Roy Krishna is back to training. The 32-year-old forward is currently in his homeland Fiji as he waits for the next season of Indian Super League.
He resumed training on this Wednesday as football activities were cleared to reusme in Fiji – “I am back here. Training sessions has started for me since restrictions have eased a little,” he said on social media.
It was already reported that Krishna is going to play one more season for ATK in the Indian Super League and now the Fijian legend is back to action in order to get ready for the upcoming challenges. He scored 15 goals in 21 games in the last Indian Super League season.
It is already known that 29-year-old forward Micah Lea’alafa is back to Solomon Islands after leaving Maritzburg United from South Africa. He is currently a free agent and there is speculation about the next step of his career as a footballer.
The Solomon Islands international played only eleven matches in the 2019-20 ABSA Premiership – the top-tier of South African football – as knee injuries prevented him to have more game time there. According to reliable sources, Maritzburg United head coach Eric Tinkler was interested on keeping Lea’alafa in the squad but these injuries made it impossible and led the team to release him.
Lea’alafa left Maritzburg United in January
Recovered from injury, Micah was approached by some clubs to play 2020 winter football season in New Zealand but he could not go due to COVID-19 pandemics as borders are closed in New Zealand. It was also informed that current Telekom S-League champions Solomon Warriors contacted him but they did not receive a positive reply.
Oceania Football Center published an article a couple of weeks ago pointing some possibilities for his career and playing the next Telekom S-League season was one of the possibilities but it seems that it is not going to happen.
Auckland City is another club that is interested on Micah. He played there from 2015 to 2019 and he helped the Navy Blues to win the OFC Champions League twice. A return to Auckland is a real and good option that must be highly rated by him.
A return to Auckland City must be considered by Micah if he has the opportunity to rejoin the club. Source: Auckland City FC Media
There is another possibility that should not be forgotten: the 29-year-old forward could return to a professional league. According to reliable sources, Western United showed interest on signing with Micah for 2019-20 A-League season and they could be still keen on having him for next season.
Lea’alafa was called to Solomon Islands National Team camp in March but he did not attend the training sessions. It is not known if he missed it due to injury or personal reasons but it was reported that he turned his focus to futsal as his country qualified to 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup that will be held in Lithuania.
Micah still has lots of options but it is time to take the right decisions. A wrong step can blow his chances to play professionally again.
Football in Australia is developing very well since they joined Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The National Team played the last four World Cups and won 2015 AFC Asian Cup after beating South Korea in the final.
Australia and South Korea are specially connected to a young and talented footballer with Fijian heritage: Mustafa Mohammed. The 15-year-old player was born in Australia and currently plays for Brisbane Roar Academy – one of the best football academies in the country.
Mustafa’s relationship with football came from the cradle. His father Ifraz Mohammed represented Fiji U-17 National Team in the 90s before moving overseas in 1998. Despite being so young he is highly rated to represent Australia National Team at youth level as he recently had the opportunity to be with U-17 National Team head coach Trevor Morgan – “He will fight his heart out to represent Australia because he was born here,” said Ifraz.
Mustafa Mohammed is working hard to represent Australia
The young player dreams about representing Australia but he does not discard the possibility of representing his father’s country.If he does not have the opportunity to represent Australia internationally then he will think about representing Fiji.
Mustafa has already signed with an agency that will manage his career. Football Connection Agency is based in South Korea but it also has connections with Australia as well. The doors of professional football are open to him and it would not be a surprise if we watch him on TV playing Hyundai A-League or Korean K-League in a few years.
Football is very close to resume officially in Vanuatu as 2020 PVFA Independence Cup is set to kick-off in the first week of July at Port Vila Stadium.
The eight teams from 2019-20 Port Vila Premier League were split in two groups of four teams each and you can check the complete draw by clicking here.
PVFA Independence Cup is ready to begin
The opening match is currently scheduled to be contested between Galaxy and Sia-Raga on July 3. Oceania Football Center wishes good luck to all teams!
The reigning national champions of Papua New Guinea have recently been involved in a series of incidents that have drastically changed the team’s structure and history: Lae City achieved success through the leadership of head coach Peter Gunemba, who counted on players such as Nigel Dabinyaba, Ronald Warisan and Raymond Gunemba – Lae City won the last five editions of the PNG National Soccer League.
However, after a bad campaign in the 2020 OFC Champions League, Lae City chairman Ian Chow decided to sack coach Gunemba and replace him with Bob Morris. The move enraged fans and players alike, with a number of players leaving the team, including their stars Dabinyaba and Raymond Gunemba. Of the victorious Lae City team, only a few players remained in the squad, the most famous of them being Papua New Guinea internationals Emmanuel Simon and Jacob Sabua.
In order to strengthen the squad after this turbulence, Chow brought a number of players into the club, the most famous of whom are defenders Alwin Komolong and Felix Komolong, both with national team experience. The Komolongs have played football in the United States college system; Alwin played in the German professional football league and Felix Komolong has played in New Zealand’s top league and also in Lae City’s rival Hekari United. The other top-signings of Lae City for the remaining of the season are also part of the defensive system: the goalkeeper Charles Lepani and the defender Nigel Malagian – and the Papua New Guinean international Philip Steven is also in the squad since the start of the season, another central defender.
Emmanuel Airem (left), Nigel Malagian (center) and Joshua Oscar (right); all part of the defensive system of Lae City
With Simon, Sabua and the team’s only two foreign players, Ecuadorians Gustine Icaza and Abdias Aguirre, in midfield, the only problem for Lae City seems to be in attack. With Gunemba and Dabinyaba having left the club, there are few options for new head coach Bob Morris in attacking positions. The best of these options at the moment seems to be the young Albert Morgan Jr., who has already scored three goals in the current PNG National Soccer League season; another recent signing from Lae may also come in handy at this time – Alu Awi has also scored for the reigning national champions this season.
If any team wants to score goals in Lae City, it will not be easy because of the quality the club has brought to its defensive system. Although the quality in the back and in the middle of the park is not a problem, Lae can only rely on very young players in attack, who are still far from the level Dabinyaba and Gunemba had in their golden age for the club they just left.
Felix and Alwin Komolong
Lae City will expect to continue their winning streak of national titles when the PNG National Soccer League returns to action this August after the break due COVID-19 pandemic. The club currently is the 2nd in the ladder of the national league sitting behind the surprising Vitiaz United.
Football has been played around the world for around a century; the game is changing and evolving from generation to generation, and new characteristics are being introduced by new players, coaches and all those involved in the creation of the sport. It is a must to always prepare the younger generations to perform more and better than previous generations so that football can continue to develop and create a good environment to achieve the expected results.
One of Oceania’s most promising young players, Raphael Le’ai, is already a reality for his club Henderson Eels, having already scored two goals in his club campaign in the current edition of the OFC Champions League. Le’ai was the top scorer of the Telekom S-League season in his country and has already played in tournaments on the world stage and received international recognition. The still 16-year-old was recently called up for a first training session with the Solomon Islands national team and had the most famous player in Solomon Islands football at the time, Micah Lea’alafa, at his side.
Le’ai meets Lea’alafa
Lea’alafa, a dual national team player, has represented Solomon Islands at three FIFA Futsal World Cups and also won the OFC Champions League, playing an important role for New Zealand giants Auckland City. Recently, the 29-year-old striker had a short stint with South Africa’s top club Maritzburg United.
The meeting between Lea’alafa and Le’ai means a lot; two important generations for Solomon Islands’ sport. Lea’alafa was in the first ever FIFA Futsal World Cup played by the Kurukuru in 2008, Le’ai was the star-player of Solomon Islands in their first ever FIFA football tournament in 2019 – the U17 World Cup in Brazil. The fans just can not wait to see both players playing together in the pitch – the development process has to keep going on.
One of Fiji’s most famous footballers has given his views on his career and the development of football in his country – it is always very important to hear the experiences of those who have been successful in the sport. Salesh Kumar, a Fijian international who has played in New Zealand for most of his career, has achieved many successes: The midfielder is a rare example of a player who has represented ‘both red and blue sides‘ of Auckland – Waitakere United and Auckland City – the local city derby. The historic player won the New Zealand national league twice and the OFC Champions League once – now in the final stages of his football career, plyaing in the NRFL Lotto Division 2 for Onehunga Mangere’s side, Kumar shared his thoughts on his successful career and what he sees on the horizon for Fijian football.
Salesh starting sharing his thoughts about this time in both Auckland football giants: “My timeplaying for Auckland and Waitakere was great. I enjoyed it – a different environment was a new challenge for me,” stated the now 38-year-old player, “the structure from Fiji in comparison to New Zealand is very different – the coaches, resources and attitude of players especially – I think it is a matterof culture and mentality,” explained Salesh Kumar.
Kumar (left) representing Auckland City against Waitakere in 2008
The experienced player gives a suggestion to what can be done to decrease the gap between Fijian football structure to New Zealand: “I think attaching/sending coaches to overseas football clubs and academies – especially Europe – for a year or two too see how things are done; once they see and live how professional coaches behave everything is going to change – cultural and mentality issues I mentioned,” says Kumar.
Kumar played 13 matches for the Bula Boys making his debut in 2003; since then the midfielder had the chance with various great footballers; one of them is Roy Krishna: “He is one of the best players ever of Oceania. It was great to see how he worked hard and achieved what he got now,” says a proud Kumar. Salesh and Roy played together in Fiji’s remarkable 2-0 win over New Zealand in 2008 – before that day, Fiji had last won New Zealand in 1988. The then 21-year-old prodigy Krishna scored a double and made history for his country.
Kumar (white) in 2004 OFC Nations Cup
Despite all his memories, Salesh Kumar is unhappy with the progression of football in his country: “The results can prove it, look to the last Pacific Games editions. Compare Fiji and Papua New Guinea, for example, how much they have improved in the last 15 years and how much Fiji had,” said Kumar, “But I still think they can compete, they are good“, added the veteran.
The 38-year-old is continuing his career and intends now like to pass on what he has learned from the game of around two decades of experience: “I wish to continue in the game, keep enjoying and help in the development of the young players,” said Kumar, “I would love to help the development of football in Fiji, althought I did not think about this possibility yet,” mentioned the Fijian football legend.
A well-known player like Salesh Kumar always has something to tell about his experiences. If the younger generation of football players can follow his steps, the future of Fijian football will certainly be very bright.
The Cook Islands Football Association (CIFA) is looking for players who are descendants of Cook Islanders that have interest on representing Cook Islands internationally. CIFA announced the beginning of the research through an official statement on their official social media.
A football player is eligible to play for Cook Islands National Teams if a Father/Mother, Grandfather/Grandmother, or Great Grandfather/Great Grandmother were born there.
Applicants must be older than fourteen years old and have evidences that prove their eligibility to represent the nation. Interested people must contact CIFA General Secretary on email cifa@cisoccer.org.ck
Cook Islands recently started their preparation for their upcoming international challenges on youth level that must take place later this year or in the first months of 2021.
The 2020 season of Vodafone Premier League is going to resume on July 11 when current league champions Ba and newly promoted Navua will clash at Fiji FA Academy. People are already excited with football resumption Fiji but it must be bringing some worries to Ba.
The Men in Black are set to have an exhausting sequence. They are going to face Suva on July 12 – only one day after facing Navua. Ba will also face Lautoka on July 15 and Nasinu on July 19. A harsh sequence of four matches in nine days.
The first three matches were set to be played in February but they were postponed in order to give Ba more time to get ready for 2020 OFC Champions League.
Ba (black) will face Navua on July 11. Source: Fiji FA Media
Fijian clubs are already used to play back to back games in the season, specially in Fiji FACT, Battle of the Giants and Inter-District Championship. However it is clear and scientifically proven that it is such a bad habit that should be changed in Fijian football culture.
FIFA recomendations are clear: clubs must rest at least 48 hours between two matches. In some countries this time is extended to 66 or even 72 hours because lack of rest affects players performance – increasing injury risks. It is understandable that Fiji Football Association (FFA) had to take some decisions and make some changes regarding 2020 national football season but there is no need to make a team play two games in two days.
The coaching staff of the Men in Black must be careful when Vodafone Premier League resumes. It has been almost four months since they played their last official match and despite having some weeks to get ready for these challenges it is not enough.
This sequence will put Ba players under a high injury risk. We hope that all players will be able to play without getting injured but if they do, it is going to be your fault, FFA.
Joel Stevens is having his second opportunity as a football player in Europe. The 25-year-old forward left his former club Southern United in December and departed to Sweden to do some trials with local clubs.
He signed with IFK Värnamo from Swedish third-tier in February and recently made his official debut for his new club. Värnamo also count on another New Zealander in the squad – Francis de Vries.
Stevens (left) playing for New Zealand U-20 National Football Team
Sweden is not an unknown country to him as he spent a season there two years ago. He played for Husqvarna FF in 2018 and scored three goals in 21 matches in the third-tier of Swedish football. Now he is back to European football trying to prove himself in order to keep playing in Europe in the upcoming years.
Stevens made his official debut for New Zealand National Football team in 2014. He also represented his country in 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
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