The unpredictable happened yesterday in the 13th round of the Ligue 1 Vini. The leader of the table, AS Venus, lost againt AS Dragon after an incredible match that ended with the result of 4-3 for the capital team. But let’s go in order.
AS Venus was leading 3 to 0 already after half an hour’s game. 2 goals were scored by Heinui Amau and the other by the usual scorer Teaonui Tehau.
Tehau in a match against AS Pirae
Everything seemed to go as planned for the Mahinian team. But the Dragon’s players players did not give up and began to press to shorten the distances between the two teams.
It was Rainui Tze-Yu who first allows the Titioro club to regain hope before half-time. So the two teams entered the locker rooms with Venus leading by two (3-1). On the second half after few minute, Roonui Tehau, made a magnificent half-volley at 25 meters, and he put Dragon back on the right track (3-2).
Roonui Tehau with the Tahitian National Team
Someone would had imagine that the red card against the Dragon player, Raiamanu Tetauira, would allow Venus to revive in the clash. In fact this expulsion did not affect the morale of the Dragon players who continue to attack to tie the game.
At the 75th minute they had scored their third goal and finally they reached the draw. The question is: how was possible that Venus disappeared like that from the pitch? Only Samuel Garcia and his players can answer that. But the match was not finished yet. It was in the 88th minute of play when Hennel Tehaamoana scored the last goal and the winner for AS Dragon. Now AS Tiare Tahiti e AS Pirae can pass their rival and take the top of the table if they in the weekend Ligue 1 Vini round.
Neither Papua New Guinea’s Lae City nor Solomon Islands’ Henderson Eels will get anywhere near close to lifting the OFC Champions League trophy unless their performances see a marked upturn in skill, quality and defensive solidity.
The opening ten minutes of the game was ping-pong football, with both sides showing some nervy passing, sloppiness in possession, and poorly-timed attempts at goal, which were often snapped at. It’s understandable that the players will have been nervous on the big stage, but even once the game had settled into somewhat of a rhythm, there were some key issues for both sides that need addressing.
Eels looked, for the most part, more impressive and assured than Lae, and the Solomon Islands’ league runners-up did an adequate job at retaining possession in the midfield and defence. However, their total and utter reliance on young starlet Raphael Lea’i, who is only 16, is a concern. Yes, Lea’i looks to be an absolutely superb talent, and he will undoubtedly see his footballing future away from the Solomon Islands, but there was almost zero creativity from anywhere else on the field. Lea’i was the only player willing to take on defenders, and his goal, which put Eels 2-1 up going into half-time, was a result of his mazy running, intricate footwork, and ability to finish from an exceptionally tight angle. It’s great to have a player like that in your side, but with such a huge amount of pressure on such young shoulders, it’s difficult to imagine that Eels can rely on the youngster to take the team all the way to victory.
Raphael Lea’i is just 16 years old, but already the lynchpin of the Henderson Eels side.
At the back, Solomon Islands number 1 Desmond Tutu had a shocking match, which could have led to Lae City scoring far more than just the three they put away. Tutu looked nervy on the ball, made several uncomfortable saves and more than a few questionable decisions. One would hope that now the first game is out of the way that nerves will settle slightly, and we’ll see more of the reason why Tutu is first choice for the national team.
For Lae City, there were perhaps some even bigger problems. As predicted in my preview of their chances, their defence is ageing and problematic, and after Eels scored their second goal through Lea’i, after just 39 minutes, coach Peter Gunemba made a change in the defence, taking off Valentine Nelson, 32, and bringing on former Morobe United defender Joshua Oscar, 29. Clearly, Nelson was unable to handle the pace and skill of young Lea’i, and further questions will be asked of Nelson, his defensive partner Mosie Milubwe, and others in matches to come. For the defence to concede two unnecessary penalties also shows a lack of professionalism and perhaps a tinge of panicking under pressure.
However, Lae didn’t just have problems at the back. In the midfield, their passing felt rushed, and as a result the side were unable to keep hold of possession for long periods of time. One positive, though, is how direct the side were: particularly in the first half, although Eels dominated possession, Lae had the better chances, as the ball would be pumped or worked forward swiftly to strikers Raymond Gunemba, Nigel Dabinyaba and Obert Bika.
Gunemba’s finishing will be key to Lae’s chances, but he needs to show a little more composure.
However, the strikers didn’t have a particularly good day either. Dabinyaba, until his goal, looked well off his usual solid standard, while Ray Gunemba in particular looked as if the occasion had gotten to him. In fairness, he was being tightly marked by the two Eels centre-backs, but at times it looked as if Gunemba wanted to win too much. Of the two clear-cut chances he had, the first was blasted directly at the ‘keeper and well saved, while the other he failed to really get a hold of. There were also several moments when Gunemba had his arms raised in despair, either due to challenges against him, poor passes aimed towards him from team-mates, or team-mates shooting instead of laying the ball off to him in better positions. As Gunemba reaches the end of his career, it’s understandable that he sees his chances of winning competitions like this growing thinner, but the veteran must show more composure in the next two group games in order to have a chance of progressing to the knock-outs.
The first day of 2020 OFC Champions League goes on as Group B hosts Malampa Revivors faced Lautoka from Fiji. This match marked the debut of Liam Anderson, Jack Caunter and Jason Thomas for the Fijian side. The 2019 Vodafone Premier League runners-up started the match with three defenders while Thomas was placed as a defensive midfielder. Forward Dave Radrigai did not play this match because he was sent off in the last Lautoka’s game in 2019 OFC Champions League so he was suspended. Shazil Ali also missed this match but there are no reliable sources about the reason for his absence.
Malampa Revivors fielded a young but talented squad and they showed to Lautoka that they are not in OFC Champions League for distraction. Revivors showed convincing tactics with good ball possession and high pace for counter-attacks. Edwin Bai had an outstanding performance in the first half and his apix was the nice assist that he delieverd to Azariah Soromon score the first goal of the match in the seventeenth minute.
Malampa Revivors players celebrating Soromon’s goal with the fans
Lautoka started to have some defensive difficults after suffering the goal and the Revivors started to create more and more. However a penalty kick was awarded for the Bluez from Fiji when Tasso Jeffery fouled Alex Saniel inside the box and New Zealander defender Jack Caunter found the net to equalize. Things got even better for Lautoka when Revivors’ forward Andre Batick was sent off in the 34th minute after fouling Jason Thomas that needed medical treatment.
It was expected that Revivors would face big troubles in the second half by playing with just ten players. However thay kept their high level and managed to put pressure on Lautoka. A penalty kick was awarded to the Ni-Vanuatu side after Liam Anderson took Azariah Soromon down in the penalty area. Soromon had the opportunity to score his second goal in the match but he sent it away. He also had some other chances to find the net but he missed them. After the final whistle the scored was a 1-1 draw. You can check the goals in the video below:
Despite not scoring, Alex Saniel called the attention. His capacity of playing with his back to the defender helped Lautoka to reach the offensive field as he was always there to help his teammates by establishing pass lines.
The group B hosts deserved to win even playing with a player short and it must encourage them for the next match against Henderson Eels while Lautoka must think twice about their strategy before facing Lae City on Tuesday.
After a 4-2 defeat in the last matchday of the Australian A-League against Perth Glory away from home, Wellington Phoenix is back to New Zealand, but not for the usual Sky Stadium – the Wellington-based club will play once again in Auckland, at Eden Park against Melbourne City.
The opponents of Phoenix for this clash come on a high in the league so far, standing 2nd in the table after beating Melbourne Victory in their city derby. Their top scorer of the season so far – and 2nd in the league – Jamie McClaren scored 14 goals in the season and might the biggest threat for the Phoenix defense led by Steven Taylor.
The good news for Wellington Phoenix is that their midfielder Matti Steinmann will be back to the squad after suspension, but the first choice right back Tim Payne will be missing this clash.
Hooper is the biggest hope of goals for Phoenix – RNZ
Gary Hooper, that scored four goals so far in the season, scored a brace in the defeat against Perth Glory. The Enligh striker is the reference in attack, making him the biggest gope of goals for Wellington Phoenix. The New Zealanders will hope that players as Ulises Dávila might get back on track to help their side to grab a very important win against Melbourne City at Eden Park.
Phoenix is sitting at the 5th position in the table so far, three points away Adelaide United that sits 4th in the process. The match will kick-off at 7pm NZT and will be telecasted by Sky Sport and also streamed for intertional A-League followers in MyFootball YouTube channel.
One of the most important players of Hekari United, David Muta is currently recovering from an injury and it is not known if he is going to be available for Hekari United in their debut in 2020 OFC Champions League against Eastern Suburbs.
According to reliable sources, the 32-year-old midfielder and team captain is already training with the team and Hekari’s head coach Jerry Allen might wait until the eleventh hour to decide if Muta will make the starting eleven or not.
David Muta. Source: Hekari United FC – Red Army
Muta is a legendary player of Hekari United. He was part of the squad that won 2010 OFC Champions League.
The match opener of the OFC Champions League surely entertained a lot the fans at Soccer City Stadium in Luganville, but surely made their coaches worried about their defensive display. Lae City, the champions of Papua New Guinea, and Henderson Eels started the group B held in Vanuatu, where a brace from Emmanuel Simon and Tutizama Tanito made both sides end a hard fought draw.
The match started with a mistake from Eels’ goalkeeper Desmond Tutu, but for the luck of his side could not turn into a goal for Lae City. But, just in the following minute, a good play by Raymond Gunemba found Emmanuel Simon free inside the box, just to tap the ball to the low corner of Tutu to put his side ahead.
Lae City celebrates their first goal – MyCujoo
Lae continued to pressure in order to score a second goal, being dangerous for the defensive system led by Freddie Kini. It took some time for Eels to find their balance in the match, but the team coached by Eddie Marahare had an amazing opportunity when Troy Gunemba made a foul inside the penalty box. Tutizama Tanito took the ball to the penalty spot and found the low corner of Ronald Warisan to level the scoreline.
The 1-1 result was not the final score of the first half, as the youngster Raphael Lea’i scored the second for the Solomon Islanders. The 16-year-old forward was too fast for Lae City defense and finished a powerful shot to score his first goal in the competition. Interesting fact of the first game: Lea’i goal passed through a hole in the nets, forcing the referees and match assistants to repair the nets in the middle of the game.
Raphael Lea’i (No.19) was very dangerous for Eels in the clash – Malampa FA
The first half ended with the advantage for the Solomon Islanders and they might be disappointed they could not extend in the first minutes of the second half, as Lae City defense managed to clear two balls in the goal line to avoid the third goal of Eels.
If Eels did not score, Lae City did so. A handball inside area of Derrick Taebo forced the referee Norbert Hauata to award the second penalty of the clash, this time for Lae. The Papua New Guinean international Emmanuel Simon stepped up and made no mistake to put his side leveled in the score.
The beautiful sight of Soccer City Stadium – Malampa FA
It did not take long for Lae to retake the advantage: after a good combination play, the experienced Nigel Dabinyaba was found free in the box just to finish to Desmond Tutu goal to score his first in the process and the third for his side in the game.
But the game was really destined to end in a draw: Norbert Hauta awarded another penalty for Henderson Eels as Eddie Managu made a clear foul inside the penalty box. Tutizama Tanito once again took the penalty and scored; his second so far in the league.
Both Lae and Eels had chances to score a winner: Raymond Gunemba hit the post in the 87th minute of play and in the following moments, Emmanuel Simon with a powerful shot was denied a hattrick with a good stop of Desmond Tutu. Eels had a free kick in the edge of the box at the 90th of play, but it was wasted by Joses Nawo.
Lae City and Henderson Eels collected one point each from this clash. The two sides will play again next 18th February at Soccer City Stadium – Lae will be playing against the Fijians of Lautoka while Henderson Eels will take on the locals of Malampa Revivors.
Galaxy FC is getting ready for debuting at 2020 OFC Champions League in Papua New Guinea. It was reported by the team management that they faced a minor trouble but it is already solved.
According to sources, Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) competition manager did not update Galaxy’s squad information properly at COMET system so there were some wrong things there like players’ nationalities. COMET is the system used by Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) to register things related to local football.
Galaxy FC delegation. Source: Galaxy FC Media
After checking players’ passports, Oceania Football Confederation found these mistakes and everything was solved. Galaxy will debut in the tournament tomorrow against Hienghène Sport from New Caledonia.
In 2018 Lautoka ended the OFC Champions League as runners-up after being defeated by Team Wellington in the finals. In that year, the attack of the Fijian powerhouse was very strong, couting on players as Benjamin Totori and Samuela Drudru.
This year, three of the four foreign players brought by the Blues are defensive players, showing Lautoka for the 2020 edition of the OFC Champions League is coming with very storng defensive system.
Liam Anderson and Jack Counter; the latest signings from New Zealand of Lautoka
Lautoka brought the goalkeeper Liam Anderson and the central defender Jack Caunter from New Zealand to boost their squad for the OFC Champions League. Both players have experience in the ISPS Handa Premiership, the top-tier of football in their homecountry.
Lautoka, that already counted with the good local defenders Arami Manumanubai and Poasa Bainivalu, had the reinforcement of their squad with Andersom and Caunter, but another very known player at Oceania stage was signed by the team also for their defensive system.
Jason Thomas, new player of Lautoka – VFF Media
The Ni-Vanuatu international Jason Thomas that already defended Erakor Golden Star and Solomon Warriors in previous editions of the OFC Champions is now a player of Lautoka. The still young defender is one of the most prolific defensive players in Oceania scenario currently and he can be a rock for Lautoka back.
Lautoka will have its match in the tournament when they enter the pitch in Luganville to face the locals of Malampa Revivors.
The second match of 2020 OFC Champions League begins in two hours. Fijian side Lautoka is ready to debut in the tournament against Group B hosts Malampa Revivors from Vanuatu at Soccer City Stadium, Luganville.
Lautoka comes to this tournament with a very strong squad. They added some great defensive power by bringing goalkeeper Liam Anderson and defender Jack Caunter from New Zealand. Vanuatu international Jason Thomas also arrived to strengthen Lautoka’s defense.
Saniel (left), Radrigai (middle) and Ali (left). Source: Fiji FA Media
On the other hand Malampa Revivors play at home with the crowd support. The young and talented squad is ready for making history once Revivors have never won an official international match. Forwards Azariah Soromon and Andre Batick must have the mission of finding the net for the Ni-Vanuatu side.
This match finishes the first round of OFC Champions League Group A. All four teams from this group will play their second match on Tuesday.
Oceania Football Center talked to Henderson Eels’ forward Joses Nawo about his expectations for OFC Champions League and his team first match in the competition against Lae City FC from Papua New Guinea.
Joses Nawo of Henderson Eels – OFC Media
The Solomon Islands international is set to play once more OFC Champions League; in 2019 edition, Nawo also defended Henderson Eels in the tournament, helping his team to proceed to the knock-out stage. “We are ready for the first game and I hope we will do different and better from last year“, said Joses Nawo. Nawo also added that he feels his team is more experienced than in 2019: “We are a better a team than in 2019, I expect our boys can do better than in last year“, mentioned Nawo.
Nawo is happy to count with a player of the quality of Raphael Lea’i and adds the team is focused in the attacking training for their upcoming clasg against Lae City: “Rapha is so good. We are happy to have him. We will be focusing in our training in attack to give the best of him our boys“, said Nawo.
Joses Nawo and his side of Henderson Eels will be entering the pitch in Luganville, Vanuatu to face Lae City for the first match of the Group B of the OFC Champions League group stage.
