A meeting between Fédération Calédonienne de Football (FCF) and representants of Mobil Super Ligue’s ten teams was held this Thursday in the federation’s headquarter to discuss about the return of the first tier of New Caledonian football.
According to FCF media, clubs would rather a kick-off on 4 July while the federation is more focused on a recovery in August, an option more adapted according to it to this exceptional situation linked to COVID-19. The resumption of the Mobil Super Ligue – the top tier of local football – must take place on August 8 while the end of the championship is scheduled for May 2021.
Football is close to resume in New Caledonia. Source: Alain Vartane
However FCF is really considering clubs’ preference to resume football in July, that is why the federation is put the possibility of an opening cup under study so the teams will have the opportunity to be back to action before August.
The final calendar is likely to be announced in the next week. You can check the current standings of 2020 Mobil Super Ligue by clicking here. Oceania Football Center team will keep an eye on this situation to bring the best information possible for you!
Football in Oceania is very interesting and a bit different. Unlike the rest of the world there is a good amount of footballers also play futsal or beach soccer regularly. It is not so difficult to find a player that represented his nation in two of these sports and there are also a few ones that played internationally in these three sports. However it is not everyday that a 11-a-side player becomes a legend in another modality, but it happened to Solomon Islands international James Naka.
Currently playing for Galaxy FC from Vanuatu, he was ruled out of the team’s final squad for 2020 OFC Champions League so he did not have the opportunity to find the net in this year’s edition. The 35-year-old forward has scored thirteen goals in thie tournament’s history including a goal for Kossa in 2007-08 OFC Champions League final against Waitakere United from New Zealand.
Naka (right) fighting for the ball in 2007-08 OFC Champions League final
His quality on finding the net took him to Solomon Islands National Football Team. He made his official debut in the 2007 Pacific Games in a 12-1 win against American Samoa. Naka has been regularly called-up to represent his countryfor many years and his last international match in 11-a-side football was in 2017.
But Naka’s international experience goes further. In 2006, one year before debuting for Bonitos, he scored six goals and helped Solomon Islands National Beach Soccer Team to win the first ever edition of OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup. And it was just the beginning… Despite having a respectable career in football, Naka still had time to write his name on beach soccer’s history to become a legendary player in Oceania.
In the same year the Bilikiki (Solomon Islands National Beach Soccer Team nickname) went to Brazil to play their first ever FIFA World Cup. He scored the first goal of his nation in a World Cup in the 5-2 win against Cameroon and finished the tournament with six goals scored in three matches.
He still had another opportunity to play in Brazil in the upcoming year in the 2007 FIFA Beach Soocer World Cup. Unfortunately Bilikiki did not win any match, but Naka found the net for four times in the tournament. And after one year he scored eight more goals in Beach Soccer World Cup’s history.
Naka scored 17 goals in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup’s history
The decade of 2010 also brought him a lot of pride and joy in the sand. He was awarded twice in 2011 OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup: the Golden Boot (award given to the tournament’s top scorer) and the Golden Ball (best player award). Two years later – in 2013 he won the Nations Cup with Solomon Islands once again but Bilikiki’s kingdom in Oceania was getting close to its end as Tahiti became the most powerful nation in Oceanian beach soccer. His last official challenge in the sand was last year in 2019 OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup. He scored twice and helped his homeland to achieve the final, but they lost to Tahiti.
Solomon Islands’ last appearance in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups was in 2013 but Naka remains as the Oceanian player with most goals scored in the history of this tournament with 17 goals. This record will probably be broken in some years, but Naka will never be forgotten in his country.
Football can create very emotional moments, memories that will live for eternity. In a sport where the best team does not always win, it is really possible to dream – you can achieve results that are theoretically impossible. That is what the 2012 OFC Nations Cup held in Solomon Islands can teach us: Football is unpredictable – that was the moment of To’a Aito, as the Tahiti national football team is known.
In a group where Tahit faced Vanuatu, Samoa and New Caledonia and won all the matches, including a 10-1 win over Samoa, the team then coached by Eddy Etaeta did not have much to fight to lead the group and advance to the semi-finals. In the decisive match against hosts Solomon Islands at Lawson Tama Stadium, the Tahitians’ story was quite different; they had to stop Benjamin Totori if they wanted to continue in the competition. Much to the chagrin of the local fans, Tahiti did their job well to stop the star player and secure a place in the tournament’s grand final by scoring the winning and only goal in the clash through the legendary Jonathan Tehau.
But the real surprise came in the other semi-final, when New Caledonia played New Zealand. The New Caledonians surprised Oceania and the world by winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Bertrand Kaï and Georges Gope-Fenepej, beating so the strongest team in the region. It was a shocking moment for Oceanian football, because something new was about to happen: Neither New Zealand nor Australia would win the OFC Nations Cup for the first time ever – the grand final between Tahiti and New Caledonia would decide who would reap the glory.
An exciting game in Honiara brought together the two francophone forces of Oceania football; players like Georges Gope-Fenepej, Bertrand Kaï and Jacques Haeko were a real threat to the Tahitians. The Tahitians captained by Nicolas Vallar, could count on the Tehau brothers – Alvin, Jonathan and Lorenzo – and the experience of players like the goalkeeper Xavier Samin.
The 10th minute of play marked the decisive goal of the match, Steevy Chong Hue received the ball in the middle of the penalty area and with a strong finish found the nets guarded by Rocky Nyikeine. Despite New Caledonia’s best efforts, the strong front line could not equalise – Tahiti had themselves the best moment in their footballing history, but there was even more to come.
The Tahitians celebrate the winning goal – FIFA
In 2012, Tahiti conquered Oceania, and the following year they suddenly had the chance to taste the best of football when they represented the OFC at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. The Tahitians were grouped with then reigning world champions Spain, South American champions Uruguay and African representative Nigeria. Players from clubs like AS Dragon and AS Tefana had the chance to play against players like Luis Suárez, Sergio Ramos and Fernando Torres.
The excitement was great, the Brazilian fans welcomed the Tahitians and gave the Oceania champion their best support. Tahiti prepared for the tournament with a period of trainings and friendlies in Chile and then travelled to Brazil, more precisely to the city of Belo Horizonte, where Tahiti would make their debut at a FIFA tournament against Nigeria. Before the big moment of kick-off, the Tahitians also played a few friendly matches against local clubs.
Nigeria, an experienced team counting on players like John Obi Mikel, did not take long to open the scoring charts with an unfortunate own goal from Nicolas Vallar. The Nigerians kept pushing forward, with Nnamdi Oduamadi scoring through a mistake by goalkeeper Xavier Samin and adding another before half-time. The greatest moment in Tahitian football history was just around the corner. You can watch this goal by clicking here.
Jonathan Tehau celebrating
After the break, right on 54th minute of play, the only fully professional player of the Tahitian squad, Marama Vahirua, put a corner to the far post – defender Jonathan Tehau went up and headed the ball to Nigeria’s nets to score Tahiti’s first and only goal of the tournament; an unforgettable moment, all the team came together to celebrate the goal by making the move of Va’a, the Tahitian canoe. This is the reason why Jonathan Tehau turned himself into a Tahitian football legend.
The same Jonathan Tehau scored an own goal later in the game, Tahiti lost 6-1, but the most famous goal was certainly the one scored by the francophones. Tehau and his team made history, but they still had two very important games to play against Spain and Uruguay.
In the iconic Maracanã, Spain had no trouble beating Tahiti 10-0. Steevy Chong Hue, the same man who scored against New Caledonia to secure a place in the FIFA Confederations Cup, had a real chance of scoring against the world champions but failed to reach the ball after a good cross from Teaonui Tehau. Tahiti’s best moment in the game was certainly when Fernando Torres lost a penalty sending it over the crossbar. Unfortunately for the Tahitians, that was the biggest goalscoring advance a team has ever had in a FIFA football tournament.
Mikael Roche (left) celebrating the mistake of Torres
In the final match of Tahiti in Brazil, the South American powerhouse Uruguay also did not have any problems to surpass the defence led by Nicolas Vallar – the 8-0 result reflected the difference of both teams. The FC Barcelona star Luis Suárez came from the bench in the second half to score a brace in favour of his team. At the end of the game, despite the harsh defeat, the Tahitians were the most celebrated by the Brazilian crowd.
Tahiti left the tournament as the team who most conceded goals in the tournament, something that was expected before the start of the competition. The experience these players had in Brazil was crucial for the development of the game back in their home land. Steevy Chong Hue, after FIFA Confederations Cup, earned a possibility of a trial period in French top-tier side FC Lorient; Ranui Aroita, a young member of the Tahitian squad, also had himself a possibility of trials in Brazilian second-tier side América from Minas Gerais.
‘Thank you Brazil’ from the Tahitian players after the final match against Uruguay
Tahiti proved to the world that football is more than winning; the possibility to represent your country at the highest level is something any money can pay. The exposure the team had put Tahiti in the map of football, they came to Brazil to represent their country and also Oceania – they did well.
The continental tournaments in Oceania are currently suspended due to COVID-19 pandemics, including the 2020 OFC Nations Cup that would be the first round of Oceanian Qualification for 2022 FIFA World Cup.
With OFC Nations Cup cancelled, the Oceania Football Federation must set a new model to be used as 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers that is likely to begin later this year. As part of the preparation for the qualifiers a 30-men list was announced as Tahiti National Team provisional squad and you can check this list by clicking here. Samuel Garcia remains as the head coach and will lead the training sessions.
There are some good names from this list like Terai Bremond, François Hapipi and Abdel Kader Lazreg that are currently playing in France. They will add a lot of power to this team that already counts on good local players like Teaonui Tehau and Tamatoa Tetauira from AS Vénus while 2019-20 Ligue 1 VINI top scorer Sandro Tau is not in the list.
Another name that must be highlighted is Yann Pennequins Le-Bras, a 26-year-old midfielder from France that has been playing in Tahiti for a while.
Tahiti National Team will be training together in the upcoming weeks
While senior World Cup will take place in 2022, FIFA U17 and U20 World Cups are confirmed to be contested next year which means that the Oceanian qualifiers must take place in the upcoming months.
There are two tournaments that are used as qualifying rounds for FIFA World Cups at men’s youth level: the U16 and U19 championships. The football federation from Tahiti (FTF) got ahead and released a 25-men list as their U16 provisional squad. You can check the full list by clicking here.
All U16 players must go to AS Dragon Stadium, from 6 July to 31 July from 8am to 10:30am. Tahiti is a very traditional nation when it comes to youth football in Oceania. They finished 2018 OFC U16 Championship in the third position after losing to New Zealand in the semi-finals.
Today’s Throwback Thursday (TBT) episode will take us to a fateful day that is sadly remembered by humanity: September 11, 2001. No, this TBT is not going to talk about the attacks that killed thousand of people in the United States of America. Keep reading and come with us!
While the whole world was astonished with the biggest terrorist attack of all time, European football fans were pretty excited that day because the 2001-02 UEFA Champions League group stage was about to begin a few hours later in the same day.
It was a special night at Stade de la Beaujoire in France. Nantes FC was back to UEFA Champions League after missing the tournament for five straight seasons. Their previous participation in Europe’s major club football competition was historic, with the team reaching the semi-finals in the 1995/96 season. This night could not be better for Les Canaris, but it was, specially for Tahitian forward Marama Vahirua.
Tahitian Marama Vahirua celebrating a goal for Nantes
Thousands of people went to the stadium to watch the opening clash against 2000-01 Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven and the French crowd was surely happy with the 4-1 win after the final whistle.
However the big story was written by Vahirua in the 75th minute. After a throw-in, Stéphane Ziani crossed from the left and the Tahitian forward found the net to score Nantes’ fourth goal and one of the most important goals of the history of Tahitian football. You can watch the goal in the link below:
Vahirua became the first player from Tahiti to score in the UEFA Champions League history. An amazing accomplishment for him and his homeland. Nantes finished the group stage as Group D leaders, but they did not manage to repeat the 1995/96 campaign as they were knocked out in the upcoming stage.
It has been almost 19 years since Vahirua wrote his name in football’s history but no other Tahitian player ever did what he did that night.
Roberson is one of the Brazilian players that are currently playing in Oceania. The 28-year-old midfielder arrived in Vanuatu last year to sign with Galaxy FC and he quickly became a key player in the squad.
His last club before moving to Oceania was Sofia Farmer from Northern Ireland, more than 15 thousand kilometers away from Vanuatu – “I came through Diego,” explained the Brazilian midfielder. Diego is Galaxy’s captain, he plays in Oceania since 2016 and he is a well known defender in the Pacific Islands.
He started his stint in Oceania showing his quality by scoring many goals and helping his team in the 2019-20 Port Vila Premier League, the top-tier of football in Port Vila, the country’s capital. However the main Galaxy’s purpose is the 2020 OFC Champions League.
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Roberson (left) playing against Erakor Golden Star in 2019-20 Port Vila Premier League. Source: Vanuatu Sports News
Roberson’s quality is recognized by football fans in Port Vila and some of them consider the Brazilian midfielder as the best foreign player that has ever played for a Ni-Vanuatu team. Now, after spending almost a year in the country, the midfielder reveals – “It was not so difficult to adapt to the country. I am completely adapted to Vanuatu”.
Roberson celebrating a goal against Eastern Suburbs in 2020 OFC Champions League
Sarpreet Singh played today his first official match since football resumed in Germany. He was part of Bayern II’s starting eleven in the 3-2 win against Preußen Münster in the 29th matchday of 3.Liga, the third tier of German football.
The 21-year-old midfielder from New Zealand returned to Bayern II after staying with the first team in the 5-0 win against Fortuna Düsseldorf last Saturday.
Singh
The Kiwi rising star played most of the game. He left the pitch in the 92nd minute when he was replaced by Paul Will. Singh scored seven goals in the 3.Liga so far.
Bayern II is currently in the fourth position with 47 points, just one point behind league leaders Duisburg.
Football is about passion; many children’s dream is to become a professional football player. The game is played in every corner of the planet, in many different languages, cultures and realities. The game moves millions of people, millions of wishes and dreams – tough decisions are part of the game, but also part of life.
Shane Sakael, a 27-year-old central defender who most recently played for Papua New Guinea’s top club Hekari United, knows exactly what a tough decision is. Sakael has what it takes to be one of his country’s best teams, but he is not in the game at the moment; the reason is a little hard to believe for football fans who are used to European or American scenarios, but unfortunately are very common in Oceania – Sakael himself explains: “Football is okay but not a lifetime job in PNG. In other countries, yes football is a lifetime job. That’s the reason why I choose to teach“.
Sakael in action for Hekari United
The good player and very technically skilled Shane Sakael decided not to continue with Hekari United to travel to Lorengau, where he is actually a sports teacher. “I did not want my employer, the teaching services commission, to terminate my service as a teacher. I told my club managers to find a school in Port Moresby so I can teach and play at the same time, but I do not know why things could not work that way. Therefore I decided to stop and teach,” explains Sakael.
The defender had a fantastic season in 2019; not only helped Hekari to reach the grand final of PNG National Soccer League, but as well represented Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Games held in Samoa: “It was awesome. At first I thought it would be tough because of the club level, the seniority and the experiences that most players had. However, I have learnt a lot from the club, the managers, coaches and the players. I am satisfied with my football carreer. It was a dream come true for me to play for Hekari and also to play for Kapuls, representing my country in Pacific Games last year,” explained Sakael about his fantastic season.
Sakael in Samoa during 2019 Pacific Games
“I miss football so much,” says Sakael, “I do not know how I can get back to the game. If a club can secure a teaching position for me, then it would be an opportunity to be back in the pitch – playing and working,” completes the player. The defender also reveals the current situation for players in Papua New Guinea: “In other countries it may work, I can only focus on football in other country, but not Papua New Guinea. It happens because the clubs can not afford to look after players during breaks or rather off seasons“.
Sakael’s talent brought him into the Papua New Guinea national team; it is certainly a waste to see such a player off the field in the current season of the PNG National Soccer League. The player would like to return, but the difficult financial situation offered by the country’s clubs is causing many players to choose a career other than football. Sakael is a sad example of probably the biggest problem of football in his country – a call for change is necessary for the sake of the beautiful game in the beautiful Papua New Guinea.
Samoa is another Oceanic country that has set the timetable for the resumption of football activities following the COVID 19 pandemic. The Samoa Football Federation has announced that the youth league is due to start this month – on 20 June. “The FFS Youth competition caters for boys and girls categories specifically for registered clubs in Upolu and is scheduled to run from the 20th June to 8th August 2020. Two new clubs have joined this year’s Youth tournament however FFS aims to increase the number of clubs and is looking at hosting tournaments in rural areas to enable this,” said the local federation media.
Match during 2019 Samoan Premier League
On 25 July, the country’s top leagues – the first women’s and men’s leagues and also the second league of men’s football – will start. 18 clubs will be represented in the leagues this year – as you can see here. The reigning national champions of Samoa are Lupe o le Soaga, who won the last national league after the competition had to be suspended and forced to an end due to the measles outbreak in the South Pacific – Lupe o le Soaga was at the top of the table.
To see the full schedule of FFS for its football season, click here.
Definitely it is not an easy time for most of us; COVID-19 has hit the world hard and more than six million people have been infected with the new virus. Governments have been forced to close borders, postpone important meetings and stop all economic activities to retain the spread of the coronavirus. Football has also been hit hard by this period – our beloved game had to be almost completely shut down worldwide – but slowly the game is starting again where the pandemic is already under control.
The player stated that Labasa players have not returned to normal training yet, although the Fijian Football Federation has already approved the new schedule for their return to the Vodafone Premier League. “At the moment, we are training ourselves. We only make videos of our training and send them to our officials,” Siotame Kubu said.
Kubu was the responsible for the much-celebrated Battle of Giants title of Labasa in 2019 season; the striker scored the winning goal in the grand final match with a fantastic touch lobbing the opponent’s goalkeeper. The player was also part of the Inter-District Championship won by Labasa in the previous and year and also helped the team to confirm their good moment after beating the current Vodafone Premier League champions Ba in the Champion vs Champion series this year.
Kubu said that it is quite lonely to train like this, but these hard moments are important for him: “I have learned a lot from what this virus has brought. It has changed my life both physically and spiritually,” the player said.
Kubu, his team and all football players and fans are hoping for a fresh start for football in Fiji and all of Oceania. Some countries, such as New Zealand and Vanuatu, have already set dates to restart their competitions; the vacuum of football that Coronarivus has brought into our lives is about to end.
Oceania Football Center 