Oceania Football Center

Vanuatu: PVFA Independence Cup begins today

After facing some problems with Tropical Cyclone Harold and COVID-19 pandemics, the wait for official football is over in Vanuatu after some months. The PVFA Premier League Independence Cup is set to begin today when Galaxy FC and Sia-Raga will face each other at Port Vila Stadium.

Two other “Independence Cups” will also take place in Port Vila: First & Second Division Cup and Women’s Cup.

The Independence Cups are very traditional in Vanuatu and many of these cups are held around the country in July to celebrate Vanuatu’s Independence Day on July 30. You can check the PVFA Premier League Independence Cup draw by clicking here.

Hekari United players protest against domestic violence in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea recently face a revolting case of domestic violence as international rugby player and boxer Debbie Kaore has been beaten with a clothes iron by her then partner. The agression was recorded and the video was released by Kaore to highlight domestic violence in the country.

Since then, many authorities and famous people from Papua New Guinea stood by Debbie’s side and started a huge campaign against domestic violence. Lae City players were the first footballers to protest against domestic violence in Papua New Guinea and players from other clubs did the same after them.

Hekari United players also expressed their repudiation of violence. Led by team’s captain David Muta they expressed their positioning – “Speak out and stand out. Silence protect violence,” said Muta on social media.

Sportsmen can have a big impact in society and it is very important to see them having a positioning against something that can not be acceptable nowadays. Oceania Football Center stands with them against violence.

Fiji: closed doors for indiscipline in National Team

It seems that a new era is about to begin in Fiji National Team. Fiji Football Association chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf and current National Team head coach Flemming Serritslev are not going to tolerate indiscipline.

Yusuf revealed that there will be no second chance as they have been constantly reminding players to follow the rules. Some Fijian players are really known for some cases of indiscipline like missing National Team camps or having extra-field problems – “We have talked to the new national coach and those who have no desire to represent Fiji will not be allowed to play, it is simple. We can’t allow undisciplined players to hinder development and progress,” said Yusuf.

Indiscipline will not be tolerated by Fiji FA and National Team’s head coach Flemming Serritslev

One of the players mentioned by Yusuf is Nadi’s midfielder William Valentine. He was also involved in an criminal case after assaulting his girlfriend with a scissor in last November.

That is a huge step for Fijian football. Undisciplined players must be punished and left out of the sport if they really want to march towards professionalism in the country.

Georges Gope-Fenepej back to training in France

🇫🇷 Français

After being relegated from Ligue 2 in 2019-20 season, Le Mans FC is back to training in France waiting for something better in the upcoming season.

The first training session took place on this Tuesday at La Pincenardière in order to get ready for 2020-21 Championnat National – the third-tier of French football. New Caledonia international Georges Gope-Fenepej was training with the squad after facing some injuries last season.

Gope-Fenepej is going to play his third season with Le Mans. He joined the club in 2018 and scored five goals in 27 matches in two seasons.

Luganville: first football match after COVID-19 and TC Harold

Vanuatu was a special case during the COVID-19 pandemic – the country was hit by Harold, a tropical cyclone, during the lockdown forced by COVID-19. Football and all other activities were stopped due the pandemic, but also suffered a major blow from the natural disaster.

Luganville’s football venues were heavily affected – the second most important city of Vanuatu was hit very hard by TC Harold, the city that most suffered with the cyclone. After so many issues, football community can celebrate the return of the beautiful game to Luganville. The local powerhouse Malampa Revivors is preparing for the knock-out stage of 2020 OFC Champions League; in a friendly match they played the traditional Vaum last Saturday (27th Jun).

The first goal of the match was an own goal scored by Malampa Revivors’ captain Claude Aru. Andre Batick equalized in the 21st minute but Vaum United took the lead again before the half-time with goals scored by Ken Gideon and John Damelip. Andre Batick scored another goal in the first half but Vaum United took the 3-2 lead to the second half.

A imagem pode conter: uma ou mais pessoas, pessoas praticando esportes e atividades ao ar livre — Vaum vs Malampa Revivors in Luganville – *Batick Bong Shem*

Vaum’s lead was blown in the first minute of the second half when Edwin Bai found the net for Malampa Revivors. The last goal of the match was scored by Jean-Claude Batick in the 80th minute to give the 4-3 lead to Malampa. You can check the match sheet by clicking here.

The first match after COVID-19 and TC Harold had lots of goals for the joy of the fans; Malampa Revivors emerged victorious with a 4-3 win over Vaum. Competitive football is expected to return to action this July – friendly matches were also played in Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila while the local league does not restart.

Oskar van Hattum returns from injury in Lower Hutt City’s win

Lower Hutt City AFC received Stop Out SC at Fraser Park in the third matchweek of 2020 Ultra Football Central League – one of the regional football leagues from New Zealand.

The hat-trick scored by Luis Toomey led Lower Hutt City to a 7-0 win. The other goals were netted by Riley Bidois, Benjamin Old and Stephen Sprowson. However the biggest news came from the bench in 76th minute when Oskar van Hattum entered in the match after missing seven months due to an injury.

Oskar van Hattum played his first match after seven months

“Super happy to get back into it after seven months injured,” expressed van Hattum on social media. The 18-year-old forward represented New Zealand in FIFA U-17 World Cup last year and now he is back to the pitch to show his talent again.

Lower Hutt City is linked to Wellington Phoenix Academy – that is why many players from Wellington Phoenix Reserves are in Lower Hutt’s squad for the current winter football season. They are currently in the fourth position in the league with four points in three matches.

Jorys Mene ready to join a new club in Europe

🇫🇷 Français

Jorys Mene is ready to join a new club in Europe. The 25-year-old right back is leaving Ailly-Sur-Somme from France to join FC Alisontia Steinsel from Luxembourg.

Mene was born in France but he represents New Caledonia internationally. That is going to be his second experience in a club outside France as he played in Belgium during the 2017-18 season.

SEE ALSO
César Zeoula ready to join a new club in France
AS Magenta defender Mickael Tiaou moves to France

He made his debut for New Caledonia National Football Team in 2016. He played six matches for Les Cagous and four matches for U-23 National Team.

Max Batchelor ready to leave New Zealand

Max Batchelor is ready to leave New Zealand after five years. The 20-year-old forward from England will join Akrotiri FC from Cyprus for 2020-21 season.

He arrived in New Zealand in 2015 to train at Wellington Phoenix Academy. He spent four years there before moving to Team Wellington in 2019. He last played for Miramar Rangers at 2020 Ultra Football Central League.

Max played fifteen matches in ISPS Handa Premiership’s history and scored three goals.

Brian Kaltak plays major role in Central United’s win over North Shore United

The Vanuatu National Team captain Brian Kaltak continues to impress in New Zealand as he played the entire match in a hard fought 2-1 win over his Lotto NRFL Premier League side Central United over the current title holders of the league North Shore United.

Central comes strong to the season with the likes of Emiliano Tade, Angus Killkoly and Cameron Howieson alongisde Kaltak in their squad – this was Central United’s second win in the two starting matches of the winter season in New Zealand.

Brian Kaltak in action – *Central United Media*

After many scoring chances lost in the first half, Roussin Nkoy scored the opener for North Shore. The same Nkoy would receive a second yellow card and got sent off later on the match. Central United went forward and scored and equalizer through the efforts of Thomas Drillien after a good cross from New Zealand international Cameron Howieson. The Argentinian star-player Emiliado Tade would give the win for the home side at 90th minute of play after making no mistake in the penalty spot – the referee pointed to the mark after a handball.

Kaltak was important for Central United win – the Ni-Vanuatu international saved one goal clearing it off the line and blocked many shots from North Shore attack during the clash.

César Zeoula ready to join a new club in France

🇫🇷 Français

César Zeoula is ready to join a new football club in France. The 30-year-old forward from New Caledonia is leaving SC Schiltigheim to join Saint-Louis Neuweg on July 1st.

Saint-Louis Neuweg is currently playing Championnat National 3 – the fifth tier of French football and one division below SC Schiltigheim’s division.

Zeoula has a long career in France. He arrived there in 2011 to join Stade Laval and he has been playing in France since then. He is a well known player in New Caledonia and he has already represented his nation in 35 matches with ten goals scored.