Oceania Football Center

Nasinu: president O’Neil Chand becomes head coach in Battle of the Giants

The group stage of 2020 Battle of the Giants finished on Sunday. Four teams advanced to the semi-finals while the other four teams were knocked out of the tournament. One of the teams that left the tournament is Nasinu that lived a different story in the last weekend.

Nasinu’s first match in the tournament was a disaster. The Giant Killers lost to Ba by 7-3 in the opening day and team’s head coach Tagi Vonolagi was sent off in the first half due to sharp comments against the referees.

Vonolagi’s absence became a problem for the team as another person would have to coach the team in the remaining matches of the group stage, and this person was O’Neil Chand – the president of Nasinu Football.

Chand (left) coaching Nasinu in 2020 Battle of the Giants

Chand surprised everyone by leading Nasinu in the remaining two group stage matches: a 3-1 win against Suva and a 1-1 draw against Labasa. His side did not have an amazing performance but it was almost enough to book a spot in the semi-finals as Nasinu finished the tournament with four points in three matches – the same amount of points as group leaders Ba as you can check by clicking here.

The Giant Killers now turn their attentions back to the Vodafone Premier League that resumes later this month. You can check the current national league standings by clicking here.

Valentine Nelson debuts for Morobe United

After five months without a match the 2019-20 PNG National Soccer League resumed this weekend as five matches were contested on Saturday – two in Lae and three in Port Moresby. One of the most exciting matches of the weekend was contested by two rivals: Morobe United and Morobe Wawens.

This match marked the debut of Valentine Nelson for Morobe United. The 33-year-old joined the team in the last transfer window after leaving Lae City earlier in the year. He was in United’s starting eleven in the 3-1 loss against Wawens.

Morobe United is currently in the ninth position with seven points in eleven matches. You can check the current PNG National Soccer League standings by clicking here.

AS Mont-Dore’s youngster Titouan Richard shows his talent against AS Magenta

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The fourth matchweek of 2020 Mobil Super Ligue started on last weekend with four matches being contested at Numa-Daly Stadium. One of these matches was contested between AS Magenta and AS Mont-Dore and the final score was a surprising 3-3 draw.

This result was not so good for AS Magenta but they remain on top of the league with fourteen points in four matches – it is important to remember that the punctuation system is different in New Caledonia and Tahiti. On the other hand, it was a day to celebrate for AS Mont-Dore players, specially for youngster Titouan Richard.

Richard was the hero of the day by scoring a marvelous hat-trick to save his team from losing. The 19-year-old forward showed his talent to lead his team specially when AS Magenta was leading the clash by 3-1. Titouan was part of New Caledonia U17 National Team that played 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup held in India.

AS Mont-Dore is in the ninth position in the Mobil Super Ligue with five points in four matches. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.

Joshua Oscar pays tribute to Nigel Malagian in Lae City’s win

Lae City are the new league leaders in the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League after smashing Gulf Komara by 5-0 on Saturday. This match marked the official debut of Alwin Komolong and Stahl Gubag for the club.

Despite the debut of these important players the biggest moment of the match was starred by Joshua Oscar who celebrated his goal by paying a tribute to his teammate Nigel Malagian who is recovering from a stroke that he suffered couple of weeks ago.

Oscar also wrote the name of his uncle Ronald in his left fist as Ronald recently underwent surgery. The 29-year-old attacking midfielder scored one goal and delivered an assist in the match.

Joshua and his teammates are currently on top of the table with 26 points in eleven matches. You can see the current PNG National Soccer League standings by clicking here.

Stanford Fakasori promoted to Solomon Warriors’ main squad

The 2020 Telekom S-League kicked-off on this weekend as four matches were contested at Lawson Tama Stadium and a fifth clash is scheduled to take place on Wednesday to finish the first matchweek of the season.

Current league champions Solomon Warriors are having a bye week and they will debut in the season on August 19 against Marist FC. This season is going to be very special for a young player who is going to have his first opportunity in Warriors’ main squad: Stanford Fakasori.

Fakasori is a young left back who used to play for Junior Warriors. The 17-year-old player was in Solomon Warriors official squadlist for 2020 Telekom S-League so it would not be a surprise if we see him have some opportunities this season.

Stanford was part of Solomon Islands U17 National Football Team that played the FIFA U17 World Cup held in Brazil last year. Many players from this generation are already playing in the Telekom S-League like Barrie Limoki, Derrick Taebo, Javin Wae, Leon Kofana and Raphael Lea’i just to name a few.

Alwin Komolong officially back to football in Papua New Guinea

The 2019-20 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League resumed this weekend and Lae City are the new league leaders after smashing Gulf Komara by 5-0. This match marked some important moments like Alwin Komolong‘s first official match for Lae.

It was Komolong’s first official match since he left Fortuna Köln from Germany in the last year. His brother Felix also played this match and scored a goal for Lae City.

Alwin Komolong (yellow kit) playing for Lae City – *PNGFA Media*

Komolong officially joined Lae City a few months ago after not being cleared to play 2020 OFC Champions League for Ba. Having Alwin back to football is something really good and his arrival helps to increase the level of the National Soccer league.

Oberth Simon debuts with a goal for Kutubu as he expects a great season ahead

The 2019-20 National Soccer League season is finally back in Papua New Guinea as five matches were contested on Saturday in the eleventh matchweek of the league. One of these matches was contested by Kutubu and Tusbab Stallions and the final score was a 2-2 draw.

This match marked the official debut of Dinniget Luaine and Oberth Simon in Kutubu. Both players joined the team in the last transfer window to strengthen the midfield: “It was my first game with the team and I know we will get better as time comes. I am sure we will get to know each others to improve our performance,” said Simon.

Simon was one of Kutubu’s goalscorers in the match but he keeps his feet on the ground when asked about the match: “In my view, we had many opportunities to convert but unfortunately we didn’t took our chances,” he pointed – “Stallions have a good team and they performed well. They have been playing together for much longer than my teammates and I. They had some chances to score but we were strong enough to hold them off,” he added.

Simon and his teammates showed that they can compete against other teams after a very bad start in the tournament: “With commitment and confidence I think we can finish the season on a high note,” stated the young attacking midfielder.

Kutubu is currently in the tenth and last position in 2019-20 PNG National Soccer League with seven points in eleven matches. You can see the current league standings and the top scorers of the tournament by clicking here.

Kina Likiliki: young player from Tonga finding his space in New Zealand

Despite being a very small nations in the Pacific, Tonga has some talented footballers living abroad like Mohammad Rajani and AJ Inia that play in Australia. However there are some talented footballers from Tonga playing in New Zealand like Kina Likiliki.

Likiliki is a 20-year-old attacking midfielder that used to play for Christchurch United’s reserve squad in New Zealand’s winter football season but he is now having the opportunity to play in the senior squad and he is finding his space in the team.

SEE ALSO:
Kina Likiliki: I am still keen on representing Tonga
Mohammad Rajani: Tonga football needs to grow

Likiliki (right) is finding his space in New Zealand

The young footballer from Tonga made his debut for Christchurch United’s main squad in a 2-0 loss against Nelson Suburbs in the Mainland Premier League. He came from the bench in the 78th minute to have his first minutes in the team. Likiliki also had more game time in the last weekend’s match against Ferrymead Bays FC as he replaced Mark Peers in the 61st minute.

Christchurch United is currently in the sixth position with fourteen points in twelve matches in the Mainland Premier League. You can see more details about the tournament by clicking here.

Screamer! Jacob Sabua scores ‘goal of the season’ as Lae put five past Gulf Komara

Lae City did not have many problems to surpass Gulf Komara in the weekend – as you can read in our matchweek review. Lae City counted on star players such Emmanuel Simon and Alwin Komolong in the match, but it was Jacob Sabua who got the spotlight with a superb finish in one of the five goals of his team in the match.

Sabua celebrates his goal – *PNGFA Media*

Sabua put the ball in the back of the net with a fantastic long range finish – as you can watch here – scoring one of the most beautiful goals of the season in PNG National Soccer League so far. With this important win, Lae City moved back to the top of the table of the national league as Vitiaz United were denied a win after suffering a late equaliser against Star Mountain.

Hekari United: Gunemba and Dabinyaba do not debut against Bougainville due doubts on availability

Kolu Kepo scored twice to give Hekari United an important win over Bougainville on last Saturday for PNG National Soccer League. Hekari struggled and only found the nets in the final 15 minutes of play. It could had been much different if the new star-duo that recently signed for Hekari United, Nigel Dabinyaba and Raymond Gunemba, was able to field for this match.

As spotlighted in the media recently, new issues on Gunemba-Dabinyaba case transfer to Hekari United were put in question as their former team Lae City’s chairman said both players were not cleared to represent their new team. Hekari United stated both were legally active and ready for the clash, but their doubts put them in caution to use their new stars.

Hekari management decide to request a release letter to PNGFA before using the players in the PNG National Soccer League; so they were not in the matchday squad of Hekari last saturday against Bougainville.

During the week, it is expected to have the confirmation if both PNG Kapuls stars will be able to represent Hekari United when they take on Lae City – one of the most awaited matches of the season due the circumstances we are into and as both sides are currently at the top of national league table.