Oceania Football Center

AS Magenta beat Tiga as Mobil Super Ligue finally restarts in New Caledonia

The most important football league of New Caledonia is finally back to the game. Four matches were played in this weekened to celebrate the restart the of the top-tier football league of the nation – the Mobil Super Ligue.

Two matches of the five of the 2nd round – Horizon Patho vs. JS Baco was not played this weekend, the match will took place next 18th July – were streamed by Mobil Super Ligue page in Facebook. The first of those, saw the debut of New Caledonian international Jean-Philippe Saïko for AS Lössi against the newcomers in the league AS Kunié. But, it was Anthony Timoteo that was the standout player of the day for Lössi with a hattrick. The first goal of the day was scored by Ludwig Zeoula and then Timoteo’s show started when he scored with a powerful header after a cross from Saïko.

In the second half, Lössi found it difficult to score in the early stages of the period, but then Jorick Ngazo found the nets after a good cross by Timoteo. Timoteo added the fourth for Lössi and once again, it was time for Timoteo to score his hattrick counting on a good assist from Saïko. The former Tasman United man added the sixth for Lössi – a goal in the debut for Jean-Philippe Saïko – and the consoloation goal for Kunié was scored by Gianni Manmieu. A strong performance gave Lössi their first win in the league this season – Kunié suffered a total of 12 goals in two matches, but at least scored their first ever goal in the Mobil Super Ligue.

The second match of the day and the most important game of the weekend, saw Tiga Sport take on the powerhouse AS Magenta. The youngster Lues Waya put Tiga upfront the scoreboard – Tiga could not count on the New Caledonian international Richard Sele in this clash, certainly his experienced was missed by Tiga. In the second half, the turning point of the match was when the coach Alain Moizan introduced the attacker Jeremy Jeno in the game: Jeno scored the equalizer for AS Magenta and in the final moments of the game converted a penalty kick to keep his team in the top of the table of Mobil Super Ligue.

Hienghène Sport won by forfeit (3-0) AS Mont-Dore that could not travel to Hienghène to take on the current national champions. But, on Sunday, SC Ne Drehu travelled to Nouméa to take on AS Wetr. The match was full of goals: Neil Wahiobe opened the scoreline for AS Wetr in the 17th of play, Nestor Xalite equalized for Ne Drehu, but just one minute later Wetr star-player Germain Haewegene put his side upfront. In the second half, former Trio Kedeigne winger Jordan Wétria scored for Ne Drehu to give final numbers to the clash – 2-2.

AS Magenta and Hienghène Sport continue in the top of the table in a complete tie – you can see the full standings and results of Mobil Super Ligue in the season by visiting its updated page in our website.

PNG National Soccer League: transfer window schedule confirmed

After some controversy, Oceania Football Center recently stated the PNGFA alongside the PNG National Soccer League board were set to launch a new transfer window period for the franchises of national league. Today the acting NSL Manager Dimirit Mileng issued a notice letter informing the clubs the period and reasons for the decision taken by the organisors. You can see the full letter content by clicking here.

PNG NSL match between Bougainville vs Lae City – *PNGFA Media*

In the letter, Mr. Mileng states “The NSL Board has considered a number of requests by clubs seeking a transfer window period […], The board has considered it appropiate under the current circunstamce that is appropiate to open a seven-day period“. The window will be opened from July 25th until 31th, 2020.

It is know the first movement of the period is already confirmed: Nigel Dabinyaba and Raymond Gunemba are set to join Hekari United; it is confirmed both former Lae City players are already in Port Moresby training with the team coached by Jerry Allen, but as the window is still to be opened their documents are set to be issued just by 25th July. Both Nigel and Raymond were free agents after leaving Lae City due the sacking of manager Peter Gunemba and intern issues with the club. It is also confirmed Tusbab Stallions recruited three new players for their training camp, all of them with no previous national league experiened – their names are still set to be released.

Suva signs Solomon Islands’ Patrick Taroga

Suva continues to strengthen their squad; this time the team coached by Babs Khan looks for overseas talent to improve the levels of the team from Fijian capital. The new player is the former Henderson Eels attacking midfielder Patrick Taroga that recently joined Suva team camp.

After signing players such as Beniaminio Mateinaqara, Laisenia Raura and Ravnesh Singh, now Suva looks to add international talent to its creating and striking areas. Taroga who is currently studying in Fiji, decided to leave Henderson Eels in order to approach a scolarship program and did not take place in the 2020 OFC Champions League representing the Solomon Islands’ side. Now Taroga is set to be an important part of Suva as the Fijian national league restarts after COVID-19 break.

Solomon Islands Patrick Taroga aiming high | Oceania Football ... — Patrick Taroga representing Solomon Islands – *OFC Media*

Taroga represented his country Solomon Islands in the last OFC U23 Olympic Qualifiers as his team finished as runners-up of the competition, after beating Vanuatu in the semifinal but losing the spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after suffering a 5-0 defeat to New Zealand in the final match.

The 20-year-old also already represented Solomon Islands in the last 2019 Pacific Games, playing once and also scoring one goal against American Samoa.

Ivan Kumar’s South Auckland fights back two-goal deficit in New Zealand’s regional league

The former Suva man and Fiji U23 rep Ivan Kumar continues his adventure in New Zealand playing for South Auckland Rangers. Ivan Kumar’s side had a very hard match last weekend against Te Atatu were they were forced to come strong in the second-half to cut a two-goal deficit.

South Auckland Rangers had won all their matches before this clash against Te Atatu, but they continue in the top of the table despite not emerging victorious in their latest match. Te Atatu pulled a two-goal lead early in the clash with goals from Ciaran Regan and Nathan Rollinson, but South Auckland recovered in the second half to goals of the Fijians Dhirak Kumar and Fauzul Ahmed. The former Suva player Ivan Kumar provided one assist in the match and he was one of the standout alongisde Rangers’ goalkeeper Riad Khan.

Team Captain Rinal Prasad and Ivan Kumar – *NZFFI*

South Auckland Rangers has a strong bond with New Zealand Fiji Football Incorporated (NZFFI) as many of its players are Fijian or have Fijian roots. The club is currently topping the NRF Men’s Conference, the 4th tier of football in Northern Region of New Zealand.

Henderson Eels back to training in Solomon Islands

Football clubs are already allowed to resumed training in Solomon Islands as the local football federation received the green light from Solomon Islands’ government’s COVID-19 oversight committee to resume football activities.

With the next Telekom S-League’s season scheduled to begin on August 8, the teams are slowly resuming their activities in order to get ready for the season opener and one of these teams is the Henderson Eels.

Eels’ first training session took place at Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Academy on Saturday. It was the first opportunity for head coach Eddie Marahare see his team back to action after the COVID-19 pandemics.

Henderson Eels players after the training session

Henderson Eels also have another important to get ready for: the 2020 OFC Champions League quarter-finals that is currently scheduled to take place in September.

Football in Solomon Islands have officially resumed on last weekend when Koloale won Women’s Preseason Tournament at Lawson Tama Stadium.

New Zealanders back to action in USA as Minnesota United beat Sporting Kansas City

Football resumed in United States of America as MLS is Back Tournament kicked-off on Wednesday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando.

The current Major League Soccer season counts on many players from New Zealand and three of them were involved in today’s clash between Sporting Kansas City and Minnesota United FC. Defender Michael Boxall was Minnesota’s captain while his countryman James Musa started on the bench. The third Kiwi involved in the clash was Winston Reid who remained on Kansas City’s bench during the whole match.

Boxall played with a special item today: a armband with George Floyd’s name – a black American killed by a white police officer who knelt on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds in Minneapolis.

Michael Boxall before the kick-off – *Minnesota United Media*

Kansas City opened the scoreboard in the first half with a goal scored by Khiry Shelton. Shelton still had time to score another goal in the second half… an own-goal in the 92th minute to equalize. Minnesota still had time to score another goal in the stoppage time when Kevin Molino found the net in the 97th minute before being replaced by James Musa.

Minnesota’s next clash will be against Real Salt Lake while Sporting Kansas City will face Colorado Rapids. Both matches are going to be contested on Friday.

Nigel Dabinyaba and Raymond Gunemba ready to join Hekari United

After some controversy, a new football transfer window is open in Papua New Guinea and national powerhouse Hekari United did not lose time as they are close to join with two of the best footballers in the country: Nigel Dabinyaba and Raymond Gunemba.

Both players were free agents since March when they left Lae City alongside head coach Peter Gunemba. Dabinyaba and Gunemba are already known by Hekari United fans as both have already played there a couple of years ago.

Gunemba (left) and Dabinyaba (right) are close to join Hekari United

Dabinyaba and Gunemba must be huge additions to Hekari United’s squad for the remaining of 2019-20 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League as they will bring lots of quality and experience to a team that already counts on some experient and talented players like midfielder David Muta.

Hekari United is currently in the third position in the National Soccer League with 23 points in ten matches, only two points below current league leaders Vitiaz United. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.

Papua New Guinea: new transfer window is subject of controversy

The 2019-20 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League is set to resume on August 1st after five months stopped due to COVID-19 pandemics. However the league’s resumption is also generating controversy about opening a new transfer window.

According to reliable sources, Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) opened a special transfer window before the league’s resumption as the last transfer window closed right before the tenth matchweek of the current league season but it seems that it was not approved by everyone involved with the league – “As a franchise owner I am shocked and surprised if the transfer window was opened again,” said Lae City’s chairman Ian Chow.

Lae City players celebrating a goal in 2020 OFC Champions League – OFC Media

Lae City lost many players in March after head coach Peter Gunemba was sacked. However the team owned by Chow will count on the Komolong brothers Alwin and Felix for the remaining of the 2019-20 season.

Local clubs will have the opportunity to strengthen their squads for the final part of the season. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.

Wellington Phoenix to receive European proposals for youngster Liberato Cacace

Wellington Phoenix fans must enjoy having youngster Liberato Cacace in the team while he is still there. The 19-year-old left back is one of the most talented players from his generation in New Zealand and it seems that an European move is just a matter of time for him.

According to Stuff, clubs from Belgium and Netherlands are strongly interested on signing with Cacace for 2020-21 season so Wellington Phoenix must receive some offers during the European transfer window.

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European clubs are watching Cacace closely

Cacace is a key player at Wellington Phoenix. The young left back scored three goals in eighteen league matches in the current Hyundai A-League season that is set to resume on this week.

Auckland United and Central United remain on top of Lotto NRFL Men’s Premier League

The fourth matchweek of Lotto NRFL Men’s Premier League is over and the two top teams won to remain on top: Auckland United and Central United.

Auckland United received bottom-placed North Shore United at Keith Hay Park and won by 2-1 with goals scored by Andrew Milne and Joshua Redfearn while Central United visited Forrest Hill Milford at Becroft Park and won by 3-1. Dylan Manickum, Emiliano Tade and Angus Kilkolly were Central’s goalscorers in the contest. Both teams remain on top with twelve points in four matches. However Auckland United are currently on top because they have a better goal debit than Central.

Auckland United (left) and Central United (right) won all their league matches so far – *Phototek NZ*

In the other matches of the day, Tommy Semmy found the net twice to lead Hamilton Wanderers in the 2-0 win against Melville United while Manukau United beat Western Springs to win their second match in the current league season.

Birkenhead United have beaten Eastern Suburbs by 3-2 to remain in the third position while Matthew Palmer scored a brace to lead Bay Olympic in a 3-0 win against Waitakere City. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.