La Federezione Calcistica della Nuova Caledonia ha pubblicato un comunicato stampa in cui si dichiara lo stop di tutte le attività calcistiche sul territorio dell’arcipelago oceaniano a seguito di indicazioni ricevute dal governo per contrastare l’emergenza COVID-19. Il comunicato stampa è il seguente: “In conseguenza alle indicazioni del governo, il campionato MOBIL SUPER LIGUE è temporaneamente sospeso. La seconda giornata del campionato di massima divisione che si sarebbe dovuta tenere questo sabato 21 marzo è rinviato a una data successiva. Tutte le competizioni calcistiche – come tutti gli eventi sportivi sul territorio – sono pertanto annullate fino a nuovo avviso. Anche la sede della FCF sarà chiusa da giovedì 19 marzo fino a quando la situazione non si stabilizzerà. Anche il Centro tecnico Païta rimarrà chiuso e nei nostri club affiliati saranno vietate le attività per i giovani fino a nuovo avviso. Anche l’Assemblea federale straordinaria prevista per sabato 28 marzo è annullata. La FCF vorrebbe ricordare che ognuno di noi, in questi momenti di incertezza, deve comportarsi in modo civico, così da preservare la salute di tutti “.
La Fédération Calédonienne de Football a publié un communiqué de presse déclarant l’arrêt de toutes les activités de football sur son territoire suite aux indications du gouvernement. Le communiqué est le suivant:
“De ce fait, le championnat MOBIL SUPER LIGUE est temporairement stoppé. La 2ème journée de l’élite qui devait avoir lieu ce samedi 21 mars est donc reportée à une date ultérieure. Toutes les compétitions football – comme l’ensemble des manifestations et regroupements sportifs sur le territoire – sont ainsi annulées jusqu’à nouvel ordre.L’Accueil de la FCF sera lui aussi fermé à partir de ce jeudi 19 mars, jusqu’à ce que la situation se stabilise. Le Centre Technique de Païta restera également fermé.Au niveau de nos Clubs affiliés, les entraînements seront de surcroît interdits, jusqu’à nouvel ordre. L’Assemblée Fédérale Extraordinaire programmée le samedi 28 mars prochain est également annulée. La Fédération Calédonienne de Football tient à rappeler que chacun et chacune d’entre nous, dans ces moments d’incertitude, doit avoir un comportement citoyen, de façon à tous nous préserver.“
After a successful campaign at ISPS Handa Premiership in New Zealand for his side Team Wellington, the full-back Aaron Spain seems ready to represent Papua New Guinea internationally. The 25-year-old player was already called-up for Papua New Guinea national team in the past, but he is yet to make his international debut for his country.
The defender is from Kerema, Papua New Guinea and played his entire football career in New Zealand. Spain started his club football in Christchurch, with the well-know club Canterbury United. The Papua New Guinean impressed in the red-and-white team and secured a very interesting move to New Zealand powerhouse and former OFC Champions League champions Team Wellington. Spain played a very important role in the 2019/20 season for TeeDubs, helping his side to end the league in the 2nd place – earning themselves a spot in the 2021 edition of the OFC Champions League.
Aaron has a younger brother, Jordan, that recently represented New Zealand at OFC U23 Olympic Qualifiers. The 20-year-old seems commited to represent New Zealand at international level as he helped the country to seal a spot in the Football Men’s tournament in Tokyo Olympics. Jordan Spain also played the last edition of the ISPS Handa Premiership, but for the Dunedin-based side Southern United. Jordan also started his career in Christchurch playing for Canterbury United.
Aaron Spain played 15 matches in the season for Team Wellington, providing one assist in the process. The right-back would a be a fantastic addition to the PNG Kapuls side that is looking forward to the OFC Nations Cup to be held in New Zealand this year.
Papua New Guinea, that may have a very younger side in comparison from the 2016 OFC Nations Cup held in Port Moresby and the last edition of the Pacific Games in 2019, surely would be very happy to count on the experience and the quality of one of the most exciting backs of the New Zealand top-tier league.
If Papua New Guinea football association is serious about to build a strong generation of the Kapuls, Aaron Spain must be considered as one of the best options playing currently out of PNG National Soccer League. Spain seems ready to represent his homecountry, as a possible spot at New Zealand national team – as his younger brother is pursuing – seems very unlikely for him having the likes of Tim Payne and Storm Roux much ahead of him in a possible contest for the place in the Danny Hay-coached side.
Fiji is the latest country of Oceania to suspend its football activities due COVID-19 concerns. The Fijian Football Association recently stated all “its scheduled matches, meetings and workshops with immediate effect until further notice“.
“Fiji FA would like to take stand with the Government of Fiji and postpone all our scheduled matches, meetings and workshops taking into consideration the health, safety and wellbeing of the players, officials and basically the entire nation which has always been our priority”, the Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel said.
Labasa and Ba at CVC final this year – Fiji FA
Patel stated the FFA is closely watching the situation of the outbreak and will issue new instructions when football is safe to be played in the country: “we will closely monitor instructions from the relevant authorities before making a decision on rescheduling the matches,meetings and workshops that are affected by the decision“, said the FFA president.
Following another Football Associations all over the Pacific, Vanuatu is another country that is set to suspended all its football activities for a period of 30-days as it was informed by Vanuatu Football Federation due COVID-19 concerns.
All Member Associations scheduled activities are suspended, as well the National Team camp that was training in order to compete at OFC Nations Cup. “The VFF is mindful that football games do gather a lot of people, which is advised against in the prevention of coronavirus and this has also the advice provided by Government Task Force“, informed VFF Secretary General Albert Manaroto.
Vanuatu National Team in 2019
“At present, there are no suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Vanuatu, but there are cases now in French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Guam. Secretary General Manaroto also instructed all the Vanuatu football staff to work from home“, mentioned VFF media in the statement.
The worldwide Coronavirus outbreak continues to interfere significantly in football; now It is time for Papua New Guinea football association to suspended all PNG National Soccer League matches for at least 30 days – counting from 18th March, 2020.
“Following ongoing consultation and collaboration with the President John Kapi Natto with his Executive Committee members and the NSL Board earlier resolve to immediately suspend all PNGFA activities and competitions as effective immediately“, informed PNGFA Media.
“KPNSL has over the last 48 hours received some views from few Club Presidents over the COVID 19 and its effect. Club Chairman/President, KPNSL seeks you view to acknowledge that the matches are suspended as of Saturday 21st March, until April 18th 2020“, said PNGFA general secretary Dimirit Mileng.
Vitiaz United is the current top-placed side at PNG NSL – PNGFA Media
There are already suspicious cases of COVID-19 infection in Papua New Guinea – the decision from the football governing body comes in a right time to prevent a worst scenario due the outbreak in the Oceanian country.
Ci-dessous le communiqué de presse émis par la FTF qui suspend tous les championnats et toutes les activités footballistiques à Tahiti pour minimum 2 semaines:
“Bonjour à tous, compte tenu de la situation sanitaire actuelle et en vue d’éradiquer la propagation de l’épidémie de Coronavirus, plusieurs décisions ont été prises par le Comité d’Urgence de la FTF :
1. Le CU a décidé de suspendre toutes les activités gérées par la Fédération Tahitienne de Football sur l’ensemble du territoire de la Polynésie française jusqu’à nouvel ordre.
2. Le Festival des Îles séniors et jeunes a été reporté au mois d’octobre du lundi 26 au samedi 31.
3. Les bureaux de la FTF seront fermés à compter du lundi 23 mars pour une période minimum de 2 semaines.“
Edwin Bai was one of the Malampa Revivors’ most important players in their marvelous campaign at 2020 OFC Champions League group stage. The 24-year-old forward scored one goal and delievering three assists in three matches to lead his team to finish on the Group B’s top.
Qualifying for OFC Champions League knockout stage was something pretty special for Revivors because it was the first time they won an official international match after playing the continental tournament twice in 2017 and 2019.
Edwin Bai was Malampa Revivors’ captain in the 2020 OFC Champions League. Source: OFC Media
Malampa’s captain Edwin Bai expressed his pride and happiness for being part of this historical moment – “I am so proud of making the knockout stage. We have worked hard to make it real” – his only goal in the group stage was an amazing goal by lobbing Henderson Eels’ goalkeeper Desmond Tutu as you can see in the video below:
Bai is living the best moment of his career as a footballer and he thinks he deserves a spot in Vanuatu’s National Team – “I expect to represent Vanuatu in the OFC Nations Cup this year,” he said. It is important to remember that he represented his country at youth level in the U20 OFC Championship in 2013 and he is in the 54-men provisional squad released by Etienne Mermer.
Vanuatu counts on good players for 2020 OFC Nations Cup like central defender Brian Kaltak who is living an awesome moment in New Zealand. However the Nations Cup can be postponed because all football activities in Oceania are currently suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was recently reported that Fijian goalkeeper Mohammed Alzaar Alam has signed with Manukau United from New Zealand. However he is back to Fiji due to some work issues but It does not mean that he is not going to play for Manukau United anymore as he is still linked to the team alongside with his countrymen Kishan Sami and Malakai Rakula.
Alam is a police officer in Fiji and he had to go back to his country due work commitments after signing with his new club. He returned to his homeland in order to get an official permission to move away from work to represent Manukau in the New Zealand’s winter football season. He expects to be allowed to travel to New Zealand soon.
Mohammed Alam is a very talented goalkeeper
Mohammed is one of the most talented goalkeepers from his country. The 20-year-old player represented Nasinu in the last Vodafone Premier League season and he was also Fiji’s starting keeper in the 2019 OFC Olympic Qualifiers.
Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) has released the 19-men provisional squad for 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup that will be held in Lithuania. All these players are going to start training together at the Multi-purpose Hall in Honiara. Francis Lafai will be in charge of the national side in the absence of Brazilian Australian based Vinicius Leite.
