The world of football is getting hotter in Papua New Guinea as a new transfer window is confirmed by National Soccer League (NSL) Board. Despite opening only on July 25, clubs’ managers are already working on the backstage to add new players to their teams.
The latest transfer window in Papua New Guinea closed in March when Lae City signed with former Tusbab Stallions’ defender Nigel Malagian. It was also reported that Malagian’s former teammate Stahl Gubag was also approached by Lae City’s management but he remained with Stallions.
With the opening of a new transfer window the rumours linking Gubag to Lae City are getting stronger once again. According to reliable sources the 20-year-old forward was approached by Lae City’s head coach Bob Morris on last week. Morris and Gubag know each other very well as they worked together in 2018 at Madang FC.
It is also known that Tusbab Stallions’ management want to keep Gubag for the remaining of the current season but they will not force Stahl to stay if he does not want to.
The 2019-20 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League season is set to resume on August 1st. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.
Jean-Philippe Saïkoplayed his first official match since he returned to New Caledonia. The 29-year-old forward played a important role at AS Lössi’s 6-1 win against AS Kunié in the second matchweek of 2020 Mobil Super Ligue – the major football league from New Caledonia.
The powerful forward was the team’s captain in the clash and played the entire match. He had an outstanding performance with some dangerous shots and good passes to confuse AS Kunié’s defense. He scored one goal and delivered one assist to help AS Lössi to grab all the points.However the biggest name of the day was Anthony Timoteo who scored a hat-trick. You can watch the full match by clicking here.
Saïko is currently in his homeland because he is not able to travel back to New Zealand due to border restrictions. It is already known that he will return to New Zealand once the borders reopen. You can check the Mobil Super Ligue current standings by clicking here.
Scott Wara is not a Stoke City’s player anymore. The 20-year-old defender from Fiji was one of the eleven players released by the club this week. The announcement was made through the club’s official website.
Born in Lautoka, Wara moved to England with his parents when he was very young and started to play football seriously when he was 13. He leaves Stoke City after many years representing the club at youth level – “Since I was a young kid I have always dreamt of becoming a professional footballer […] I would like to say a massive thank you to all the staff, players and fans for helping me to grow into not only as a player but also as a person. Unfortunately things did not work out how I hoped they would to but I am excited and looking forward to what future holds,” stated Wara on social media.
Scott Wara playing for Stoke City U-23 team
The Fijian defender was part of the U-23 squad that played the 2019-20 season of Premier League 2, the U-23 national football league. There is no current rumours about Wara but Oceania Football Center is keeping up with the situation to keep our followers informed about his career.
Football officially returned in Fiji on Saturday when Ba faced Navua at Fiji FA Academy. The upcoming day was also important as two matches were played in the opening day of 2020 Vodafone Senior League – the second-tier of Fijian football.
Northland Tailevu received Tailevu Naitasiri at Fiji FA Academy in Suva and the final score was a 0-0 draw. In the other match Tavua visited Rakiraki at Garvey Park in a breathtaking match. Tavua is back to the Senior League after spending two seasons in the Premier League. The team coached by Nazeel Ali managed to hold some important players like Atunaisa Livanalagi, Marika Rawasoi and Varinava Telawa.
Marika Rawasoi (left) remained with Tavua for 2020 Vodafone Senior League – Fiji FA Media
Avinesh Narayan opened the scoreboard for Rakiraki but Lekima Rokosolia equalized one minute later. The hosts found the net for the second time when Kelemedi Matou scored in the 35th minute. Tavua’s Sikeli Sagatoro scored eight minutes later to equalize once again before the half time.
Tavua finally managed to lead the game when Marika Rawasoi scored in the beginning of the second half to seal the 3-2 win. Tavua’s next clash will be against Tailevu Naitasiri at Fiji FA Academy at Suva while Rakiraki will not play in the next weekend as they have a bye week.
The Vodafone Senior League is divided in two zones: Vanua Levu and Viti Levu. The two matches that were contested this weekend are from Viti Levu Zone. The Senior League’s Vanua Levu Zone have not started yet. You can check the current standings by clicking here.
Another important weekend of football took place in Port Vila Municipal Stadium and Korman Stadium in Vanuatu’s city capital Port Vila. The traditional PVFA Independence Cup had four matches on Friday and Saturday for its second matchweek in the competition.
The known Tafea stuggled to beat Yatel by 2-1 in what was first match of Yatel in the competition – Yatel and Mauwia clash is still waiting to be scheduled as the match was postponed. Tafea counted with the experienced Allista Kalip that scored a brace in the match – he opened the scoreline, but then Yatel managed to draw through the effort of Henry, but Allista Kalip scored again in the second half to give the win to Tafea.
Kalip (left) was instrumental for Tafea – Tafea Media
Erakor managed to clinch an important victory over Sia-Raga. Jason Thomas, Gershom Kalsong and the top-striker Tony Kaltack scored the three goals of Erakor Golden Star in their 3-1 win over Sia-Raga; Massing was the scorer for the losing side. You can see the highlights of the match by clicking here.
In a great match, the powerful Galaxy suffered to secure a draw against Ifira Black Bird. Jonathan Spokeyjack opened the score for Ifira, but the Brazilian Roberson equalized just after for Galaxy. Kensi Tangis added another for Galaxy to put it 2-1, but in the second half Tonly Kalotang equalized for Ifira BB. Brazilian defender Diego was sent off in the first half after receiving two yellow cards; “Lots of fans were expecting Galaxy to perform quality football, but we made Galaxy run after ball every seconds and minutes. We lost many goalscoring chances“, said Jonathan Spokeyjack to Oceania Football Center.
The last match of the round saw the team coached by former Vanuatu international David Chilia, Tupuji Imere, to beat Mauwia by 3-1. It was the first match of Mauwia in the competition, as mentioned, both Yatel and Mauwia had one more match still to be played as their clash in the opening round was postponed by PVFA.
You can check the full results and standings of PVFA Independence Cup by clicking here.
Navua could not overcone Ba in the first senior competitve football match in Fiji after the COVID-19 break, counting for the Vodafone Premier League. The locals suffered five goals from Ba and ended up with a 5-3 defeat. The captain Vineet Chand added one in the first half for Navua and coming from the bench the new signing Apisai Smith shown what he is capable of scoring a brace in the second half. The former Fiji international signed for Navua after a stint in New Zealand football and already proved to be a clinical signing. Despite losing their first clash after the break to a strong Ba team, Navua know they will need to battle hard if they want to continue in the Vodafone Premier League next season and it seems like Apisai Smith might be a key factor in the campaign. As the striker Taniela Rakarivadeparted Navua to Labasa, Apisai will be even more important in the squad – the tall striker might be starting the next matches due his very good performance against Ba last Saturday.
Apisai Smith (red) – FFA Media
Apisai scored a powerful header and a penalty kick for Navua in the clash against Ba that ended up in 5-3 defeat. Smith shown his capabilities and the veteran player is set to guide Navua upfront in order to recover the team in the table of Vodafone Premier League.
You can see the goals and full highlights of Ba vs Navua clash by clicking here.
The most important football league of New Caledonia is finally back to the game. Four matches were played in this weekened to celebrate the restart the of the top-tier football league of the nation – the Mobil Super Ligue.
Two matches of the five of the 2nd round – Horizon Patho vs. JS Baco was not played this weekend, the match will took place next 18th July – were streamed by Mobil Super Ligue page in Facebook. The first of those, saw the debut of New Caledonian international Jean-Philippe Saïko for AS Lössi against the newcomers in the league AS Kunié. But, it was Anthony Timoteo that was the standout player of the day for Lössi with a hattrick. The first goal of the day was scored by Ludwig Zeoula and then Timoteo’s show started when he scored with a powerful header after a cross from Saïko.
In the second half, Lössi found it difficult to score in the early stages of the period, but then Jorick Ngazo found the nets after a good cross by Timoteo. Timoteo added the fourth for Lössi and once again, it was time for Timoteo to score his hattrick counting on a good assist from Saïko. The former Tasman United man added the sixth for Lössi – a goal in the debut for Jean-Philippe Saïko – and the consoloation goal for Kunié was scored by Gianni Manmieu. A strong performance gave Lössi their first win in the league this season – Kunié suffered a total of 12 goals in two matches, but at least scored their first ever goal in the Mobil Super Ligue.
AS Wetr vs SC Ne Drehu – AS Wetr
The second match of the day and the most important game of the weekend, saw Tiga Sport take on the powerhouse AS Magenta. The youngster Lues Waya put Tiga upfront the scoreboard – Tiga could not count on the New Caledonian international Richard Sele in this clash, certainly his experienced was missed by Tiga. In the second half, the turning point of the match was when the coach Alain Moizan introduced the attacker Jeremy Jeno in the game: Jeno scored the equalizer for AS Magenta and in the final moments of the game converted a penalty kick to keep his team in the top of the table of Mobil Super Ligue.
Hienghène Sport won by forfeit (3-0) AS Mont-Dore that could not travel to Hienghène to take on the current national champions. But, on Sunday, SC Ne Drehu travelled to Nouméa to take on AS Wetr. The match was full of goals: Neil Wahiobe opened the scoreline for AS Wetr in the 17th of play, Nestor Xalite equalized for Ne Drehu, but just one minute later Wetr star-player Germain Haewegene put his side upfront. In the second half, former Trio Kedeigne winger Jordan Wétria scored for Ne Drehu to give final numbers to the clash – 2-2.
AS Magenta and Hienghène Sport continue in the top of the table in a complete tie – you can see the full standings and results of Mobil Super Ligue in the season by visiting its updated page in our website.
PNG NSL match between Bougainville vs Lae City – PNGFA Media
In the letter, Mr. Mileng states “The NSL Board has considered a number of requests by clubs seeking a transfer window period […], The board has considered it appropiate under the current circunstamce that is appropiate to open a seven-day period“. The window will be opened from July 25th until 31th, 2020.
It is know the first movement of the period is already confirmed: Nigel Dabinyaba and Raymond Gunemba are set to join Hekari United; it is confirmed both former Lae City players are already in Port Moresby training with the team coached by Jerry Allen, but as the window is still to be opened their documents are set to be issued just by 25th July. Both Nigel and Raymond were free agents after leaving Lae City due the sacking of manager Peter Gunemba and intern issues with the club. It is also confirmed Tusbab Stallions recruited three new players for their training camp, all of them with no previous national league experiened – their names are still set to be released.
Suva continues to strengthen their squad; this time the team coached by Babs Khan looks for overseas talent to improve the levels of the team from Fijian capital. The new player is the former Henderson Eels attacking midfielder Patrick Tarogathat recently joined Suva team camp.
After signing players such as Beniaminio Mateinaqara, Laisenia Raura and Ravnesh Singh, now Suva looks to add international talent to its creating and striking areas. Taroga who is currently studying in Fiji, decided to leave Henderson Eels in order to approach a scolarship program and did not take place in the 2020 OFC Champions League representing the Solomon Islands’ side. Now Taroga is set to be an important part of Suva as the Fijian national league restarts after COVID-19 break.
Patrick Taroga representing Solomon Islands – OFC Media
Taroga represented his country Solomon Islands in the last OFC U23 Olympic Qualifiers as his team finished as runners-up of the competition, after beating Vanuatu in the semifinal but losing the spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after suffering a 5-0 defeat to New Zealand in the final match.
The 20-year-old also already represented Solomon Islands in the last 2019 Pacific Games, playing once and also scoring one goal against American Samoa.
The former Suva man and Fiji U23 rep Ivan Kumar continues his adventure in New Zealand playing for South Auckland Rangers. Ivan Kumar’s side had a very hard match last weekend against Te Atatu were they were forced to come strong in the second-half to cut a two-goal deficit.
South Auckland Rangers had won all their matches before this clash against Te Atatu, but they continue in the top of the table despite not emerging victorious in their latest match. Te Atatu pulled a two-goal lead early in the clash with goals from Ciaran Regan and Nathan Rollinson, but South Auckland recovered in the second half to goals of the Fijians Dhirak Kumar and Fauzul Ahmed. The former Suva player Ivan Kumar provided one assist in the match and he was one of the standout alongisde Rangers’ goalkeeper Riad Khan.
Team Captain Rinal Prasad and Ivan Kumar – NZFFI
South Auckland Rangers has a strong bond with New Zealand Fiji Football Incorporated (NZFFI) as many of its players are Fijian or have Fijian roots. The club is currently topping the NRF Men’s Conference, the 4th tier of football in Northern Region of New Zealand.
Oceania Football Center 