score, specially in the first half, but they did not manage to find the net. The same happened to Nadi in the second half when Labasa’s goalkeeper Akuila Mateisuva made a good save in a free kick. The visitors were very close to score in another situation but it was saved by a defender right over the goal line. This match also marked the debut of former Navua’s forward Taniela Rakariva with Labasa.

The Babasiga Lions are currently in the fifth position with seven points in sixth matches while The Jetsetters were overtaken by Labasa and Nasinu and they are now in the seventh position. You can check the current standings by clicking here.

Star Mountain and Gulf Komara draw in a well played friendly

The 2019-20 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League season is close to restart after four months as it is scheduled to kick-off on 1st August. Local clubs are already training and some of them are playing friendly matches like Star Mountain and Gulf Komara that clashed in a friendly match on Friday.

As it was previously reported, no spectators were allowed to watch the friendly match between the two clubs due to COVID-19 protocols. The fans surely missed something great as the final score was a 4-4 draw.

The biggest name of the match was Star Mountain’s Steven Inia who scored two goals from the penalty spot and delivered an assist to Willie Yumb in a corner kick. The other goal scored by Star Mountain were netted by Joseph Waiwai. On the other hand Numa Kila scored a brace for Gulf Komara while Kenneth Ara and Jordan Tavan scored once each. Both teams keep their preparations for the league’s resumption. Star Mountain will play another friendly match today against FC Bougainville.

Star Mountain will face Vitiaz United while Gulf Komara will face Lae City in the upcoming round of Papua New Guinea National Soccer League. Both matches are going to be contested in Port Moresby on August 1st.

Horizon Patho and JS Baco to meet in Mobil Super Ligue

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The second round of 2020 Mobil Super Ligue will finish this week when Horizon Patho will face JS Baco at Stade La Roché in Maré. Both teams are going to play their first official match in four months as both teams did not play last week.

Horizon Patho and JS Baco will fight hard to win as both teams lost in the opening round of the league in March. JS Baco lost to AS Wetr by 4-0 while Horizon Patho lost to Hienghène Sport by 5-1.

JS Baco and Horizon Patho will meet in Maré – *Mobil Super Ligue Media*

That is the only match of the weekend as the other four matches of the second round were contested last week. Oceania Football Center wish good luck to both teams. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.

Suva and Rewa ready for a huge battle as Ba aims the top in Vodafone Premier League

After many months the Vodafone Premier League is finally going to have a complete matchweek with all four matches being contested in the same weekend. There will be some key clashes this weekend as current league leaders Rewa will visit their rivals Suva at ANZ Stadium and current league champions Ba will need to fight for the win against Nasinu. Scroll down and check all you need to know about this weekend’s matches!

Labasa will receive Nadi at Subrail Park. Both teams are going to play an official match for the first time in four months. The Babasiga Lions received great news during the week as it was confirmed that Siotame Kubu is going to remain with the team for the remaining of the season. Labasa’s head coach Ronil Lal confirmed that Kubu is going to be in the starting eleven against Nadi and expressed his thoughts about the upcoming clash – “We have just trained for four weeks […] It will be a very physical game,” he said.

Ronil Lal confirmed that Siotame Kubu will be in Labasa’s starting eleven against Nadi

On the other hand Nadi must count on their key players Avinesh Waran Suwamy and Rusiate Matarerega to fight for the win. The Jetsetters also added some power to their team by signing with former Lautoka’s player Navneel Nand that is very excited to debut for his new club.

The second match of this weekend will be contested between current league champions Ba and Nasinu. The Men in Black lost many players during the last transfer window but it was not a problem for them as they have beaten Navua and Lautoka in the past seven days to keep their unbeaten run in the league – “We have to win more games. We will chase for the title,” said Ba’s forward Samuela Drudru after the match against Lautoka. However Ba’s goalkeeper Misiwani Nairube got injured against Lautoka and it is not known if he is going to be available to face Nasinu so it would not be a surprise if 17-year-old Isikeli Sevanaia were the starting goalkeeper this weeend.

Nasinu also has some problems for this match as Atkin Kaua and Jared Rongosulia are currently stuck in Solomon Islands due to borders restrictions. The Giant Killers are not in a good position in the league table and head coach Tani Vonolagi knows the importance of this match – “We hope to give Ba a good game,” he told to Fiji Football Association’s media. The players also know the importance of this match – “We need to work hard in every part of the field to close the up,” said Nasinu’s forward Marlon Nonone in an exclusive interview with Oceania Football Center.

Nonone playing for Nasinu against Nadi – *Fiji FA Media*

The third and fourth matches of the weekend are scheduled to take place on Sunday. Current league leaders Rewa are going to face their rivals Suva that brough many talented players in the past transfer window. The Capital City Boys will have the support of the crowd at ANZ Stadium in this tough challenge against the Delta Tigers – “The players are really focused. I watched the training sessions and I saw their eagerness and motivation,” said Suva’s president Ritesh Pratap.

The Capital City Boys are not going to count on Solomon Islands international Michael Boso who is not in the country which means that goalkeeper Beniaminio Mateinaqara and defender Laisenia Raura who recently joined the team must use their experience to lead Suva’s defense. Currently in the third position with eight points, the players know the importance of this match – “We need to win if we want to fight for the title,” said Simione Nabenu.

Rewa will not count on Bruce Hughes and Samuela Nabenia as both players are suspended. On the other hand goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau and left-back Kavaia Rawaqa are back from injury and they must be on the starting eleven on Sunday. It is a very important game for Rewa because they will keep themselves in the first position if they win – “We really need to beat Suva,” said Rewa’s head coach Marika Rodu.

Rodu and his players will have a tough challenge this weekend

The Delta Tigers are eager to win the league for the first time ever and it was announced by team’s president Nazeel Buksh that they have received the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) of Solomon Islands international Allen Peter and the defender must travel to Fiji to join the team when borders reopen.

Another player that is facing problems to return to Fiji is Lautoka’s forward Alex Saniel who is currently stuck in Vanuatu. The Bluez will face Navua at Uprising Resort Ground on Sunday and they have to win to get closer to the leaders. It is expected that defender Arami Manumanubai is going be in the starting eleven as Sekove Finau was red carded against Ba on Wednesday.

Navua is currently in the eighth and last position in the table and they need to work hard to grab some points in order to fight against relegation. Experienced forward Apisai Smith brought some hopes to the fans after scoring twice against Ba last weekend but they need more if they really want to remain in the top-tier of Fijian football.

You can check the current league standings by clicking here. Oceania Football Center wishes good luck to all teams.

Dennis Ifunaoa: I really want to see women’s football developing in Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) offered a MA Grassroots Coaching Certificate course as part of the preparation for the National Women’s Premier League. It was a three-day course that started on Wednesday and finished on Friday at SIFF Academy.

Thirteen coaches from Women Football Clubs attended the event that was ministered by SIFF’s technical director Moses Toata. One of the attendants was Solomon Islands international Dennis Ifunaoa who took part of the course as Naha FC representative – “I am very happy. It is a big achievement for me,” stated Ifunaoa.

Ifunaoa’s team Naha FC played the Women’s Preseason Tournament and advanced to the quarter-finals where they lost to Koloale – “I am still a player but I am trying to help the development of women’s football in my country. I want to thank SIFF and Naha FC for the opportunity of attending this course,” he said – “I will put it all in practice during the training sessions […] I really want to see women’s football developing in Solomon Islands,” he added.

The 28-year-old forward was part of Solomon Warriors’ squad that won 2019-20 Telekom S-League – the major football league in the country. Oceania Football Center congratulates Ifunaoa for this willingness to help in the sport’s development in his homeland.

Controversial referee calls and silly mistakes mark Phoenix defeat to Sydney

Wellington Phoenix fans can not be happy on the result of the very first competitive football match of the club after the COVID-19 pandemic. Phoenix got beaten by Sydney by 3-1 – a mix of bad luck, controversial referee calls and silly mistakes of the Nix marked a night to be forgotten.

The team stars Gary Hooper and Ulises Davila started from the bench, Jaushua Sotirio and Ben Waine took their spots in the starting team. Both Hooper and Davila recently joined Phoenix after being a long period in their home countries. The first half saw both sides lost some opportunities – New Zealand’s first choice goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic was impressive with some important shot-stops in the first half. The likes of Reno Piscopo and David Ball were dangerous to Syndey’s defense, but despite some good chances created by both sides, the result at the break was locked into 0-0.

The story of the game seemed to be the same in the second half; Kosta Barbarouses was dangerous for Sydney alongside Milos Ninkovic and Adam le Fondre. Reno Piscopo was in a good night, being always a threat for Syndey’s backline. The introduction of Callum McCowatt in the half time in place of Ben Waine seemed to give more pace and creativity to Phoenix.

The things suddenly change in the match when Liberato Cacace was fouled inside the box by Ryan McGowan – a perfect call by the referee. The young talented Australian youth international Reno Piscopo made no mistake from the penalty spot and give a much needed lead for the New Zealand-based club. Just after the goal, Piscopo made room for Gary Hooper and Ulises Davila was also introduced in place of Jaushua Sotirio.

It was an unfortunate night for Davila as one of his first touches in the match was a handball inside the box; the referee awarded a penalty to Sydney as the Mexican failed to control the ball and it touched his arm inside the penalty area. Adam le Fondre gave no chances to Marinovic as he put Sydney back to the game.

A controversial call for the assistant referee happened when the Mexican Ulises Davila finished to the goal, the ball was deflected on Hooper and it ended up in the back of the net. It could had been the second goal of the Nix, but the assistant referee put his flag up to show Hooper was in an offside position. One of the measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the A-League is the no usage of the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) until the end of the current season; the call should had been overtuned if the VAR was there as Gary Hooper seemed not to be in offside as TV images shown during the clash.

It was not a great for Wellington Phoenix – *Phoenix Media*

Unfortunately for Phoenix, another mistake of Davila – giving away possesion in the middle of park – allowed Ninkovic to release the sub Trent Buhagiar free – the attacker passed Marinovic, Steven Taylor and put Sydney ahead already inside the 80th minute mark. Marinovic might be blamed for leaving his goal too early, being driblled by Sydney’s striker and allowing an almost empty net finish. Two minutes later, the same Buhagiar was released in an one-on-one situation with Marinovic, the goalkeeper could save the first shot, but Buhagiar approached the rebound and it chipped it over the defenders to score the third for Sydney: three mistakes, three goals allowed.

The result breaks the four winning-streak run of Wellington Phoenix in the league, but the team continues placed in the 3rd position in the ladder. The New Zealand-based side will take on Perth Glory next Wednesday (22th Jul) at BankWest Stadium.

Navneel Nand: I am excited to debut for Nadi

Navneel Nand is one of the players that joined a new team in the past transfer window in Fiji. The 23-year-old player left Lautoka and joined Nadi for the remainder of 2020 football season in Fiji.

According to reliable sources, Nand is alrady cleared to debut for The Jetsetters this weekend against Labasa at Subrail Park and he shared his current feelings with Oceania Football Center – “I am excited to debut for Nadi,” he said.

Nand playing for Lautoka in 2020 OFC Champions League – *OFC Media*

The young midfielder was being a regular starter in the Bluez before the COVID-19 pandemics but he decided to leave the team – “I want to make my name […] I will do my best,” stated Nand.

Nadi did not have a bright start in the current Vodafone Premier League season as they are currently in the fifth position with six points in four matches. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.