Oceania Football Center

Lae City embarrasses Lautoka with an unforgettable performance

Lae imposes a real humiliation to Lautoka from Fiji. The Fijians were not able to hold the likes of Nigel Dabinyaba and Raymond Gunemba suffered as they seven goals from the current PNG National Soccer League champions – and it could have been much more.

The game started balanced between the two sides: both Lae and Lautoka could get to attack, but only Lae was able to be dangerous to Lautoka’s goalkeeper Liam Anderson. Lae’s head coach Peter Gunemba made five chances in this team in comparison with the first match against Henderson Eels. He introduced the goalkeeper Matheson Nasa, the full-backs Emmanuel Airem and Joshua Oscar and the midfielders from Ecuador Gustine Vergara and Abdias Aguirre – and his changes seemed to have a real impact.

In the 23th minute of play, the Ecuadorian Aguirre made a beautiful one-two play with Nigel Dabinyaba to set Dabinyaba free in front of the goalkeeper. The number 9 made no mistake and put Lae ahead in the scoreline.

And it was just the beginning of Lautoka’s nightmare. Raymond Gunemba found the nets for the first time in the competition at the 37th minute to extend their lead to 2-0. The third goal was scored by Emmanuel Simon after an excellent assist from Gunemba at the 44th minute. Two minutes later, Lautoka defense just watched Simon to pass through the entire defense and score the fourth. Obert Bika – who replaced Gustine Vergara in the first half – received the ball free in the box to score the fifth. Lautoka suffered four goals in only 10 minutes just like Brazil in the 7-1 loss against Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup semifinals.

Lae City score big Group B win | Oceania Football Confederation — Raymond Gunemba (left) destroyed Lautoka – *OFC Media*

Lautoka was only able to have a decent shot on goal with Shazil Ali in the last moments of the first half. The match was already over for the Fijians. Despite coming different for the second half, Lautoka was clearly already beaten: the key defender Jason Thomas was subbed in the first half due to technical reasons, showing how bad the situation is.

It did not took long for Lae to find the net again. Gunemba received a very good ball, passed the defender and lobbed the keeper to score a tremendous goal for his side, the sixth in the process. A few minutes later, Obert Bika received the ball in the area and found Nigel Dabinyaba free in the 6-yard-box to just tap the ball into the goal – it was the 7th and last goal of the clash.

The scoreline could have been even bigger; the goalkeeper Liam Anderson made at least four crucial saves in the final moments of the game. Lae City did not put much effort in the second half as they had clear goal opportunities that their preciousness did not allow them to score even more goals. Lautoka had one clear goal opportunity in the final minutes of the game, but it was saved by the new introduced goalkeeper Matheson Nasa.

Lae has now four points in the group and is close to seal their spot for the next round of OFC Champions League, while Lautoka will need a win in their final group match against Henderson Eels if they want to keep any chance of proceeding alive.

Lae and Lautoka set for a battle in Luganville

Two of the strongest teams of the current edition of the OFC Champions League are ready for a battle in the group B held in Luganville, Vanuatu. The PNG National Soccer League title holders Lae City are ready to play against Lautoka from Fiji, both sides needing a win to boost their chances to proceed to the next stage of the most important club football tournament in Oceania.

Lae and Lautoka draw their starting matches in the first matchday; Lae had a thrilling game against the Solomon Islanders of Henderson Eels, while Lautoka had a lot of difficulties to hold the hosts Malampa Revivors to a 1-1 draw in the second match of the group B.

Lautoka did not impress, Lae also did not impress; they will be coming hard to change the mind of their supporters, willing to see a better football displayed by the both sides, that certainly have the quality for doing a very good game for the Ni-Vanuatu fans.

Image may contain: 1 person, outdoor — Gunemba is the danger-man of Lae City – *OFC Media*

The captain-fantastic is always a danger; the historical number 7 of Lae City is still to score in the competition, but already provided one assist – for the first goal of Emmanuel Simon. Lae has very well-known players in their squad, as the goalkeeper Ronald Warisan, the defender Valentine Nelson and the forward Nigel Dabinyaba, but it was Mancii – as Emmanuel Simon is known in his country – that scored twice for his side in the 3-3 draw against Eels, while Dabinyaba added another. Despite their good attack, the team shown defensive problems and will need to fix them to collect all points from the encounter. The fans are also expecting to see more from the Ecuadorians signed for the Champions League, Gustine Vergara and Abdias Aguirre – only Aguirre came from bench in the previous match and Vergara did not play.

Image may contain: 1 person, beard and outdoor — Thomas is a key player for Lautoka – *OFC Media*

Anand Sami used a different team than usual in the first game – it did not work. Jason Thomas did not have a good match playing as defensive midfielder, while the back three did not show the consistency the fans expected from them. The attack of the Fijians did not create much chances to score, having less men upfront.

The idea of Sami is good, but the team was very slow in the transition to attack, allowing the opponent to regroup. Lautoka might have some chances to face the strong Lae City and they will rely on the capability of Dave Radrigai that is back from suspension.

Both sides know a defeat can be a major blow for their chances to qualify for the knock-out stages, but we can expect a lively game which both sides will look to capitalise on the opponent mistakes – a lot of pace will be put in the counter-attacks.

🇵🇫 Tahiti Ligue 1 Vini 🇵🇫 : There are two new sheriffs in town

by D. Focardi

Last friday AS Venus lost the head of the Ligue 1 Vini after its loss against AS Dragon. Allowing two sides the chance to take the top of the table from AS Vénus. AS Tiare Tahiti is the now the new leader, closely followed by AS Pirae, which has one still to be played against AS TAC. Now they are missing only 5 games until the end of the season. Every game will be like a final. It’s very exciting to follow Ligue 1 Vini this year. Let’s see what happened.

TIARE TAHITI vs AS JEUNESSE TAHITIEN 2-0

To really take the head of the rankings, the Moorea players first of all had to win against AS JT on the match that took place on Saturday at Pirae at Pater Stadium. They put their feet on the ball and play their game wonderfully with Tevaihau Tehuritaua, the captain, on the sticks. After the 15th minute the defense of JT cracks. Following a small festival made by Tevairoa Tehuritaua the referee whistles an inconspicuous handball of Pierre Hazet in the penalty area. The captain of Tiare Tahiti is responsible for transforming the penalty kick in a goal and giving the advantage to his team.

The beninese Bio Odo Chabi in action (source FTF)

After few minutes the Benin player Bio Odo Chabi, who is doing a very good season after he came to Tahiti on January, had the opportunity to double the score for Tiare Tahiti. Following a perfectly executed one-two on the left with Tevaihau Tehuritaua, the Beninese striker sees his strike hit the post. The game will then get complicated for JT when Romayel Nepamoindou is sent off for a second yellow card. Tiare Tahiti resisted at JT attacks and scored a second goal with Manarii Porlier in the additional time of the second half. Thanks to this victory, the tenth of the season, Tiare Tahiti settles in the leader’s chair of Ligue 1. But, this leadership may not last long if AS Pirare wins its match remaining.

The other beninese Brison Harold Sena Avodagbe in action (source FTF)

AS PIRAE VS AS CENTRAL SPORT 6-0

On their side, AS Pirae had to play against AS Central Sport. Raimana Li Fung Kuee’s teammates left the Tipaerui club no chance. In the second minute Sylvain Graglia managed to deceive William Vandal’s vigilance. Then the Roonui Tinirauarii show begins: the young Orange striker will score four times in the space of fifteen minutes.

Roonui Tinirauar after one of his goals (source FTF)

After 35 minutes of play Pirae is already leading 5-0. Then five minutes before half time Taumihau Tiatia comes to weigh down the brand by participating in the offensive festival of his team. 6-0 was the final score for Pirae who also surpasses AS Venus in the Ligue 1 standings, to occupy the 2nd place in the table with one more game to play. Mahina’s club is in third place, two points behind Tiare Tahiti, first, and one point behind Pirae, second.

AS Pirae players at the end of the game (source FTF)

Galaxy needs some adjustments while Hienghène needs to reset their game plan

The Oceanian football community was shocked when the newcomers from Vanuatu Galaxy FC trashed the current title holders of OFC Champions League, the New Caledonians of Hienghène Sport, by 4-1 in both sides first games in the 2020 edition of the regional tournament.

Hienghène shown defensive problems since the start of the game, not being able to stop players as the talented midfielder from Brazil Roberson, the number 10 of Galaxy FC. Bertrand Kaï and Antoine Roine that used to be lethal, lost great opportunities to put their side back into the game: lapses of concentration.

Image may contain: 2 people, people playing sports and outdoor — Roberson (red) was key for Galaxy – *OFC Media*

Despite their fantastic front man, Galaxy also had some problems in the defense: the strong Brazilian Diego Máximo was solid, but he was very exposed alongside his partner in the defense Alphonse Lency. The defenders from the Ni-Vanuatu team are technically very good, but the defensive system of Galaxy could not protected their last line men – Hienghène did not harm them due lack of quality finishing. Galaxy does not have a defensive midfielder in their midfield, Barry Mansale, Robersona and Edisson Stephens are natural attacking midfielders, while the front man Henry Namatak, Terence Carter and Gagame Feni did not help their side marking while not having the ball.

The ba day of Hienghène, combined with the good attack of Galaxy and the surprise did not expected by the New Caledonians were the reason for the 4-1 result. Offensively, the Ni-Vanuatuans are one of the strongest teams in the competition, defensively they really need some adjustments.

If Galaxy needs to fix certain details – as using organizing better its defensive system and protecting the defense – Hienghène will need to reset their game plan. The team did not give any fight to Galaxy after suffering two goals, only being dangerous in the two penalties they had during the game – and one was missed.

Hienghène was very exposed defensively, allowing a lot of space for creativity of Roberson and Gagame Feni. While attacking, the created certain goal scoring chances due some mistakes of Galaxy defense and they were not able to capitalise on them and get back to the game.

The New Caledonians will need a lot of work to keep alive in the tournament when they enter Sir Jonh Guise Stadium to face the hosts Hekari United. Galaxy will really need to improve their defensive system if they want to stop Martin Bueno and the Eastern Suburbs in their next match – their attack can cause problems from anyone at the moment.

After drawing in the opening day, Revivors and Eels hope for a win in OFC Champions League

The 2020 OFC Champions League Group B reaches its second matchday. After two matches that finished without winners, Malampa Revivors and Henderson Eels will be fighting for the three points in order to get closer to advancing to the knockout stage.

Henderson Eels did not have a great performance in their debut but they still have managed to grab one point in the 3-3 draw against Lae City from Papua New Guinea. Tuti Zama Tanito scored twice from the penalty spot while Raphael Lea’i netted an amazing goal after an individual play.

SEE MORE:
Raphael Lea’i: wonderkid shines in OFC Champions League debut
Derrick Taebo: we can win our next game

Lea’i celebrates his goal against Lae City. Source: OFC Media

Despite scoring three goals, Eels still have a lot to fix on defense if they want to get all three points against Revivors. Goalkeeper Desmond Tutu had some fails while the defenders also did not have a great day on Saturday.

On the other hand, Malampa Revivors had an outstanding performance against Lautoka and they deserved to win even playing with only ten men since the 35th minute when Andre Batick was red carded.

Despite Batick’s absence, Revivors will have a powerful team in the attack. Vanuatu international forward Azariah Soromon netted from the penalty box and he had many other clear chances to score for his team.

Soromon had many opportunities to score against Lautoka. Source: OFC Media

Claude Aru and Edwin Bai played very well and they had the control of the midfield as Revivors managed to keep the possession and involve Lautoka’s defense. Henderson Eels must look at these two players carefully if they really want to win this match.

Revivors’ defense performed well against Lautoka and they need to have another good match in order to stop Eels’ great attack composed by Joses Nawo, Raphael Lea’i and Tuti Zama Tanito. The Solomon Islands side should consider about using the counterattack in order to surprise the Ni-Vanuatu defense as Revivors must keep the ball possession most of the time.

Frank Ruben: quality that comes from the bench

Galaxy FC won Hienghène Sport by 4-1 in their debut at 2020 OFC Champions League. The goals were scored by Roberson, Gagame Feni, Terence Carter and Kensi Tangis. However there is a player that came from the bench in the second half that must be highlighted because he had a tremendous performance: Frank Ruben.

Ruben is one of the Galaxy’s newcomers for this tournament. The 23-year-old midfielder came from Yatel alongside with Malakai Makito to represent the Blues in the Champions League. Makito remained on the bench against Hienghène while Ruben joined the pitch in the 70th minute to replace former Tafea midfielder Eddison Stephen.

Despite playing only 20 minutes, Ruben had an impressive performance and he was a game changer for Galaxy. He showed off his passing skills and he was a key player in the second half as he helped his team to keep the control of the midfield.

Galaxy’s third goal only happened because he delievered an outstanding pass to find Henry Namatak in the right wing who crossed to Terence Carter that scored from inside the box.

Ball’s trajectory (in red) and Namatak run (in blue). Source: MyCujoo

He still had time to deliever a magnificent long ball to Kensi Tangis who scored Galaxy fourth and last goal. You can check this marvelous pass in the video below (from 0:50 to 1:00)

Ruben is proving that he was a great signing for Galaxy. If he keeps the good level he can join the fight for a spot in Vanuatu National Football Team squad for 2020 OFC Nations Cup as he has already represented his country at U20 and U17 levels.

Solomon Islands forward Charlie Mani ready for winter football season in New Zealand

Charles Mani is back to New Zealand for one more time. The 18-year-old forward is going to play for Hibiscus Coast AFC in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2, the third tier of the Northern League, a league that is contested in the “winter season” of New Zealander football.

Charlie is one of the most promising players from Solomon Islands. He played three matches in the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup held in Brazil and he was the team captain in the debut against Italy.

Charlie Mani playing for Solomon Islands in the 2018 OFC U16 Championship. Source: RNZ

Mani played for Long Bay College last year and now he is cleared to play for a team in New Zealand because he turned 18 recently. He last played for Kossa in the 2019-20 Telekom S-League while he was on vacation in Solomon Islands and he scored five goals in eight matches.

Is Hienghène Sport at its last dance?

How could that happen?

It was probably the question that everyone asked after the final score of the first match of Hienghène Sport in the Group A of the 2020 OFC Champions League. In fact that was astonishing for me as well. How could it be possible that a team who did it very well in the last FIFA Club World Cup lose a match in that way?

“We will not turn our faces away, we took a very though lesson yesterday“, these were the words that Felix Tagawa, Hienghène’s manager, released to FedCalFoot, “The warmth, the lack of benchmarks, the height of the competition … All of this reminds us that for this kind of competition you have to be ready. The staff, the players, myself, we are aware of this and we share it together. Nothing is ever gained in advance. Now we have no choice, but nothing is lost yet“. Then he continued: “We had a lot of attacks that we were not been able to materialize. We did not do well in the first half and they were able to perfectly exploit the numerical superiority in wings. In the second half it was better but we were chasing the score so we left spaces. We also missed this penalty that could made us return to the to the match, there was also the goal dismissed for offside – that for me was wrong call. But we are not going to stop. There are no excuses. It is now a question of seeking these two victories to qualify. We have no other choice“.

But, as we usually say in football, nothing is finally compromised until you have tried everything you can to survive. We all know that Hienghène Sport can overturn this very bad situation – they are the current champions. So let’s take a sit in our sofa and enjoy the next two games of the caledonians side.

Raphael Le’ai: wonderkid shines in OFC Champions League debut

Despite being only 16, Raphael Le’ai is already known by everyone that keeps up with Oceanian Football. He is a rising star at OFC region and he keeps impressing all those who watch him playing and it was not different at his debut in OFC Champions League.

Le’ai was in Henderson Eels’ starting eleven in the 2020 OFC Champions League opening match against Lae City from Papua New Guinea. It was his first ever official international club game and he managed to show off his amazing skills against Lae’s defense.

Raphael Le’ai playing for Henderson Eels in 2020 OFC Champions League. Source: OFC Media

He was a very dangerous player throughout the match. He was a nightmare for Lae’s defense with his speed and skills specially when he had the ball possession in the left wing of the pitch. Le’ai found the net in the first half after an impressive play as you can check in the video below (from 0:35 to 0:44):

It was a huge debut for Rapha and people can expect more from him in the upcoming matches. There are some scouts looking at him and a good peformance at 2020 OFC Champions League can take him to a higher level in football.

Henderson Eels will face Group B hosts Malampa Revivors tomorrow at Luganville Soccer City Stadium.

Ryan Thomas: a new key player for PSV

After missing many months due to a severe knee injury, Ryan Thomas has finally found his space in PSV. The 25-year-old midfielder from New Zealand has emerged as a key player for the Dutch club in the last matches and he is ready to keep on playing in a high level.

Thomas scored once again for PSV in the 3-0 away win against ADO Den Haag in the 23rd matchweek of 2019-20 Eredivisie, the top-tier of Dutch football. His recent performances are being crucial for PSV in order to keep themselves alive in the fight for a spot in the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League.

Ryan Thomas celebrates his goal against ADO Den Haag. Source: Pro Shots

Thomas has played four matches in 2020. It is not too much but he is being very important for his team when he is in the field. He scored two goals and delievered one assist in these matches as he is becoming a very important player in the team managed by Ernest Faber.

The Dutch season is getting close to its end but it is very nice to see a Kiwi player having a good time in the European continent. Having Thomas in a good form is an amazing news for New Zealand National Football Team and it would not be surprisingly if we see him representing his country in the 2020 Olympics that will be held in Tokyo from July to August.