Etimoni Timuani: a national hero in Tuvalu

Sport is in the blood of Etimoni Timuani. Born in Funafuti (Tuvalu) in 1991, the sportsman is a hero that carried a nation’s dream to the highest level when he represented his country in the 2016 Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Despite his amazing Olympic history, Timuani was also a Tuvalu National Football Team player. He represented his country in the 2011 Pacific Games by playing five matches as a central back in the football team.

He returned to the Pacific Games in the upcoming edition held at Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) in 2015. He took part of the Games by running the 100m event but he was disqualified due to a false start

Despite being disqualified in the 2015 Pacific Games, Timuani qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics to run the 100m event. He achieved a time of 11.81 seconds in the preliminary heat and he could not advance to the further round. However these eleven seconds were enough to place him in the history of Tuvalu as he was the only representant from his country in Rio 2016.

Timuani running the 100m in 2016 Olympics.

He still had time to make history one more time by representing Tuvalu in the 2018 CONIFA World Football Cup, the third edition of the CONIFA World Football Cup, an international football tournament for states, minorities, stateless peoples and regions unaffiliated with FIFA organised by CONIFA.

Tuvalu played three matches in the tournament and scored one goal that was netted by… ETIMONI TIMUANI! He scored for Tuvalu in the 3-1 loss against Matabeleland, a National Team that represents the western part of Zimbabwe. You can see his historic goal in the video below:

If you think it is enough, you are wrong! Timuani also represented Tuvalu National Futsal Team in the 2011 Oceanian Futsal Championship by playing four matches in the tournament. It was the last time that Tuvalu had a National Futsal Team.

Timuani is surely a legend in his country and he must be remembered for decades in his homeland. However he is not very known worldwide and now everyone has the opportunity to know more about his legendary legacy in Tuvalu.

This is not the Hienghène Sport we used to know

The current title holders of the OFC Champions League did not have any chance against the Ni-Vanuatu powerhouse Galaxy FC. Hienghène Sport lost many goal opportunities and were completely dominated by Galaxy attack, allowing the team coached by Batram Suri to score four times in the opening match of the Group A in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The kings are down. Bertrand Kai expresses his disappointment

Galaxy started strong the clash, scored two goals in the first half, but Hieghène also had its moment, but could not capitalize on them. The strong forward and caledonian captain Bertrand Kaï missed a penalty in the second half while the match was still 2-0, kicking it to the sky. Galaxy commited another foul in the area, Kaï did not take the penalty, the experienced Joseph Athalé went to the shoot and scored it, but that was nothing more than a consolation goal for the caledonians.

Hienghène did not lose any of their matches in 2019 campaign. They came from behind against Ba in the quarter final match, giving the Fijians the response from suffering a goal early. This time, a team with some changes made by Felix Tagawa, could not hold Galaxy and either respond the Ni-Vanuatu powerhouse properly after suffering a goal in the 13th minute of play.

This is not the Hienghène Sport we used to know. This is not the same team who fought hard against Team Wellington to beat them by 2-0 in 2019 OFC Champions League seminifinal; far away to be the same that made Qatari side Al-Sadd need extra-time to beat them in FIFA Clubs World last December.

Martin Bueno: happy for the result

The Uruguyan striker Martin Bueno was the man of the game of in the 2-1 win of his side Eastern Suburbs against the Papua New Guinean powerhose Hekari United in both sides opening matches in the OFC Champions League 2020.

The Uruguyan, that also scored 10 goals for Eastern Suburbs in the current season of the the top-tier football league in New Zealand, scored twice to give his side a narrow win over the hosts in Port Moresby.

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Martin Bueno celebrates his goal for Eastern Suburbs – OFC Media

Bueno told to Eastern Suburbs media he was very happy for the win and the match was in tough conditions: “I am very happy for the result, It is very harm here and we faced the former champions of PNG“, stated the striker.

The Lilywhites – as the club is called – will be back to the pitch to face Galaxy FC from Vanuatu in the second round of the Group A. The Ni-Vanuatu side will need to look after Martin Bueno if they want to keep their chances to win alive.

Barry Mansale: Hienghène Sport still deserves respect

Galaxy FC has breaken the predictions as they smashed current OFC Champions League winners Hienghène Sport by 4-1. Midfielder Barry Mansale had a good performance in the game. His solidity was very important for Galaxy to keep the control of the game in the midfield.

Mansale talked to Oceania Football Center after the match and he reinforced that the team was focused on the game – “We were ready physically, mentally and spirutually,” he also added that it was a very good game by Galaxy.

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Batram Suri: It is not over yet

Barry Mansale playing for Galaxy against Hienghène Sport. Source: OFC Media

The win agaisnt Hienghène was a huge result for Galaxy as they are drawn in a tough group. These three points in the opening round are very important for them once they want to qualify for the next stage.

Despite thrashing Hienghène Sport, Mansale stressed that the New Caledonian side still needs to be respected: “It was a good game […] I am happy we beat our brothers from New Caledonia but they deserve respect”.

Now it is time for Galaxy to repair some mistakes and get ready for their next match against Eastern Suburbs on Wednesday.

Derrick Taebo: we can win our next game

Henderson Eels had their debut in the OFC Champions League against the Papua New Guinean champions Lae City. Eels led at the half time by 2-1 with goals from Tutizama Tanito and Raphael Lea’i, but suffered another two in the final part of the game and a penalty kick scored by Tanito made both side share the points from their first match in the tournament.

The result was surely not what both teams were expecting, but the defender of Henderson Eels Derrick Taebo told Oceania Football Center they are positive with the result and they know expect to win their upcoming match against the hosts of Group B Malampa Revivors: “We can make the three points in the next game“, said the young defender.

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Derrick Taebo in the match against Lae City – S-League Media

Taebo also stated his side expected to win the match against Lae, but they knew the opponent was strong: “This game should have been our first win, but It is hard luck. We knew Lae was a very experienced team“.

Taebo agreed his side had chances to win the match: “We created very good chances, but we were not good at finishing“. Unfortunately, Taebo also commited a handball inside the box, what made the referee award a penalty to Lae. “I did not mean to do that, but unfortunately it happened“, said the mentally strong Derrick Taebo.

Both Eels and Malampa draw in their opening matches of the Group B of the OFC Champions League held in Vanuatu – the win will be very important for them to seal their spot in the knock-out stage of the competition, where Taebo will surely make his best to help his side to emerge victorious.

Batram Suri: It is not over yet

Galaxy FC had an amazing debut in OFC Champions League by thrashing current champions Hienghène Sport by 4-1. The Ni-Vanuatu side is currently leading the Group A with three points due to goal difference once Eastern Suburbs won Hekari United by 2-1.

Former Solomon Islands international and Galaxy’s head coach Batram Suri told Vanuatu Sports News that he is very thankful for winning the first match but he let it clear – “It is not over yet”.

Batram Suri

Suri also pointed that they are having a good support from people and he asked them to continue supporting – “I humbly ask you all to keep supporting us in your prayers. More prayer is more power”.

Galaxy had a good start but they need to keep their feet on the ground and fight hard for more points – “There are two more hurdles to go before claiming the second stage of the OFC Champions League,” said Suri.

Galaxy will face current New Zealand champions Eastern Suburbs on Wednesday.

All Whites defender Winston Reid joins Sporting Kansas City

Winston Reid is the new player of Sporting Kansas City. The 31-year-old centre back joined the team on loan from West Ham United and he is going to play for SKC in the 2020 MLS season, the biggest football league in the United States.

Winston Reid signs with Sporting Kansas City on loan from West Ham. Source: Sporting Kansas City Media

Reid will have the opportunity to play a good amount of minutes after suffering a horrible knee injury in 2018. He has never played an official club match since then so this loan is going to be something good for him.

The All Whites captain was playing for West Ham since 2010 when he joined the club after 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa.

The 2020 MLS season will be something interesting for New Zealanders as there will be a good amount of Kiwi players in the league.

Nadi protests against Lautoka on Fiji FA

Fiji Football Association’s CEO Mohammed Yusuf has confirmed that Nadi registered a protest against Lautoka. Nadi claims that Lautoka has fielded two players against them that were not cleared to play by Fiji FA.

There is no information about the name of the players that are supposedly uncleared to play. However Nadi stands that these two players should not have played because they were suspended by the government body for using illicit substances.

Lautoka’s starting eleven against Nadi. Source: Fiji FA Media

The Jetsetters have registered the protest on time so Fiji FA must investigate the case. Lautoka won this match by 6-0 and they are currently leading the league as Nadi stands in the sixth position with three points in thre matches.

Brian Kaltak scores as Auckland City smashes Canterbury United in the ISPS Handa Premiership

Auckland City remains unbeaten at 2019-20 ISPS Handa Premiership. The Navy Blues made another victim as they thrashed Canterbury United by 5-1 with all five goals scored in the first half. Current league topscorer Myer Bevan found the net again and he has now 14 goals in the league.

One of the Auckland City’s highlighted players of this match was Brian Kaltak. The 26-year-old central defender from Vanuatu had another great defensive performance and he also scored Navy Blues’ second goal in the 14th minute by pushing the ball into the net after a confusion in the box.

Kaltak scored his first goal in the season

It was Kaltak’s first goal in the season and his second for Auckland City. You can watch his goal by clicking here.

The Ni-Vanuatu defender is having a wonderful season. His great performance against Canterbury United will surely give him a spot in the “Team of the Week 14” award. Kaltak has already named for the Team of the Week for five times this season.

Auckland City will face Tasman United at Trafalgar Park on Sunday. You can check the current league standings and the top scorers by clicking here.

Chris Wood’s injury is not a worry for Sean Dyche

New Zealand internation Chris Wood was subbed off in the 20th minute in Burnley’s 2-1 away win against Southampton this Saturday. According to sources, he was replaced by Matej Vydra after suffering a hamstring injury. Vydra was a key player in the match as he scored Burnley’s winning goal in the second half.

Burnley’s head coach Sean Dyche stated that Wood’s replacement was a precaution act – “We will wait and see. I do not think it ss bad. We are happy he got off quick and could feel it early.” he said in a postgame interview. There is no news about his injury’s extension but it does not seem that he is going to be out for many time.

Chris Wood (number 9) had a hamstring injury against Southampton

Wood is living a wonderful season in the English Premier League. He scored ten goals in 24 matches so far in the league season.