Oceania Football Center

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.

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.

Image may contain: 1 person, playing a sport and outdoor — 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.