Roy Krishna is on fire. After scoring a brace against Jamshedpur last weekend he netted a hat-trick in the second half at today’s 3-1 win against Odisha FC.
The Fijian forward is back to his level after a goalless streak. He scored five goals in the last two matches and now he is back to the top of the Golden Boot race with 13 goals in 16 matches. You can check the match highlights by clicking here.
Krishna (first from right to left) celebrating one of his goals against Odisha FC. Source: ISL Media
His marvelous performance secured another win for ATK. The team based in Kolkata remains in the first position of 2019-20 Indian Super League with 33 points. ATK is already qualified for the play-offs with two remaining matches for the end of the regular season.
Krishna won the “Hero of the Match” award for the second straight match and he is a huge contender to win the MVP award given to the best player of the Super League’s season.
Sarpreet Singh is back to football after missing two matches in 3.Liga (German third tier) for being red-carded in the 1-1 draw against Würzburger Kickers on December 22.
The 20-year-old midfielder played 26 minutes in the 4-2 win against Viktoria Köln this Saturday. He joined the match in the 63rd minute to replace Oliver Batista Meier. Despite playing less than half of the game he managed to score two goals to lead his team to the win.
Singh has now six goals in 16 matches for Bayern II in 3.Liga.
In another exciting weekend of action, Papua New Guinea National Soccer League champions Lae City demonstrated why they are a force to be reckoned with after a 6-1 victory over bottom-of-the-league Star Mountain, but leaders Hekari maintained their excellent defensive record with a 2-0 victory over last-year’s semi-finalists Morobe United.
In fact, it was a good weekend for all the teams in the top five, as they all managed to see off all of their bottom-half opposition. With a two-week break now ahead of the OFC Champions League, it looks like five teams will battle it out for the four playoff places in the second half of the season.
The early kick-off saw Tusbab Stallions, who had suffered two straight defeats, travel to Lae to take on Morobe Wawens, who forfeited their result last weekend due to registration fee issues. In a closely-fought tussle, the match was settled in bizarre fashion in the 4th minute, after Wawens defender Sylvester Waffe played a harmless ball back to his goalkeeper, only for the ball to bobble awkwardly on the pitch and over the ‘keeper’s leg, trickling agonisingly into the net.
Stallions had named a much changed side, with both Wadunah brothers absent in midfield. Elder brother Ricky, 19, was busy enrolling at university, while young brother Jason, 17, had been struck down with illness. With striker Papalau Awele also absent, Stallions started with Ephraim Leo up front, but he too picked up a knock just before half-time, and was replaced by Maskulan Pulung. The chopping and changing seemed to disrupt the Stallions’ rhythm, but solidity at the back meant they were able to hold on to a precious 1-0 victory. Could these unavailabilities affect them more seriously going forward, though?
The full results from this weekend.
At 1pm, Lae City hosted Star Mountain in Lae, while Gulf Komara took on Vitiaz United in Port Moresby. In a shock opening quarter of an hour, former Hekari United striker Willie Napina struck to put Star Mountain in front against the champions, but once Nigel Dabinyaba had equalised from the penalty spot and captain Raymond Gunemba had put the home side 2-1 ahead, the floodgates opened.
Lae came out hungry after the break and scored two in quick succession, with Nigel Dabinyaba burying his second before Emmanuel Simon struck just two minutes later to put Lae 4-1 in front. With Star Mountain collapsing, it was soon five, with Simon grabbing his second. Now comfortable, Lae eased off the gas a little, with Gunemba scoring his sixth goal of the season from the penalty spot with five minutes to play.
In Port Moresby, the game between Komara and Vitiaz was the opposite of the game in Lae, with both sides failing to finish off their chances. Komara might feel aggrieved that they haven’t picked up more points so far this season: since replacing coach David Aua with Steven Mune, they have seen a marked improvement in performances and results, and have looked very tight and solid at the back. And they may have a reason to regret their spurned chances this weekend too, having had a handful of near-misses and being denied on multiple occasions by the again impressive Vitiaz ‘keeper, Russell Chris.
Vitiaz’s Eliud Fugre (in white) holds off Komara’s Donovan Murray in their clash in Port Moresby. Photo: PNGFA
Vitiaz also had their fair share of chances, and veteran Eliud Fugre was a maestro in the pivot role, dictating play throughout the course of the game, but neither side could make the breakthrough. That was, until this closely-fought tussle was decided by a moment of magic.
With just seconds remaining, Vitiaz attacking midfielder Yagi Yasasa scored what has already been described as the ‘goal of the season’, dribbling past three defenders before lashing the ball into the roof of the net to give Vitiaz United a crucial, and probably deserved, three points. This was a despite a late sending-off for the newcomers, after a player picked up second yellow card for time wasting.
With their three main rivals, Lae, Vitiaz and Tusbab, having all won, it was time for Hekari United and FC Bougainville to complete a clean sweep for the top half of the table. Hekari faced Morobe United in Lae, but they were missing several players, due to unavailability, injury, or being rested. Brazilian import Vinicius Reis was again sidelined by injury and didn’t make the trip to Lae, while the eight-time champions were also without Kolu Kepo and David Muta, and Muta’s absence in particular was noteworthy.
Hekari United’s starting XI this weekend. The side were without top scorer Kolu Kepo, playmaker David Muta, and Brazilian import Vinicius Reis, while regular starters Koriak Upaiga and Langarap Samol were benched. Photo: Nathan Loi.
As they have done on several occasions this season, Hekari scored early, with Samoan Vito Laloata putting the Reds in front, but the free-flowing, possession-heavy football that Hekari normally play was somewhat disrupted. Michael Foster, deputising for Muta in the playmaker role, was unable to step up to a slightly different role than he is used to, and as such Hekari made slightly hard work of their opponents. A second goal, scored by Vanya Malagian, was enough to secure victory, but there was certainly something missing without their influential playmaker.
A huge positive remains the performance of Brazilian defender Erick Joe, who has looked assured, calm and comfortable in the defence, managing to slow the game down at crucial moments and allowing Hekari to regain their composure and possession. He will certainly be key to Hekari’s hopes at the OFC Champions League next week.
In the final game in Port Moresby, FC Kutubu travelled to take on FC Bougainville. Bougainville took an early lead through top scorer Jonathan Allen. The youngster, still only 19, has looked impressive so far this season, having scored in each of the opening four gameweeks. This was his fifth of the season, but it was cancelled out by an equaliser from Karesa Morris, who picked up his second goal in as many weeks. The game was locked at 1-1 at half-time.
Jonathan Allen (right) celebrates Bougainville’s opening goal with teammate Gregory Togubai (left). Photo: PNGFA
Midway through the second half, Allen picked up his second goal of the game to go level with Stahl Gubag and Raymond Gunemba at the top of the goalscorer standings, while putting Bougainville 2-1 ahead. Midfielder Basil Jofari once again impressed for the home side, denying Kutubu too many chances to get back into the game, and late on, Bougainville sealed victory with a goal from Daniel Vetali. The side even had a fourth goal in the back of the net in the dying moments, but it was ruled out for offside.
Results:
Morobe Wawens 0-1 Tusbab Stallions Lae City 6-1 Star Mountain Gulf Komara 0-1 Vitiaz United Morobe United 0-2 Hekari United FC Bougainville 3-1 FC Kutubu
The superb performance of the 16-year-old forward put him with the fantastic record of 24 goals in seven matches for the runners-up in the national league. No one scored more goals than Raphael in the season, giving him the golden boot award so far. The night of awards in Solomon Islands is schedule to take place on 10th February – where the teams would receive their prizes as well the individual awards.
Despite his superb performance, his honours might in be danger just after the end of the league. The match that ended Henderson Eels 19-0 Real Kakamora is under investigation by SIFF committee and the most possible outcome from this can be cancellment of the result.
There are two reasons for the match to be under investigation: one of the Henderson Eels players that took place in the match was not available to be used. Joses Nawo played the match, scored but, indeed, he could not be field due to suspension – the player received three yellow cards and need to face one-match ban against Real Kakamora.
Joses Nawo was indeed suspended for the clash – OFC Media
Another issue that appoints the match was playing not according to the league rules comes from Real Kakamora squad: the club fielded more tha 10 players unregistered players in the same match. The both arguments may prove too strong for the maintenance of the on-pitch game result.
Solomon Warriors appealed to the football association sending and official complain letter about the game. The eleven goals scored by the prolific Raphael Lea’i might not be considered in the golden boot run, if SIFF decided to change the result of the game.
It was a game to remember for Lea’i – S-League Media
The title race would keep unchanged whenever the decision of SIFF is: Solomon Warriors won their match and they needed only a draw to seal their title. The only difference is exactly in the individual award given to the top goalscorer of the league. If the 11 goals of Lea’i are ruled out, the golden boot would be awarded to Ni-Vanuatu international Tony Kaltack, striker of Solomon Warriors that scored 19 times in the process.
It is still unclear what will the decision, but the case is now with the SIFF Disciplinary Committee that may have an answer for the fans questions very soon.
Labasa’s star Siotame Kubu proved his value once again as he scored twice for his side to collect their first win in the Vodafone Premier League, the top-tier of football in Fiji.
The Babasiga Lions did not count on goalkeeper Akuila Mateisuva that suffered an injury in their first match of the league – a 2-1 defeat against Suva. The red and whites faced Navua of the striker Taniela Rakariva, that fortunately for the current BOG and IDC winners could not create trouble for the defensive system led by Atonio Tuivuna.
Kubu scored early in the first half to give Labasa the lead. The Lions were strong enough to hold their lead until the break. Once again, in the starting of the second half, Siotame Kubu got his brace to give a comfortable advantage for Labasa over Navua.
Siotame Kubu, the hero of the day once again – FFA Media
Labasa saw themselves in a bad situation when Lekima Gonerau was sent off by the referee, but the strong Labasa side could prevent from suffering any goals and kept their 2-0 lead until the final whistle. This was the first win for the team coached by Ronil Lal after the Champion vs Champion series title won against Ba.
The top-tier football league in New Zealand is back to action this weekend with exciting matches across the country. Auckland will have a thrilling local derby with two sides coming in a very good moment; Waitakere United and Eastern Suburbs are inside the top-four in the table and come from important victories in the last weekend. Auckland City will also play at home against Phoenix Reserves, while another interesting clash will take place in Wellington where Team Wellington will take on Tasman United at David Farrington Park.
Bueno is in a fantastic moment, scoring ten times so far in the season – ESAFC Media
Eastern Suburbs had no mercy from Southern in their previous clash in ISPS Handa Premiership; Martín Bueno scored a hattrick to help his side to beat the team from Dunedin by 6-0 in Auckland. The Lilywhites are three points away Team Wellington in the table and a win can put them in a good position in the run.
Waitakere United counts with the goals of Sam Burfoot and Dane Schnell for this clash; the duo scored the goals that helped their side to complete a comeback away from home against Canterbury United to stay inside the top-four. The former OFC Champions League champions are just one point away Eastern Suburbs in the process and a win at home can place them back closer to the leaders.
Derek Tieku hopes to be back to the scoresheet to help Hamilton against Southern – NZF Media
Hamilton suffered an away defeat against the top-tabled side Auckland City by 3-1, where Jama Boss made his return to the club after stints in Manukau United and Tasman. The result was not a disaster for Hamilton Wanderers, but they will need to bounce back at home against Southern United. The duo Derek Tieku and Tommy Semmy need to be back on track to help their side to grab a very important to be back to the contetion for the top-four.
Southern lost their head coach Paul O’Reily after their harsh defeat against Eastern Suburbs; a win away from home against Hamilton can give them a relief to settle back to the competition. The likes of Garbhan Coughlan and Andrew Cromb might need to be in very good day to help their side to get all points this encounter.
Hawke’s Bay needs to a win against Canterbury United – Steph Gunther
Hawke’s Bay will be back to Napier to take on Canterbury United. Both sides lost their latest matches in the league and they will looking to recover in the league in this clash at Bluewater Stadium. Hawke’s Bay could not hold Tasman in Nelson, losing by 3-1. The good part of the match for the team co-coached by Chris Greatholder and Bill Robertson is that their striker Ahinga Selemani was back to the scoresheet – the hopes for Hawke’s Bay depends a lot on the good performances of the North-American striker.
Canterbury United suffered another big blow in the season after conceding two late goals against Waitakere United at home to suffer one more defeat in the process. The team coached by Lee Padmore has just nine points in the league and is at the bottom of the table. George King and Reece Dalton will need to be in good form in Napier to help their side to recover from this bad moment.
Emiliano Tade is back for Auckland City FC – NZF Media
Auckland City comes in a high; the club celebrates the return of their legend Emiliano Tade for the team. Tade scored a brace in Auckland latest match against Hamilton Wanderers, beating them by 3-1. Auckland continues six points clear in the top of the ladder and will hope to grab another win as they face Phoenix Reserves at Kiwitea Street in this round.
The young side of Wellington Phoenix suffered a defeat hard to accept against Team Wellington, suffering a goal in the last minute through a penalty kick. A silly mistake inside the box allowed the opponent to score – a handball was the cause of the penalty. In the last weekened, WeeNix had a boost in their squad with some first team players, something they will not have in this clash against Auckland City at Kiwitea Street.
Jack Henry-Sinclair scored the winner for Team Wellington – NZF Media
Team Wellington had to battle until the final moments of their clash against Phoenix Reserves to find the goal to have a much-needed victory in the process. The talented Jack-Henry Sinclair was cold to score in the 96th minute of play from the spot kick to give his side more three points in the standings. The opponent of this weekend also tends to be a hard challenge for TeeDubs.
Tasman United comes in a high, after a bad start of the season the team recovered themselves are now in the contest for a spot in the top-four. The team won their clash against Hawke’s Bay at home with a brace of Jean-Philippe Saïko. The New Caledonian international turned himself into the most important player of the team so far and Team Wellington will need to deal with his quality if they want another win at David Farrington Park.
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.
