Oceania Football Center

Lautoka smashes Nadi as Rewa beats Nasinu in a breathtaking match in Vodafone Premier League

The second matchweek of 2020 Vodafone Premier League is over. There were only three matches this weekend once Ba vs Suva clash was postponed. Scroll down and check what happened in the Fijian football’s weekend.

Labasa received Navua at Subrail Park without goalkeeper Akuila Mateisuva who suffered an injury in the opening clash of the 2020 Vodafone Premier League season against Suva. Navua also had another goalkeeper for this match once Rusiate Amasio was not in the squad to face Labasa. Tharkur Narayan was named for Navua’s starting eleven to face the Babasiga Lions.

Lions defensive system was strengthened by Lekima Gonerau that did not play in the opening round against Suva. Siotame Kubu was the hero of the day by scoring a brace to seal the 2-0 win for Babasiga Lions. It was an important result for Labasa as they lost to Suva by 2-1 in the debut.

Siotame Kubu scored twice to give Labasa the win. Source: FFA Media

Nadi visited Lautoka at Churchill Park as both teams were looking for the second win in two matches. Defender Arami Manumanubai and goalkeeper Joela Biuvanua made their debuts for Lautoka while former Ba midfielder Avinesh Swamy played his first ever match for Nadi.

Dave Radrigai found the net in a well taken penalty kick after a handball by Nadi’s defender Josua Tawake to score his third goal in two matches and give the lead for the Bluez in the 24th minute. Vanuatu international Alex Saniel increased Lautoka’s lead with a goal in the final minutes of the first half.

It was not Josua Tawake’s day. The 28-year-old player saw the yellow card for the second time in the match and he was sent off in the first minute of the second half. Lautoka had no mercy as Navneel Nand extended the lead to 3-0 right after Tawake’s expulsion and Shazil Ali netted the fourth, the fifth and the sixth goals to seal a hat-trick. Ali is now the current league top scorer with four goals in two matches.

The final score was 6-0 for Lautoka which means that the Bluez scored twelve goals in two matches as they won Nasinu by 6-0 in the opening round.

Shazil Ali scored a hat-trick in Lautoka’s win. Source: FFA Media

Nasinu received Rewa at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori. This match marked the debut of Solomon Islands internationals Atkin Kaua and Jared Rongosulia for Nasinu. Rewa did not count on goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau for this match and he was replaced by Senirusi Bokini.

It was the debutants’ afternoon in Nausori as France Catarogo opened the scoreboard for Rewa while Atkin Kaua scored a penalty kick to equalize. However Nasinu’s could not hold the 1-1 for so long because Tevita Waranaivalu found the net for the Delta Tigers right after Kaua’s goal. Nasinu still had time to score a second goal in the first half through Atkin Kaua.

The Solomon Islands international was on fire and he scored his third goal in the match to give the lead to Nasinu in the second half but Epeli Valevou netted a brace in the final minutes to seal Rewa’s 4-3 win.

Solomon Islands international Atkin Kaua had a marvelous debut for Nasinu. Source: SIFF Media

You can check the current standings and the top scorers by clicking here.

Auckland and Team Wellington win as Waitakere reaches the third place in ISPS Handa Premiership

The weekend of football in New Zealand had surprising results that changed the table. Despite of the big effort of Tasman and Wellington Phoenix Reserves, both sides could not avoid a defeat against Team Wellington and Auckland City, respectively. The spotlight of the round goes for Waitakere United that could stop the winning-streak of Eastern Suburbs and clinch the third spot in the ladder so far in the season.

Sam Burfoot scored a late winner for Waitakere – *ESAFC Media*

A very tight contest in the Auckland derby between Waitakere United and Eastern Suburbs thrilled the round, being the opener of the weekend of football in ISPS Handa Premiership. Both sides battling at the top of the table and coming from very good wins in their last matches.

Eastern Suburbs had chances to score in the initial part of the game, with the good attacking trio Martín Bueno, Adam Thurston and Leon van den Hoven. Despite the Lilywhites efforts, it was Waitakere United who took the lead at the 82th minute of play through the great-performer so far in the season Sam Burfoot. The goal came just after Waitakere was reduced to 10-men – Luck Searle received a second yellow card, but his side could grab a surprising lead.

The six minutes of additional time made the Waitakere United fans hold their breath, but they could get a relief when Kelvin Kalua was sent off by the referee, levelling the things in the pitch putting the both sides with ten players each. Waitakere could hold their lead until the final whistle, winning one of the most important games of the season so far and getting the 3rd place in the run over Eastern Suburbs.

Xavier Pratt scored from the penalty spot for Hamilton Wanderers

Both Hamilton and Southern were coming from defeats in their previous matches – the teams were looking to recover themselves in the table, but they could not celebrate a win tonight, thanks to a late equalizer of the Dunedin-based side.

Xavier Pratt put the home side upfront in the second half after Hamilton was awarded a penalty kick. The midfielder was composed and put their side upfront already in the final moments of the clash, but Hamilton could not hold their lead: in the 93th minute of the match, the Irish striker Garbhan Coughlan was finally back to his goalscoring ways and put his side leveled in the scoresheet, to share the points with the team coached by Kale Herbert at Porrit Stadium.

Ahinga Selemani scored his 9th goal of the season for Hawke’s Bay

After some bad games, Hawke’s Bay United found the path to the win again: the Napier-based side club took on Canterbury United at Bluewater Stadium and could get closer to the top-for with a hard fought in front of their home supporters.

The North-American talented striker Ahinga Selemani put his side upfront in the first half; scoring his goal of number nine of the season so far. Selemani’s goal was the difference between both sides at the break, but in the second half the youngster Jorge Akers found the nets to double his team lead against the Dragons.

Ben Stroud reduced the deficit for Canterbury, but it was not enough to start a reaction and the team coached by Lee Padmore saw themselves once again defeated. The situation is really not good for Canterbury, as they keep at the bottom of the rankings with just nine points in the process.

Jack Henry-Sinclair scored again from the spot kick for Team Welly

Team Wellington was not expecting an easy contest against Tasman in David Farrington Park. Despite the win, the team had to fight hard to surpass the Nelson-based club that is doing a good season so far, even with the defeat in the round.

The start of the game was sublime for Team Welly: Jack Henry-Sinclair scored again for the penalty spot as he did in the previous weekend to put his side ahead. The defender Taylor Schrijvers put his side with a 2-0 comfortable lead with a goal after a free-kick.

Still in the first half, the goalkeeper Scott Basalaj was forced to stop many shots coming from the Tasman’s attack led by the New Caledonian international Jean-Philippe Saïko. The pressure paid off, as Jimmy Wild cut the deficit to give his side something to celebrated before the break.

The goal of the North-Irish full back Rory McKeown gave final numbers to the clash; 3-1, but Team Wellington still had to battle against Tasman offensive players to hold their 2-goal lead.

Clayton Lewis sored the opener for Auckland City – *ACFC Media*

Auckland City expected to win against Wellington Phoenix Reserves at Kiwitea Street; they won, but they had to fight a lot to seal one more in the league so far – maintaining their six-point lead at the top over Team Wellington.

The All-Whites member Clayton Lewis put his side ahead early in the clash with a shot from low distance. The midfielder Mario Ilich put his side two goals ahead after a good finish from the edge of the box, a shot the WeeNix goalkeeper Oliver Sail did not have a chance to stop.

In the second half the youngster Ben Waine scored a magnificent goal to give his side some hope. Waine is a serious candidate to the ‘Goal of the Season’ in the leage. The 2-1 did not take long to change, as the Argentinian Emiliano Tade scored another for the Navy Blues to restore the two-goal margin.

The experienced defender Ángel Berlanga had a bad moment when he scored an own goal in favour of Phoenix Reserves in the final moments of the game. The young team put some pressure in the final third to get an equalizer, but the Auckland City’s defense could deal with Phoenix attack to award their side with one more win the season.

To check the updated standings, top scorers and full results of the season so far, visit our session of the ISPS Handa Premiership.

The reasons for Anthony Talo’s departure from Hekari

The departure of the Solomon Islands goalkeeper Anthony Talo comes with a lot of controversy. The player signed for Hekari United with the intention to reinforce the team’s squad for the upcoming OFC Champions League. Talo signed for Hekari in the beginning of January, but his stint at the PNG powerhouse was very short, playing just one match for the team in the PNG National Soccer League and leaving the club before the start of OFC Champions League.

Talo wearing Hekari United training uniforms

The goalkeeper departed to Solomon Islands for visa renewals alongside his countryman Robert Laua; but only the full back Laua returned to Papua New Guinea to represent Hekari. The official departure of the player was released recently.

Oceania Football Center investigated and found out that the player decided to stay in Solomon Islands for family reasons. The player will also have religious commitments in his country in the upcoming weeks, but it does not seem to be the main reason for leaving Hekari United and dropping the chance to play the OFC Champions League. Talo will be representing his country once again at FIFA Futsal World Cup in September, and he wants to switch his focus to Futsal at the moment.

The ITC (International Transfer Certificate) of the player is still with Hekari United and he is still tied up with the club. Hekari has all rights to ask for transfer fees to release the player to another club in the near future, as the club already bought his return ticket and working visa in Papua New Guinea.

Lae City FC squad for OFC Champions League announced

The Lae City FC squad for 2020 OFC Champions League was announced. The 18-men list was released in the club’s official account on Facebook. Some key players like Raymond Gunemba and Nigel Dabinyaba are confirmed in the squad. You can check the full squad by clicking here.

Ecuadorian players Gustine Vergara and Abdias Aguirre are also in the list while Felix and Alwin Komolong signed with Lae City but they will not play the continental tournament.

Vergara (left) and Aguirre (right) are confirmed in Lae’s squad for 2020 OFC Champions League. Source: PNGFA Media

Lae City will debut on next Sunday against Henderson Eels from Solomon Islands. They are currently in the second position in the 2019-20 PNG National Soccer League.

Vito Laloata scores his first goal for Hekari United

The Samoan international Vito Laloata is proving his quality in Papua New Guinea; the forward scored his first goal for Hekari United in order to help his team to beat Morobe United by 2-0 in the 7th round of PNG National Soccer League, in a match played in Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium, Lae.

The Samoan Gem, as the 23-year-old is being called by the fans, scored the first goal of the contest and played the entire 90 minutes for the first time in the season. Vito Laloata signed recently for Hekari coming from the Samoan top-league side Lupe o le Soaga.

Image may contain: 1 person, playing a sport and outdoor — Laloata in his debut against Tusbab Stallions – *PNGFA Media*

The player already recorded two assists in his previous games against Tusbab Stallions and Kutubu – creating one goal in each of the matches played.

See more:
Vito Laloata has a good debut for Hekari United.

The Samoan Gem scored already three times for his national team and he keeps impressing the fans and staff in his first semi-professional stint in Papua New Guinean football.

Islanders Observer #09 – Gimale Essacu

The Islanders Observer is back! After eight episodes talking about the foreign players from Pacific Islands that are currently playing the 2019-20 ISPS Handa Premiership season, Oceania Football Center crosses the world to talk about Oceanian players who are living the American Dream by playing the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament, the main soccer league at College level in the United States of America.

There are dozens of Oceanian players in the USA but this episode will talk about a midfielder from Papua New Guinean who is playing in America since 2018: Gimale Essacu.

Essacu is a 22-year-old midfielder who has already played two seasons for Western Illinois Leathernecks in the Summit League, one of the 24 conferences that are part of NCAA Division I.

Essacu playing for Leathernecks in 2019.

The Leathernecks did not have a very good year as they won only five of nineteen matches in 2019. Papua New Guinean Gimale Essacu was an active player throughout the season but not a key player in the squad. He played 12 matches in 2019 and delievered two assists. This is a good sign of evolution and we can expect a good 2020 season from him as he is having more gametime and playing in a decent level.

Will Micah Lea’alafa play 2020 Futsal World Cup?

It was recently reported by media that Solomon Islands international Micah Lea’alafa returned to his homeland after leaving Maritzburg United from South Africa.

Lea’alafa is currently facing some problems with injuries but there is no doubts that he is one of the most talented players from Solomon Islands. He has a indisputable quality at 11-a-side and futsal. His return is starting to make people think about the possibility of Lea’alafa represent Solomon Islands National Futsal Team in the 2020 FIFA Futsal World cup that will be held in Lithuania in September.

Lea’alafa (left) celebrating a goal against Guatemala in 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup. Source: FIFA Media

It would not be something new when it comes to Lea’alafa as he already played three futsal world cups: 2008, 2012 and 2016. Obviously that he must be focused on recovering from injury by now but playing the World Cup is a real possibility as he is still part of the National Futsal Team plans according to reliable local sources.

It is not known if the 28-year-old forward will sign with a new team anytime soon but there must be lots of teams looking at his current situation like his former team Auckland City from New Zealand. However he would be ready to represent Kurukuru in the World Cup just like he did in the last three editions.

Mitch Cooper and Hume City fought hard but lost FV Community Shield in the shootout

Hume City faced Bentleigh Greens in the 2020 Football Victoria Community Shield, a annual soccer match between the winners of the National Premier Leagues Victoria and the Dockerty Cup in the previous season.

Bentleigh Greens were the champions of 2019 NPL Victoria while Hume City won 2019 Dockerty Cup so they fought for the FV Community Shield. This match is a kind of “Super Cup” for clubs from the Victorian football league system and it was a warm-up for the 2020 NPL season for both clubs.

Vanuatu international Mitch Cooper was named for Hume City’s starting eleven and he played all 90 minutes in the 0-0 draw.

Mitch Cooper played 90 minutes for Hume City

As the draw remained after 90 minutes the title should decided in the shootout. Mitch Cooper scored in the shootout but it was not enough as Hume City lost by 7-6 in the penalties.

Ryan Thomas scores his first goal for PSV

PSV received Willem II at Philips Stadion in a match valid for the 22nd matchweek of 2019-20 Eredivisie, the top-tier of Dutch football.

New Zealand international Ryan Thomas was in PSV’s starting eleven for the eighth time in the season and he had a good performance in the 3-0 win against Willem II. He scored PSV’s second goal after being assisted by Cody Gakpo. Goalkeeper Michael Woud, who is also from New Zealand, was on Willem’s bench for this match.

It was Thomas’ first goal for the Dutch team. He is finally finding his space in the team after missing many months due to a knee injury. PSV is currently in the fifth position of Eredivisie with 39 points.

Isabel United’s tour in Vanuatu is over

Isabel United’s tour in Vanuatu is over. The team from Solomon Islands travelled to Vanuatu to play two matches in this week: one against Tupuji Imere and one another against Galaxy.

They arrived in Port Vila, Vanuatu, on February 3rd and they did not have much time to stay in the country as they played their first match against Tupuji on February 5th. The Tupuji Imere’s squad was actually a mix of players from Port Vila clubs. The final score was 2-2. Isabel United goals were scored by Thomas Amasia and Avin Ray while Tupuji’s goals were netted by Tony Kaltack (that is expected to return to Solomon Islands to play 2020 OFC Champions League for Solomon Warriors) and Kensly Tasarei.

The second match was a big clash against Galaxy as part of Galaxy’s preparation for OFC Champions League. One of the most important points of the match was that Galaxy’s striker James Naka played for Isabel in order to have some gametime. The final score was 4-1 win for the Ni-Vanuatu side. Bong Kalo scored a brace while Henry Namatak and Frank Reuben scored one goal each. Isabel’s goal was netted by Tuita Maeobia.

Galaxy (in blue) and Isabel (in green) before the match

Isabel United will come back to Solomon Islands soon in order to keep their preparation for the next season of Telekom S-League while Galaxy will debut on 2020 OFC Champions League next Sunday against current OFC Champions League winners Hienghène Sport.