The match between Ba and Nadi, that would mark the return of Ba to the national league in Fiji after OFC Champions League, was scheduled due bad weather conditions.
According to local sources, the match is postponed to 25th March. Before this, Ba will take on Lautoka – being this their first match after their terrible campaign at regional level in Tahiti.
“Ba will play Lautoka on Wednesday the 18th then on Saturday they play Suva and this game will be rescheduled next Wednesday in Nadi then they will play Navua“, said Fiji FA Competitons Manager Amitesh Pal to local sources. It was also added by local media that “adverse weather conditions has left the grounds unfavorable to play in“.
The majority of this season’s regular starting eleven for Lae City FC will walk out of the club with sacked coach Peter Gunemba, according to sources close to the Gunemba family and owner Ian Chow.
It was also revealed that Gunemba will not take charge of the side for tomorrow’s home game against Tusbab Stallions.
Midfielder Emmanuel Simon is set to leave Lae City alongside several other key players. Photo: Phototek
The players set to leave the club are Gunemba’s sons Troy and Raymond Gunemba, as well as attackers Nigel Dabinyaba and Obert Bika, midfielders Jacob Sabua and Emmanuel Simon, defenders Goropaul Albert, Valentine Nelson, and Mosie Milubwa, and goalkeepers Matheson Nasa and Ronald Warisan.
Gunemba had initially been set to manage the side for a final time on Saturday against Tusbab Stallions, but has since asked Chow not to be present at the match, so it is unclear if any of the players above will be available for selection. It is expected that new coach Bob Morris will take over with a new-look squad.
As always, we’ll try to get you all the latest news as it happens from Papua New Guinea.
Later today, the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League will kick-off the second half of its season with five fixtures in Lae and Port Moresby, following a dramatic and controversial transfer window which saw five-time championship-winning coach Peter Gunemba sacked from Lae City FC, and plenty of player movement across the country.
How many new players we will see playing their new clubs this week remains to be seen, but all eyes will be on the 3pm game in Lae as new coach Bob Morris takes his first game in charge of the club against Tusbab Stallions. With official confirmation that the core of the Lae City side will leave with Gunemba, we may never see the likes of Raymond Gunemba, Nigel Dabinyaba and Ronald Warisan in a Lae City shirt again, and it could be a completely new-look Lae City side. With former Stallions captain Nigel Malagian having moved to Lae City late in the transfer window, Stallions will be hoping to put a downer on Gunemba’s swansong. Stallions did manage to tempt the league’s top scorer Stahl Gubag to stay at the club, but how will his head be after a move to one of the biggest clubs in the country fell through at the last minute? This match will certainly bring plenty of talking points.
In the 1pm kick-off in Lae, Morobe Wawens take on FC Kutubu. With both clubs struggling in the league, there is no news as to who has taken over the coaching job at Wawens after Bob Morris left to take over from Peter Gunemba, and with Kutubu strengthening their side with three players from Hekari United, this might be a match that the Highlands-based side could see themselves winning.
In a triple-header in Port Moresby, the 1pm kick-off will see FC Bougainville take on Gulf Komara. We’ve only heard that these teams have lost players during the transfer window, with Bougainville having lost Jonathan Allen and ‘keeper Andrew Baniau to Vitiaz, and Komara having surrendered center-back Carlos Onne to Hekari early on in the week, and Donovan Murray to Vitiaz late on. Both sides will therefore be itching to prove that they can still perform without these key players. Allen in particular is a big loss to Bougainville, with the 19-year-old having scored six goals for the club so far this season.
Gulf Komara players celebrate scoring in their 2-0 victory over FC Kutubu last weekend. Photo: PNGFA
At 3pm, a strengthened Vitiaz United still take on Morobe United, with no news from the latter of any incomings or outgoings during the transfer window. Vitiaz have lost Russell Nirik due to personal issues, but have brought in Murray, Allen, and Baniau, as well as Peter Dabinyaba Jr and Mathew David from Lae City. They’re clearly looking to secure that second OFC Champions League spot in the wake of Lae’s troubles. With many of Vitiaz’ current players having played for Morobe United last season, it will be an interesting clash with both sides will be desperate to win.
In the late 5pm kick-off, Star Mountain will take on Hekari United. Star Mountain have appointed Percy Mataio as their new head coach, and have also strengthened their side, but Hekari will remain favourites for this clash, after confirming the signings of Gregory Togubai, Carlos Onne and Wira Wama early on in the week.
The Fijian wonderboy Roy Krishna is one-match away to secure another major glory of his football career, this time in Indian Super Ligue. The 32-year-old helped his side ATK to qualify for the grand final match against Chennayin to be played in Goa – now Krishna and his teammates are just one away win for to give ATK their 3rd ever title of the most important football league of Indian football.
The Fijian international was the golden boot winner of the Australian top-tier Hyundai A-League in his previous season and he is very close to be the player who most scored goals in the season, this time in India for ATK.
Roy Krishna playing for ATK – Goal.com
Krishna is tiep-up in goals alongside Kerala Blasters’ striker Bart Ogbeche with 15 goals in the process. According to ISL rules, if we have two or more players with the same amount of goals scored in the end of season, the player who most had assists in the league will top the golden boot race – in this case, Ogbeche has one assist and Roy Krisha has five, making the Fijian the leader of ISL golden boot race so far.
The only player that can not allow Krishna to be the Indian Super Ligue goalscorer is the Lithuanian international Nerjius Valskis; both players will meet in the grand final clash. Valskis has 14 goals in the process and also provided six assists in the league – if he scores one goal at least and Krishna fails to score or assist, the Lithuanian will be awarded the golden boot award. If both players finish the season with the same amount of goals and assists, the player who less minutes played will be the winner – and in this case Valskis has plenty of advatange in comparison with Krishna, as he played much more less minutes than Krishna in the season.
There is just one decisive match remaning in the season; not only the trophy is in contest: Krishna can double the importance of his history to Fijian, Oceanian and Indian football if he helps his team to win the league and makes himself the golden boot winner of the season.
The Fijian Flyer keeps flying – and very, very high.
Recently, Chow stated in his social media that the players of Lae City decided to stick with club – only Peter Gunemba is leaving. According to local sources, the most important players of Lae City were not happy with the departure of Peter Gunemba and were also considering to leave the team alongside their coach. “The players revolt and walk out? I gave the ultimatum. You play for Lae City FC or your play for your coach? What did they choose? The whole team picked Lae City FC! They all returned before I released them. They all know they have been on the wrong side and taking advantage of our slackness. It showed in their games. What I said was all true! They needed a big reality check! They were all heading for football oblivion“, stated Chow.
Ian Chow also strongly added: “My money, my team my decision. I made it clear to all players. I pay your salary so you are working for me. You are all professionals, so whoever is the coach you still have to follow. We are not holding or forcing any of you to stay“.
Peter Gunemba helped Lae City to win the last five PNG National Soccer League editions, but failed to make his former team to progress at OFC Champions League 2020 – something that did not make Chow happy, the Lae City boss also stated he aims to see Lae City winning OFC Champions League, so he was forced to make the changes he had done.
The local supporters of Lae were not happy with the shocking news and certain allegations of Ian Chow, but he seems determined to leave the past behind and create an even stronger Lae City for the rest of the season – seeking to qualify once again for the most important club football tournament of Oceania.
The transfer window period is already closed in Papua New Guinea, but we are still receiving confirmations about the signings and departures of players and now it is time time for the 3rd placed side Vitiaz United to announce new moves in their squad.
Vitiaz signed five new players to boost their squad for the second round of PNG National Soccer League, they are: the goalkeeper Andrew Baniau coming from FC Boungainville, the PNG international Jonathan Allen – the striker signs from FC Boungainville -, the midfielder Donovan Murray coming from Gulf Komara and two players coming from the current national champions Lae City: the defender Peter Dabinyaba Jr and the attacking midfielder Matthew David.
Peter Dabinyaba Jr is one of the signigs of Vitiaz United – OFC Media
Vitiaz also announced the departure of four players form their team: Rayan Albert, Isaac Agapi, Russel Nirik and Darius Edwin. Albert was sent to a partner local team in Lae for further trainings, while Agapi and Edwin left the club to faster their recovery from injures. Russel Nirik left the team due personal reasons.
The most important football league of New Zealand is going to have a very important matchweek. Just three matches are remaining for each of the teams in contention – just one out of the ten sides has no chances to qualify for the semifinals: the bottom ranked Canterbury United.
Waitakere United will have a decisive clash against Hawke’s Bay – NZF Media
The 3rd placed side Waitakere United will have a hard clash against the Napier-based side Hawke’s Bay United in Auckland. Waitakere wants to confirm their spot at the semifinals and a win is instrumental for the team captained by Sam Burfoot in the process.
The remaing two clashes of Waitakere are against Auckland City and Team Wellington – the top-two teams in the table so far -, so their best chance to seal their spot is winning Hawke’s Bay United at home. Even a win can not guarantee the team in the decisive stage of the league, but it will them really close.
Hawke’s Bay, if they want to keep their chances alive in the process, they will need to beat Waitakere away from home, hoping Ahinga Selemani and his teammates can have another very good day.
Team Wellington is already qualified for the ISPS Handa Premiership semifinals – NZF Media
Team Wellington will travel to Dunedin to take on Southern United; Team Welly is already qualified for the semifinals, but they will come certaintly hungry for an away win over a good side of Southern.
The Dunedin-based side is in another very different situation than their opponents: they will desperate for a home-win to maintan their chances of top-four alive in the process. Southern team know they will need to look after of players as João Moreira and Jack-Henry Sinclair if they want to get a much needed win. The likes of Garbhan Coughlan and Cody Brook will need to be in very good form to help their side in a very hard challenge.
Hamilton Wanderers will have take on Tasman at Porritt Stadium – NZF Media
Hamilton Wanderers will have another chance to get closer Eastern Suburbs in the process as they take on Tasman United at Porritt Stadium. Tasman is the same situation of the Wanderers – both sides have 19 points in the process, three behind the fourth-placed Eastern Suburbs – and the two teams will be playing for a win this Sunday.
Derek Tieku and Tommy Semmy will need to be back to their goalscoring form after losing their previous match in the run. Wanderers does know they really need a win against Tasman, but their opponents are ready to make the home crowd advatange not enough for the Hamilton-based side.
Tasman will expect another important win, despite their bad performance against Phoenix Reserves in their last match in the league. The likes of Jean-Philippe Saïko and Jesse Randall can be instrumental for the team coached by Jess Ibrom to record a much needed over Hamilton.
Fighting for pride, Canterbury Dragons – NZF Media
Canterbury United is already out of contention for a top-four spot, but the last placed team in the process know they need to make something to let their fans proud. They will be taking on Phoenix Reserves at English Park – a good chance to improve their bad records in the season so far.
Phoenix Reserves recorded an important win over Tasman United thanks a hattrick of Ben Waine. Phoenix can not qualify for the semifinals as they are a reserve squad of Wellington Phoenix, but they will certainly want to upset the big teams in the process. They still have 17 points in the league, a away-win over a shaken Canterbury can keep their chances alive to be placed inside the top-four.
Auckland City hopes to continue their good run – NZF Media
Auckland City is already there in the semifinals, but they are still to confirm their spot as premiers of the league – the best ranked team during the regular season -, the Navy Blues are just three points upfront the second-placed Team Wellington.
After a succesful campaign in Tahiti at OFC Champions League, the team coached by José Figueira is ready for the Gridlock derby against the current champions Eastern Suburbs at Madills Farm Reserve. Despite the good moment, Auckland recorded their first defeat since 2017 in the national league in their previous match in the season against Tasman United – when they were defeated by 2-1.
Eastern Suburbs will hope the top goalscorers of the season so far, Martin Bueno, can score more goals in this decisive clash as their team is just three points away the 5th placed side in the process – having their semifinal spot in danger in case they can not avoid a defeat for the powerful side of Auckland City.
Le match amical international Nouvelle-Calédonie contre Estonie qui était prévu pour la fin du mois de mars a été annulé. L’épidémie actuelle de coronavirus a de nouveau été la raison de l’action; récemment, le gouvernement estonien – où le match allait être joué – a décrété l’état d’urgence en raison du COVID-19.
Estonia vs Nuovelle Caledonie en 2017 – OFC media
Les cagous allaient également jouer un autre match amical contre une sélection locale, mais ces incroyables possibilités d’exposition ne se réaliseront pas en raison de problèmes de santé. La Nouvelle-Calédonie FA étudie une autre possibilité pour l’équipe nationale, puisqu’elle a déjà publié les convocations pour les matchs amicaux, qui ont été annulés.
La ligue de football la plus importante de Nouvelle-Calédonie va demmarer. La saison de la Mobil Super Ligue 2020 débutera cette semaine avec 5 matchs lors de sa première journée.
L’AS Magenta va commencer sa campagne – après un bon tournoi de la phase de groupes en OFC Champions League – contre les nouveaux venus des divisions régionales AS Kunié au Stade Numa Daly. L’autre match, qui se tiendra au stade le plus important de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, sera opposé au Tiga Sport et à l’AS Mont-Dore. Tiga mettra en vedette Joseph Tchacko et Richard Sele – Sele a récemment signé pour Tiga Sports après des années réussies à l’AS Magenta. Les deux matchs joués au Stade Numa Daly seront retransmis par TV Caledonia et diffusés sur sa chaîne YouTube.
Les actuels détenteurs du titre, Hienghène Sport, s’attendront de jouer beaucoup mieux qu’en OFC Champions League, ou il sont sortie dans la phase de groupes, lorsqu’ils commenceront leur campagin à domicile contre Horizon Patho. Après quelques années dans les divisions régionales, le JS Baco est de retour au premier niveau de le foot neo-caledonien et entamera sa campagne contre l’AS Wetr au Stade Yoshida, Koné.
A Lifou, au Stade Hnasse, l’AS Lössi affrontera à domicile le SC Ne Drehu, lors du dernier match du 1er tour de Mobil Super Ligue. Ce sera un match très intéressant car Ne Drehu a signé des joueurs importants pour la saison, comme les anciens joueurs de l’AS Magenta comme Léon Wahnawe et Yorick Hnautra.
The most important football league of New Caledonia is set to start; the Mobil Super Ligue 2020 season is going to kick-off this weekened with 5 matches in its first matchday.
FCF Media
The traditional AS Magenta is going to start their campaign – after a succesful group stage tournament at OFC Champions League – against the newcomers from the regional divisions AS Kunié at Stade Numa Daly. The other match to be held at most important stadium of New Caledonia wil be between Tiga Sport and AS Mont-Dore. Tiga will feature the likes of Joseph Tchacko and Richard Sele – Sele signed recently for Tiga Sports after succesful years at AS Magenta. Both matches played at Stade Numa Daly will telecasted by TV Caledonia and streamed in its YouTube channel.
The current title holders Hienghène Sport will expect to play much better than at OFC Champions League when they start their campagin at home against Horizon Patho.
After some years in the regional divisons, the also traditional JS Baco is back to the first tier and will start their campaign against AS Wetr at Stade Yoshida, Koné.
In Lifou, at Stade Hnasse, AS Lössi will take on the home side SC Ne Drehu in the final match of the 1st round of Mobil Super Ligue. It will be a very interesting match as Ne Drehu signed some important players for the season, as the former AS Magenta players as Léon Wahnawe and Yorick Hnautra.
