Oceania Football Center

Brazil introduces the world to Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands sport does have a strong connection with Brazil: the Bilikiki, as the Solomon Islands Beach Soccer National Team is known, is one of the strongest teams in Oceania – and they reached the world stage for the first time ever in Brazil.

Solomon Islands won Vanuatu in the decisive match of 2006 OFC Beach Soccer Championship to secure a spot in 2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Brazil had introduced the world to Solomon Islands as it would be their first ever appearance in a World Cup held by FIFA.

Led by James Naka and Gideon Omokirio, Solomon Islands were not supposed to have an easy group to make their debut at a FIFA tournament: beach soccer powerhouses Uruguay and Portugal were in their way, while African representatives Cameroon completed the Group C.

But Bilikiki‘s debut could not be better: Solomon Islands faced Cameroon and their star James Naka scored four goals in the match; the experienced Omokirio added another to help his team to beat the Africans by 5-2 – Solomon Islands’ first game on the world stage, also their first victory ever.

See More:
James Naka: the king of the beach in Oceania.

A bigger challenge was there for Solomon Islands in their second match against Uruguay. The good team from South America needed to battle hard to confirm their favouritism against the Oceanian champions; Naka, Omokirio and Rogy scored one goal each, while Koto added a brace for his country, unfortunately it was not enough to surpass the Uruguayans that found the nets ten times in the match.

Belchior (left) and Omikirio battle for the ball

An even better side was their final opponent in the tournament: Portugal. The likes of Madjer and Belchior proved too strong for the first timers as the Portuguese team scored 14 goals in the match. Anisua and Luwi scored two goals in favour of the Solomon Islanders, but nothing more than consolation goals.

Solomon Islands finished their first ever appearance in a FIFA tournament in the third place in the Group C; scoring 12 times and conceding 26 goals – a great memory for the players and a great achievement for a whole country, especially recording their first ever win in the competition. The win against Cameroon was remarkable.

The warriors from Solomon Islands made their country proud in the sands of the famous Copabacana beach in Rio de Janeiro. The same Bilikiki would come back to Brazil in 2007 to play another FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup edition – where they even played against the hosts – to continue their path at world stage.

Solomon Islands lost the reigning spot in Oceanian beach soccer for Tahiti – the Tiki Toa already reached the grand final twice in recent editions of FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Solomon Islands are looking to have another strong generation in order to retain the standard James Naka & Co. helped them to achieve.

This article is part of the series ‘Brazil and Oceania: a Football connection‘.

João Moreira: I was very happy in Auckland

João Moreira is a Portuguese footballer with a long career in football. The 34-year-old forward played for many clubs from Spain and Portugal but he made history playing for Auckland City in New Zealand. Currently playing for Team Wellington, another team from New Zealand, João Moreira talked to futebolalternativo.pt – a Portuguese website focused on alternative football – about his career.

Futebol Alternativo allowed Oceania Football Center to quote some parts of the interview in this article. You can read the full interview (in Portuguese) by clicking here.

Moreira scored 38 goals and gave 18 assists in 63 games for Auckland City, being the fourth best scorer in the recent history of this amateur club, founded in 2004. Despite being only 16 years old, the Navy Blues dominated the continent and won the Oceania Champions League for nine times – seven of them in a row from 2011 to 2017. João won the competition four times between 2014 and 2017.

Moreira (left) with OFC Champions League trophy

Playing for Auckland City, you won the national championship twice and the OFC Champions League 4 times in a row, scoring in two finals. Was it the club where you most enjoyed playing?

Yes, I think Auckland City, alongside with Estrela (his childhood club) were the clubs where I was most happy, because I had stability there. I think that is essential to a football player, being stable so you can be at a great level and help your team. I think that in Auckland I was able to do both things, winning some titles and being important in some ocasions, which is gratifying.

New Zealand is a world power in rugby. Does football end up having little media attention?

Undoubtedly yes, in my opinion, football here will never be the main sport, it will always be secondary, or not even that. Here the main sport is rugby, with a similar popularity to cricket and I think football ends up losing its essence both in Australia and in New Zealand. Those who are part of football try to row against this situation, it’s sad, but that’s the reality here.

Today, you play for Team Wellington, Auckland City’s rival, where you made history. Was there any controversy during the transfer?

Yes, I still feel a little strange, but these are life situations, we have to look ahead. I was well received here in Wellington, they are a fantastic family. And there was never any controversy, because it is a secondary sport, not so relevant. But of course, I heard that some Auckland fans were sad, they expected that my return to the country would be to Auckland, but it didn’t happen. The coach who was there, who was a mentor to me, left the club, so I ended up in Wellington. I didn’t have the opportunity to face them due to the coronavirus, but it would certainly be strange.

Moreira celebrating a goal for Team Wellington

João Moreira was present in three FIFA Club World Cup editions and he played two matches in the tournament’s history. The best ever participation of the Navy Blues was 2014, when they were defeated by Argentinian side San Lorenzo in the semi-finals by 2-1 at extra-time. In the third place play-off they defeated Cruz Azul from Mexico on penalties to bring the bronze medal to New Zealand.

Despite playing the 2019-20 ISPS Handa Premiership season for a Auckland City’s rival, he will surely be remembered by the Navy Blues fans for a long time.

David Browne shines in HJK’s friendly match

One of the biggest football teams in Finland, HJK faced Gnistan from second division in a friendly match at Bolt Arena on Saturday. This match was part of HJK’s preparation for 2020 Veikkausliga – the top-tier of Finnish football.

Papua New Guinea international David Browne was in the starting eleven as left winger and he had an important role in the 4-0 win by delivering two assists in the first half. After a cross from the right side, Browne headed the ball to Kai Meriluoto who opened the scoreboard for HJK. The second goal also had the participation of the 24-year-old winger as Riku Riski found the net after Browne’s cross. You can check the first goal here and the second goal here.

Browne (left) delivered two assists in the match

The Papua New Guinean player was replaced in the second half and HJK scored two more goals after he left the pitch. Browne keeps showing his quality in Finland after leaving New Zealand powerhouse Auckland City FC.

Manchester City show interest on signing Matthew Garbett

Matthew Garbett is a talented 18-year-old striker from New Zealand who is currently playing for Falkenbergs FF in Allsvenskan – the top-tier of Swedish football. He recently joined Ner Era Global Sports, a football agency that has former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand as ambassador.

Since then he is being linked to some clubs from bigger football leagues. According to Football Insider, Manchester City and Everton from England are interested in the young striker.

Garbett celebrating a goal in 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup

Garbett is one of the most promising players from New Zealand. He represnted his country in FIFA U-17 World Cup last year and scored two goals in the tournament.

2019-20 season is over for Fijian defender Nicho Prasad

The 2019-20 season is over for Nicho Prasad. The 24-year-old Fijian defender is not going to play anymore in this European football season as Regionalliga Nordost – one of the legaues that compose the fourth tier of German football – was officially cancelled.

He joined Bischofswerdaer FV 08 in March and he played only one match as the league was suspended due to COVID-19 right after his official debut.

SEE ALSO
Nicholas Prasad thankful to represent Fiji

Prasad was born in Canada but he chose to represent Fiji internationally. He played eleven matches for Fiji National Team so far.

Bonsu-Maro strengthens Manukau United for winter season

Maro Bonsu-Maro is another ISPS Handa Premiership player that is going to play New Zealand winter football season this year. The 23-year-old forward is going to represent Manukau United in Lotto NRFL Premier, the top-tier of winter football in Auckland region.

His choice to represent Manukau is a bit surprising as he played the last two seasons for Central United, a club that is known for having many players from Auckland City in the squad.

SEE ALSO
Maro Bonsu-Maro: Cook Islands national team is still a possibility
Cook Islands: five years without competitive football

Bonsu-Maro is born in New Zealand but he has a Ghanaian father and Cook Islander mother. He represented Cook Islands at youth level but he did not take a final decision about representing them at senior level.

Fiji: IDC, BOG and Fiji Fact venues released

Three of the most important football tournaments of Fiji, the Battle of Giants, Inter-District Championship and Fiji Fact, already know their venues for the editions of 2020 season.

The Battle of Giants is set to be played in Lautoka at Churchill Park, the Inter-District Championship will take place in the Fijian capital Suva at ANZ Stadium and the Fiji Fact will be played at Subrail Park, in Labasa.

Labasa celebrating IDC title – *Fiji FA*

The competitions are still waiting to have a fixed date, but it is known BOG will be played this August, while IDC and Fiji Fact will be played in September and November respectively.

Labasa won both last editions of Battle of Giants and Inter-District Championship, while Nadi is the current title holders of Fiji Fact.

Charles Mani shines in Hibiscus Coast win in New Zealand

The Solomon Islands youth international Charles Mani and his side Hibiscus Coast AFC are preparing for their debut in the season in Lotto NRFL Division 2, in New Zealand. The 18-year-old attacker is already in the senior team of Hibiscus and played in a friendly match this Saturday (06th June) against Northland in Auckland.

The result could not be better for Mani and his new club: 6-2 in favour of Hibiscus. Mani could not have a better start for his side as the young Solomon Islander recorded three assists in the clash; Mani played the entire 90 minutes to end having a very good match. “It was a bit hard in the start, but me and my teammates managed to win in this preseason match,” said Mani.

Mani (left) and a teammate after the match

Mani also stated he is confident for the new season – their debut game will be against Takapuna in the next weekend: “I am 100% ready for the game, for the new season. I see all my teammates ready for the challenge,” explained the Solomon Islander player.

See More:
Charles Mani: practice makes perfect;
Solomon Islands’ Charles Mani successful in trials in New Zealand club;
When the right knee prevented Benjamin Totori to make it big in America.

This is Mani’s first season out of New Zealand; the striker could not play any official matches in New Zealand in the past year when playing for Glenfield – a football player is only allowed by FIFA to play official games out of his country if he is at least 18-years-old, as Mani celebrated his 18th birthday in February he is now allowed to play.

In 2019, in the school break in New Zealand – Mani is also finishing his studies in the country while playing for Hibiscus Coast AFC – he came back to Solomon Islands where he played for Kossa in Telekom S-League, the top-tier football league in his homenation.

Charles helped Solomon Islands to qualify for their first ever FIFA football tournament as they finished 2nd in the 2018 OFC U16 Championship. The young talented played represented his country in Brazil at U17 FIFA World Cup featuring all three matches of the group stage against Italy, Paraguai and México.

Samuela Kautoga joins Western Springs

Samuela Kautoga is back to Western Springs after some months playing for Rewa in Fiji. The 33-year-old player is going to play the 2020 Lotto NRFL Premier Men, the main football league from Auckland region in New Zealand winter football season.

It is going to be his second straight season with the Springs. There are some other Fijian players in this winter football season like Shuiab Khan in Central United and six other players in Manukau United.

Kautoga is a well known player by Fijian football fans. He represented the National Team in sixteen matches and scored a goal.

Brian Kaltak joins Central United for winter football season

It is confirmed. Brian Kaltak will represent Central United in New Zealand winter football season for the second straight year. The 26-year-old defender from Vanuatu was an important player for Central last year.

Central United is well known because they always count on many players from Auckland City in their winter season squad. They are currently playing Lotto NRFL Premier Division, the top-tier of football in Auckland’s region.

SEE MORE:
Brian Kaltak: ready for a chance outside Oceania
Brian Kaltak: I had the best season of my career
Brian Kaltak: an inspiration for Pacific people

Kaltak first played in New Zealand in 2017 when he joined Tasman United and now he is one of the best players there.