A light at the end of the tunnel has finally appeared for Fijian football lovers. It was reported that Fiji Football Association president Mohammed Yusuf stated that there is a possibility to resume local competitions by June.
The Prime Minister of Fiji Voreqe Bainimarama recently confirmed that all schools must be closed until June. Once the schools are cleared to reopen, the football activities will probably be cleared as well.
Football might be back in two months. Source: Fiji FA Media
Yusuf also pointed that once the leagues are back, the National Team will also resume its activities – “We are hoping for the best, we hope that the competitions will start mid-June or early July if that happens then the national team will play in the World Cup qualifiers later in the year,” he said to FBC News.
The dual international for Solomon Islands Micah Lea’alafa is an example for the young generation of football players of the Pacific Islands; and his commitment proves to be crucial for the succes the forward achieved both in footbalal and futsal.
The former Auckland City and Maritzburg United attacker, that also represented his country three times at FIFA Futsal World Cup, is back to his country capital city Honiara, but his intensive training duties continues as before – even during the COVID-19 pandemic that is affecting the whole world of football.
Micah Lea’alafa – Island Sun
“The dual International is doing his individual training in Honiara after both the national football & futsal teams’ training were postponed for an indefinate period of time“, posted recently Solomon Islands Football Federation media.
SIFF also stated the governing body Technical Director is pleased with the commitment of Lea’alafa and urges the footballers of the country to follow his example: “[…] “Moses Toata is pleased to see Micah continue to be a role model for his peers in a tiring time like this. During this Covid 19 Epidemic it is extremely important that players find space to exercise and keep fit“, Toata said. “Regular exercise will also improve antibody levels which is good for this time. I also encouraged other players to do private exercise to stay in shape“, added the former Solomon Warriors head coach Moses Toata.
With the frustrating news OFC cancelled the most important football tournament of the region, Lea’alafa hopes COVID-19 will not force FIFA to postpone the FIFA Futsal World Cup, that is schedule to take place in Lithuania – in the most affected continent by the pandemic – this September, so the star-player will have another chance to show his skills in what would be his 4th appearance at a FIFA Futsal World Cup.
Just like Solomon Islands, Vanuatu does not have any confirmed case of COVID-19 but it does not mean that the local football leagues are ready to resume because the country has recently faced a category five tropical cyclone that brought lots of damage.
A village damaged by Tropical Cyclone Harold in Pentecost island
Football is supposed to stay in the background for a while as the whole country is focused on recovering from Harold. The football fans from Vanuatu must wait a little more to watch some football matches in the country.
The football leagues are stopped in Vanuatu
We are all missing football but the current situation demands it. Stay at home and keep yourselves safe!
Nelson Suburbs announced in their official social media that they have partnered with Oldham Athletic, a football team that is currently in the EFL League 2, the fourth-tier of English football.
According to the team’s media this new relationship is a great opportunity to provide coaching information to assist the club while their top players might have the chance to trial with a professional club in Europe.
Nelson Suburbs logo
The English club is already a open pathway for Nelson Suburbs as 16-year-old player Noah Platt spent some time in England training with Oldham Athletic Academy.
The Suburbs compete in the Mainland Premier League, one of the top leagues from New Zealand winter football season.
Nel calendario di tutti gli appassionati dei calcio oceanico la data di oggi, 21 aprile del 2020, verrà ricordato nel ca come una delle giornate più nere. La OFC Nations Cup 2020, la competizione più importante del continente è stata annullata. Qui di seguito uno stralcio del comunicato diramato dalla OFC (qui la versione integrale).
L’epidemia di COVID-19 ha compiuto il suo attacco piĂą potente e impattante nei confronti del Calcio in Oceania. Nel comunicato i vertici della Confederazione continuano a spiegare i motivi di una scelta così drastica: “La decisione è stata presa alla luce delle complessitĂ nate dall’esplosione della pandemia di coronavirus. Le 11 Associazioni che fanno parte della OFC hanno sperimentato condizioni operative difficili e molti di questi paesi sono in lockdown. Vi sono grandi difficoltĂ nel programmare viaggi internazionali e che rendono inattuabile lo svolgimento del torneo nei prossimi mesi. Le squadre non sarebbero in grado di svolgere una preparazione adeguata dato che non saprebbero in tempi utili la data di svolgimento del torneo “.
RoybKrishna and Le’alafa alla OFC Nations Cup 2016 – OFC Media
Recently, one of the most important football players ever of Solomon Islands helped the Ni-Vanuatu outfit Galaxy FC to qualify for the knock-out stage of the OFC Champions League 2020 in their first appearance in the regional competition; we are talking about the former forward of teams as Amicale, Koloale and Canterbury United and the Solomon Islands national team Batram Suri.
Suri reached the impressive mark of 48 international matches for Solomon Islands national team, including being the team captain in several opportunities for his country. Suri also represented the former New Zealand-based side Football Kingz that played in the former Australian top-tier league, the Australian National Soccer League.
Suri (right) playing and captaining Solomon Islands national team
The Solomon Islands football legend also has tight bonds to Vanuatu football; he last played for the Amicale, a historical giant of Ni-Vanuatu football and currently coaches the national powerhose Galaxy FC. Suri also had a stint as coach of Ifira Black Bird in the country.
Suri talked to Oceania Football Center among his experience as player, as coach and his expectations for his upcoming challenges in football. Suri also gave his views about how football is developing in the region.
See the complete interview with Batram Suri below:
Galaxy FC impressed in O-League matches, a very good tactical discipline from the Vanuatu team. How did you implement that in the team?
Yes, the group A was a very tough pool. When I was preparting for our first match against the current champion [Hienghène Sport], I was watched and analysed their previous games in the last OFC Champions League. I worked on the areas we need to defend them and also to attack against them as well in discipline manner. Regardless we agave two penalties away we won, but we need to discipline on the field of play.
Against Eastern Suburbs both teams played 4-1-4-1 and we started very well by scoring two early goals. I thought we could win easily, but our turning point was when the referee gave a red card to my defensive midfielder for second booking which I thought was a fair challenge.
The match of Galaxy vs Hekari I thought the pressure was on their side and we expected that they would come and played their guts to score all three goals they need, but it did not happen. I watched and analysed Hekari about their previous OFC Champions League matches, but what could come to my mind was they would have many different players now except for three or four old players. We lost 2-1 but qualified for the knock-out stage, that was what our boss and team wanted to.
What are your expectations for the quarterfinal match? Is there any team you would want to play against?
I think it will be great game and every team wants to win because it is only one game. We want to win to go through to semifinal. So far I do not know which team we are going to play against and also when, the unexpected Coronavirus introduced in the whole world made we to stop training, so I do not know whether the team is fit or not. Before that I want to play against any team that we would draw to play against due to well preparation for the quarterfinals because I saw the team spirit was high, the fitness, technical and tactical work on the team was there with the good attitude. The fact that we will play only one game in quarterfinal is also good for our team.
From your experience in Oceania football, do you see any development of the game in the region in the past years?
Yes, I think so. The likes of the Samoan club [Lupe o le Soaga] which beat Ba FC and Malampa Revivors which beat Lae City FC unexpectedly. The other things too, it is just like a random… Other teams which qualified for the last OFC Champions League they were out and the others who were not qualified were going through to quarterfinals. Just few teams still consistent with their qualifying for 2nd stage. I think it was very impressive and the standard rised.
Do you see some improvement in Solomon Islands football as well? How important is to have players like Raphael Lea’i and Leon Kofana trailling and training abroad?
When we look at the last pool games for both our [Solomon Islands] teams I think it doesn’t change much from the previous O-Leagues especially defending and creating – too many mistakes at the back. Both teams are great attacking sides but less defending so they need to improve that and reduce mistakes. When looking at the two young players, the best for them is to go for training abroad which I believe they will learn and improve alot from it, they are young and once opportunities for training abroad comes your way why not go for it? They have a long journey in football if both humble and honest with good attitude, they will a bright future.
What are your expectations for the next OFC Nations Cup, despite we are still unsure due coronavirus situation?
I always support where I belong, to my country and the introduction of the overseas coach to coach the national team will be great because he will be mean business with the team. I expect the majority of the team are young players from the U19 and U23. However if they mixed up with few experienced players on those lines in the team I think they will be a great team to watch. Anyway we will see how things work well regardless of this bloody Coronavirus which kills the human life especially my football. [See more: The most important tournament of Oceania is cancelled]
In your view, what is necessary to be done to develop faster football in Oceania? There’s talent, there’s passion, what is missing?
In my opinion, it is needed more of coaching courses to be conducted especially the A licence. Better facilities for the clubs for instance; Academies are a must for all the clubs. More competitions must be organised more from league organizers and the federations – more games for youth especially. Each federation should have an academy and establish a relationship with professional clubs to send their young players training for two or three years under professional environment and under government scholarship.
Batram Suri – OFC Media
How do you feel about having your son Alden pursuing the same career of yours in football, already taking part of U17 world cup and playing in New Zealand college system?
I am feeling great about my son following my footstep. He has an opportunity to develop step by step, age by age in his development pathway. I always mentioned him about that, for me it was not like that: from Solomon Cup, then selected to the national team without follow the youth level program pathways, but I reached professional competition because of hard work and dedication to myself and the country. Sometimes I rated him when watched him playing and said he is not reaching my level of performances yet. Even his mother could support me, I say: tell our son he is not yet catching his father’s level of performances because I want him to push himself more to reach his goal or to catch up with my level of performances.
How would you describe yourself as a player and as a coach? What have you achieved as a player you aim to achieve as coach as well?
As a player in my days, at first I wanted to play for the national team because when I was in high school people giving assurances that if I kept performing like that one day I would be in the national team, so my aim was to play for the national team. When I played in the Solomon Cup in 1992 I aimed for the golden boot – top scorer – and I got it… So I trained harder not only in the fied but also at my own time. It made me looked fit and always stayed focus all the time. I played for national team for a year and half after that I went abroad to play football. However, I achieved a lot of trophies and awards personally at home and mostly in New Zealand, for some of the clubs that I played for and as well as the national team. Well during my playing days after training I went home without worrying about anything, few minor things to think about: 1. My fitness; 2. How coaches want me to do; specific movements; 3. Get to know the next trainings; 4. Follow coach instructions – the path to get to selected in first eleven; 5. Discipline and 6. Consistency with your high performances.
Now as a coach, after trainings you are just like a teacher or mentor who come back home planning training sessions after sessions for the next match at weekends, go to the matches for analysing or if competition abroad then have to search for the teams in the last OFC Champions League to analyse, plan, prepare, conduct and evaluate the sessions so you are not free like as you were as a player. Yes, coaching is not an easy job! Bosses expected good results all the times, during the matches you always stay under pressure for the 90 minutes – if the results are good then it is fine, but if the results are not good then you are the one to be blamed and then you are more under pressure again. But you have to challenge them no matter what people say about you, you have to get over it and go again. I love it with passion of the game! As coach I also achieved few small awards for the teams and I enjoy working as coach.
Oceania Football Center thanks Batram Suri for his responses and wishes the best for his future!
21th April of 2020 marks a very sad day for all fans of Oceanian football; the most important competition of the region is cancelled, as informed the Oceania Football Confederation recent statement.
“The Nations Cup will not be moved to a new window as the priority for OFC is to ensure the FIFA World Cup qualifying process can begin later this year and these matches must take place in the FIFA International Match Calendar“, informed OFC Media.
This is the latest – and biggest – hit COVID-19 outbreak had to Oceanian football so far. As mentioned, the competition will not be taking place and soon the Confederation might announce how they will organise the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers process for OFC region. A number of facts were listed by OFC in its statement to take this decision: “The decision was made in light of the complexities posed due to the coronavirus pandemic. OFC’s 11 Member Associations have experienced challenging operating conditions recently and many of these countries are in lockdown. There are also obstacles regarding international travel that makes the main tournament unplayable in the coming months and teams would not be able to adequately prepare“.
Fiji and Solomon Islands stars Krishna and Le’alafa fight for the ball in OFC Nations Cup 2016 – OFC Media
Football is being hit worldwide for the current situation of Coronavirus pandemic, more decisions might be soon issued by Oceania Football Confederation regarding the FIFA World Cup process and also the OFC Champions League.
Despite understanding and agreeing with the OFC’s decision, Oceania Football Center also brings the cancellation of OFC Nations Cup as a very sad event for Oceanian football. It is expected more football tourmamet will be implemented in a near future to fill the hiatus due the missing of the most important football of the region.
A Vanuatu le attivitĂ sportive amatoriali ripartiranno nei prossimi giorni. Lo ha dichiarato il Ministro dello Sport e della GioventĂą, François Chani. VerrĂ concessa la possibilitĂ di praticare attivitĂ sportive non agonistiche all’aperto, la riapertura dei centri sportivi e verrĂ garantita la pratica di esercizi fisici di gruppo. Il governo vuole compiere questi passi per cercare di tornare alla normalitĂ prima possibile.
Chani (left) ha dichiarato che le attivitĂ sportive possono riparte. Fonte: Vanuatu Sport News
Il Ministro ha lasciato anche qualche speranza rispetto alla possibilitĂ che anche i campionati ripartano, pur ammettendo che questo non succederĂ certamente in tempi rapidi. L’ottimismo che si è percepito fa comunque sperare tutti i tifosi di rivedere in campo i propri beniamini. A Vanuatu non si è registrato alcun caso di COVID-19 e la nazione oceaniana si sta riprendendo adesso dalle conseguenze del passaggio dell’Uragano Harold.
La redazione di Oceania Football Center terrĂ aggiornati i propri lettori appena ci sarĂ qualche notizia piĂą precisa sulla riapertura.
The whole world is suffering from the worst pandemic of this century. Schools are closed, sporting activities were postponed and the hospitals are not dealing with the huge number of people infected by the COVID-19. However things are a little bit worse in some countries that have been facing another outbreak before the current pandemic.
Some Oceanian countries were very affected by the measles outbreak a few months ago and it reflected in the football.
Samoa was one of the most affected countries by the measles. The national league was called off and Lupe o le Soaga was considered the league champion to book a berth in the Preliminary Round of 2020 OFC Champions League.
Lupe returned to the continental tournament after missing the 2019 edition and they had a brilliant campaign. They managed to qualify to the group stage and made history for their country by beating current Fijian champions Ba in the Group D.
Lupe o le Soaga had a surprising performance in the 2020 OFC Champions League. Source: OFC Media
Many people considered this historical win as an outlier but it reflects the new reality of the local football. The local federation has been working hard to improve its management and the consequences are starting to be seen in the pitch.
Samoa is usually placed alongside with American Samoa, Cook Islands and Tonga because they are the bottom-four ranked nations in Oceania. Despite being poorly ranked in FIFA Rankings, it is clear that they are improving faster than these three other nations in order to reduce the gap between better-placed nations and Samoa.
The youth players must be highlighted as well. Samoan teenagers had a decent performance in the 2018 OFC U-16 Championship as they were a hard challenge for stronger nations like Fiji and New Caledonia while the U-23 squad thrashed American Samoa in the Olympic Qualifiers last year.
The senior squads also show improvement. While the men’s team beat Tonga and scored once against New Zealand in the last Pacific Games, the female squad made Samoa proud of them by finishing the 2019 Pacific Games in the second position after losing to Papua New Guinea in the final.
Samoan women performed really well in the Pacific Games. Source: FFS Media
Another good point is the increasing number of Samoan players in New Zealand. Playing in the best nation in OFC region surely brings lots of experience to them as they have the opportunity to get more exposure in a high level of football. Some players that must be pointed are: George Konusi, Andrew Mobberley and Jarvis Filimalae that are supposed to play the winter football season in New Zealand.
Some other good players like Andrew Setefano, Lapalapa Toni and Vito Laloata have already played in New Zealand as well. Laloata is currently playing for Papua New Guinean powerhouse Hekari United while Toni has recently returned to Samoa. Another player that must be highlighted is Willie Sauiluma that is currently playing in Australia.
Sauiluma is developing his talent in Australia. Source: Shepp News
It is clear that Samoa still has a long way to go but the first steps are made. It would not be a surprise if Samoa National Team becomes more competitive in a few years. The Oceanian football fans would be glad!
Oceania Football Center 