The young goalkeeper Jonathan Pole joined Morobe United in the PNG National Soccer League transfer window as recently he departed from Goroka-based side FC Kutubu. The goalkeeper is an important addition in the squad of Morobe United that will be looking to improve their rankings in the second round of the national league.
Recently, Pole was called up for U23 OFC Olympic Qualifiers played in Fiji, where Papua New Guinea could not go through the group stage.
As recently reported, Solomon Islands international Michael Boso has joined Isabel United in Honiara to play the upcoming edition of the Telekom S-League back in his country. Although, a future deal is already granted for Boso as recently stated Suva FA in its official social media account: “Suva FA boss Ritesh Pratap has confirmed that Solomon Islander, Michael Boso has been released to play for Isabel United in his home country. The understanding between Suva and Isabel is that when travel restrictions are lifted, Boso will rejoin Suva in a transfer window“.
Michael Boso officialy announced in Isabel United
Isabel United will count on the services of Boso until the borders restrictions are lifted – something that is being an issue for various players that are being unable to rejoin their clubs overseas. According to the current health situations in Pacific, the stay of Boso might be longer than his club in Fiji would want to be.
Paulo Buke recently departed from Ba to move back to his roots in Nadroga, the attacker talked to Oceania Football Center about his move and about his expecations in the future. Buke, that works as a police officer, moved to Nadroga due his work commitments, as he says: “I needed to move back to Nadroga because of my work committment. I also did not have much game time in Ba,” disclosed the Fijian international. The attacker was frustrated due being dropped from OFC Champions League – “They brought many players from other districts and also foreigners. So we knew that we wouldnt be having a chance“, stated Buke.
Buke, that already debut in the last weekend in a 2-0 win of Nadroga, also disclosed that other districts from the Premier League wanted to sign him, but he opted to move back to Nadroga, where he got fame in Fijian football: “Nadi and Lautoka also approached me, so maybe I will think about transfering my work and play there, but not at the moment. I am focused to promote Nadroga back to first division, where they deserve to be,” said the new signing of the Stallions.
Paulo Buke in Nadroga colours – FFA Media
“I have very strong links with Nadroga, they respect a lot their players. I had some issues on this matter in Ba, but Ba is in my heart – I will always be positive about my home town Ba -, every team has its ups and downs,” stated Paulo Buke.
Despite playing now in the second tier of Fijian football, the Vodafone Senior League, Buke is positive about restarting his project to move back to Fiji national football team: “It was the happiest part of my life since that was one of my aim to wear that Fiji jersey – now I am training hard to have another chance in the national team under the new head coach,” explained Buke. The striker was called up for the Bula Boys by the former Fiji head coach, the French Christophe Gamel – “I admire a lot coach Gamel, a very good head coach that gave chance for players coming from little teams“, added the striker.
Buke (7) in Fiji national team
“It is not easy to balance work and football as we need to do in Fiji – It is not also easy to manage a team here in the country,” stated the new Nadroga signing, “but I will continue training hard to put Nadroga up and have my chance to wear Fiji jersey again – I will make sure I get back to the national team and represent my country,” completed a proud Buke.
Nadroga will continue their campaign in Vodafone Senior League as they take on Rakiraki this Saturday (01st Aug) at Lawaqa Park – counting, certainly, on the quality of Paulo Buke.
Suva is marching on to take on Ba this weekend for Vodafone Premier League – this will be the last match of both teams before the traditional Battle of Giants start on 8th Aug. Ba will be looking to continue their good run after beating Labasa by 2-1, while Suva also comes from a victory – 1-0 against Nadi away from home – in what something will be a very entertaining match.
But, there’s another very important milestone to feature in this match: the armband, or better, the one that will be wearing it: Ravnesh Karan Singh. The former Labasa player is the new captain for Suva – he already captained the team coached by Babs Khan in their recent match against Nadi. In a squad with so many experienced players such as Laisenia Raura, Christopher Wasasala and Beniamino Mateinaqara, the chosen one to guide the team inside the pitch is the 28-year-old midfielder that just rejoined Suva from the Babasiga Lions.
Karan Singh in action against Nadi – FFA Media
Suva is not going to have an easy challenge against Ba, but they know they rely on the experience of their players and count on the determination of its new captain, that is certainly looking to prove why he is wearing the armband.
The current Telekom S-League runners-up Henderson Eels announced its squad for the 2020 edition of the national league in Solomon Islands and for OFC Champions League knock-out stage – you can see the full squad by clicking here.
One of the most interesting additions to the squad announed by head coach Eddie Marahare was the Solomon Islands futsal international Arnold Maeluma. The player recently helped the Kurukuru to qualify for their 4th consecutive FIFA Futsal World Cup after winning the OFC Futsal Nations Cup last year in New Caledonia.
Arnold Maeluma – OFC Media
The player, that in 11-a-side football plays as midfielder, already has experience in football and is a very important addition to the team coached by Marahare. Maeluma was the saviour of Solomon Islands in the grand final played last year against New Zealand in OFC Nations Cup as he scored in the final seconds of the game the equalizer that sent the game to the penalty shootout – shootout that Solomon Islands had won.
The Telekom S-League is set to start in Honiara next 8th August. Solomon Warriors are the current title holders as Eels finished the last season in the second place.
Former Hekari United and Papua New Guinea national team member Samuel Kini has joined Madang based-club Tusbab Stallions. Recently, Kini left FC Kutubu and decided to accept Stallions’ offer. The midfielder will be a key addition for the team coached by Rachel Wadunah as two important players – Stahl Gubag and Nigel Malagian – departed from Madang to join current PNG National Soccer League title holders Lae City.
Samuel Kini – PNGFA Media
“Tusbab Stallions called me to finish the season representing them. I am glad to join the team; looking forward to play with the talented young guns in the team,” said Kini to Oceania Football Center. “I will give my best to the team, I will be joining them in Lae next week when the competition restarts,” explained the experienced player.
Due work commitments, Kini will not be available for all matches of his new team, but it is confirmed the player is free to represent Stallions in all matches played on the month of August, then he will need to depart for his work at Air Niugini Oil Search – being so only available for coach Wadunah in October.
Kini played six matches for the Kapuls scoring three goals. He took part in 2011 Pacific Games and 2012 OFC Nations Cup in Solomon Islands – he last played for the national team in 2017 during OFC World Cup Qualifiers in a 2-1 victory of Papua New Guinea against Tahiti. Kini also represented Port Moresby-based side Hekari United and Madang FC in six editions of OFC Champions League, playing a total of 20 matches and scoring two goals in the regional tournament in all his participations.
Wellington Phoenix is set to play its full-force team against Western Sydney Wanderers this Friday as they expect to confirm their 2nd spot in the A-League table. Ufuk Talay decided to field a much more younger side in Phoenix’s latest match against Adelaide – players such Brandon Wilson, Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi andCallan Elliot started the match that ended up in a 1-1 result. The intention of the Australian head coach was to rest the team for this match against Wanderers at Bankwest Stadium. WSW will not count on their star goalkeeper Daniel Lopar that decided to stay in his homecoutry – Switzerland – to avoid COVID-19 risks. The club is seeking for a very much needed win over the Nix in order to keep their already slim chances to qualify for A-League finals.
Phoenix is expected to field the Mexican Ulises Davila alongside the English striker Gary Hooper for the first time since the restart of the league. The central defender Luke DeVere will also feature alongside his usual defensive back partner Steven Taylor, while Louis Fenton is expected to start in the right back. The players Oliver Sail and Tim Payne will serve their final suspension match from an internal punishment from the club, being also rulled out of the clash but looking forward to be in the match squad when Nix take on Brisbane Roar next Wednesday at the same Bankwest Stadium.
Phoenix will play Western Sydney Wanderers this Friday – Phoenix Media
Phoenix currently is ranked second in A-League ladder – the same number points of Melbourne City. A win is vital for the team from New Zealand to continue their in order to grant a home semifinal in the A-League playoffs. While Phoenix is unable to reach Sydney FC anymore at the top of the table, the club might be very happy to secure the 2nd spot as it would be their best ever campaign in A-League’s regular season.
Phoenix and Wanderers clash will be live at FoxSports and at MyFootball app/YouTube channel. The match is set to kick-off at 9:30pm NZT.
The well-known Solomon Islander head coach Jerry Allen is not available to coach Hekari United in the first matches of the team as the PNG National Soccer League is set to return soon. The tactician is currently back to his homecountry and will not be able to move back Papua New Guinea at the moment – the capital city’s Port Moresby declared a two-week lockdown after new cases of COVID-19 were detected in the city. It is known Allen moved back to Honiara in March, before the first lockdown Port Moresby was imposed.
Jerry Allen – PNGFA Media
According to reliable sources, the borders restrictions imposed to stop the spread of the new disease are the only obstacle between Allen and Hekari United. Rumours emerged during the last week about the coach was probrably sacked from his spot – something that is not confirmed.
The PNG National Soccer League was rescheduled to kick-off on 8th August, but no supporters will be allowed into the venues. The new lockdown imposed in Port Moresby certainly got worse the situation for Allen to return to Papua New Guinea – due the current situation in the country is expected the Solomon Islander will not be able to coach Hekari United in some of their first fixtures in the national league. Currently, who is charge of the trainings in Hekari United, that is currenty placed 3rd in league standings, is the assistant coach and former Papua New Guinea international Erick Komeng.
Despite the interest of certain franchises in the league, it is still uncertain which of them Milubwa will pick up or even if he will not feature in the second round – there is little time until the end of the current transfer window in Papua New Guinea. “Some teams contacted me, but not decided yet which team to join for the second round,” explained the experienced player.
The central defender helped Lae City to win the most recent editions of the PNG National Soccer League, also taking part in OFC Champions League campaigns.
The current bottom ranked team of PNG National Soccer League, FC Kutubu, will face even bigger challenges in the return of the competition: four important players left the and also the head coach Mathew Witu. According to reliable sources, the players left the team after an incident between them and Kutubu’s management.
One of the players that left the team is former Hekari United and Papua New Guinea national team Samuel Kini; “I have left the team due to some in-house conflict between management and me as the captain representing the players,” said Kini. Alongside Kini, the defender Jes Moses, the attacker Andrew Apo and the goalkeeper Jonathan Pole departed from the Goroka-based club – “Head Coach Witu is now officially terminated also from the club,” mentioned Kini.
Samuel Kini, Jonathan Pole and Andrew Apo were three of the four players that left Kutubu
The goalkeeper Pole complained about FC Kutubu’s decision: “Kutubu suspended me for and other players for no good reason,” said the young goalkeeper. It is also known other three young players from the squad left the team.
