Oceania Football Center

PMSA 7s Challenge decisive clashes take place this weekened

The Port Moresby Soccer Association is helding the traditional Football Sevens tournament in Papua New Guinean capital the PMSA 7s Challenge. The competition will have its decisive clashes this weekend at Bisini Football Park.

Brandt Muli’Aina Kila, player of Strikers FC, talked to Oceania Football Center about his team performance in the competition so far: “we topped our pool with six wins and one defeat. On Cup quarterfinals we had beaten Bemobile to procced to Cup semifinal which we lost on penalty shooout to a much experience FC Genesis side. We now automatically qaulfiied to play Bowl Grand Final this comming Sunday“, said Kila.

“There are three different Grand Finals: for the Cup, for the Plate & the Bowl; the major final will be the Cup Final between Mungkas FC and FC Genesis,” explained the player.

“We expect a tight clash against Mariners [their opponent in the next game] because they have been good throughout the tournament. But we have the upper hand with NSL experience in the likes of Benjamin Rupa, Timothy Marley, Laventine Monuo, Randall Passam, Joseph WaiWai and skipper Romario Solon“, said Kila.

Oceania Football Center wishes best of luck of all teams taking part in the finals of this tournament organised by PMSA.

New Caledonian legend Bertrand Kaï to undergo ankle cirurgy

🇫🇷 French

The Hienghène Sport and New Caledonia national team striker Bertrand Kaï will not be available for Hienghène in the Mobil Super Ligue as the player is set to undergo a cirurgy in his ankle. The player was not available for the first two matches of his team in the Mobil Super Ligue againt AS Mont-Dore and AS Magenta and might be a couple of months away from the football pitch.

Kaï is the all-time top goalscorer of New Caledonia national team and helped Hienghène to make history in 2019 by winning three important trophies, including the OFC Champions League. In the 2020 edition of the OFC Champions League, where Hienghène were knocked-out in the group stage, Kaï was not effective and did not score in the matches he took part – signs of potential injury he sustained in the competition.

Galaxy clinches PVFA Independence Cup title as they beat Ifira Black Bird

30th July – Independence Day of Vanuatu – lots of celebrations around capital city’s Port Vila, but there is also space for the most entertaining sport for the Ni-Vanuatu: the PVFA Independence Cup final match was played in Port Vila Municipal Stadium between Galaxy and Ifira Black Bird to decide the champions of the competition.

The game started well for Galaxy, as Octave Meltecoin opened the scoreline for the team coached by Moise Poida. Stil in the first half, the Brazilian Roberson added another for the team in red, but Ifira Black Bird also managed to pull one back even before the half time break.

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Galaxy players celebrate one of their goals – *VBTC*

The second half had lots of emotions for the fans in Port Vila, as Ifira Black Bird pushed forward in order to grab an equalizer. Unfortunately for Ifira, Galaxy managed to continue upfront in the scoreline until the final whistle to celebrate the glory of Independence Cup.

The 2019 champions of PVFA Independence Cup were Tupuji Imere, now Galaxy take the title undefeated in the whole competition. One day before the grand final match, Tafea recorded a win over Yatel in the penalty shootout to clinch the 3rd place in the traditional competition.

In another final contested in the same day, North Efate United has beaten Seveners United to win the Mix First and Second Division Independence Cup – a cup contested by clubs from second and third tiers of PVFA football league system.

Galaxy players receive PVFA Independence Cup trophy – *VBTC*

Galaxy had also the top goalscorer of the competition; the attacking midfielder Roberson scored five goals in the tournament. You can see the most updated results and standings from the competition by clicking here.

PNG National Soccer League rescheduled as board waits SOE Controller approval

It was agreed in a PNG NSL board meeting recently the restart of the national league as scheduled previously – as reported here. Although, the State of Emergency control board did not respond in time for the recommence of the league and PNG National Soccer League is now pending approval and a new schedule was decided: 8th August.

“We have put together a submission to the SOE Controller and are waiting for his approval to start next weekend,” said Dimirit Mileng, NSL Manager.

Tusbab Stallions and Hekari United match in PNG NSL – *PNGFA Media*

“Social distancing has to be maintained at the match venue as security officials will be present to enforce the same therefore everyone involved in the game are advised to take heed of the advice provided,” also stated Mileng. It is confirmed that, despite the schedule change, no crowds will be allowed in the matches of the national league – “The game will now be resumed next weekend, with all matches played behind closed door without spectators,” as informed PNGFA Media. Despite the affirmations from PNGFA, it is know SOE needs to approve the return of the matches – something that is very likely to be on 8th August.

The nightmare of Sekove Finau

The Lautoka’s defender Sekove Finau is having a nightmare of restart of season for his side. The young player featured in the last two of the three matches of the team since the restart of Vodafone Premier League and his performances certainly worried Lautoka fans.

The first match of Lautoka after COVID-19 forced break was against rivals Ba. Finau failled to control the ball and allowed Samuela Drudru to take it run to the penalty box. Finau tried to recover the ball, but fouled Ba’s striker inside the area giving a penalty kick to the opposition side. The penalty was a controversial call from the referee – as you can see here, but it allowed Ba to take up the lead in the clash.

Sekove Finau is not having a good restart of season – *FFA Media*

Finau was booked by the referee in the penalty foul – in the final stages of the same match, the defender fouled another Ba attacker and was shown another yellow card: Sekove Finau was sent off and his team suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat against Ba.

Due his red card, the defender was not able to play against Navua in the following weekend: not counting on Finau, the team coached by Ravinesh Kumar came from behind and earned all points from the clash after beating Navua away from home by 2-1.

In Finau’s return after serving suspension against Navua, Lautoka took on Rewa in Ratu Cakobau Park and Sekove had another very bad match: in the first goal – and only goal of the clash – the defender allowed Josaia Sela to be free in the box to fire away against goalkeeper Joela Biuvanua to score Rewa’s winning goal of the clash. Moments later, the same Finau commited another penalty: this time no doubts, the defender tried a reckless tackle inside the penalty area and allowed Rewa a possibility to double the scoreline – you can watch the moment by clicking here. Fortunately for Lautoka and Finau, the goalkeeper Biuvanua was in a great day and stopped the kick from Patrick Joseph. Despite the efforts of Lautoka attack, the Blues could not score an equalizer: two matches played by Sekove, two defeats with serious mistakes from the defender that costed points for Lautoka.

Sekove comes from a well-known football family in Fiji – he is brother of former Fijian international Leone Vurukania, of legendary defender Peni Finau and the also Fijian football legend Osea Vakatalesau. The player already represented Fiji internationally at U23 level and certainly has quality to do much better than he had done and help his team to improve their rankings in Fijian Premier League.

Mr. Cool is back: Alick Maemae signs for Isabel United

There are big news coming from Honiara for the fans of Oceania football: Mr.Cool, the legendary Alick Maemae, has returned to football action as he signed a deal with the newly formed Isabel United. The team coached by another football legened from Solomon Islands Gideon Omokirio will also count the star Benjamin Totori as he recently signed for the team.

Maemae in action for Isabel United – *Isabel United Media*

After a two-year hiatus of not playing in Telekom S-League or any other national league, the 34-year-old midfielder decided to return to the highest level of football in his country to defend the colours of Isabel United. Maemae already player for teams such as Auckland City, Hekari United and Amicale during his succesful career. You can see here a magnificent goal of Maemae scored when player of Amicale in Vanuatu. The star-player played 19 times for Solomon Islands national team scoring six times. In his return to the pitches, in a friendly match of Isabel against Kossa, the midfielder scored a brilliant free-kick.

“Former Solomon Island international Alick Maemae or better known as ‘Mr. Cool’, has officially signed for FC Isabel United for the upcoming TSL campaign. A skillful midfielder and deadly set piece taker, he brings a wealth of experience for the young youthful side to learn from,” stated Isabel United media. The new season of the Telekom S-League is set to start soon – see here the suggested dates for kick-off.

Solomon Islands: friendly matches help clubs to get ready for 2020 Telekom S-League

The 2020 Telekom S-League is scheduled to kick-off on August 8 and football clubs are already training and playing friendly matches. Two friendlies were contested on this Wednesday as part of the teams’ preparation for the upcoming national league season.

Both matches were contested by three quarters of 30 minutes each. Isabel United and Kossa clashed in the first match. James Naka opened the scoreboard for Kossa but Benjamin Totori, Alick Maemae and Bently Kelobi found the net once each to give a 3-1 win to Isabel United.

Totori (yellow kit) playing for Isabel United – *S-League Media*

In the second friendly match of the day Laugu United come from behind to beat Malaita Kingz by 2-1 with goals from guest player Gagame Feni and Mathias Iani. Feni is currently attached to Galaxy FC from Vanuatu and he must leave Solomon Islands once borders reopen.

All these clubs are working hard for the upcoming season in order to fight for the national title against local powerhouses Henderson Eels and Solomon Warriors.

Nicho Prasad back to training with German club

Fijian international Nicho Prasad is back to training with Bischofswerdaer FV 08. The 24-year-old defender is going to play his second season with the German club after signing with them in February.

Prasad did not have much time to show his talent as he played only one official match for Bischofswerdaer FV 08. His official debut was in a 2-0 loss against Union Fürstenwalde in the Regionalliga Nordost, one of the leagues that compose the fourth tier of German football.

The Fijian defender is having his second opportunity in Europe as he played for German side SpVgg Bayreuth in the 2018-19 season. He made his debut for Fiji National Football Team in the last year and since then he played eleven matches for the Bula Boys.

Samoa: twelve teams to contest Men’s Premier League

The 2020 Samoan football season started in the last month with the beggining of youth national tournaments. Despite the beginning of these tournaments, the national leagues at senior level have not started yet.

Football Federation Samoa (FFS) announced through a live on their Facebook account that twelve teams are going to contest the 2020 Men’s Premier League: Faatoia, Kiwi, Lepea, Lupe o le Soaga, Moata’a, Moaula, Sogi, Togafuafua, Vaipuna, Vaitele Uta, Vaivase Tai and Vaiusu. All these twelve teams played the last Premier League season.

Lupe o le Soaga is the current Men’s Premier League champion – *OFC Media*

Lupe o le Soaga and Kiwi are the biggest contenders for the title race. Lupe is the current league champions as the tournament was called off due to a measles outbreak that affected the country in the last year.

FFS also confirmed that thirteen teams are going to contest the Women’s League while men’s second tier is going to be contested by twenty clubs – a considerable increase compared to the previous year when fourteen teams played in the second tier. All these three leagues are set to kick-off in mid August.

Solomon Islands: James Naka returns to Kossa FC

After many years, former Solomon Islands international James Naka is back to Kossa FC. The 35-year-old forward was part of the squad that lost to Isabel United by 3-1 in a friendly match contested yesterday at Ports Field.

It was previously reported that Naka was close to join Henderson Eels but according to reliable sources he is going to stay with Kossa for the next Telekom S-League.

James Naka (right) playing for Kossa against Isabel United – *Isabel United Media*

Naka is back to Solomon Islands after playing in Vanuatu for two years. He last played for Galaxy FC but he was ruled out of the squad that played the 2020 OFC Champions League group stage.

Kossa FC finished the 2019-20 Telekom S-League in the third position with 32 points in sixteen matches. You can see the full standings by clicking here.