Oceania Football Center

New Zealand and Belgium likely to clash in October

New Zealand Football (NZF) announced that the National Football Team is set to travel to Europe to play a friendly match against Belgium in October. However it still depends on the COVID-19 situation in both countries.

Belgium is currently the world’s number one ranked in FIFA Ranking so the All Whites will have an unique opportunity to face one of the best National Teams in the world. Also it is going to be the first clash between these countries in football’s history.

Chris Wood (left) and Kevin de Bruyne (right)

Currently in the 122nd position in FIFA Ranking, New Zealand is the best ranked nation from OFC in this list. All Whites last official match was in November when they lost to Lithuania by 1-0.

Percy Mataio announced as FC Bougainville’s new head coach

The 2019-20 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League is two weeks away from its resumption and the local teams are already getting ready for the upcoming challenges. FC Bougainville will also have some new faces as Percy Mataio was announced as the new head coach of the team.

The experienced coach left Star Mountain earlier this week to take the charge at FC Bougainville – “I thank Selan and the team for giving me the chance to coach Star Mountain FC but I have my ambitions as a qualified coach to move on and I would like to advise that I am moving on as of this notice,” said Mataio in his official farewell from Star Mountain.

Mataio arrives in Port Moresby to replace David Passam in the charge. FC Bougainville is currently in the 6th position with eleven points in ten matches played at 2019-20 National Soccer League. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.

Micah Tommy: Ba’s management does not care about players

Ba lost many players in the past transfer window and now the Men in Black are going to lose another one as Ni-Vanuatu forward Micah Tommy confirmed that he is not going to stay due to conflicts with the team’s management.

Tommy is currently in his homeland Vanuatu and he is playing the 2020 PVFA Independence Cup – a festive tournament – for his former club Tafea. He revealed to Oceania Football Center that he intends to stay with Tafea – “I have requested for my ITC (International Transfer Certificate) because Ba did not pay me and they also do not care about after their players,” he said.

Tommy (right) claims that he was not paid by Ba – *OFC Media*

The 21-year-old forward returned to Vanuatu through a repatriation flight from the government a couple of weeks ago after living a period of uncertainties in Fiji – “After OFC Champions League no one from the team management talked to me and Darold (Kakasi) about how we would stay. We felt hopeless […] Now I need my ITC back to move my career on,” stated Micah. Another players also revealed to Oceania Football Center that were not paid by the club.

Micah joined the Fijian club in 2019 and was part of the squad that played 2020 OFC Champions League earlier this year.

Suva: Michael Boso unavailable for unknown period

Suva made some relevant changes in its squad for the remaining of the current Vodafone Premier League season by signing with Atunaisa Naucukidi, Beniaminio Mateinaqara, Laisenia Raura, Patrick Taroga, Ravnesh Karan Singh and Simione Nabenu.

The Capital City Boys will have strong side to face Rewa on Sunday. The biggest absence for this important clash must be Solomon Islands international Michael Boso who is not with the team at the moment – “I am still stuck in Solomon Islands due to border restrictions but I am training here to stay fit,” revealed Boso.

Boso is currently in Solomon Islands waiting to return to Fiji

The 28-year-old defender also expressed his thoughts about some of Suva’s new signings – “Taroga is very quick and smart, it is a huge addition for the team. Beniaminio is a very experienced goalkeeper. It is good to have a him at the back,” he said.

Boso’s team is currently in the third position in 2020 Vodafone Premier League with eight points in four matches – four points behind of current league leaders Rewa. The upcoming clash at ANZ Stadium is very important for Suva. If they beat Rewa they will get closer to the leaders – “We are eager to win all the remaining games in the league and in other tournaments,” stated the Solomon Islands international.

It is not known when he is going to return to Fiji as it depends on the reopening of borders. We hope it can be solved soon in order to see Boso back to action.

Star Mountain and Gulf Komara set to play a friendly match in Port Moresby

The PNG National Soccer League is close to restart after the COVID-19 forced break – the competition schedule says the kick-off will be on 1st August, as recently the PNGA stated. Two clubs based in Port Moresby decided to not lose any time in their prepartion for th recommence of the national league: the 8th placed Star Mountain will take on the 5h placed Gulf Komara this Friday in Papua New Guinea’s capital city.

The match will take place in Bava Park, 4pm this Friday (17th July). According to Star Mountain management, no spectators will be allowed to watch the friendly match between the two clubs from top-tier league of Papua New Guinea football due to COVID-19 protocols

Rewa: Rawaqa and Tamanisau recovered and ready to take on Suva

The Delta Tigers will receive an important boost when they take on Suva this weekend in their return after the forced COVID-19 break to Vodafone Premier League. The experienced players Simione Tamanisau and Kavaia Rawaqa will be available for the coach Marika Rodu as both Fijian international have recovered from injuries.

One of the most important matches so far in the Vodafone Premier League will count on two of the most important football players from Fiji; the defender Rawaqa and the star goalkeeper Tamanisau will seek for another win the league as the leaders Rewa will have a difficult encounter against Suva. Kavaia Rawaqa will make his debut in the season, Tamanisau played only one match that was against Ba in the only defeat the Tigers tasted so far in the national league.

Rewa will also count on the player such as Setareki Hughes and Anish Khem this weekend, but they certainly will have to work hard if they want to beat Suva – the Capital Boys will count on a new trio that was already cleared to debut for Suva, as well the top shot-stopper Beniamino Mateinaqara coming from Ba.

Legend Jone Vesikula set to return to Men in Black

The supporters of Ba might be close to taste the return of Fijian international and Ba football legend defender Jone Vesikula. The 34-year-old player is currently attached to Lautoka – he helped the Blues to win two Vodafone Premier League titles in the recent past seasons. Vesikula was also part of Lautoka’s squad that reached the final of 2018 OFC Champions League, where Lautoka lost to New Zealand outfit Team Wellington.

Vesikula also helped Ba to reach OFC Champions League in the 11 years he represented the Men in Black. In the latest match of Lautoka, Vesikula was not part of the matchday squad what can show his intentions to return to his original district. “He had applied for his transfer to re-join his home district. The Lautoka football association has given his release,” stated Lautoka’s chairman Shalendra Prasad to Fiji Times. Vesikula already represented Fiji national team 13 times during his sucessful career in Fijian football.

Recently, Ba lost one of their most importants in history, Avinesh Suwamy, that departed to play in Nadi. Now, with the imminent return of Jone Vesikula the fans will be happy to have one more legend back and to count on the experience of the player as Ba lost many of its stars to other districts; especially their defensive system are now full of players coming from Ba’s grassroots system – where the experience of Vesikula might cause an instant impact.

The controversial penalty suffered by Ba’s forward Samuela Drudru against Lautoka

The first goal in the clash between Ba and Lautoka at Churchill Park was a penalty kick converted by Ba’s Manasa Nawakula. Samuela Drudru was fouled by Sekove Finau inside the box according to the referee. But it seems that it was a controversial decision… Let’s check it the video below:

Oceania Football Center’s management created an open poll asking neutral football fans to analyze the play and 97% of the voters said that it was not a penalty while most of these voters also stated that it was not even a foul.

Also, there is a very important point that must be taken into consideration: It is clear in the video that Lautoka’s defender Sekove Finau held the arm of Ba’s forward Samuela Drudru. The act of holding Drudru’s arm began outside the box so it should not be a penalty because according to FIFA rules the origin of the foul is what worths and not its end. Despite it even there are controversies if it was a foul or not, but the origin of the supposed foul was really outside the box.

Samuela Drudru and Sekove Finau were involved in the play

First of all it is very important to emphasize that controversies happens in football as it is part of the game. This article does not have the intention to tarnish the referees’ decision. It was a very difficult play that happened in less than a second and the referees can not be blamed if they took the wrong decision in this particular case.

All Whites midfielder Matthew Ridenton joins Brisbane Roar

Brisbane Roar added some talent to their squad for 2019-20 Hyundai A-League resumption by signing with former Newcastle Jets’ midfielder Matthew Ridenton.

Ridenton left the Jets in January and travelled to Europe for a trial with Reading FC from England but he failed to impress the English team’s staff. Now the All Whites midfielder is back to Hyundai A-League as he is going to play the remaining of the current season for Brisbane Roar.

Ridenton made his official debut for New Zealand National Football Team in 2014. He played six matches for All Whites. His last National Team’s appearance was in the 1-0 loss against Lithuania last year.

Solomon Islands: former international Alex Waimora joins Kossa’s staff

Kossa FC announced that Alex Waimora has joined the team’s staff as a Technical Game Analyst. The 26-year-old former international is going to bring his experience in the sport to help in the teams’ development.

Despite being very young, Alex is surely a huge addition for Kossa’s staff due to his knowledge – “I am pleased to be part of the management of Kossa especially in the technical team,” he said – “For me, this is an opportunity I am thankful to and I believe with my experience and knowledge of the game, I can definitely deliver according to the club’s expectation,” he added.

Waimora (left) is a valuable addition to Kossa’s staff

Basically, a Technical Game Analyst helps in allowing teams to evaluate their players in depth and this meant players can access pointers to allow them to develop more. Having a specific person to play this role might be something common for European or South American clubs but it is not the reality of football in Oceania – “I totally encourage other clubs to also look into this too because in football, you need every single tool there is to be able to provide a good outcome,” said Waimora.

Kossa is confirmed in the next Telekom S-League – the major football league from Solomon Islands – season that is set to begin on August 8.