Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) received USD $93.000,00 from FIFA to fund a fencing project at PNG Football Stadium that must start this week.
According to PNGFA president John Kapi Natto this money will be used for making some improvements like: internal perimeter palisade fence line, field of play perimeter chainmesh fence barriers, competition zone barriers custom built to suit international football competition requirements. Palisade fence encloses of vital installations such as the irrigation water tanks and pump area, standby generator set and light tower switch boxes around the field of play perimeter with external and internal vehicle and pedestrian gates for use by spectators service providers.
PNG Football Stadium – PNGFA Media
Mr. Kapi Natto is likely to be re-elected as PNGFA president in the 16th Ordinary Congress of Papua New Guinea Football Association that is going to be held in Port Moresby on Saturday.
Bugotu Football Association’s Senior League kicks-off in Solomon Islands. The official season opener took place on this Sunday at Duddley Tuti College at Isabel Province.
Ten teams are going to fight for the title this year Kalenga FC, Duddley Tuti College FC, Tasina FC, Jevula FC, Kamaru FC, Sana FC, Mafi FC, Green Bay FC, Japuana United and Tuti Veterans.
Players taking part in the opening ceremony
Oceania Football Center wishes good luck to all participants in this tournament.
Football is all about passion – it is about how we can get our team to win, support and give the best to achieve our goals in this beautiful game. If you want to be successful in football, you certainly need a lot of training and sacrifice to achieve what you want. This is the aim of the youth programmes and football academies – to provide the best possible training and facilities to develop the young talents they have.
Oceania is certainly lacking football academies and youth programmes to develop the code. Football still has a long way to go in the region and it is very necessary to implement youth leagues, academies and training facilities. In Solomon Islands, Royals Academy is trying to ensure that young talented players from their country are nurtured as much as possible – but Royals, as most Solomon Islands football fans may already know, has a turbulent history behind the scenes.
After a stay in England alongside his players and the Royals Academy technical director Alick Collin, Konofilia recently returned to the Solomon Islands. Then, many confusing versions of a story emerge: In recent days, Konofilia has split from Collin and fired him from his position with the Royals. Collin, however, used his reports in the social media to explain his view of the events: In Collin’s words, he said that Konofilia attacked a member of the Stars Academy in England, which led to his arrest, then he was deported back to the Solomon Islands.
Konofilia responded to Collin’s accusations and in fact mentioned that Collin had fought drunk with two of his players. Konofilia also stated that Stars Academy owner and his wife were angry with Collin because he had disturbed them and this was the reason why Stars expelled Collin from their academy – making so Konofilia to fire Collin. The now former technical director of Royals is still in England, according to him.
Two very confusing versions of the same story coming from two highly suspect figures of regional football – it is also known both of them were not so friendly during their stay in England. The only certainty in the midst of this turbulence is that players can not develop in a background of so many problems. While both Konofilia and Collin use their social media to attack each other, many youngsters from Solomon Islands are still in a very rough patch in England during the COVID-19 pandemics. According to reliable sources it is known that family members of the young players have contacted SIFF to do something about the case – the uncertain situation of their sons in England in the midst of the pandemics – but SIFF is not related to Royals and can not respond to this situation as Royals is a private academy – and Konofilia is banned.
Royals Academy in England
Konofilia’s attempt to support the development process of football is something that is definitely valuable, but based on the latest news and statements we can see that there are many problems in this situation. While so many strange events are happening around the Royals, we can not see much development of their players, nor any great success of the Royals in their attempts to develop the game. It seems that Konofilia and his followers are taking a path that will certainly not help them achieve their goals.
Morobe Wawens are back to training in Papua New Guinea. The first training session of the team after COVID-19 pandemics took place on this Monday at Scout Hall in Lae.
Papua New Guinea National Soccer League – the major football league in the country- is expected to resume in August and most teams are already back to training in order to get ready for the remaining matches of 2019-20 season.
Morobe Wawens are back to training in Papua New Guinea
Wawens are currently in the seventh position in the National Soccer League with nine points in ten matches. You can check the current league standings by clicking here.
Fijian player Malakai Rakula is currently facing an unusual situation. The 28-year old midfielder is set to play 2020 winter football season in New Zealand for Manukau United but he can not enter in the country as the borders are closed there.
While he can not return to New Zealand, Rakula keeps training hard in Fiji. According to the player, his training sessions are being monitored by Manukau United staff that is providing a great support to the Fijian footballer – “I can not wait to go back to New Zealand. I loved playing for Manukau United,” said Rakula.
Rakula (left) celebrating a goal for Manukau United.
Manukau United is set to debut in 2020 Lotto NRFL Premier League – the top-tier of winter football season in Auckland region – on Saturday against Forrest Hill Milford at Mangere Centre Park.
While many countries are already resuming their football leagues, the wait is going to be a little bit longer in Tonga as the 2020 football season is likely to begin in September.
According to Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) the teams from Tonga were cleared to resume training activities in May which means that they are going to have a long preparation for the upcoming season.
Football must resume in September there
Veitongo is the current league champions and represented the country in 2020 OFC Champions League. You can check the standings of the last Tongan Major League season by clicking here.
One of Solomon Islands’ most famous players is still uncertain about the future of his career: Anthony Talo has had many ups and downs in his career, but surely the whole Solomon Islands can not forget his winning goal scored against Guatemala from his defensive end at the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup – the Kurukuru’s first ever World Cup victory; Talo was only 16-years old at the time.
Most recently, in 2019, Talo helped Solomon Islands qualify once again for the FIFA Futsal World Cup. The competition was to be held in Lithuania this year, but FIFA decided to postpone the tournament until 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic. Also in 2019, Talo helped the Solomon Islands’ side Kooline to win the first ever edition of OFC Futsal Champions League in New Zealand. Talo and his teammates had already begun preparations for Solomon Islands’ fourth consecutive FIFA Futsal World Championship, but the outbreak changed from one end to the other forcing it to a stop.
In his time between football and futsal, Talo also played for various clubs in his country such as Marist FC and Kossa. The player even helped Marist reach the semi-finals of the 2018 OFC Champions League, and in early 2020 Hekari United announced the a very important signing of the Solomon Islander to represent the Papua New Guinean side in the 2020 OFC Champions League. Despite the good news, the story ended dramatically as Talo played only two games for Hekari in the PNG National Soccer League and left before the OFC Champions League began.
Recently, Talo also revealed in interview to Oceania Football Center that he is going to take a break from international duties as soon as FIFA Futsal World Cup comes to and end. The recent happenigs of COVID-19 and further postponement of FIFA Futsal World Cup made the future of Talo’s career very uncertain – but he disclosed to Oceania Football Center his intentions: “It seems like I will take a break from S-League. I am only interested to play football abroad currently. If any team wants me to represent them overseas I am ready to go – but If it does not happen I will concentrate in Futsal here in Solomon Islands,” expressed the goalkeeper.
Anthony Talo was chosen the best goalkeeper of OFC Futsal Nations Cup 2019 – OFC Media
The still only 24-year-old goalkeeper has a lot to come in his sporting career; as one of the most talented Futsal players, Talo is still to represent his country internationaly in football pitch: “My goal isto be Solomon Islands’ first choice goalkeeper,” said Talo expressing his aim. To achieve this goal, Talo still has to impress to new staff of Solomon Islands Football National Team – but it is sure the goalkeeper has what it takes to be part of both national teams, as for example his compatriot Micah Lea’alafa already is.
Talo’s ITC (International Transfer Certificate) is still in possession of Hekari United – “Hekari was afamily for me,” said Talo – and as mentioned the player expects an opportunity to return to a foreign club, so his ITC is a crucial part to make this wish come true. Any team interested to sign Talo will need to acquire his services from the Papua New Guinean club.
The goalkeeper has much to look forward to in his already successful career, with Talo already making the Solomon Islanders smile with his performances – something he can continue to do in his sporting career.
Older people say that we only value something when we lose it and this phrase can be applied to different situations: a marriage, a loved one, a material asset, and even a football player when he retires or changes clubs. However it is never too late to recognize the legacy of an idol, specially when he is still in activity.
Avinesh Suwamy is a gentleman inside the pitch; A very smart player with a good technique, he is known in his homeland as The Fijian David Beckham because of his powerful shots and great skills on free kicks.
Suwamy started his path as a Ba’s player at senior level in 2005 when he was just 19 and people could not imagine that he would become a legend. It did not take so long for him to show his quality and be called-up for the National Team in the same year. He made his official debut for Fiji in a 1-0 win against India.
Suwamy (number 2) representing Fiji in 2016 OFC Nations Cup
The years passed and he became a key player in a Ba that dominated Fijian football. Avinesh’s trophy gallery representing the Men in Black is huge and it includes 9 Premier Leagues, 7 Battle of the Giants, 7 Champion vs Champion Series, 4 FIJI Fact and 4 Inter-District Championship. He was also part of Ba’s squad that reached 2007 OFC Champions League final – the second OFC Champions League final contested by a Fijian club.
While he was becoming a legend in the Men in Black, Avinesh was also building his own history in the National Team. He represented the Bula Boys in 2011 Pacifc Games, 2012 OFC Nations Cup and 2016 OFC Nations Cup and scored three goals in seventeen matches representing his country.
However, time is inexorable and everyone gets older year by year. He kept playing in a good level and winning tournaments with Ba, but people started to criticize him saying that he should start thinking about retiring from football. Until one day what everyone (or nobody) expected: Avinesh Suwamy left Ba to play for Nadi in 2020.
Suwamy left Ba to join Nadi in 2020
He debuted for The Jetsetters in a 6-0 loss against Lautoka but his next appearance was like the rebirth of a phoenix. Suwamy scored four goals in Nadi’s 5-0 win against Nasinu just one day after his 34th birthday. And it was his last official match so far as 2020 Vodafone Premier League was stopped due to COVID-19.
Avinesh still has time to build a good story playing for Nadi while nostalgia remains for Ba’s supporters. However it is never to late to remember his legacy when he was in Black.
The football fans from Vanuatu could finally feel the taste of the sport on Saturday when two friendly matches were contested at Port Vila Stadium as part of team’s preparations for 2019-20 Port Vila Premier League resumption.
As it was previously reported in this website, Galaxy FC has beaten Erakor Golden Star by 2-0 while Ifira Black Bird suffered to beat Mauwia by 2-1. Despite being just friendlies, these matches brought relief to players and fans that were missing football – “Football break was very sad for us. We all missed football while we stayed at home with our families,” said Ifira Black Bird’s player Jonathan Spokeyjack.
Most teams resumed training recently as the local leagues were cleared to resume in Vanuatu from July 1st on and there is a long way to get ready for official matches – “We are expecting to keep a very tight training schedule. All players need to attend every single training in order to be ready,” explained Spokeyjack.
Spokeyjack representing Vanuatu U23 in the 2019 OFC Olympic Qualifiers
This season is being very special for Ifira Black Bird. Currently sharing the 2019-20 PVFA Premier League lead with Tafea, Spokeyjack and his team mates know the importance to keep themselves commited to their objective: win the league.
While Ifira and Tafea fight for the first position, another contender is pursuing both teams. Strong side Galaxy FC is currently in the third place only one point behind the leaders. With a very talented squad, the team owned by Andrew Leong is also focused on 2020 OFC Champions League as they qualified to the knockout stage of the continental tournament.
However it is important not to take Galaxy for granted and Spokeyjack knows it – “We will need to use our experience to win games […] We know how they play. We can not let their players free,” he pointed.
This season was being breathtaking beore COVID-19 pandemics and it is going to be very exciting until the end with three teams fighting for the title – “It is going to be a good challenge. Football has improved here in the past years […] All teams are training hard,” said Spokeyjack.
Port Vila Football Association – the association responsible for PVFA Premier League – has not released a resumption date yet. Oceania Football Center will keep up with the situation in order to bring accurate information for our readers.
Football is developing faster than it used to do in the Pacific. There are dozens of Oceanian footballers playing outside OFC region in countries like Australia, England, Netherlands, South Africa and United States. We have been recently talking about some good players born in Oceania or with Oceanian heritage that are not very known in the Pacific Islands.
Jonathon Mueller is surely one of these players. Born in Port Moresby, the 18-year-old attacking midfielder from Papua New Guinea is currently playing for Redlands United from Australia. He was one of the best players in 2019 U-20 National Premier League Queensland – one of the youth leagues related to NPL league system by scoring ten goals in 22 matches.
Mueller in Redlands United colours. Source: Redlands United Media
The last year was something special for him. While he was ruling the U-20 league he was also having lots of opportunities in the senior team as he played 15 matches in 2019 NPL Queensland – one of the leagues that compose the NPL league system in Australia.
Redlands United is based at Brisbane metropolitan area in South East Queensland. The club also holds a partnership with Celtic FC from Scotland. The Celtic Academy is recognised as one of the top academies in the United Kingdom and in the last five years, Celtic have seen 19 players from the Youth Academy have come out of the program and play in the UEFA Champions League. The partnership brings coaches from Celtic over to Redlands to run a camp where, each season, players are selected to attend a professional trial with Celtic.
With an open path to professional football, Mueller has the chance to be the next breakthrough from Papua New Guinea and play in Europe just like David Browne who is currently playing in Finland. PNG Football Association should pay attention on him.
