Oceania Football Center

Samoan forward Darcy Knight scores for Onehunga Mangere in Lotto NRFL Division 2 opening round

Onehunga Mangere visited Oratia United at Parrs Park in the first matchday of 2020 Lotto NRFL Division 2 – the third-tier of winter football season in the Northern Region of New Zealand.

Phillippe Poletaev opened the scoreboard for Oratia in the 13th minute but Onehunga Mangere manged to equalize in the second half with a penalty kick scored by Samoan forward Darcy Knight in the 48th minute to set the final score at 1-1.

SEE ALSO
Charles Mani officially debuts for Hibiscus Coast in New Zealand
Ivan Kumar shines in his debut in New Zealand winter football season

Knight was not the only Samoan to play in this contest as Sean Atherton came from Oratia’s bench in the second half to replace Alexander Burden while Cook Islander forward Emiel Burrow played the whole game for Oratia United.

Onehunga’s next challenge is against Hibiscus Coast at Mangere Domain while Oratia United will face Cambridge FC at John Kerkhof Park.

Vanuatu: Galaxy and Ifira BB draw in friendly match

Another two friendly matches took place at Port Vila Stadium this Saturday as part of teams’ preparation for 2019-20 Port Vila Premier League resumption.

In the opening match Tupuji Imere faced Erakor Golden Star and won by 3-1. The second match of the day was the most exciting one – living up to fans’ expectations.

Ifira Black Bird opened the scoreboard in the first minute when Frederick Massing found the net after a nice cross by Jonathan Spokeyjack. Galaxy only managed to equalize in the last minutes of the second half with a goal scored by Kensi Tangis.

Ifira players (yellow) and Galaxy players (blue)

There is no scheduled date for 2019-20 Port Vila Premier League yet. However it is known that the Independence Cup is confirmed and is set to begin on July 4th. You can check current Premier League standings by clicking here.

Tommy Semmy scores twice in Hamilton Wanderers’ loss in NRFL Premier opener

Bay Olympic and Hamilton Wanderers starred a marvelous football match at Olympic Park this Saturday in the opening round of 2020 Lotto NRFL Premier Men’s. In a clash full of plot twists and goals, Bay Olympic grabbed three important points.

Wanderers’ forwards Derek Tieku and Tommy Semmy scored two goals each while Jared Colligan led Bay Olympic by scoring two goals as well. Jonathan Quinn opened the scoreboard for Bay while Wanderers scored three goals to take the lead. Things got worse for Semmy’s team when Jordan Shaw saw a red card in the 39th minute.

SEE ALSO
Brian Kaltak’s Central United win in NRFL Premier opening round
Auckland United win their first ever match in Lotto NRFL Premier
Kishan Sami officially debuts in New Zealand as Manukau United lose in NRFL Premier opener

Semmy (left) scored twice in Hamilton Wanderers’ loss against Bay Olympic

Bay Olympic took advantage of the situation and scored four goals in the second half to retake the lead. Wanderers still had time to find the net one more time with Derek Tieku in the 78th minute but it was not enough. At the final whistle the score was a 5-4 win for Bay Olympic.

Solomon Islands’ legend Henry Fa’arodo (Wanderers) and Croatian defender Mario Bilen (Olympic) also played this match. Fa’arodo was replaced in the second half while Bilen played the whole match.

Wanderers’ next challenge is against Waitakere City at Porritt Stadium while Bay Olympic will visit Manukau United at Mangere Centre Park. Both matches are going to be contested on next Saturday.

Charles Mani officially debuts for Hibiscus Coast in New Zealand

Hibiscus Coast AFC received Greenhithe Catimba at Stanmore Bay Park in the opening round of Lotto NRFL Division 2 – the third tier of winter football season in New Zealand’s Northern Region.

Solomon Islands youngster Charles Mani came from the bench in the second half to make his official debut for his new club – “I came from the bench in the second half because I played an entire match for my school’s team […] I was a bit nervous but we managed to win. Coach Carl Jorgensen appreciated my performance,” he said.

SEE ALSO
Darcy Knight scores for Onehunga Mangere in Lotto NRFL Division 2 opening round
Ivan Kumar shines in his debut in New Zealand winter football season

Mani (left) played his first official match for Hibiscus Coast AFC

After a tough game in the first half Hibiscus managed to find the net for three times to seal a 3-0 win. Pheerawit Benjatikul scored a brace while Trent Mayes scored the other goal – “Supporters, management and sponsors are very happy and appreciated what my boys did today. It was a good start for us,” said Hibiscus’ head coach Carl Jorgensen.

The next challenge of Jorgensen’s team will be against Onehunga Mangere AFC at Mangere Domain while Greenhithe Catimba’s will visit Fencibles United at Riverhills Park. Both patches are going to take place on next Saturday.

Ivan Kumar shines in his debut in New Zealand winter football season

The NRF Men’s Conference started this weekend with four matches. South Auckland Rangers went to Starling Park to face Ranui Swanson and took home all three points as they won the match by 3-2.

Fijian midfielder Ivan Kumar was one of the best players in the match and he played an important role on Rangers’ win by delivering two assists for his teammates. Rangers’ goalkeeper Raid Khan – who is also from Fiji – was also a key player in the game by making some great saves to seal their win – “We want the promotion to Lotto NRFL Division 2,” said Kumar after the match.

SEE ALSO
Charles Mani officially debuts for Hibiscus Coast in New Zealand
Darcy Knight scores for Onehunga Mangere in Lotto NRFL Division 2 opening round

South Auckland Rangers players before the match against Ranui Swanson

This is Kumar’s first experience in a foreign club and he showed that he is able to perform in a good level for his brand new club. The 23-year-old midfielder last played for Suva in Fiji before joining Rangers.

Brian Kaltak’s Central United win in NRFL Premier opening round

Central United grabbed their first three points of 2020 Lotto NRFL Premier Men’s season after beating Melville United by 4-3 in a breathtaking match held at Gower Park.

Kieran Richards opened the scoreboard for Melville but Central managed to take the lead as Angus Kilkolly and Emiliano Tade scored once each. Campbell Brown tied the match but he saw his teammate scoring an own goal a few minutes later to give Central United the 3-2 lead before the halftime.

SEE ALSO
Tommy Semmy scores twice in Hamilton Wanderers’ loss in NRFL Premier opener
Auckland United win their first ever match in Lotto NRFL Premier
Kishan Sami officially debuts in New Zealand as Manukau United lose in NRFL Premier opener

Kaltak played the whole 90 minutes against Melville United

Kilkolly scored his second goal in the 74th minute while Riku Soejima came from the bench to score Melville’s last goal in the contest. At the final whistle the score was 4-3 in favour of Central United.

Vanuatu international Brian Kaltak played the whole 90 minutes while Fijian defender Shuiab Khan was replaced by Alfie Rogers in the second half.

Central United will receive North Shore United at Kiwitea Street while Melville United will visit Eastern Suburbs AFC at Madills Farm. Both matches will be played on next Saturday.

Indian media confirms that Fijian-star Roy Krishna will stay in Kolkata

Fijian football legend Roy Krishna has already a new home to play football; well, it is not so new for the striker as he already played for this club in the past season. According to The Bridge, Roy Krishna has already signed a contract extension to ATK-Mohun Bagan to continue in the current title holders of Indian Super League. “Roy Krishna, Indian Super League’s (ISL) highest scorer last season, has committed his future with ATK-Mohun Bagan, having agreed a new contract with the club, The Bridge understands“.

ATK has merged with also Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan to compete in the following editions of Indian Super League: “ATK-MB embark on a new journey come next season, playing as a singular entity in the ISL, and another good run in the league as well as the Asian challenge is what they will be looking at. Securing Roy Krishna, along with other key foreign stars will surely be a big boost for Habas and his team.” The local source explained that his current team was always interested to keep the player due his fantastic performances in the past season that led the club to win the Indian Super League – “Krishna had signed on a one-year deal initially with the Kolkata giants when he had signed last year, but on the back of his performances, ATK-Mohun Bagan were always keen on offering him an improved deal […],” said The Brigde.

The player also attracted interest of his former club Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand, but it is reported the Fijian international refused the offer of his former team. Krishna was also linked to Mumbai City, also from the Indian Super League, and even scouted by European clubs.

See More:
Phoenix fans want Roy Krishna back;
A number of clubs shown interest to sign Roy Krishna;
Roy Krishna and Labasa’s IDC glory.

Roy Krishna is currently in Fiji during the football break due COVID-19 while he expects all the situation to be solved as the Indian football season returns. ATK-MB is still to announce officialy the player, but according to recent news the 32-year-old star-striker is really set to keep his talent in Kolkata. The club is set for their first participation at continental stage as they are going to play AFC Cup in 2020/21 season – the second most important club football tournament of Asian Football Confederation.

Auckland United win their first ever match in Lotto NRFL Premier

Auckland United could not have a better start in 2020 Lotto NRFL Premier Men’s. The newest team from the league – created after an amalgamation between neighbouring clubs Three Kings United and Onehunga Sports FC – beat Waitakere City by 3-0 in the opening round of the league.

Counting on a galactic squad with some great players like Clayton Lewis, Leon van den Hoven and Monty Patterson, Auckland United did not have big difficulties to beat their rivals.

SEE ALSO
Brian Kaltak’s Central United win in NRFL Premier opening round
Tommy Semmy scores twice in Hamilton Wanderers’ loss in NRFL Premier opener
Kishan Sami officially debuts in New Zealand as Manukau United lose in NRFL Premier opener

Former New Zealand U-20 National Team player Andrew Milne scored all goals in the match to write his name in club’s history. United’s next clash is on next Saturday against Western Springs at Keith Hay Park.

Kishan Sami officially debuts in New Zealand as Manukau United lose in NRFL Premier opener

After some delay due to COVID-19 pandemics, the 2020 season of Lotto NRFL Premier League has finally kicked off in New Zealand and Fijian youngster Kishan Sami made his official debut for Manukau United.

Sami was in Manukau’s starting eleven against Forrest Hill Milford in the first matchday of the season. However the Fijian player could not avoid the loss. After a 1-1 draw in the first half, Manukau United suffered goals in the second half and lost by 5-1.

SEE ALSO
Auckland United win their first ever match in Lotto NRFL Premier;
Brian Kaltak’s Central United win in NRFL Premier opening round;
Tommy Semmy scores twice in Hamilton Wanderers’ loss in NRFL Premier opener.

Nigerian striker Sanni Issa scored their only goal in the match while Jaydyn Englefield netted a hat-trick to give three points to Forrest Hill. Manukau United’s next challenge is against Bay Olympic at Mangere Centre Park on next Saturday.

Solomon Islands’ Javin Wae signs with Basi Futbol

Solomon Islands’ youngster Javin Wae signed a contract with Basi Futbol Agency. The 17-year-old player joins his countrymen Raphael Lea’i and Leon Kofana that also have their careers manages by Basi.

Wae is a talented and versatile player who can play both as a defensive midfielder and as a defender. He played all Solomon Islands U-17 National Team’s three matches at FIFA U-17 World Cup held in Brazil last year.

Wae represented Solomon Islands in 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup

Basi Futbol is a football agency focused on football players from Solomon Islands. The agency recently took Lea’i and Kofana for trials with Melbourne Victory youth squads in Australia.