Oceania Football Center

U-18 league kicks offs in New Caledonia

The U-18 league kicked off in New Caledonia. Two matches were played at Stade Numa Daly on Saturday in the opening day of the newest football league in the French territory.

In the opening match was contested between Païta FC and Dumbéa FC. The final score was 3-1 in favor of Païta FC. In the second clash of the day, local powerhouse Hienghène Sport lost to SC Ne Drehu by 3-0.

Two other two matches were initially scheduled to take place on this Saturday but according to the local federation these clashes were postponed. You can check the full schedule of the league by clicking here.

Sarpreet Singh plays his first match as a starter in Bayern München

Bayern München received Freiburg at Allianz Arena in the 33rd matchday of Bundesliga – the top-tier of German football and won by 3-1.

After clinching the national title in the last match against Werder Bremen, Bayern gave opportunity to some players that are not used to be in the starting eleven. New Zealand youngster Sarpreet Singh was one of these players who had the opportunity to be a starter.

Singh played as a left winger and had a decent performance by helping the team in offensive ball movement and pressing the opponent’s possession. He was replaced by Kingsley Coman in the 64th minute.

Joshua Kimmich opened the scoreboard in the 15th minute while Robert Lewandowski scored two more goals in the first half to seal the lead. Freiburg’s goal was scored by Lucas Höler. You can check the match highlights by clicking here.

Bayern’s last match of 2019-20 Bundesliga season will be against Wolfsburg on next Saturday and there is a huge possibility of Singh starting one more match in the main squad.

John Kapi Natto unopposed as he is re-elected PNGFA-chairman

Football fans may be eagerly awaiting the restart of the PNG National Soccer League – the national league is due to restart after the forced break due to the COVID-19 pandemic in August this year. During this time, there is another very important event for football fans in Papua New Guinea: PNGFA’s current president, John Kapi Natto, has been re-elected in his seat following a meeting in Port Moresby at the weekend.

The former head of Hekari United took his place in the Football Association in 2018 after former President David Chung was banned by FIFA for corruption in the administration of football in the country and Oceania – Chung was also a former OFC President – forcing Chung to resign from his seat.

According to local sources, the meeting was held was at Crown Plaza Hotel, Port Moresby this Friday; the congress comprised members from all football associations in Papua New Guinea. The result was already expected as Kapi Natto that is being constantly praised due his work and commitemt to revive Papua New Guinea football was re-elected as president of PNGFA.

Fijian legend Salesh Kumar plays 90 minutes in Onehunga Mangere’s draw in New Zealand

Fijian legend Salesh Kumar is back to action in New Zealand. The 38-year-old midfielder played 90 minutes in Onehunga Mangere’s draw against Oratia United in the opening round of Lotto NRFL Division 2.

Kumar has a long history as a football player in New Zealand. He played for some top teams like Auckland City and Waitakere United in ISPS Handa Premiership – the top football league in the country.

He represented Fiji internationally in 13 matches from 2003 and 2008 and scored one goal.

Samoan forward Darcy Knight scores for Onehunga Mangere in Lotto NRFL Division 2 opening round

Onehunga Mangere visited Oratia United at Parrs Park in the first matchday of 2020 Lotto NRFL Division 2 – the third-tier of winter football season in the Northern Region of New Zealand.

Phillippe Poletaev opened the scoreboard for Oratia in the 13th minute but Onehunga Mangere manged to equalize in the second half with a penalty kick scored by Samoan forward Darcy Knight in the 48th minute to set the final score at 1-1.

SEE ALSO
Charles Mani officially debuts for Hibiscus Coast in New Zealand
Ivan Kumar shines in his debut in New Zealand winter football season

Knight was not the only Samoan to play in this contest as Sean Atherton came from Oratia’s bench in the second half to replace Alexander Burden while Cook Islander forward Emiel Burrow played the whole game for Oratia United.

Onehunga’s next challenge is against Hibiscus Coast at Mangere Domain while Oratia United will face Cambridge FC at John Kerkhof Park.

Vanuatu: Galaxy and Ifira BB draw in friendly match

Another two friendly matches took place at Port Vila Stadium this Saturday as part of teams’ preparation for 2019-20 Port Vila Premier League resumption.

In the opening match Tupuji Imere faced Erakor Golden Star and won by 3-1. The second match of the day was the most exciting one – living up to fans’ expectations.

Ifira Black Bird opened the scoreboard in the first minute when Frederick Massing found the net after a nice cross by Jonathan Spokeyjack. Galaxy only managed to equalize in the last minutes of the second half with a goal scored by Kensi Tangis.

Ifira players (yellow) and Galaxy players (blue)

There is no scheduled date for 2019-20 Port Vila Premier League yet. However it is known that the Independence Cup is confirmed and is set to begin on July 4th. You can check current Premier League standings by clicking here.

Tommy Semmy scores twice in Hamilton Wanderers’ loss in NRFL Premier opener

Bay Olympic and Hamilton Wanderers starred a marvelous football match at Olympic Park this Saturday in the opening round of 2020 Lotto NRFL Premier Men’s. In a clash full of plot twists and goals, Bay Olympic grabbed three important points.

Wanderers’ forwards Derek Tieku and Tommy Semmy scored two goals each while Jared Colligan led Bay Olympic by scoring two goals as well. Jonathan Quinn opened the scoreboard for Bay while Wanderers scored three goals to take the lead. Things got worse for Semmy’s team when Jordan Shaw saw a red card in the 39th minute.

SEE ALSO
Brian Kaltak’s Central United win in NRFL Premier opening round
Auckland United win their first ever match in Lotto NRFL Premier
Kishan Sami officially debuts in New Zealand as Manukau United lose in NRFL Premier opener

Semmy (left) scored twice in Hamilton Wanderers’ loss against Bay Olympic

Bay Olympic took advantage of the situation and scored four goals in the second half to retake the lead. Wanderers still had time to find the net one more time with Derek Tieku in the 78th minute but it was not enough. At the final whistle the score was a 5-4 win for Bay Olympic.

Solomon Islands’ legend Henry Fa’arodo (Wanderers) and Croatian defender Mario Bilen (Olympic) also played this match. Fa’arodo was replaced in the second half while Bilen played the whole match.

Wanderers’ next challenge is against Waitakere City at Porritt Stadium while Bay Olympic will visit Manukau United at Mangere Centre Park. Both matches are going to be contested on next Saturday.

Charles Mani officially debuts for Hibiscus Coast in New Zealand

Hibiscus Coast AFC received Greenhithe Catimba at Stanmore Bay Park in the opening round of Lotto NRFL Division 2 – the third tier of winter football season in New Zealand’s Northern Region.

Solomon Islands youngster Charles Mani came from the bench in the second half to make his official debut for his new club – “I came from the bench in the second half because I played an entire match for my school’s team […] I was a bit nervous but we managed to win. Coach Carl Jorgensen appreciated my performance,” he said.

SEE ALSO
Darcy Knight scores for Onehunga Mangere in Lotto NRFL Division 2 opening round
Ivan Kumar shines in his debut in New Zealand winter football season

Mani (left) played his first official match for Hibiscus Coast AFC

After a tough game in the first half Hibiscus managed to find the net for three times to seal a 3-0 win. Pheerawit Benjatikul scored a brace while Trent Mayes scored the other goal – “Supporters, management and sponsors are very happy and appreciated what my boys did today. It was a good start for us,” said Hibiscus’ head coach Carl Jorgensen.

The next challenge of Jorgensen’s team will be against Onehunga Mangere AFC at Mangere Domain while Greenhithe Catimba’s will visit Fencibles United at Riverhills Park. Both patches are going to take place on next Saturday.

Ivan Kumar shines in his debut in New Zealand winter football season

The NRF Men’s Conference started this weekend with four matches. South Auckland Rangers went to Starling Park to face Ranui Swanson and took home all three points as they won the match by 3-2.

Fijian midfielder Ivan Kumar was one of the best players in the match and he played an important role on Rangers’ win by delivering two assists for his teammates. Rangers’ goalkeeper Raid Khan – who is also from Fiji – was also a key player in the game by making some great saves to seal their win – “We want the promotion to Lotto NRFL Division 2,” said Kumar after the match.

SEE ALSO
Charles Mani officially debuts for Hibiscus Coast in New Zealand
Darcy Knight scores for Onehunga Mangere in Lotto NRFL Division 2 opening round

South Auckland Rangers players before the match against Ranui Swanson

This is Kumar’s first experience in a foreign club and he showed that he is able to perform in a good level for his brand new club. The 23-year-old midfielder last played for Suva in Fiji before joining Rangers.

Brian Kaltak’s Central United win in NRFL Premier opening round

Central United grabbed their first three points of 2020 Lotto NRFL Premier Men’s season after beating Melville United by 4-3 in a breathtaking match held at Gower Park.

Kieran Richards opened the scoreboard for Melville but Central managed to take the lead as Angus Kilkolly and Emiliano Tade scored once each. Campbell Brown tied the match but he saw his teammate scoring an own goal a few minutes later to give Central United the 3-2 lead before the halftime.

SEE ALSO
Tommy Semmy scores twice in Hamilton Wanderers’ loss in NRFL Premier opener
Auckland United win their first ever match in Lotto NRFL Premier
Kishan Sami officially debuts in New Zealand as Manukau United lose in NRFL Premier opener

Kaltak played the whole 90 minutes against Melville United

Kilkolly scored his second goal in the 74th minute while Riku Soejima came from the bench to score Melville’s last goal in the contest. At the final whistle the score was 4-3 in favour of Central United.

Vanuatu international Brian Kaltak played the whole 90 minutes while Fijian defender Shuiab Khan was replaced by Alfie Rogers in the second half.

Central United will receive North Shore United at Kiwitea Street while Melville United will visit Eastern Suburbs AFC at Madills Farm. Both matches will be played on next Saturday.