The experience Fijian coach Marika Rodu is the new head coach of Rewa for the 2020 season in Fiji. The OFC B-Licensed coach is already in charge of the Delta Tigers and will guide the team in their next match in Vodafone Premier Legue, the top-tier league of football in Fiji.
Marika Rodu when coaching Fiji U23 national team – OFC Media
Rodu has a very good record in his career so far, guiding the Fiji women’s national team to the grand final match of the OFC Women’s Nations Cup, where they were beaten by New Zealand in the decisive match. In 2019 Rodu also coached the Fiji U23 side in the OFC Olympic Qualifiers, where Fiji ended the competition in the 4th position after losing by 1-0 against Vanutu in the bronze medal match.
The Ni-Vanuatu international Jason Thomas officially signed for Lautoka for the upcoming OFC Champions League and the 2020 challenges of Lautoka in Fijian season. Initially the player came to Fiji to sign for the powerhouse Ba, but now it is known he switched the Men in Black for the Blues.
Jason Thomas in national team colours – OFC Media
The Ni-Vanuatu international is not the only new recruit for Lautoka, as the midfielder Muni Shivam Naidu was retained by the club after strong interest from Ba. Former Nasinu and Rewa goalkeeper Joela Biuvanua, forward Tevita Rabakewa, Fiji U23 rep Arami Manumanubai are all cleared to represent Lautoka alongside Naidu – Jason Thomas will not feature in the national league for club, it is reported the negotiatons with the player will take place after the OFC Champions League in order to retain the player for the national competitions in Fiji, according to FFA Media.
In unexpected news earlier today, it was revealed that brothers Alwin and Felix Komolong had signed for Lae City FC to strengthen the side ahead of the remainder of the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League season.
However, the pair will be unable to play for the club for the OFC Champions League, because they were signed and registered too late to meet the deadline.
Felix Komolong playing for North Kentucky University in the US in 2018. Photo: NKU
Lae City have one more domestic game later this weekend, before a two-break break which will allow them to travel to Vanuatu to take part in Group B alongside hosts Malampa Revivors, Solomon Island league runners-up Henderson Eels and Fijian runners-up Lautoka in one of the most evenly matched groups in the competition.
Coach Peter Gunemba has clearly recognised the side’s strengths and weaknesses: up front, Lae are blessed with a myriad of talented strikers who know how to find the net: captain Raymond Gunemba has four goals so far this season and 11 goals in 21 international appearance. Teammate Nigel Dabinyaba, who has had a quiet season so far, also has a proven record internationally, with 8 goals from 19 senior caps. The likes of Emmanuel Simon, Obert Bika and Alu Awi provide plenty of back-up for the two main men, while Ecuadorian import Gustine Icaza adds exotic flair to the attack.
However, at the back, while on paper the side are better than most, they do have room for improvement: Philip Steven is an accomplished versatile defender and is probably one of the first names on the teamsheet, but his central defensive partner Mosie Milubwa is 36 years old, while right-back Valentine Nelson is 33. Both were fine defenders in their day, but are considered aging: Nelson has ten senior caps for PNG, but his last one was in 2016.
That’s why the signings of the Komolong brothers are a huge deal for the current league champions. Both men have experience outside of PNG, having played college soccer in the United States, while Alwin plied his trade at regional level in Germany for Stuttgarter Kickers and then for Fortuna Köln in the 3. Bundesliga, the lowest level of national football in the country, last season.
Alwin Komolong playing for Stuttgart Kickers in Germany in 2017. Photo: Stuttgarter Zeitung
Alwin, 26, and Felix, 23, bring youthful energy and a wealth of experience to the club’s backline, and their chemistry and solidity at the back should tighten up their leaky defence and give the champions, who have at times looked easily second-best behind Hekari United so far this season, reason to believe that they have a superb chance at a sixth successive title.
It’s a shame that they won’t be able to travel with the side to Vanuatu for the Champions League, but the signings will definitely strike fear into the hearts of Hekari United fans, who must be looking nervously over their shoulders.
The New Zealand-based club Wellington Phoenix could not hold the attacking power of Perth Glory at HBF Park, when they returned to the pitch after a bye-week in the Australian Hyundai A-League. The likes of Bruno Fornaroli and Nicholas D’Agostino were too much for the defensive system of the team coached by Ufuk Talay.
The first half was very balanced, being the Englishman David Ball the most dangerous players of the visiting side. Stefan Marinovic needed to stop two good shots in the first half from Joel Chianese, but the final moments of the first half were decisive for the rest of the clash: after a corner and flick on inside the area, the tall midfielder Tomislav Mrcela headed to the nets of Marinovic the first goal of the encounter; just three minutes later, a good combination inside the box allowed the young talented striker Nicholas D’Agostino to score the second for his side just before the break. The 2-0 advantage was crucial for the home side, going to the break with a boost of morale, seeing the opponent unable to give a response.
Glory proved too strong for Phoenix – Glory Media
The Nix come from the second half unchanged, but just minutes later of the start of the second part of the clash Ufuk Talay decided to put in the game the English marquee striker Gary Hooper in place of the not effective Jaushua Sotirio. Unfortunately for those, just before the change Nicholas D’Agostine received a fantastic cross from Kim Soo-beom to head the ball home to score the third for their side.
Wellington Phoenix did not give up: a very good cross from the New Zealand international Tim Payne found the new man in game Hooper unmarked inside the 6-yard-box to score the first for the visitors. A little hope was given to the team of Ufuk Talay, but it just lasted for the next three minutes. A controversial yellow card was shown to Payne after a foul in D’Agostino; the player was already booked and received his second yellow, being then sent off.
The red card did not seem to reduce the confidence of Phoenix, that even seemed to play better with 10-men. Five minutes later from the incident, Gary Hooper received the ball in the box and with a fast finished surprised the opposition goalkeeper and scored his second in the clash, putting the difference of just one goal. To adapt their defensive system, Alex Rufer was subed and Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi was introduced in the right back position. Later, already inside the 80-minute mark, Reno Piscopo suffered a minor muscle injury and was replaced by Callum McCowatt.
Unfortunately, the reaction of the visiting side was not enough to give them anything from the clash. The prolific Uruguyan striker Bruno Fornaroli scored a fantastic goal in the 90th minute of play to give final numbers to the scoreboard in favour of Perth Glory – this was the first time in the season Phoenix loses by more than one-goal margin. The defeat made the New Zealanders drop one position in the table being surpassed by Adelaide United, putting Phoenix in the 5th place in the run.
Phoenix will be back to the pitch next on Saturday (15th Feb) when they take on Melbourne City at Sky Stadium in Wellington. It is already confirmed Ufuk Talay will not count with the presence of Tim Payne in the match, being Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi or Brandon Wilson the most possible players to replace the right back.
After just playing one match for Hekari United in the PNG National Soccer League, the Solomon Islands goalkeeper Anthony Talo is not part anymore of the Hekari squad. The player departed to Solomon Islands and since then did not fly back to Port Moresby and now local sources confirm the player will not represent the Papua New Guinean powerhose in the OFC Champions League. Oceania Football Center already raised questions about the situation of Talo; now being confirmed the player officially left the current PNG National Soccer League runners-up.
Talo won the golden glove in the previous OFC Futsal Nations Cup – OFC Media
The player departed home after a match against Gulf Komara in the national league, the reason is that him and his countryman Robert Laua needed to renew their visas in their country. Only Robert Laua returned to the club and until the confirmation of Talo’s departure, the player was not back to the Papua New Guinean capital city. The reasons for the incident are still to be disclosed.
Talo already played has experience in the OFC Champions League after representing the Solomon Islands clubs Western United and Marist FC, being a well-known player back in Solomon Islands for his performances for the Solomon Islands Futsal national team. Talo, most recently, represented Henderson Eels in the Telekom S-League in his country, finishing in the 2nd position in the process.
Tomonori Sugiyama left Samoa. The Japanese goalkeeper had an important role in the country as a player. He was also the Goalkeepers Coach of Samoa National Football Team during his time there.
Sugiyama played for Lepea during his stint in Samoa. Lepea’s official account on Facebook made a statement about his departure – “… Appreciate every contribution you have provided for the development of Lepea Football Club. We are going to miss you in this year’s season however we wish you all the best for your new role in New Zealand and continue to inspire young goalkeepers just like you did here in Samoa. Keep in touch.”
Sugiyama (first from right to left)
As it was reported in the Lepea’s statement Sugiyama is going to New Zealand but we still do not have further information about it. We will keep investigating in order to bring the most accurate information for our followers.
Sugiyama did not stay for a long time in Samoa but he was a very important person to help in the development of the sport in the country. His legacy will be remembered there.
Football in Oceania has been shaken by the recent news coming from Papua New Guinea: Lae City announced two more signings for the 2019/20 season – the Komolong brothers Alwin and Felix are set to reinforce the squad of the team coached by Peter Gunemba.
Alwin, a defensive midfielder who can also play as central defender, most recently defended for Fortuna Köln in the 3rd tier of football in Germany. Felix, a central defender, moved back to Papua New Guinea after a stint in US College Soccer side NKU Norse. Felix also had a stint at ISPS Handa Premiership side Canterbury United.
Both players helped the Kapuls to reach the grand final of the last OFC Nations Cup held in home soil in 2016. The 22-year-old Felix Komolong already represented his country 19 times internationally, and his brother 25-year-old brother Alwin has 16 international caps for Papua New Guinea.
Felix (left) and Alwin Komolong playing for Papua New Guinea
According to Post Courier, both players are set to be registered with Lae City in March, the next period of registration. This will not allow the Komolong duo to play in the upcoming OFC Champions League this month when Lae City travel to Vanuatu to face Malampa Revivors, Lautoka and Henderson Eels in the Group B of the continental competition. It is also said both players already met with the club management, and have already taken part in training sessions with the Lae-based football side.
The 19-year-old midfielder from Solomon Islands Patrick Taroga is no longer going to play for Henderson Eels in the OFC Champions League. The player was recently listed by SIFF in the final squad of the current Telekom S-League runners-up for the tournament, but the Henderson Eels head coach Eddie Marahare stated the player is no longer being part of the team that will travel to Vanuatu on 11th February to face the locals Malampa Revivors, the Fijian side Lautoka and Lae City from Papua New Guinea in the Group B of the OFC Champions League.
Patrick Taroga donning the national team jersey – OFC Media
The young talented player is set to to take up a scholarship offer to attend tertiary studies in 2020, so the 19-year-old player will not be available to represent Eels in the most important club tournament in the region. It is still to be disclosed to which country Taroga is set to leave for his scolarship. The young player was widely praised in social media for his choice, to pursue education alongside football.
Taroga was one of the responsibles to put Solomon Islands U23 national team in the grand final of the last edition of the U23 OFC Olympic Qualifiers, beating Vanuatu in the semifinal, but unable to surpass the strong New Zealand side in the gran final – ending with the silver medal in the competiton held last year in Fiji.
The second matchweek of 2020 Vodafone Premier League is scheduled to be played this weekend. Three matches will be contested as Ba vs Suva clash was postponed because Ba is travelling to New Zealand as part of their preparation for OFC Champions League.
Labasa will face Navua at Subrail Park this Saturday and they need to recover from the 2-1 loss against Suva in the first week. The Babasiga Lions are the favourites to win but newly promoted Navua showed that they can be a good challenge for their opponents. Labasa will count on some good offensive players like Ratu Anare, Siotame Kubu and Ashnil Raju. However we can not forget Atonio Tuivuna’s importance as the midfielder plays a crucial role in the team.
Atonio Tuivuna (right) playing for Labasa in the 2019 CVC series. Source: FFA Media
Navua pin their offensive hopes at Taniela Rakariva. The 23-year-old striker scored in his official debut for Navua in the 2-1 loss against Nadi. There are lots of expectations on him as he was the top scorer of Vodafone Senior League in 2018 and 2019.
After thrashing Nasinu by 6-0, Lautoka will host Nadi at Churchill Park in their last official match before their debut at OFC Champions League on February 15 against Malampa Revivors from Vanuatu. The fans will have a good opportunity to support the Bluez before their depart in a match that will be very interesting as both teams have good forwards. Dave Radrigai and Alex Saniel scored two goals each against Nasinu and they are ready to score and score.
Lautoka can also count on some players like Arami Manumanubai and Jason Thomas that were cleared to play for the Bluez.
Radrigai (left) and Saniel (right) playing for Lautoka against Nasinu. Source: FFA Media
Nadi won their first match against Navua and they want to grab three more points. The biggest news for Jet Setters comes from Avinesh Swamy as he is cleared to play this weekend. His quality and experience must be a great boost for the team as they already count on good forwards like Tito Vodowaqa and Rusiate Matarerega.
Atkin Kaua playing for Solomon Islands National Football Team. Source: SIFF Media
Rewa will not count on Anish Khem that was sent off against Ba in the first matchweek. Despite having some good players like Simione Tamanisau, Savenaca Baledrokadroka, Setareki Hughes, Jale Dreloa and Gabriele Matanisiga, the Delta Tigers are stronger now as they signed with Marika Rodu to be Rewa’s head coach afrer playing the opening match against Ba with an official head coach.
You can check the current league standings and the top scorers by clicking here. Oceania Football Center wish good luck to all teams.
Oceania Football Center 