Ounei can add much experience to the team based in Lavit. The former AS Magenta striker already played three matches for New Caledonia national team, scoring two goals in total – one against Fiji and another against Estonia. Ounei also played for AS Magenta in OFC Champions League campaigns for the club from Nouméa.
Ounei is one more of the various New Caledonian players to move to France to pursue a career as footballer. Les Cagous count on various players based in Europe – something that can help a lot the development of football in New Caledonia.
One of the most important players from Ba, Fijian international Saula Waqa was suspended for three years after being tested positive on marijuana – an illegal substance on Fiji Football Association (FFA) regulations. However it was confirmed that Ba will appeal the decision of the FFA.
According to reliable sources, Ba’s president Rynal Kumar decided to appeal the decision because the player was not given the opportunity to defend himself. On the other hand, it was confirmed by Fiji FA chief executive Mohammed Yusuf that it is not the first time that Waqa tests positive for illegal substances.
Saula Waqa
Waqa was performing in a very good level before being suspended. His last appearance was in Ba’s 7-3 win over Nasinu in Battle of the Giants’ opening matchday. If his suspensio remains Ba will have to deal with a huge problem.
Ba advanced to Battle of the Giants’ semi-finals after finishing on top of the Group A with four points in three matches. The Men in Black will face Rewa in the semi-final on Saturday at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
The 2020 Telekom S-League is already special for two reasons: the increase in the number of teams from nine to eleven and the official livestreaming of all league matches on Facebook. This season is also a little bit different when it comes to talent as some good players like Atkin Kaua, Benjamin Totori, Gagame Feni and Michael Boso are back to the country.
It is important to remember that Boso, Feni and Kaua are playing the Telekom S-League because they were not able to leave the country due to border restrictions caused by COVID-19 pandemics. On the other hand, there are other players that were not able to travel to Solomon Islands, like Vanuatu international Tony Kaltack who is still in his homeland because he could not rejoin Solomon Warriors for this season.
Kaltack’s absence in 2020 Telekom S-League means that John Alick is the only foreigner that will play in the current season of the major football season from Solomon Islands. The 29-year-old midfielder from Vanuatu remained in Solomon Islands during the pandemics and he is confirmed in Solomon Warriors squad.
John Alick (left) is the only foreigner in 2020 Telekom S-League – S-League Media
Solomon Warriors’ debut in Telekom S-League will be against Marist FC on next Wednesdey at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara. You can check the schedule of the round one of the league by clicking here.
After five months, the 2019-20 PNG National Soccer League season is back as five matches were contested on last Saturday – two in Lae and three in Port Moresby. One of the most important matches was contested between Star Mountain and Vitiaz United.
Star Mountain side denied Vitiaz a victory thanks to a goal scored by Pettyshen Elijah two minutes into injury time. The final score was a 2-2 draw: something disappointing for Vitiaz, but a great result for their opponents: “It was a tough and physical match. We still need to work on our finishing touches upfront,” said Star Mountain’s Tau Winnie.
Tau Winnie
Winnie also pointed that they need to work on keeping the ball possession even when they have to deal with the pressure from the other team. Dealing with pressure is an important thing in football specially in tough matches.
Star Mountain is currently in the eighth position with nine points in eleven matches. You can check the full league standings by clicking here.
The first matchweek of 2020 Telekom S-League will finish on this Wednesday with a clash between Marist FC and Honiara City. After finishing the last season in the seventh position, Marist FC staff and players are now looking for better results and they have a tough contest about newcomers Honiara City.
While Honiara City’s squad was already released, the official squadlist of Marist FC remains unknown. However it is known that youngster John Aeta is confirmed in the squad for this Telekom S-League season – “We are looking forward for the upcoming challenges in this season,” said Aeta.
John Aeta will play another Telekom S-League season for Marist FC
Despite being a 19-year-old full back, Aeta has already some good experience as he represented his country at youth level and senior level. He made his official debut for Solomon Islands National Football Team last year in the 2019 Pacific Games.
This clash between Marist FC and Honiara City is scheduled to take place at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara. This match will be livestreamed in Telekom S-League Facebook page.
Hekari United is working to get cleared the two Papua New Guinean internationals they recently signed for the second round of PNG National Soccer League. Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba are involved in a never-ending sitution about their transfer to Hekari United. According to Lae City’s chairman, both players were not released according to PNG National Soccer League transfer rules and are unable to join Hekari until further notice. This forced both players to not feature in the recent match of Hekari against Bougainville.
Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba – EMTV
The next weekend match for both players might be very special: Hekari United is sheduled to play against Lae City, their former club – a match that will be one of the most interesting football clashes from the last years in the country.
Hekari United fans can have high expecations on the availabilty of Gunemba and Dabinyaba for the match. Raymond Gunemba confirmed to Oceania Football Center his team already got in touch with PhNGFA requesting their release: “yes, everything is fixed. We are just waiting the letter from PNGFA to be cleared to play,” stated Gunemba.
Certainly, it will be very interesting to see how both players perform against their former club in the next weekend. Both Lae and Hekari are tied at the top of national league table with 26 points – this will be a crucial match as the two teams are strong contenders for the title.
Football fans in Fiji were expecting a good contest in the 2020 Battle of Giants group stage – high expectations were put in the shoulders of Rewa and Suva players as they were claimed to be the two heavy favourites of the tournament. Despite having problems in the first stage, Suva proceeded to the semi-finals while Rewa got the second place in the Group B to also grant a spot in the next stage.
The hosts Lautoka were knocked-out with three defeats as Ba topped the Group A, but had only one victory in the process. If all these four teams could not have a good competition, maybe it was time for the reigning champions Labasa to shine. Indeed, the Babasiga Lions could not play as expected from them in the tournament and were also knocked-out in the group stage. The question is: which district played the best football so far? Well, for those who did not expect, it is Nadi.
Nadi impressed in BOG group stage – FFA Media
The side coached by Kamal Swamy did not have any problems to surpass Navua in the opener of Battle of Giants as they smashed the opponents by 4-1. In the team second match, the Green Machine faced a strong Rewa side by a thunderbolt finish from Afraz Ali gave the win for the Jetsetters and the team final match in the pool they took on the hosts Lautoka – despite suffering an equaliser in the late stages of the game, captain Avinesh Suwamy was able to score in the final minutes to secure another win for Nadi.
Suwamy, a legend of football in the country, guided Nadi to its best performances so far in the season. The captain scored a hattrick in its final match against Lautoka – a total of four in the group stage – to give the team three wins in three matches. Nadi also have important players available for the coach Swamy, as Ame Votoniu, Sakaraia Naisua, Rusiate Matarerega and Navneel Nand.
Team captain, Avi is the current Fiji’s top goalscorer of the year with eight goals counting all senior tournaments played in the country. Despite being not an offensive player primarly, the 34-year-old midfielder is a key member of Swamy’s team that impressed everyone with its results in the BOG group stage. The strong Suva team that will take on Nadi in the semi-finals of the tournament will certainly need to take a look on Nadi’s performances and key players and seek for a strategy on how to stop the Green Machine.
One of the most important players from New Zealand, Chris Wood might be joining a new club soon. The 28-year-old striker is being linked to Lazio from Italy.
According to Corriere dello Sport Chris Wood has been offered to Lazio in a potential summer move and it was reported that the Italian team is working on the possibility of submit a bid to take Wood out of Burnley FC.
Chris Wood
The 2019-20 season was surely the best of his career. The striker from New Zealand scored fourteen goals in 32 matches in the English Premier League.
Lazio finished the Serie A in the fourth position with 78 points which means that I Biancocelesti will play the next UEFA Champions League.
The 2020-21 Ligue 1 VINI is set to begin in the next month and local teams are already training for the upcoming season of the major football league from Tahiti.
After a bad 2019-20 season, AS Central Sport is looking for better results and the club has recently announced the arrival of four new players to strengthen the squad: Florent Gaudy, Heremataarii Hatitio, Renan Leperf and Tamatiti Patia.
Gaudy, Hatitio, Leperf and Patia – AS Central Sport Media
The upcoming Ligue 1 VINI will count on twelve teams because there was no relegation in the last season as the league was called-off due to COVID-19 pandemics.
Henry Fa’arodo is a true legend when it comes to football in Oceania. The 37-year-old midfielder from Solomon Islands is currently playing for Hamilton Wanderers in the Lotto NRFL Premier Men’s in New Zealand after being the head coach of Solomon Warriors in the last Telekom S-League season.
Despite being in New Zealand, Fa’arodo always expresses his thoughts about football in his homeland on social media. The legendary player talked to Oceania Football Center about the 2020 Telekom S-League that kicked-off on Saturday. Scroll down to check!
What are your expectations for this Telekom S-League season, Henry? Do you expect a higher technical level?
I am expecting an evenly contested season. Technical level and structure will be the difference between teams especially in the first round. Teams that are good technically and tactically structured can be hard to beat.
I think to have players like Atkin, Benjamin, Alick and Gagame to name a few is good in a way to bring in the experience to teams that have a majority of young and upcoming talents. Also it will be good to see aspiring young talents rubbing shoulders with the experience players too. It is a learning curve.
How important is to have a well organised national league? What would you suggest for teams this season in order to improve the level of the game?
It is very important to have an organised national league and even national youth league. In terms of improving the level of the game for a club or team, I believe in the coaching team. His or their ideas, understanding of the modern game, philosophy and goal settings can make a difference in the level of the game. Through delivering sessions that will improve the players and make them more competent in their roles within the team structure and the style of play the coach wants his team to play.
How will you follow the league from New Zealand?
I will follow the league through the S-League page on Facebook.
Do you have any message for the local supporters of the Telekom S-League?
For the local supporters please support your teams, if you can assist the teams help them out. Even if it is volunteering, be a volunteer. And remember to be humble in winning and be positive in losing. Remember you and your actions will represent the teams and the clubs you support and follow.
Oceania Football Center would like to thank to Henry Fa’arodo for answering our questions!
