Resilient Hekari United beats Solomon Warriors in OFC Champions League with two second half strikes

Hekari United clinched a significant victory in their Group A clash against Solomon Warriors in the OFC Champions League 2024, emerging triumphant with a 2-0 win in Tahiti.

The match showcased a tense battle between the two sides, with Hekari United ultimately proving more clinical in the second half. Despite a relatively balanced first half, Hekari United took control of proceedings after the break, capitalizing on their opportunities to secure all three points.

The opening 45 minutes saw both teams create chances, with Solomon Warriors’ captain Gagame Feni and Jaygray Sipakana spearheading their side’s attacking efforts. However, Solomon Warriors failed to convert their opportunities, with Feni notably missing a one-on-one opportunity against Hekari United goalkeeper Dave Tomare.

Hekari United’s Brazilian defender Erick Joe was forced off the field due to injury early in the second half, adding to the challenge for the reigning champions of Papua New Guinea. However, this setback did not deter Hekari United, who intensified their offensive play in the latter stages of the game.

The breakthrough for Hekari United came in the 70th minute when Ati Kepo unleashed a powerful strike into the top corner of the net, putting his side in the lead. The goal injected confidence into Hekari United, who continued to press forward in search of a second.

Hekari United players celebrate their second goal in the encounter – OFC Media

Their persistence paid off in the 82nd minute when substitute Rex Naime calmly slotted home to double Hekari United’s advantage, sealing the victory and securing their position at the top of Group A.

With this result, Hekari United maintains their momentum in the tournament, while Solomon Warriors will look to bounce back in their next fixture against Rewa from Fiji. Hekari United’s next challenge will be against Auckland City from New Zealand as they aim to further solidify their position in the group stage.

Vanuatu’s rising star Nicolas King scored his first goal in Australia

Recently former Mauriki and youth international from Vanuatu, the defender Nicolas King, signed for Valentine FC in Australia’s NPL New South Wales. The player is already having impact as he scored in the last weekend in a 4-2 loss of his side against Broadmeadow Magic. Despite the defeat, the 20-year-old central back and his team are having a good start of the season, sitting in the first positions of the table.

Rewa holds Auckland City to a draw in the first match of OFC Champions League 2024

In an electrifying start to the OFC Men’s Champions League 2024, Fiji’s Rewa FC put on a resilient display against the defending champions, Auckland City FC, resulting in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Stade Paea in Tahiti.

The match, which initially saw a subdued first half, burst into life in the second period, with both teams exchanging blows in a frenetic twenty-minute spell.

Auckland City’s captain, Cam Howieson, set the tone early in the second half, breaking the deadlock with a sublime left-footed strike from the edge of the box. However, Rewa responded emphatically, with Josaia Sela netting a quick-fire brace to stun the New Zealand side and take the lead.

Sela’s goals showcased both his clinical finishing ability and Rewa’s potent counterattacking threat, as they punished Auckland City’s defensive lapses. The first goal stemmed from a swift counter, exploiting space left by Auckland City’s defense, while the second was a long-range effort that found the bottom corner of the net.

Nevertheless, Auckland City rallied swiftly, with Howieson turning provider for substitute Ryan De Vries, who displayed composure to level the scoreline with a well-taken finish.

Players of both teams shake hands before the starting of the match – OFC Media

As the match approached its conclusion, both teams pushed for a winner in the sweltering conditions of a midday kickoff. Liam Gillion came agonizingly close for Auckland City, narrowly missing the target with a fierce effort.

Ultimately, Rewa held firm to secure a commendable result against the reigning champions. While they may have harbored hopes of securing a victory after taking the lead, the draw serves as a statement of their potential in the tournament.

The match highlighted the competitive nature of the OFC Champions League and the unpredictability of football, as underdog Rewa showcased their resilience and ability to challenge established powerhouses like Auckland City.

Looking ahead, both teams will aim to build on this opening fixture as they navigate their respective paths in the tournament. For Rewa, the draw will serve as a confidence booster as they seek to progress through the group stages and make their mark on the continental stage.

As for Auckland City, they will view the result as a wake-up call, highlighting areas for improvement as they aim to defend their title and assert their dominance in the OFC Champions League once again. Both sides return to action in midweek: Auckland City takes on Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United as Solomon Warriors, the Solomon Islands champions, will be the opposition against Rewa.

Brian Kaltak’s Central Coast Mariners beats nine-men Sydney FC in A-League’s semifinal first leg

Brian Kaltak led Central Coast Mariners to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Sydney FC in the A-League semifinal first leg, showcasing his defensive prowess for the full 90 minutes. Despite Sydney taking the lead through Joel King’s goal in the 25th minute, Mariners fought back before halftime with Josh Nisbet’s injury-time equalizer. The momentum shifted in the second half when Brazilian fullback Mikael Doka converted a penalty, securing the lead for Mariners.

Kaltak (yellow) slides for a tackle – A-League Media

The match took a dramatic turn as Sydney saw two players, Jack Rodwell and Corey Hollman, sent off in the 63rd and 82nd minutes respectively. Despite the numerical advantage, Mariners maintained control, creating chances to extend their lead but ultimately settling for the 2-1 victory. The second leg will be played next Saturday, May 18th.

This victory comes on the heels of Mariners’ triumph in the AFC Cup against Al-Ahed from Lebanon, highlighting their impressive form and resilience. With momentum on their side, Mariners look poised to continue their success as they push for a spot in the A-League final.

Will Auckland City FC reign come to an end? OFC Champions League set to start in Tahiti this weekend

The OFC Champions League 2024 edition is set to kick off this weekend in the picturesque setting of Papeete, Tahiti, promising another thrilling chapter in Oceania’s premier club football competition. With a lineup of formidable teams ready to battle it out for continental glory as Auckland City is the favourite to celebrate their 12th title of the tournament.

Group A, headlined by reigning champions Auckland City, promises intense clashes right from the start. Auckland City, the powerhouse of New Zealand football, will look to defend their title against stiff competition. Joining them in Group A we have Fijian side, Rewa along with Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United and Solomon Warriors, the reigning champions of the Telekom S-League.

In Group B, the stage is set for equally gripping encounters. Vaivase-Tai from Samoa, winners from the Qualifying Round held in Tonga, Ifira Black Bird from Vanuatu, hosts AS Pirae from Tahiti, and New Caledonia’s AS Magenta will vie for supremacy in what promises to be a closely contested group. However, Ifira Black Bird’s late arrival due to travel issues with Air Vanuatu adds an unexpected twist to the group dynamics, with Group B’s opening fixtures reduced to one match on Sunday, 12th May.

The tournament opener will witness a clash betwenn Rewa and Auckland City on Saturday, setting the tone for what is sure to be an exhilarating campaign. Meanwhile, Hekari United will lock horns with Solomon Warriors in another eagerly anticipated fixture, as both teams aim to make a strong start to their campaign.

Team captains align before the clashes of the weekend – OFC Media

The South Pacific is filled with anticipation for the most important club football tournament of the region, can the islands’ clubs avoid Auckland City to take their 12th title? Only twice in the history of the competiton – since Australia left OFC – a non-New Zealand side lost the tournament – Hekari United and Hienghène Sport from New Caledonia were the exepctions.

In the last edition the Navy Blues needed the penalty shoot-out to overcome Ifira Black Bird in Port Vila and the extra-time to surpass Suva in the final to celebrate their 11th title. This time the Albert Riera coached-side expects to win it more comfortably, although their speech is filled with a lot of respect and praise to their opposition.

PNG Kapuls’ star Alwin Komolong makes remarkable return to football action in Australia

Sometimes football fans may forget of how hard this sport really is; a lot of sacrifices need to be done in order to succeed – well-known players today had to put a lot of effort in the past to achieve its current position. That’s certainly the case of Papua New Guinea’s finest defender of all-time Alwin Komolong. The tall central-back – that can play just like in any position in defence and also as defensive midfielder – that has experience of playing in countries such as the United States and Germany has now made a remarkable achievement in his football career.

After sustaining a very serious knee injury, Komolong had to appeal for the football community for assistance: the lack of resources in his native country would not allow him to return to the level he was before. “I’ve made my debut in the Australia Cup off the bench. I have been out of action for over 14 months so I have been building my fitness back up with the U23 team“, told the player to Oceania Football Center. To finally complete his move from the sidelines to be back to the game he loves, he had a long road; after collecting all necessary funds through a crowdfunding on internet to undergo surgery in Middle East, the player had a long rehabilitation process to be finally back to the pitch.

Recently, the PNG Football Association announced the signing of the Australian coach Warren Moon to the guide the men’s national team in the upcoming events, most notably the OFC Men’s Nations Cup and 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Moon, well-known in Australia for coaching A-League side Brisabane Roar, paved the way for Komolong to sign with NPL Queensland outifit Lions FC this February – club which he also serves as technical director. “Lions is a fantastic club, they have a very good setup with high standards, the pitch is probably one of the best in Australia. The working environment is close if not as good as some professional clubs in the lower leagues in Europe even if it classed as Semi-Pro“, said the 28-year-old player – “the playing group is a very good; a bunch of lads with some ex-A-League players in the likes of Matthew Ridenton – who played for the All Whites in that famous 2016 Nations Cup Final in PNG -, and Josh Brindell-South who played at the Roar. They are well complemented by players in the squad with real quality who are well established NPL players“, completed Komolong.

Komolong in official signing announcement for Lions FC – Lions FC Media

Komolong is not the only Papua New Guinean to play his trade in Lions FC, recently PNG Kapuls’ Troy Dobbin left for Australia to join the NPL side, and Alwin was excited about the signing of his countrymen: “For Troy it is a good opportunity to get out of PNG and test himself overseas, it helps when you are young and ambitious and Troy has the attributes, quality , and character to do that. I think Lions is a good environment for him to develop. He has begun with U23s with the plan to integrate him into the first team once he’s settled and obviously producing performances. I believe he is on the right track“, said Komolong.

Of course his dream of returning to full-professional football continues alive; the defender already played in German’s third-tier for Fortuna Köln. When asked about a possible move to Australia’s top-tier league, the A-League, the player was emphatic: “of course that is always a good target to have, but for now I am just focused on getting a full 90 and playing well and finding the form I had before I got injured. It is always tough coming back from injury but I believe I am in the right environment to regain edge“, stated the former Lae City FC man. Komolong made recently his full-debut in National Premier League for Lions against Redlands United in a 2-1 victory where he finally played the 90 minutes in front of his wife Abigail and son, Luka.

Komolong (orange) in action in his ful debut – Lions FC Media

This upcoming June, the OFC Men’s Nations Cup are set to be held in Vanuatu and Fiji – as the player expects to be fully fit to represent his country one more time, Komolong shared his thoughts on the signing of Moon for the position of national team’s head coach: “I rate Warren very highly, he knows what he is doing and is driven. He has a professional background in A-League as well as development where he serves a Technical Director for Lions as well. Hes come in at tumultuous time for PNGFA, but already he is working on getting the best out of what is available as driving change within the organisation. That is change is very dependent on having the right people executing the strategy, but from what I’ve seen and heard so far it has all been positive from a footballing perspective at the men’s level“, pointed the central-defender.

As the quest for football development continues in Papua New Guinea now through the guidance of Warren Moon, certainly Komolong is going to be of massive importance for his team in the upcoming tournaments. The player is focused on getting back to his best form after exactly one year, two months and two weeks later from his last competitive 90 minutes of football – in an excellent environment for any South Pacific Islander footballer.

Ifira Black Bird’s OFC Champions League debut marred by travel woes

Vanuatu champions’ Ifira Black Bird finds itself in a predicament as it gears up for its debut in OFC Champions League. Set to compete in the most important club football competition of Oceania, the team’s journey to glory has hit a turbulent patch due to unforeseen airfare issues.

The OFC Champions League, a platform where the finest clubs from the Oceania Football Confederation showcase their skills, holds immense significance for teams like Ifira Black Bird. However, the team encountered a setback when their scheduled flight to Tahiti, the host country for this year’s competition, was abruptly canceled.

The cancellation, attributed to the grounding of international flights by Air Vanuatu, sent shockwaves through the football community, leaving Ifira Black Bird stranded and unable to fulfill its initial fixture against New Caledonian side AS Magenta. With the match originally slated for Sunday, May 12, Ifira Black Bird faced the grim prospect of forfeiting their opening encounter.

Amidst the turmoil, the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) swiftly intervened, exploring alternative solutions to ensure the participation of the Vanuatu representatives. Despite the challenges posed by Air Vanuatu’s reported administration, the OFC orchestrated new travel arrangements for Ifira Black Bird, securing flights through Fiji Airways.

As a result of these efforts, Ifira Black Bird is now slated to arrive in Tahiti on Tuesday, May 14, albeit missing their initial fixture against AS Magenta. The match, initially scheduled for May 12, has been rescheduled to May 19, providing the team with a lifeline to regroup and reassert their presence on the field.

Ifira Black Bird – IBB Media

The saga surrounding Ifira Black Bird’s travel woes has not gone unnoticed by football authorities, with Lambert Maltock, President of the Oceania Football Confederation, expressing frustration over the situation in social media. The setback underscores the logistical challenges faced by teams from smaller nations in the region, highlighting the need for robust support mechanisms and contingency plans.

Despite the setback, the spirit within the Ifira Black Bird camp remains resilient, with players and staff determined to make their mark in the tournament. One prominent player from the team acknowledged the adversity they faced, emphasizing the team’s resolve to overcome the obstacles and make a strong showing in the competition, as told to Oceania Football Center.

For Ifira Black Bird, the journey to the summit of Oceania football has encountered an unexpected detour. Yet, as they navigate the challenges posed by travel disruptions, the team remains steadfast in their pursuit of glory, ready to seize the opportunity and leave an indelible mark on the OFC Champions League stage – as they did in the previous edition by reaching the semifinals and almost eliminating the New Zealand’s powerhouse Auckland City FC, but bowing out on the penalty shoot-out to the title holders.

Changes announced for OFC Nations Cup 2024

The eagerly anticipated OFC Men’s Nations Cup, set to take place next month, has undergone significant changes with the relocation of Group B games from Luganville in Espiritu Santo island, Vanuatu, to Suva, Fiji. This decision comes amidst concerns over flight schedules, particularly with Air Vanuatu, prompting the need for swift adjustments to ensure the smooth running of the tournament.

Air Vanuatu’s inability to guarantee flights from Port Vila to Santo, coupled with security concerns, has led to the redirection of the Group B matches. While Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) will still host Group A matches in Port Vila, involving New Caledonia, New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, the Group B encounters featuring Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tahiti will now grace Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium.

The decision to relocate the games follows exhaustive efforts by the VFF to find viable solutions amidst uncertain flight schedules. Consequently, the OFC Executive Committee opted to shift the matches to Suva, ensuring the continuity of the tournament without compromising the safety and convenience of participating teams and fans.

Furthermore, the semi-final originally slated for Luganville has been moved to Port Vila, consolidating the venue for both semi-final clashes, the third-place playoff, and the final. Additionally, the play-off matches for 5th and 7th place have regrettably been canceled due to logistical challenges.

Solomon Islands’ football legend Henry Fa’arodo and presenter Andrew Dewhurst with OFC Nations Cup trophy – OFC Media

To accommodate the adjustments and allow ample time for traveling teams to prepare, the semi-finals have been rescheduled a day earlier, now set to take place on June 27, with the final remaining on June 30, as initially planned.

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has been at the forefront of managing these changes, prioritizing the integrity and success of the tournament. Despite recent concerns raised by the OFC President regarding the possibility of tournament cancellation, the collective efforts of stakeholders have prevailed, ensuring the continuation of this prestigious event for the betterment of football in the region.

Brian Kaltak wins continental tournament as Central Coast Mariners beats Al-Ahed in AFC Cup grand final

In a match full of drama, Vanuatu international and national team captain Brian Kaltak has etched his name in Oceania football history by leading the back of Central Coast Mariners in the victory in the AFC Cup. In a match filled with nail-biting tension, Mariners secured the win with a late strike from Alou Kuol, breaking the deadlock at the 84th minute against Al Ahed in Muscat, Oman.

The victory marks a historic moment for both Kaltak and Central Coast Mariners, as they clinch their first-ever international trophy, only the second for an Australian club in the AFC. Kaltak’s leadership on the field proved instrumental in guiding his team to this remarkable achievement.

What makes this triumph even more extraordinary is Kaltak’s personal milestone – he becomes the first South Pacific islander to win an international club tournament outside of Oceania. This accomplishment not only highlights Kaltak’s individual prowess but also shines a spotlight on the growing influence of players from the region in international football.

Kaltak (right) celebrates AFC Cup glory alongside partner in defence Dan Hall (left)

But Kaltak’s success doesn’t end there. The 30-year-old football sensation recently celebrated another victory as Mariners clinched the Premier’s Plate in the A-League, defeating Adelaide United in a thrilling final regular-season match – with two trophies in hand within the span of a week.

As the celebrations subside, Kaltak and Mariners now shift their focus to the upcoming A-League playoffs, where they aim to defend their title following their triumph in the previous season. With Kaltak at the helm, Mariners are poised to continue their winning streak and cement their status as a force to be reckoned with in Australian football and now in the continent as they prepare for the AFC Champions League Elite in 2024/2025 season.

Uruguayan striker eyes historic move to Oceania to complete Football Odyssey

Diego Silva, a seasoned Uruguayan footballer, is on the brink of making history in the beautiful game as he sets his sights on playing in Oceania, the only missing piece in his remarkable journey across continents. At 36 years old, Silva’s ambition to become only the third player ever to play in all five continents has ignited excitement among football enthusiasts worldwide.

With an illustrious career spanning various countries including Romania, Latvia, and his native Uruguay, Silva brings to the table a proven record of goals and a wealth of experience coveted by clubs seeking seasoned talent. As a central striker, his knack for finding the back of the net coupled with his professional acumen make him an invaluable asset for any team in Oceania.

Diego Silva on the ball while playing in Thailand

Currently based in Thailand where he last showcased his skills, Silva remains open to offers from clubs in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) leagues. Despite receiving preliminary offers, no official signings have been confirmed yet, with everything pending on approval. Nevertheless, Silva remains optimistic about the prospect of realizing his dream and etching his name in football history.

Silva’s journey from South America to Europe, Africa, and Asia reflects his relentless pursuit of excellence and his unwavering passion for the sport. His eagerness to embrace a new challenge in Oceania resonates with his adventurous spirit and determination to leave a lasting legacy in football.

While football fans eagerly awaits the unfolding of this historic chapter in Silva’s career, clubs in Oceania are urged to seize the opportunity to harness the talents of this seasoned striker and also put their names into the history books. As negotiations continue and possibilities abound, one thing remains certain: Diego Silva’s quest for football immortality is poised to captivate audiences and inspire young footballers.