The sporting activities are ready to be resumed in Vanuatu. According to the caretaker minister of youth and sports, FranƧois Chani, sporting activities, health clubs and group exercises are allowed by the government to come back to normality.
Chani (left) announced that sporting activities were allowed to resume. Source: Vanuatu Sport News
It is not known if the football leagues are already allowed to resume in the country, but the minister’s statement brings some hope for those who love football. Oceania Football Center will keep investigating in order to bring the most accurated news for all followers.
Vanuatu did not register any case of COVID-19 and now the country is starting to recover from tropical cyclone Harold that is finally gone.
Reginald Davani is one of the greatest footballers ever from Papua New Guinea. Born in Port Moresby, he played in Australia for many years which gave him a lot of experience to keep his life linked to football after his retirement as a player. Currently working as Technical Development Manager in Football Queensland, the governing body for association football and futsal in Queensland (Australia), Davani made history representing his country. He is the Papua New Guinea National Team’s all time top scorer with fifteen goals scored in 23 matches and he was also Flemming Serritslev’s assistant coach in the Kapuls historical campaign in the 2016 OFC Nations Cup.
Oceania Football Center had the opportunity to talk to him about his career as a footballer and manager. You can check the full and exclusive interview below:
You went very young to Australian football. How was this process? How important it was for your footballer career? Do you see this as a good path for development for the current young generation of footballers in Papua New Guinea?
I went to Australia when I was 14 years old. I realized then that I could seriously pursue a career in football after seeing the different opportunities available to further develop. It came at critical stage of my development. Like most kids in Papua New Guinea (PNG) I played every sport I could, but football was always something I had the passion for ā it challenged me the most.
Football in Australia put me in a structured environment to accelerate my talent and development. I think most Papua New Guinean kids are like this, they are naturally gifted players and athletes, but at some point, ideally early in their development pathway, that raw talent needs to be nurtured in the right environment, so players understand the game better and pick up good habits.
If Papua New Guinea can create more structured environments and pathways around the country for young players, it will be able to nurture and develop talent in the same way other advanced football nations can.
You are the top goalscorer for the Papua New Guinea National Football Team (Kapuls) and one of the role models for the young Papua New Guinean footballers. How important this milestone is for you? What advices would you give to the young generation?
To be honest, the top goal scorer title is not important for me. Iām happy to have just scored one goal for my country and itās nice to be a part of Papua New Guinean football history. But I have no doubt it will be someone elseās name next to it very soon, which will be pleasing.
Being a role model is important. My advice for young players is to just enjoy the game and fall in love with it. Have big dreams. You never know how far it can take you. If football is what you want to do, then work hard and go for it. My passion for the game is what continues to drive me today as it did as a boy. – āYou have to be obsessedā¦ I was obsessed to be the bestā ā Steven Gerrard
Davani (left) representing Papua New Guinea in 2007.
Do you see differences from the football played in your footballer days in comparison to now in Oceania level? If yes, could you list some of them?
Yes, I think these days in Oceania the players have more exposure to experience the game at various levels. The O-league and National Soccer League (NSL) in Papua New Guinea are great concepts because it gives opportunities to players to play against the very best outside of their own city or country
At National team level, apart from New Zealand, other Oceania teams are now playing foreign opposition from the AFC region and beyond. When I was assistant coach for the Kapuls, we played a top football nation like Iran ā a top 30 ranked nation. In my time as a player, that was unheard of! This is invaluable football experience and knowledge gained for coaches, teams and players. You canāt get that in your own region.
Also, today social media, exposure to watching games online, access to international football stars online, its more accessible than before. But I think more needs to be done within the various countries so that rural players and zones have access to these different opportunities also.
You have plenty of experience of playing and coaching in different countries. Do you see much difference in the technical, fitness and tactical approachās in comparison to Papua New Guinea?
Yes, I do. I have been fortunate enough to experience and see the different approaches in team and player preparations. Translating key information in a manner thatās both clear for players to digest, and then seeing it impact immediately on a playersā performance, is a critical skill required at the elite level and one which I am working hard on developing every day.
In Australia and New Zealand, there is a strong push with Sports science and tactical analysis using software like Hudl, smartabase, wi-scout, session planner and more. Australiaās curriculum, is more process-driven, designed around educating and delivering a particular type of coaching process. Iāve also worked in environments where itās less process-driven and an expectation that the players already having a level of understanding in football knowledge/education.
In PNG, the Coach Development framework needs to be seriously addressed. There are some young talented Papua New Guinean coaches, but they work with limited resources and rely heavily on their own football experiences. Only a few have been exposed to a process. I started my senior coaching journey in similar fashion but was fortunate to have the international exposure as a player.
Globally, there is a strong push for coach development, and it should be no different in Papua New Guinea. There are a lot of coaches out there both at grassroots/community and National Soccer League level, that need the help and exposure to new practices around the world. The standard of coaching would improve immensely if there was an emphasis on this. The players would benefit more by receiving a higher level of coaching. Itās a real area of potential growth there and one which I think will have significant positive impact for football in the country.
All these experiences have been beneficial for me and Iāve been able to take different things from them to complement my own ideas to create my own personal coaching philosophy which I bring to all of my coaching and technical development work.
You have worked alongside the well-known coach Flemming Serritslev at Kapuls. How was this experience?
Flemming has extensive football knowledge and experience and was great for the Kapuls. He knew how to get the best out of players. I saw a coach who didnāt complicate things with the players but was still able to implement his own playing style in a short space of time. A humble personality but there was authority about him also. The result of that was making the OFC Nationās cup final in 2016 and almost winning it. I took a lot out of his approach and learnt a lot.
Currently the PNGFA is looking for a new head coach. Some experts and fans in the country mentioned you as one of the favorites to take charge of the spot. Do you intend to coach the national team, anything in the horizon?
Yes, itās no secret that I would love to coach the national team one day. I played for my country for many years and I was the assistant coach in the last world cup campaign – our best campaign ever in our history. It would be a huge honor to take on the responsibility and continue the work that was achieved before. Iām not sure what the future holds but itās a role I would love to take on one day. A position that I have a lot of respect for.
Davani would love to coach the Kapuls
What is your evaluation of the setup of PNG National Soccer League, the NSL and PNGFA administration around the league and the importance of to have a well-structured national league in the country?
Having a National League is vital for the development and growth of the game in the country. This has to be the stage for Papua New Guineaās top players talent and coaches to grow and develop. A strong National league will provide competitive national teams (for both men and women).
A major factor of the success of the Kapuls‘ Nations Cup success in 2016, was the exposure of a core group of players who started in the NSL back in 2006 and developed through both the NSL and playing abroad, culminating in 2016 ā this has to continue for future generations. A pathway leading into the league needs to be a lot more structured and developed.
The League structure and administration of it needs to be reformed. The financial viability returns on investments for clubs and sponsors, the constant turnover of new teams and players and the consistency in the quality and standard of football all need to be considered if the NSL is to have any chance of reaching its potential.
Do you think the grassroots system of Papua New Guinea is working well – are the talents being scouted and receiving proper trainings, exposure and game time? While there is some good work being done, the grassroots system is not effective and is nowhere close to the level it needs to be for PNG to reach its potential as a football nation.
Finding the best players only happens by coincidence and not by any type of design or development programs. Football is played right across all 23 provinces in the country and mainly at a grassroots level, so Papua New Guinea needs to be more deliberate about its development programs for players and coaches. Like everywhere else in the world, there are major challenges, but this should be the highest priority for football in the country.
Establishing and implementing talent identification systems is key which are relevant to the circumstances there and tap into the school structures is vital, as is ensuring that a pathway exists to allow players from grassroots to transition into elite football successfully.
The most effective way to bring all these elements together is to develop a clear vision (long term) for the game in Papua New Guinea. One which recognizes the historical and cultural contexts of how the game has developed over the years but also acknowledges the huge untapped potential we have to reestablish ourselves as a powerhouse in the region and one day make the World Cup.
Tommy Semmy is proving of what he is capable of. Once again the Papua New Guinea international had a good season playing for Hamilton Wanderers in ISPS Handa Premiership, the New Zealand top-tier of football. Semmy scored four goals in the season for Wanderers and was also chosen in the ‘Team of the Season’ of the league: “It was great to be named in the ‘Team of the Season’ – it is good for me and for Hamilton Wanderers” said the player to Oceania Football Center. Semmy is also satisfied with the overall performance of Wanderers in the ISPS Handa Premiership in the 2019/20 season: “We have good number of players and most of them are young, this is good for them and for the team to build their confidence and I know we can do even better next season“, explained Semmy.
Regarding the PNG Kapuls, Semmy said he is ready to take a protagonist role for his national team: “Yes, of course, for my country surely I will put that jumper on again. I will do my best for my country“, states Semmy.
Semmy representing Papua New Guinea in 2015
Semmy was part of the Papua New Guinea national team that earned bronze in the 2015 Pacific Games and silver in the OFC Nations Cup. The forward believes the Kapuls can go even further in the upcoming competitions: “We have good and quality players, no doubt about that. Many of the boys are upcoming ones from PNG, I am feeling we will have a very good team“.
Semmy also shown his concern about the current situation regarding COVID-19 pandemic and its impact in Oceania football: “It is affecting everyone around the world. It comes back to individual players to maintain their training, so they go for national team preparation we will be less worried because most of the players will be in a good fitness level“, explained the Hamilton Wanderers player.
The next challenge for Papua New Guinea is the OFC Nations Cup, that is schedule to take place in New Zealand this June. Although the situation regarding COVID-19 is still very uncertain, Oceania Football Confederation did not release any statement regarding the postponement of the most important football tournament of Oceania.
Vitiaz United is surprising everyone in the current season of the most important football league of Papua New Guinea, the PNG National Soccer League. The newcomers in the national league were at the top of the table before the forced break due COVID-19 pandemic – and, surely, they stick on that position since we have no football in the country.
The mix of experienced players as the team captain Eliud Fugre and Joshua Talau and talent youngsters, as Yagi Yasasa and Russel Chris are working perfectly for the Port Moresby-based team. Vitiaz drew against the powerful Hekari United and beat the current national champions Lae City in the process, also recording a convicing win against the also strong side Tusbab Stallions in the run.
The team is surprising the football community in Papua New Guinea. It might not be a total surprise for Matthew Strach, the president of Vitiaz, that is bringing a new mindset to the sport with his team in the PNG National Soccer League: “It is all about mindset and attitude. We have noticed in football players in Papua New Guinea and our general country’s mindset too”, explains Strach. “I believe in making the best of every opportunity I have. I came from a tough background and made it through but I still see my friends and family waiting for something to happen and not going out there to do something about it. I try to bring that attitude to people around me. I am now working with my footballers as a start and hope they take that lesson back home to improve themselves and others around them“, explains the founder and president of Vitiaz United.
Vitiaz is a known club in the PNG community, but Strach explains why they are having just now their first appearance at PNG National Soccer League: “We have been registered with PMSA since 2013. But this is the first year in NSL. I have always wanted to take part in this competition. In fact that was the reason I registered the club in PMSA. I had so many of my boys and friends running in different NSL teams and I wanted to bring them all together considering how the other clubs treat the players“, explained the president.
Strach explained it was not hard for him and his directors to recruit a strong squad for the national league, due their experience in playing at PMSA: “I have a few of my boys in Lae who come to assist me every year at PMSA. I held onto them and got my senior players to recruit other players that could work together. I knew I couldn’t go fully development but get running players that knew how to gel with each other. That was the formula: to mix young talents with experienced players“.
Vitiaz management take it very seriously and organise itself in a very professional manner; differently from the most of the clubs the public commonly know in Oceania: “At the moment it is manageable as I am founder/president. My wife [Rogena Strach] is secretary and current Team Manager. We have a treasurer who looks after the books and a Vice President. Currently Vitiaz is registered as an association but putting in things in place to register it as a business. As an association it has worked well for the amateur competition but the national league is a bit more intense and requires more stringent controls to be in place to safeguard both the aspirations of the club and making sure the players are well taken care of. Our ultimate goal is to setup an academy to identify very young talents who will come through the system and take the ambitions of the club places and hopefully expose them to the world so they can go earn a living“.
Vitiaz is looking beyond the game results; they are looking to build a strong relationship with the community, to contribute with the evolution of the game and with expert administrators ready to expose the talent Papua New Guinea has. Strach also mentioned the club is already seeking overseas deals and opportunities to develop Vitiaz brand and create bussiness relationships.
Altough the club is ambitious, they are still looking for a major sponsorship to help with their full development, as the president also disclosed to Oceania Football Center Vitiaz, struggles financially in certain situations.
Vitiaz United celebrates a goal – Post Courier
Strach also detects certain problems in Papua New Guinean football reality; he says the clubs need to learn how to deal with these situations and not harm the performance of their teams: “To me most players expect quick recognition. With the little skills they have, they think it will take them places and they do not want to work harder as soon as they get recognised at the association level or if they make into an NSL team. But generally, PNG has not gotten the football development focus. We need to revisit that. […] My major one is attitude which we as a society are lacking. If we can get our footballers to think better and strive to be the best we will be on a better position to hopefully make it to the World Cup. Papua New Guinean players generally do not take instructions well because they think they know more. They need to humble themselves and keep working hard to be better every day“, explains the Vitiaz president.
Strach and his team biggest goal at the moment is to qualify for the OFC Champions League of 2021; the club is set to build new strategies if they can seal a spot in the regional tourmament and represent Papua New Guinea at international level. There is much more to come for the Port Moresby-based team – their management mindset is something above average in Oceania, something Oceania Football Center encourages all football teams in the region to follow.
Stars come and go in football. Every year many great footballers retire and many other young players begin to shine in the world. Some of them call the world’s attention very early while it takes some time to other ones. And one of these rising stars comes from Solomon Islands: Raphael Leāai.
He started to get known back in 2017 when he scored 34 goals in six matches to help his country to clinch the title of the first ever edition of the OFC Youth Futsal Tournament. He was just 14 years old and he was the top scorer and the MVP of this Under-18 tournament.
The youngster kept on showing his talent in futsal in the upcoming year when he travelled to Argentina to represent his country in the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics. Le’ai finished the tournament with seven goals scored in four matches. His outstanding performances called the attention of some Argentinian clubs like Godoy Cruz. However he was not able to join the team beacuse he was underaged so the contract should be based on a scholarship or something similar and it did not happen.
Le’ai (in the air) showed his talent in the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Argentina
The year of 2018 was really special to him. With just fifteen years old he led Solomon Islands in the OFC U-16 Championship by scoring eight goals and taking his team to the final of the tournament. Unfortunately they lost to New Zealand in the shootout but it was enough to qualify Solomon Islands for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time ever. Rapha was the MVP and the top scorer of this tournament. You can check his highlights in this tournament by clicking here.
Le’ai with the MVP and Golden Boot awards of 2018 OFC U-16 Championship
It was also in 2018 when he started to have some opportunities at senior level in 11-a-side football as he represented Marist FC in the 2018 Telekom S-League, the main football league in Solomon Islands. He finished the tournament with four goals scored in six matches, helping his team to finish in the sixth position. His talent called the attention of the only fully-professional team from Oceania: Wellington Phoenix.
However it did not prevent him to show his goods in the country as he kept scoring lots of goals for his college as he was the top scorer of 2019 Lotto Premier Tournament, a football tournament organized by New Zealand Secondary Schools Boys’ Football.
Left: Le’ai with his Golden Boot Trophy – Right: Le’ai wearing Wellington Phoenix uniform in a training session
The year of 2019 also reserved more to him. Rapha travelled to South America for the second straight year to represent his country in the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil. Despite not scoring in the tournament, he impressed with his skills and intelligence one more time in the biggest stage he has ever been. Oceania Football Center staff had the opportunity to watch him in loco in the match against Mexico and we were also very impressed with him.
Raphael (number 10) in the Solomon Islands’ starting eleven against Italy in the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Source: FIFA Media
After the World Cup the rising star came back to Solomon Islands to represent Henderson Eels in the 2019-20 Telekom S-League. He finished the tournament with 24 goals scored in seven matches helping Eels to finish in the second position with a secured berth in the 2020 OFC Champions League.
The present year has been very good for him. He was part of Henderson Eels’ squad for Champions League and he scored a beautiful goal in his official debut in the most important club competition from Oceania. His good performances helped the Eels to book a spot in the knockout stage.
Le’ai celebrating his first ever goal in the OFC Champions League. Source: OFC Media
In March he signed a two-year contract with Basi Futbol, a football agency that provides him full advisory. This agency took him and Leon Kofana to Australia for trials with Melbourne Victory youth squads. Rapha impressed once again but he is just sixteen and could not sign any contract.
It was also announced that Le’ai is in the Solomon Islands 31-men provisional squad for OFC Nations Cup that is originally scheduled to take place in June. He is the youngest player in the list.
Le’ai (right) during his trials with Melbourne Victory. Source: Basi Futbol Media
Raphael is surely a talent that must be spotted by big clubs because of his talent and his background as a young footballer. The sixteen-year-old forward can be easily the next breakthrough from Oceania overseas.
Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) still have some debts with former Papua New Guinea National Team head coachFlemming Serritslev who managed the team in the 2016 OFC Nations Cup.
Current head coach of Fiji National Team, Danish manager Flemming Serritslev made an excellent job by leading Papua New Guinea to the 2016 OFC Nations Cup final against New Zealand – an unforgettable campaign for the country and the head coach as well.
According to current PNGFA president John Kapi Natto, who was elected in 2018, the association is dealing with some problems left behind by the previous president.
Serritslev managed the Kapuls in twelve matches between 2015 and 2017.
The 26-year-old central back has really played an important role in Auckland City by being a very strong defender and helping the team in attack by scoring some important goals in the last matches of the season and he showed his happiness – “I am really happy to help Auckland City to win another title. Hope we can do the same in the OFC Champions League […] We have a good team spirit, that is why we keep the winning mentality going,” pointed Kaltak.
It was Kaltak’s second season in the Navy Blues and it he keeps improving his game. At 26, Kaltak is one of the best defenders in Oceania – “I would say it was my best season. I kept the positive attitude and worked hard on and off the pitch,” he explained. However he still has many years to show his quality. He is in a high level but it is not his career’s peak yet.
Kaltak playing for Auckland City
Despite living in New Zealand, he always keeps an eye on Vanuatu’s football and congratulated Galaxy and Malampa Revivors for the good campaigns in the 2020 OFC Champions League – “Both teams are doing good. I would like to wish them both all the best for the remaining matches,” he said. It is the first time ever that there are two teams from Vanuatu in the OFC Champions League quarter finals.
Anyway he knows the importance of staying focused to win the main club football competition in Oceania when the football activities return to normality – “Winning the Champions League is my dream. I know we will do this,” pointed the 26-year-old defender that helped Lautoka to reach the continental final in 2018 when the Fijian side lost to Team Wellington in the final.
Everything is unclear at this moment in the world due to COVID-19 pandemic as many important events are being cancelled or postponed just like the Euro 2020 that was postponed to 2021. The OFC Nations Cup is scheduled to take place in June but it can be rescheduled.
Vanuatu National Team has been improving in the last years and Kaltak is a key player in this process. Current National Team’s captain, he showed his concerns about the COVID-19 but he shows confidence for his next challenge in football with his country – “I am looking forward for the Nations CupWe need to be strong. I hope we will have a good team this year […] with a good preparation we can do good things,” he stated.
Kaltak representing Vanuatu in 2016 – OFC Media
He also pointed the importance of being confident and left a message for Ni-Vanuatu footballers – “It does not matter who you are. Your mindset says who you really are […] Keep being yourselves and work hard on and off the pitch. Stay positive all the time and be professional on whatever you do.”
It was widely reported that head coach Peter Gunemba is not Lae City’s head coach anymore. However he was not the only one who is gone as lots of players left the team alongside the coach Gunemba.
Former Lae City’s captain and Peter’s son Raymond Gunemba has already told that Lae City Dwellers must be revived so it is very probable that we will see two different teams from Lae in the next National Soccer League.
The whole situation was quite stormy and it could affect Lae City directly in the 2019-20 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League but things did not become worse because all football activities were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lae City starting eleven against Malampa Revivors in the 2020 OFC Champions League. Source: OFC Media
While many important players left the club, there are another good ones that have arrived to strengthen Lae’s squad like the Komolong brothers Felix and Alwin. Felix has already debuted for his new team in the 1-1 draw against Tusbab Stallions on March 14th.
Two goalkeepers arrived to replace Ronald Warisan and Matheson Nasa who left the team alongside Peter Gunemba. Jordan Tobem and Charles Lepani are the newest keepers in the squad while Ishmael Maddang was the starting keeper in Lae’s last official match. Young and talented defender Nigel Malagian came from Tusbab Stallions and made his debut against his former team.
Malagian (middle) is one of Lae City’s newcomers
There are also rumours that a third player from Ecuador could be joining the team for the second half of the National League but there are no official confirmation about that.
Good players arrived to strengthen the team’s defense but it seems that the new-looking squad might be facing some offensive problems as they will count on some remaining players that have been warming the bench in the first half of the league – “Basically it is a new team [ā¦] It has a lot of potential compared to the old one,” explained head coach Bob Morris.
Well it is clear that Lae City faced a huge storm but it seems that it is gone. Now it is time to think about the future, and it is look brightful.
Ronil Lal is surely having a great time in football. The young head coach of Labasa has already written his name in the history of Babasiga Lions by leading the team to lift three tournaments in less than a year.
The year of 2019 was surely one of the brightest seasons in the team’s history and being part of this is something very special to Ronil Lal – “I am very proud to be part of this exciting team. I am originally from Labasa so for it is very special for me and my family doing something for my home team,” he stated.
Lal with 2019 Inter-District Championship trophy. Source: Fiji FA
Despite winning three trophies and being in the spotlight, the Babasiga Lions was not so active in the last Fijian transfer window as they prioritized homegrown players instead of bringing extra power from outside the district – “The youth coaches are working very closely with me and we are following the philosophy that we have designed for Labasa FA. We are also trying to implement the team model from our under-16 to the the senior team which will enable the players to understand their player task and our system of play,” explained Lal. It is such a great example of good management that could be observed by other Fijian teams.
Labasa’s glowing year was recognized in Fiji as they dominated the Vodafone/Fiji FA Awards Night by winning the Team of the Year award while Atonio Tuivuna received the Player of the Year award.
Lal highlighted Tuivuna’s importance to the team and he has also reinforced that Atonio Tuivuna deserves a spot in Fiji National Team – “He does deserve a spot in the national. He is a very intelligent player and surely is the backbone of Labasa FA team and a great team player,” he said.
Atonio Tuivuna receiving the 2019 Inter-District Championship Golden Ball Award. Source: Fiji FA Media
It is important to point that Labasa did not have many players in the Fijian National Teams in the last recent years but things can change after the recent success of Babasiga Lions – “With a consistent performance these players have proven themselves and the players have been working very hard. And a national call up will be a fitting reward for them,” Lal added.
All hopes are renewed for Fijian players for the next call-up as Flemming Serritslev was recently appointed as Fiji National Team head coach – an appointment that is very appreciated by Lal – “Coach Flemming brings with him a ton of experience and knowledge which will be very valuable for players and coaches as well.”
Lal (holding the trophy) is confident that Serritslev can do a good job. Source: Fiji FA Media
Ronil has already proven his quality as a head coach and now it is time to keep his great job. Now it is time to use the football stop due to COVID-19 to plan the next steps to recover in the 2020 Vodafone Premier League as Labasa won only one of five matches in the league so far.
The former Hekari United player Tommy Semmy had another good season in New Zealand playing for Hamilton Wanderers. The forward was, alongside the MVP of the season Derek Tieku, the most important players of his team in the most important football league of New Zealand, the ISPS Handa Premiership.
Semmy had a good season representing Hamilton Wanderers
Wanderers finished 6th in the table, just two points away the 4th placed team Eastern Suburbs in the process. Semmy was a key figure for his team in the season; he also trialled in the full-professional outfit Wellington Phoenix in the New Zealand capital before the start of the national laegue, but he was not offered a contract.
Semmy represented Papua New Guinea in the previous OFC Nations Cup in 2016 held in home country, where he and his team finished in the 2nd place after suffering a heartbreaking defeat imposed by New Zealand in the penalty shootout. The attacker is a very important part of PNG Kapuls and will certainly represent his country once again in the upcoming OFC Nations Cup to be played in New Zealand.
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