Oceania Football Center

Tonga: the kingdom of the Polovili family

Once upon a time in a far far away island in the Pacific Ocean a kingdom was raised… A kingdom that can be unforgettable in the history of this island. The Polovili’s reign is not an old kingdom but their subjects can expect some good things from them and it is not food or money, but pride.

Timote Moleni – The King – is a former National Team player and head coach. He is the current Veitongo’s head coach. This king already made some important things and the last one was pretty amazing as he led Veitongo to win 2019 Tongan Major League and qualify for 2020 OFC Champions League preliminary round with 21 wins in 21 matches.

As a king, Timote has some heirs in the succession line: Prince Hemaloto and Princess Ana, two beautiful and young siblings that are ready to shine and take the name of Polovili’s Kingdom to the whole world.

Like a good prince and a good princess, they already wear the number of the kings – the number 10. Prince Hemaloto is the most important player nowadays and he deservedly wears the Tonga’s number 10 as he did in 2019 Pacific Games held in Samoa. Princess Ana is very young but she is already shining as she wore Tonga’s number 10 in 2019 OFC U19 Women’s Championship.

Ana (wearing white) and Hemaloto (wearing red shirt) playing for Tonga

The brightness comes from inside and they do it – They ruled their country in 2019 by scoring lots of goals. Hemaloto was the top scorer of Men’s league while his sister Ana finished the season as Women’s league top scorer.

They are both young – Hemaloto is 22 and Ana is 17 – and the subjects can expect good things from them. It is obvious that one player will not change the reality alone to take Tonga to a FIFA World Cup, but Tongan people will be very proud of them soon.

Shane Smeltz comes back from retirement

New Zealander Shane Smeltz comes back from retirement. The two time A-League Golden Boot winner is set to play for Gold Coast United in 2020 Australian National Premier League.

Smeltz is a legend when it comes to football in Australia. He scored 84 goals in 174 A-League matches – only Besart Berisha scored more goals than him in A-League.

The 38 years old striker last played professionally in 2017 when he played for Indonesian side Borneo FC. He scored 24 goals in 58 matches for New Zealand National Football Team.

Joe Bell ready for European move

After spending some years playing in the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament, New Zealander Joe Bell is going to Europe. The 20 years old midfielder is ready to sign with Viking FK from Norway.

Bell was one of the most important players in 2019 NCAA season. He helped Virginia Cavaliers to finish 2019 College Cup as runners-up and he was also named for 2019 MAC Hermann Trophy, an award given to the best player of NCAA Football Season.

Joe Bell (number 8) celebrating a goal for Virginia Cavaliers

According to reliable sources he will sign a contract with Viking FK valid until 2022. Viking are the current Norwegian Cup champion and they are qualified for 2020-21 Europa League Qualifying Round

He scored 10 goals and delievered 10 assists throughout three years in USA.

Jason Thomas to miss OFC Champions League?

One of the best central defenders in Oceania is still not sure if he will play the next edition of the OFC Champions League or not. Until the present moment, no statement was released by any team competing in the OFC Champions League about the Ni-Vanuatu powerful defender Jason Thomas.

Either Galaxy FC and Malampa Revivors – the both Vanuatu representants in the competition – included Jason Thomas in their lists for the tournament. Instead, the player will took part in a friendly match as part of Port Vila squad that will face Galaxy FC in order to help the team to prepare for their upcoming continental challenges.

A imagem pode conter: 1 pessoa, praticando um esporte, barba e atividades ao ar livre — Jason Thomas in national team colours – *OFC Media*

The defender already played seven matches in the OFC Champions League defending his local side Erakor Golden Star and the Solomon Islands side Solomon Warriors.

There were rumours recently linking the player with a potential move to Fijian powerhouse Ba FC – that kept as rumours until the present moment as nothing came to media with substantial proofs.

The group stages are set to start in the upcoming February and there are chances the Ni-Vanuatu international is going to miss this edition of the most important club tournament of the Oceanian football.

Meet Terence Carter: new Galaxy FC striker

English striker Terence Carter recently arrived in Port Vila to sign with Galaxy FC. The 26 years old player brings lots of international experience – he already played in England, United States and Australia.

Carter grew up in London and he could develop his football during his adolescence in England by playing for Queens Park Rangers youth teams and reserve squad. He plays as a striker but he can also play as a winger or attacking midfielder – “I have got some good attributes (fast and good in the air) but I am also a very hard working player with a good technical base […] I really hope to contribute with goals and assists” he said.

After some years he left Europe to play football at college level in USA, playing for two colleges: Northeastern University and University of Cincinnati. He last played for Adelaide Raiders in Australia after a stint at Adelaide Comets – “There were great experiences. I played with some great players in both countries and it was good to contribute to winning things also”. He helped Northeastern University to win CAA Conference back in 2012. He also won Australian FFSA Cup with Adelaide Comets in 2018.

Terence Carter is an experienced striker. However it is going to be his first time in a continental tournament – “I have played in a few different places now and to be able to showcase my ability on a big stage is something that really has attracted me to this opportunity.”

He has joined Galaxy FC after a selection made by the team management. He was selected among many other good strikers with international experience – “They (Galaxy management) were able to reach out to me through a coach that has coached in Vanuatu and has coached against me a few times.” he said.

He arrived in Vanuatu on Sunday and he already trained with Galaxy FC squad and he affirms that he is feeling welcomed – “The boys have been excellent in making me feel welcomed here and comfortable.” said the English striker.

Carter (orange shoes) during his first training session with Galaxy FC. Source: Galaxy FC Media

Galaxy FC count on a very interesting team with some good foreign players. They also added some local players and they recently announced five new signings – “There is a good standard here too. There are another two foreign players from Brazil too that I believe between us and the local players linking up we should be a real good force […] The anagement have done everything they can to get me settled.” said Carter.

Despite having a good squad, Galaxy FC will have a tough challenge in OFC Champions League. They are in Group A with current Champions League winners Hienghène Sport (New Caledonia), Eastern Suburbs (New Zealand) and Hekari United (Papua New Guinea). However his expectations are good – “We just have to worry about what we want to do and how we want to play and hopefully we can execute and get points on the board early and make it into the next stage.”

It is going to be Galaxy’s first time in OFC Champions League but they can surely be pointed as a team to be watched. Team owner Andrew Leong already proved his capacity of building great teams to play the continental tournament with Amicale some years ago.

Talo or Pole: who is the first choice goalkeeper of Hekari?

It was recently reported by Oceania Football Center that Solomon Islands goalkeeper Anthony Talo signed with Papua New Guinea giants Hekari United. The goalkeeper was followed by his countryman the defender Robert Laua for the club based in the Papua New Guinean capital city.

Many questions were raised since them and the major of them all is: who is going to be the first choice goalkeeper of Hekari United in the OFC Champions League 2020?

The club currently count with five goalkeepers in their squad and the most important of them is the Papua New Guinea international Ishmael Pole. The 175cm tall stopper played the last edition of the Pacific Games for his national team where they ended in the 4th position after losing the bronze medal contest for Fiji in the penalty shootout.

Image may contain: 2 people, outdoor — Anthony Talo and Ishmael Pole before trainings

Despite the obvious contest between the two important goalkeepers, both of them are very friendly with each other with a real sportsmanship attitude. The quality of the goalkeepers is clear – any of them who is chosen by the coach Jerry Allen to stay between the sticks has all capabilities to display a good performance.

Anthony Talo recently won the OFC Futsal Nations Cup for Solomon Islands in a tournament held in New Caledonia after beating New Zealand in the penalty shootout. He was awarded the best goalkeeper of the tournament. He already played OFC Champions League for Western United, Marist and Solomon Warriors and most recently was playing in Telekom S-League for the powerhouse Henderson Eels.

Talo is primarly a Futsal goalkeeper – which is a total different game from the 11-a-side football – and despite his experience in the football pitch his success for the Kurukuru are the most important achievements of his career. It will be interesting to analyse how the Solomon Islander will perform in the pitch.

Another question raised by the fans and media is the situation of the foreign slots for the continental tournament: is it clever to use a foreign spot in a position you already have a very good local player as Pole? If Pole will be the starter, will the team use a foreign slot for a reserve player?

The next PNG National Soccer League matches may give us an important picture of what will happen in the most important tournament of the year for Hekari – that marks their comeback to the continental stage challenges.

Galaxy announce five new signings

Galaxy is in a very hard group in the OFC Champions League 2020, alongside the current champions Hienghène Sport, the New Zealand national champions Eastern Suburbs and the former champions Hekari United from Papua New Guinea that will host the Group A. They know it will be the hardest question of their history to qualify for the next stage, so they decided to reinforce their team with five new players coming from the Port Vila Premier League.

The five new players of Galaxy FC – *Galaxy Media*

The new players are coming from four different teams of Port Vila: Alphonse Lency from Ifira Black Bird, Roger Marcel from Erakor Golden Star, Malakai Makito and Reuben Franck from Yatel and Edison Stephens coming from Tafea.

Galaxy will play the VFF National League Championship in this January before travelling to Papua New Guinea for their first ever OFC Champions League campaign.

Galaxy to play against Port Vila squad

Galaxy FC and Vanuatu sports media recently stated the club will play a friendly match against a squad from Port Vila Premier League; players from various teams from the league were selected to part part in this game that will count as preparations for Galaxy in order to compete at OFC Champions League.

Image may contain: 9 people, people smiling, people standing and outdoor — Galaxy squad – *Galaxy Media*

The match will be played at Korman Stadium, Port Vila on the next Saturday (11/01) at 3pm. Entrance: Adult VT 300 – Kids U-12 VT 100.

Check the Port Vila squad that will face Galaxy in this friendly match:

GK: Rodolphe Viratiro (Yatel); Anthony Tawia (Ifira Black Bird).
DF: Junior Vava (Ifira Black Bird); Jason Thomas (Erakor GS); Jesse Kalopong (Erakor GS); Michel Coulon (Tupuji Imere); Alfred Kapalu (Yatel); Waiwo Kalmet (Tafea).
MF: Jeffery Bob (Tafea); Loic Taiwia (Ifira Black Bird); Georgino (Sia-Raga); Yannick Albert (Mauwia); Malakai Andrew (Tafea); Jordy Tasip (Tafea); Godine Tenene (Erakor GS); Kaltfer Kaltak (Erakor GS); Jackson Tasso (Erakor GS).
ATT: Allista Kalip (Tafea); Azariah Soromon (Tupuji Imere); Jean-Marie Manuriki (Ifira Black Bird); Micah Tommy (Tafea); John Thomas (Tafea).

Staff:
Head coach: Richard Iwai – Assistant Coach: Keith Hinge.

The Port Vila selection squad will have trainings in the next Wednesday (08/01) in Port Vila Stadium.

Mariya to represent Oceania in CONIFA World Cup

The Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA) is the international governing body for association football teams that are not affiliated with FIFA. Currently, CONIFA is responsible for the organization of the CONIFA World Football Cup which has been held every two years since 2014.

The next edition is set to happen in 2020 in North Macedonia and there will be an Oceanian representant in this championship: Mariya.

Australian First Nations Mariya, the FA’s full name, represents the indigenous peoples of Australia. It is known that Australia is not affiliated with OFC anymore but Mariya is affiliated with CONIFA as an Oceanian association because Australia belongs to Oceania geographically.

It is going to be the second time ever that CONIFA World Cup will count on an Oceanian representant. Tuvalu represented Oceania at 2018 CONIFA World Cup. There are five associations from Oceania affiliated with CONIFA: Hawai’i, Kiribati, Mariya, Tuvalu and West Papua.

Suva’s head coach for 2020 is still unknown

One of the most important teams from Fiji, Suva still need to confirm their head coach for 2020 season. The contract of Suva’s current head coach Kamal Swamy expires this month.

Kamal Swamy is not available to work full time so Suva management team is looking for a new person to work full time. Former Nadi head coach Babs Khan is the favourite to become Suva’s head coach.

Suva finished 2019 Vodafone Premier League in the third position. They also reached two finals last season (FIJI FACT and IDC) losing both.