Oceania Football Center

Raymond Gunemba responds to allegations of Lae City’s boss Ian Chow

One of the most intriguing cases currently in Oceanian football has a new chapter: the former Lae City captain and Papua New Guinea football star Raymond Gunemba spoke to Oceania Football Center regarding the allegations of his former side team’ boss Ian Chow.

Gunemba, who recently left Lae City alongside some of his teammates, was not happy with the treatment his father and coach Peter Gunemba had from Chow: “We were not happy because Peter was the person that brought the team from nothing to champions. It is him who built me and some of the players who have now become well-known nationwide in the sport“, stated Raymond.

“All the allegations he made about us are all false“, mentioned the Papua New Guinean star player. Gunemba and some important ex-Lae City players were accused by Ian Chow of misbehaving during trainings and team commitments. According to the chairman, Gunemba, and other penalized players from Lae, engaged in drinking and the smoking of cigarettes and marijuana as recently as their trip to Vanuatu for the OFC Champions League.

Chow also stated Raymond, Ronald Warisan and Nigel Dabinyaba were suspended from the PNG Kapuls – it is known that in last Pacific Games held in Samoa in 2019 various players were disciplined by PNGFA due to misdemeanours, but the governing body has declined to issue a list of players that were penalized by the entity. “These are all lies. We were a disciplined team; because of our discipline and belief in God we have been successful thus far. We only drink after the season“, stated Raymond Gunemba.

“When we heard that the coach had been sacked, all the players from our local team Poro stood first for the movement; then came the original Lae City Dwellers players. For the rest of the players, it was up to them if they want to leave or not. I did not force any players to move: somewhere it was mentioned that I had forced Emmanuel Simon to move out – that’s a complete lie. Some of the players cleared their stories with the sponsor before the exodus, so when we moved out they went back and joined the team“, stated the forward, who scored six times for Lae City in the first round of PNG National Soccer League.

Gunemba adds he tried to contact Mr. Chow to clear the situation and explain his movement, but he was denied a chance to have a meeting with the chairman: “We emailed Mr. Chow and asked him if we could meet with him and explain our movement, but he said that we have left already, so we are free to join other teams“, explains Gunemba; “That is the thing that confused me. Why did he want to suspend us? What did we do?” added the player.

“All the things that happened were because of jealousy; our names have been spoiled in the media, but all the claims that were made are not true. We pray that God will prevail and show everyone that we are innocent.”

Gunemba also talked about his future in the sport and his plans for the next months and PNG National Soccer League. Oceania Football Center will soon reveal these further statements from the star player. Stay tuned!

A-League postponed; Phoenix will need to wait

The COVID-19 outbreak forced another league to stop: the Australian top-tier, the Hyundai A-League, was postponed. After many discussions around the decisions made to keep the league running, the league officials decided in the last days that the games could not keep being played due the terrible situation regarding Coronavirus.

Wellington Phoenix was in Australia, ready to play the remaining matches of the regular season away from SkyStadium. But, after some matches played and much discussion, the A-League announced will review the situation over the coming weeks with a further status assessment scheduled for 22 April, with the goal being to reschedule the remaining games.

Image may contain: 6 people, people playing sports, stadium, grass and outdoor — Phoenix is enjoying a great season – *Phoenix Media*

The decision came as a relief for the sports’ community in Australia and New Zealand. The recent trouble regarding COVID-19 put a lot of pressure in all people involved in the case. The news were specially good for the midfielder Ulises Dávila that could met for the first time his first child after traveling back to his homeland Mexico.

Phoenix will need to wait to complete their ‘dream season’ in a forced ‘vacation period’. The Nix is currently at 3rd in the ladder with 20 matches played. The 2nd placed side Melbourne City is only four points ahead but played 23 matches already; Brisbane Roar, the 4th placed-side, is one point behing the New Zealand-based side in the run, but also played two more matches in comparison to the Nix.

The New Zealanders are enjoying a great spell of football, winning their four last matches in the process. Phoenix is having, arguably, their best season ever in the league and they expect the outbreak trouble can be put soon to an end to continue their incredible run.

Krishna leads ‘Team of the Tournament’ of Indian Super League

The Fijian international Roy Krishna had a fantastic season in India after helping his team ATK to clinch their 3rd Indian Super League title. The forward scored 15 times and provided 6 assists during the league, being one of the best players of the season.

Roy Krishna: the best year of his career – Oceania Football Center

Krishna has now another milestone to celebrate: he was chosen by ISL in the ‘Team of the Tournament’ alongside the best players of the league. Krishna led the team with the most biggest amount of points, rated by the ISL officials.

Krishna, who captained ATK in the grand final match against Chennayin, is also the captain of Fiji national team. The star player is back to Fiji after the big sucess he achieved in India and certainly he made his compatriots very proud of his marks in the previous season.

Football Fern Rebekah Stott makes history in Australia

The New Zealand international Rebekah Stott added in the past week another very important title to his career: the defender won her 4th Australian W-League – the top-tier of women’s football in Australia – for her side Melbourne City after beating by 1-0 in the grand final Sydney FC.

Stott was praised as one of the best internationals during the season and was a crucial part of the Sky Blues success during the league. The defender helped Melbourne City with two goals scored in the season, including one in the semifinals against Western Sydney Wanderers.

Rebekah Stott has already represented New Zealand internationally 71 times, scoring four goals for her national team.

Brian Kaltak crowned national champion in New Zealand top-league

The Ni-Vanuatu international Brian Kaltak helped his side Auckland City in New Zealand to top the ISPS Handa Premiership – the top-tier of football in the country. The defender scored two goals in the process to be an important part of Auckland City glory in the season.

The Erakor Golden Star product also helped Auckland City in their campaign at OFC Champions League – Group Stage where he scored twice in the tournament so far to help the Navy Blues to top the group D held in Tahiti.

The ISPS Handa Premiership needed to end its season due the COVID-19 outbreak; the league could not run as scheduled and the top-placed side was awarded the title missing still two matches to be played by each team in the regular season. The New Zealand top-tier also has a playoff series among the top four sides of the regular season – something that also could not happen.

Kaltak is the very first Vanuatu citizen to win the New Zealand top football league. He was chosen six times for the ‘team of the week’ – weekly prize of the best players in the week – in the league.

Tokyo Olympic Games are postponed

The Tokyo Olympic Games scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 9 of the current year are postponed to 2021 due the COVID-19 outbreak. After a lot of discussions between IOC – International Olympic Committee and Japanese government, an agreement was reached between both parties.

During the week, many national Olympic committees expressed their concerned regarding the schedule of the Olympic Games. Canadian and Australian representatives stated they would not be taking part of the games if IOC did not postpone the competitions.

Resultado de imagem para New Zealand football olympics — The OlyWhites are qualified for the Olympic Games football tournament – *OFC Media*

There is still a missing an appointment from the governing bodies to confirm the precise dates of when the Olympic Games will take place in the next year. The decision follows the postponements of UEFA European Championship and Copa América. Almost entire football world currently is on break due the COVID-19 threats.

The Oceanian representatives at both Men’s and Women’s football tournaments – New Zealand – are certainly following closely the decisions of IOC regarding the games. It is still unsure if IOC will allow the tournament to turn into a U24 tournament as we will be having one more year in the calendar – the normal rules for player’s age at the Olympic is U23.

La FTF blocca tutte la attività calcistiche per l’emergenza COVID-19

La Federezione Calcistica della Nuova Caledonia ha pubblicato un comunicato stampa in cui si dichiara lo stop di tutte le attività calcistiche sul territorio dell’arcipelago oceaniano a seguito di indicazioni ricevute dal governo per contrastare l’emergenza COVID-19. Il comunicato stampa è il seguente:
“In conseguenza alle indicazioni del governo, il campionato MOBIL SUPER LIGUE è temporaneamente sospeso.
La seconda giornata del campionato di massima divisione che si sarebbe dovuta tenere questo sabato 21 marzo è rinviato a una data successiva.
Tutte le competizioni calcistiche – come tutti gli eventi sportivi sul territorio – sono pertanto annullate fino a nuovo avviso.
Anche la sede della FCF sarà chiusa da giovedì 19 marzo fino a quando la situazione non si stabilizzerà.
Anche il Centro tecnico Païta rimarrà chiuso e nei nostri club affiliati saranno vietate le attività per i giovani fino a nuovo avviso.
Anche l’Assemblea federale straordinaria prevista per sabato 28 marzo è annullata.
La FCF vorrebbe ricordare che ognuno di noi, in questi momenti di incertezza, deve comportarsi in modo civico, così da preservare la salute di tutti “.

la Fédération Calédonienne de Football déclare l’arrêt complet de la ‘pratique Football’

La Fédération Calédonienne de Football a publié un communiqué de presse déclarant l’arrêt de toutes les activités de football sur son territoire suite aux indications du gouvernement. Le communiqué est le suivant:

“De ce fait, le championnat MOBIL SUPER LIGUE est temporairement stoppé. La 2ème journée de l’élite qui devait avoir lieu ce samedi 21 mars est donc reportée à une date ultérieure. Toutes les compétitions football – comme l’ensemble des manifestations et regroupements sportifs sur le territoire – sont ainsi annulées jusqu’à nouvel ordre. L’Accueil de la FCF sera lui aussi fermé à partir de ce jeudi 19 mars, jusqu’à ce que la situation se stabilise. Le Centre Technique de Païta restera également fermé.Au niveau de nos Clubs affiliés, les entraînements seront de surcroît interdits, jusqu’à nouvel ordre. L’Assemblée Fédérale Extraordinaire programmée le samedi 28 mars prochain est également annulée. La Fédération Calédonienne de Football tient à rappeler que chacun et chacune d’entre nous, dans ces moments d’incertitude, doit avoir un comportement citoyen, de façon à tous nous préserver.“

Aaron Spain: a possible new PNG Kapuls member?

After a successful campaign at ISPS Handa Premiership in New Zealand for his side Team Wellington, the full-back Aaron Spain seems ready to represent Papua New Guinea internationally. The 25-year-old player was already called-up for Papua New Guinea national team in the past, but he is yet to make his international debut for his country.

The defender is from Kerema, Papua New Guinea and played his entire football career in New Zealand. Spain started his club football in Christchurch, with the well-know club Canterbury United. The Papua New Guinean impressed in the red-and-white team and secured a very interesting move to New Zealand powerhouse and former OFC Champions League champions Team Wellington. Spain played a very important role in the 2019/20 season for TeeDubs, helping his side to end the league in the 2nd place – earning themselves a spot in the 2021 edition of the OFC Champions League.

Aaron has a younger brother, Jordan, that recently represented New Zealand at OFC U23 Olympic Qualifiers. The 20-year-old seems commited to represent New Zealand at international level as he helped the country to seal a spot in the Football Men’s tournament in Tokyo Olympics. Jordan Spain also played the last edition of the ISPS Handa Premiership, but for the Dunedin-based side Southern United. Jordan also started his career in Christchurch playing for Canterbury United.

Aaron Spain played 15 matches in the season for Team Wellington, providing one assist in the process. The right-back would a be a fantastic addition to the PNG Kapuls side that is looking forward to the OFC Nations Cup to be held in New Zealand this year.

Papua New Guinea, that may have a very younger side in comparison from the 2016 OFC Nations Cup held in Port Moresby and the last edition of the Pacific Games in 2019, surely would be very happy to count on the experience and the quality of one of the most exciting backs of the New Zealand top-tier league.

If Papua New Guinea football association is serious about to build a strong generation of the Kapuls, Aaron Spain must be considered as one of the best options playing currently out of PNG National Soccer League. Spain seems ready to represent his homecountry, as a possible spot at New Zealand national team – as his younger brother is pursuing – seems very unlikely for him having the likes of Tim Payne and Storm Roux much ahead of him in a possible contest for the place in the Danny Hay-coached side.

Fiji Football Association postpones all scheduled events until further notice

Fiji is the latest country of Oceania to suspend its football activities due COVID-19 concerns. The Fijian Football Association recently stated all “its scheduled matches, meetings and workshops with immediate effect until further notice“.

“Fiji FA would like to take stand with the Government of Fiji and postpone all our scheduled matches, meetings and workshops taking into consideration the health, safety and wellbeing of the players, officials and basically the entire nation which has always been our priority”, the Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel said.

Image may contain: 4 people, people playing sports and outdoor — Labasa and Ba at CVC final this year – *Fiji FA*

Patel stated the FFA is closely watching the situation of the outbreak and will issue new instructions when football is safe to be played in the country: “we will closely monitor instructions from the relevant authorities before making a decision on rescheduling the matches,meetings and workshops that are affected by the decision“, said the FFA president.