Current Telekom S-League champions Solomon Warriors will not have any new player. However they have lost legendary forward Benjamin Totori that joined Ba from Fiji. Totori is the only player that left the team so it means that Warriors will count on some key players like Tony Kaltack, Jerry Donga, John Alick, Molea Tigi and Gibson Daudau.
Ollie Bassett is the newest player of St Albans Saints SC from Australia. Albans will play 2020 National Premier League Victoria after being crowned as 2019 NPL Victoria 2 champions.
Bassett (in black) will play for St Albans Saints SC
Bassett was playing for Team Wellington in the 2019-20 ISPS Handa Premiership before joining Saints. His former teammate Hamish Watson also moved to Australia to play for Melbourne Knights.
The 21 years old attacking midfielder scored six goals in ten matches for Team Wellington.
The Solomon Islands international Atkin Kaua that was undergoing trials in Europe is set to return his homeland after not securing a professional contract in Europe in his first stint in the continent. The player had issues with work permit, despite being accepted by one of the clubs the midfielder trialed with.
Oceania Football Center talked to general manager of Laugu United FC Steven Ofo – the responsible for funding the travels of the player – stated that unfortunately bureaucracy not allowed Kaua to turn into the first Solomon Islands to sign a professional football contract in European continent. “There were good news for Kaua as he was accepted by Santa Verena FC from Malta, but he is not going to have enough time to get his work permit“, stated Ofo.
Oceania Football Center did not have access to St George’s FC response to Atkin Kaua trials, but as a fourth team stepped in the case we may assume he was not succesful as well in St George’s FC. The good news is the 3rd tier side Santa Verena was interested in the player and wanted to sign him, but the European transfer window finishes 1st February, 2020 and the Maltese league system has its last month of competiton in Abril, so they could not wait for Atkin. The work permit issue is necessary for any individual to work in another country and it would take for around three weeks to be prepared.
Kaua in action for Laugu United – Laugu Media
Steven Ofo also said he thinks It is possible to send Kaua again for trials in Europe: “Probably in July if we got finances, then we will send him back because the league in Malta starts in August“. Ofo also said that the Paul Driessen, the responsible for organizing the trials for the player, suggested another move: “Paul suggest that Atkin should go to Norway for trials as their league begins in March. But I told him due to financial problems Atkin has to come back“, stated the Laugu United representative.
Ofo stated the club is worried with their finances, but they hope Laugu can keep backing their players to pursue full professional careers overseas. The financial issue was crucial to make Kaua comeback to Solomon Islands, if not he could get another opportunity as suggested: “We still have to register for the new S-League season that is coming as well“, said Ofo worried about the finances of Laugu United.
It is important to remember Laugu United made his way back to Telekom S-League this season, after more than one decade absent from the top-tier football in Solomon Islands, so the concern of Ofo has its foundantions to keep his side competitive in the next years, then needing a decent financial level to play against teams as Henderson Eels and Solomon Warriors. In 2019 season Laugu counted with important players as Allen Peter, Darold Kakasi and even Atkin Kaua, that helped a lot his side being one of the top goalscorers with 11 goals scored. Laugu finished the season in the 6th position.
Atkin Kaua is expected to travel back Solomon Islands this Tuesday (04th Feb, 2020) with many good football experiences in the bag, to help the development of the 23-year Solomon Islands international and of his countrymen back in his national league.
With Morobe Wawens due to travel to Port Moresby this weekend to face Star Mountain in the sixth round of Papua New Guinea National Soccer League fixtures, Oceania Football Center reports exclusively that the side have failed to make the journey to the nation’s capital due to a dispute over travel funds and outstanding payments.
Wawens first XI last weekend, which earned a 3-2 victory over FC Bougainville in Lae. Photo: FC Bougainville
Wawens’ vice-president Peter Seske released an angry statement on social media earlier today claiming that the NSL had failed to make the funds available for their trip to Port Moresby due to an outstanding payment from the previous season which has not yet been settled.
“Morobe Wawens was instructed by the NSL board to meet its own team travel cost to Port Moresby for the round 6 match against Star Mountain FC,” Seske said. “Wawens has paid the full registration fee for this season, yet the NSL has disqualified the club because of an outstanding debt of K35,000 from last season.”
Seske is thought to be angry particularly because it is unclear how the NSL will punish the clubs which still owe funds from the previous season, but which are not taking part in this year’s NSL competition, as well as the decision to punish a club this season for last season’s outstanding funds.
Seske also wrote that the club will be appealing for a wash-out of the fixture, rather than a forfeiture, so that it might be arranged for another date before the end of the season. It is unclear whether the NSL board will agree to this.
Seske’s anger may be very real, but there are always two sides to the story: as early as November 2019, the NSL board came out ahead of the new season with a tough stance against outstanding payments. As reported in the Post Courier on 28 November, the secretariat said that “defaulters from last season have been informed to pay the outstanding fees, including this season’s fees,” taking a strong stance with a ‘no pay, no play’ motto. It could be argued that the NSL are merely making good on that promise.
There’s likely more to come on this story, and questions are still to be answered: how long have Morobe Wawens been aware that they wouldn’t receive funding this weekend? Are there any other clubs that still have outstanding payments? We expect a comment from the PNGFA and NSL office in the coming days.
Above all, we hope the fans who made the journey to the Sir John Guise Stadium this weekend are not too disappointed, and that they are able to witness an excellent game of football between FC Bougainville and Lae City later this afternoon.
Suva visited Labasa at Subrail Park in the 2020 Vodafone Premier League’s opening match and they pulled their inner strenght to blow Labasa’s party with a setback.
Babasiga Lions opened the scoreboard with Antonio Tuivuna in the first half. Akuila Mateisuva saved a penalty kick taken by Shahil Dave to keep Labasa ahead but Christopher Wasasala tied the match in the 37th minute. Wasasala also scored in the second half to give the win to Suva.
Wasasala
Wasasala started 2020 the same way he finished 2019: scoring goals. He was the top scorer of 2019 Inter-District Championship and now he scores a brace in his first official match of the year. Antonio Tuivuna was also awarded in the 2019 IDC as he won the Golden Ball Award.
Nigerian players Michel Oyesanya and Jibola Afonja did not play for Suva today. They might debut for Capital City Boys against Ba at ANZ Stadium next week. Labasa will host Navua at Subrail Park on February 8.
Ifira Black Bird will come even stronger for the second half of the Port Vila’s season in Vanuatu. It was reported that they signed with five players from Erakor Golden Star to strengthen the squad for the rest of the season.
Kalotang already scored his first goal for Ifira. Source: Vanuatu Sports News
The Black Birds are currently in the second position in the 2019-20 Port Vila Premier League with eighteen points while Erakor stands in fourth with twelve points.
New Caledonia international Georges Gope-Fenepej played his second straight match for Le Mans in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The 31 years old midfielder played 70 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Nancy. It was Fenepej’s first start for Le Mans since November when he played 65 minutes in the 3-3 draw against Caen.
Fenepej did not play a good match. Despite being used to play in the left side of the pitch he was placed in the right side today by Le Mans head coach Richard Dezire. According to some sources he was subbed off in the 70th minute due to an injury. However there is no news about it so Oceania Football Center will keep an eye on the situation.
Le Mans is in the 17th position of French Ligue 2.
The sixth matchweek of Papua New Guinean National Soccer League arrived and the match between Kutubu and Hekari United is already remarkable because Brazilian players Erick Joe and Vinícius are set to make their debuts for Hekari. However there is another interesting fact about this clash and it comes from the goalkeepers of both teams.
Well known Ishmael Pole played his whole career for Hekari United. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the country and he made his debut for PNG National Football Teams in the 2019 Pacific Games held in Samoa.
There is also a Pole in the other side: Jonathan, the young brother of Ishmael. He is a very talented 20 years old keeper that represented PNG the OFC U23 Olympic Qualifier held in Fiji last year. Jonathan played for Aporro Mai last season and now he is the starting goalkeeper of Kutubu.
Jonathan (left) and Ishmael (right)
Now they are going to face each other in an important clash. Hekari United won all their five matches so far and they are very strong and ready to win one more time while Kutubu will try to recover from the 1-0 loss against Morobe United last week.
The 26 years old striker Hamish Watson left Team Wellington to go back to Australia to play for Melbourne Knights. It is not the first time that he leaves Team Welly to play for the Knights – He already did it last year.
Watson was an important player for Knights in the 2019 National Premier League Victoria by scoring nine goals in 23 matches and now he is back to help the team in the upcoming season that is scheduled to begin this month.
Watson playing for Knights in 2019.
It was reported that Ollie Bassett also left Team Wellington to play in Melbourne. However there is no official news about his new club.
Watson was having a good season with Team Wellington. He scored eight goals in 11 matches in the 2019-20 ISPS Handa Premiership.
The most important football league in New Zealand comes to action again this weekend with very interesting clashes. The derby of Wellington – Wel Clasico – will take place at Porirua Park when Phoenix Reserves face Team Wellington. Auckland City and Eastern Suburbs will hope to continue their good form so far as they face Hamilton Wanderers and Southern respectively at home. The contention for the four top spots continue in high voltage in ISPS Handa Premiership.
Team Wellington will have to battle hard against Phoenix Reserves – NZF Media
Team Wellington is really not luck; the current 2nd placed side in the table will face the Phoenix Reserves exactly in the week the first team Wellington Phoenix is in a bye-week from the Australian A-League. The first team players Oli Sail, Matti Steinmann, Alex Rufer, Brandon Wilson, Liam McGing, Sam Sutton, Ben Waine and Callan Elliot will all be taking place in Phoenix Reserves side. To complete the drama, the match will be played away from their home, the David Farrington Park and they will not count with two very important players: Hamish Watson and Ollie Bassett, both players were key for the team in the season, but they departed from the club to play NPL in Melbourne, Australia.
Team Wellington is six points away Auckland City in the top of the table and they really need a win to keep in the contest. While they will have a harsh challenge, the coach Paul Temple will try to take advantage from the players he will have in action to take all points from the clash for the second round in a row – as they come from a 2-0 victory away from home against Hawke’s Bay.
Southern had a fantastic win over Canterbury last weekened – NZF Media
Southern could recover from a harsh defeat against Tasman two weeks ago as they came from behind to beat Canterbury United in Dunedin by 2-1. The goal of Andrew Cromb was crucial and gave the home side the win at the 85th minute of play.
They will be facing a hard opponent this weekend, away from home in Auckland the Eastern Suburbs finally found their perfect balance. The club won without much dificulties the good side of Hamilton Wanderers by 3-0 with a brace of Uruguyan striker Martin Bueno. A win can put the Lilywhites tied up with Team Wellington in the 2nd position if the side from Wellington loses their match in the round.
Clayton Lewis and Auckland will have a hard opponent this week – NZF Media
Auckland City continues six points clear in the top of the table, but they come from a 0-0 draw against Team Wellington at David Farrington Park in the derby. They will be back at Kiwitea Street and will hope to count with the goals of Myer Bevan to beat Hamilton Wanderers.
Hamilton suffered a harsh defeat imposed by Eastern Suburbs last weekened, the team coached by Kale Herbert will need to be at its best to grab an upset in Auckland against the current 1st placed side. The likes of Derek Tieku and Tommy Semmy will need to be in form to threat the defensive led by Brian Kaltak and Adam Mitchell.
Tasman hopes to bounce back after lose in the previous round – NZF Media
A very interesting clash will take place in Nelson as the home side Tasman United faces Hawke’s Bay United. Both sides come from a defeat in their previous mathces – Waitakere was twice behind the scoreline, but could still win by 3-2 Tasman and Hawke’s Bay was surprised by a fast Wellington Phoenix Reserves to lose by 2-0 at Bluewater Stadium.
The team from Nelson will hope their talented attack led by Jean-Phillipe Saïko can cause problems for the strong central-back and also coach of HBU Bill Robertson. The young Jesse Randall is being a standout for the team coached by Jess Ibrom, as well the newcomer midfielder Ben Watson that already scored twice in the season since his signing – including a thunderbolt free kick in his last match against Waitakere.
Hawke’s Bay is certainly needing the goals from Dylan Sacramento and specially from the North-American Ahinga Selemani. In the previous weeks both players could not help their side as before to get their so needed victories, what made the team from Napier to leave their place inside the top four in the standings.
Sam Burfoot scored the winner of Waitakere against Tasman – Simon Harmer
Waitakere is back to the top four of the season as they managed to bounce back and win Tasman at home by 3-2. The absolute fantastic goal of Jake Porter gave him the ‘Player of the Week‘ award, but it was the captain Sam Burfoot that scored the winner for the former OFC Champions League winners.
Canterbury was not succesful in their trip to Dunedin after suffering a heartbreaking comeback in the final minutes of the game. Now, at English Park, the team coached by Lee Padmore will hope to count with the goals of George King to leave the last place in the standings; the team reached the semifinals of the league last season and they will be certainly willing to be back to the final part of the season still in contetion for the national glory.
