Oceania Football Center

David Koloamatangi: I have a lot of interest on representing Tonga

New Zealand is a country with lots of immigrants. Every year thousands of people come from all over the world to live in the Oceanian country. The reflection of immigration can be seen in the local football.

Many football clubs have foreign roots like Central United (Croatia) and Wellington Olympic (Greece). The same happens in New Zealand National Team as there are a bunch of players with the most varied ancestry like Liberato Cacace (Italy) or Sarpreet Singh (India).

Lots of people from the Pacific Islands moved to another countries in the past decades and now we can see many football players that were born in New Zealand representing their parents’ homeland like Fiji or Samoa.

David Koloamatangi is one of these players that are eligible to represent another nation. Born in New Zealand, both his parents are from Tonga. The 19-year-old goalkeeper currently plays for Metro FC in Lotto NRFL Division 1 while his older brother – Fred – is a central back that represents Mt Albert Ponsonby Reserves.

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Despite having many players with eligible to represent Tonga living in Australia or New Zealand, Tonga Football Association (TFA) usually do not contact players that are living abroad and that is Koloamatangi’s current situation – “Tonga Football Association have never been in touch with me,” revealed David – “I definitely have a lot of interest on representing Tonga internationally,” he added.

The next official challenge of Tonga National Football Team must be 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers that is not scheduled yet. Playing in New Zealand, David surely has the goods to be part of Tonga National Football Team – “I would be excited for a call up to Tonga National Team,” he said.

There are some good talented players with Tongan citizenship that have never been contacted by TFA. David and his brother Fred would be two big additions for Tonga and the local football association should consider contacting them.

Youth leagues kick-off in Samoa

Football is back in Samoa. The Youth National Leagues kicked off on this Saturday at J.S. Blatter Football Complex in Apia – the capital of the country.

Seven different categories are being contested this year: U-14, U-17 and U-19 tournaments in men’s and U-17 and U-19 tournaments in women’s football. There is also U-8 and U-12 Mixed tournaments held by Football Federation Samoa.

The biggest clash of the opening day was contested by powerhouses Kiwi and Lupe o le Soaga and the final score was 4-3 in favour of Lupe o le Soaga after a breathtaking match. The Youth National Leagues are scheduled to finish on August 8.

U-18 league kicks offs in New Caledonia

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The U-18 league kicked off in New Caledonia. Two matches were played at Stade Numa Daly on Saturday in the opening day of the newest football league in the French territory.

In the opening match was contested between Païta FC and Dumbéa FC. The final score was 3-1 in favor of Païta FC. In the second clash of the day, local powerhouse Hienghène Sport lost to SC Ne Drehu by 3-0.

Two other two matches were initially scheduled to take place on this Saturday but according to the local federation these clashes were postponed. You can check the full schedule of the league by clicking here.

Sarpreet Singh plays his first match as a starter in Bayern München

Bayern München received Freiburg at Allianz Arena in the 33rd matchday of Bundesliga – the top-tier of German football and won by 3-1.

After clinching the national title in the last match against Werder Bremen, Bayern gave opportunity to some players that are not used to be in the starting eleven. New Zealand youngster Sarpreet Singh was one of these players who had the opportunity to be a starter.

Singh played as a left winger and had a decent performance by helping the team in offensive ball movement and pressing the opponent’s possession. He was replaced by Kingsley Coman in the 64th minute.

Joshua Kimmich opened the scoreboard in the 15th minute while Robert Lewandowski scored two more goals in the first half to seal the lead. Freiburg’s goal was scored by Lucas Höler. You can check the match highlights by clicking here.

Bayern’s last match of 2019-20 Bundesliga season will be against Wolfsburg on next Saturday and there is a huge possibility of Singh starting one more match in the main squad.

John Kapi Natto unopposed as he is re-elected PNGFA-chairman

Football fans may be eagerly awaiting the restart of the PNG National Soccer League – the national league is due to restart after the forced break due to the COVID-19 pandemic in August this year. During this time, there is another very important event for football fans in Papua New Guinea: PNGFA’s current president, John Kapi Natto, has been re-elected in his seat following a meeting in Port Moresby at the weekend.

The former head of Hekari United took his place in the Football Association in 2018 after former President David Chung was banned by FIFA for corruption in the administration of football in the country and Oceania – Chung was also a former OFC President – forcing Chung to resign from his seat.

According to local sources, the meeting was held was at Crown Plaza Hotel, Port Moresby this Friday; the congress comprised members from all football associations in Papua New Guinea. The result was already expected as Kapi Natto that is being constantly praised due his work and commitemt to revive Papua New Guinea football was re-elected as president of PNGFA.

Fijian legend Salesh Kumar plays 90 minutes in Onehunga Mangere’s draw in New Zealand

Fijian legend Salesh Kumar is back to action in New Zealand. The 38-year-old midfielder played 90 minutes in Onehunga Mangere’s draw against Oratia United in the opening round of Lotto NRFL Division 2.

Kumar has a long history as a football player in New Zealand. He played for some top teams like Auckland City and Waitakere United in ISPS Handa Premiership – the top football league in the country.

He represented Fiji internationally in 13 matches from 2003 and 2008 and scored one goal.

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.

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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.

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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.