Oceania Football Center

Phoenix hopes to continue good form against Western United

The only full-professional football club from Oceania will be back to the pitch to face various of their former players when they take on Western United away from home. Western United is coached by former Wellington Phoenix coach Mark Rudan, that left the club in a very controversial way – many players of Phoenix as the long-time serving captain Andrew Durante and the goalkeeper Filip Kurto followed Rudan steps to the new club in the Australian top tier.

Western United, currently ranked 3rd in the league standings, is having a very good debut season in A-League. Besart Berisha, the famous A-League striker, got back for the league to play the newcomers and already netted six so far for the black and green side.

Image result for besart berisha — Besart Berisha is having a fine season for Western United

Both sides already faced each other in the league so far, the first match of the season for them, where Wellington Phoenix suffered a 1-0 defeat at home with a Berisha goal. The former Italian international Alessandro Diamanti might be key for Western United alongside the Greek midfielder Panagiotis Kone.

Despite facing a very hard opponent, Phoenix comes from a six-unbeaten games run and in their past game draw at home against the top-tabbled team Sydney FC. The club hopes to continue their good run in the season and will hope to see more from the English marksman Gary Hooper. The striker is still to have a real impact in his new club starting just one match so far in the season. Hooper recently featured in the Reserves squad in ISPS Handa Premiership looking for more game time and getting fit from his previous injury – the fans as keen to see more of the striker, but the coach Ufuk Talay did not give any sign that Hooper may start against Western United.

Related image — Hooper (88) scored just once for Phoenix so far – *NZ Herald*

Ulises Davila is being the best player for Phoenix so far in the season; the Mexican already scored seven for Phoenix and is having a major role for the team. Cameron Devlin, taking the place of Alex Rufer in the midfield, impressed in the last both matches he started and might be having another go against Western United.

A new rivalry was created in A-League due the departures of Wellington players – and the coach Rudan – to Western United, the New Zealand fans are hopeful to correct the result from their last match in WestPac Stadium and the recent good records of the Kiwi side prove they can grab an upset playing in the opposition stadium.

The match will be telecasted by SkySport and will be livestreamed by MyFootball channel in YouTube for all countries that does not have a TV channel with the rights of telecasting the league.

Ecuadorian player will not join Lae City because of a car accident

As it was previously reported, Lae City was ready to sign with three players from Ecuador. In a report released earlier today, Oceania Football Center brought the name of two players: Abdias Antonio Aguirre Aguirre and Gustine Icaza Vergara but the third player’s name was unknown.

This third player’s name finally came up with bad news: 18 years old midfielder Victor Hugo Carvajal Briones would join Lae City just like his two fellow countrymen. However he will not play for Lae City because he suffered a car accident and he is still recovering from it.

According to Federación Ecuatoriana de Fútbol, Briones plays for Club Deportivo e Formativo 7 de Febrero since 2017.

Meet the new Lae City FC foreign players

It was previously reported that Lae City has signed with three players from Ecuador to play 2020 OFC Champions League but people have not known them yet. Oceania Football Center had access to some important information and found the name of two players that are coming from Ecuador.

Abdias Antonio Aguirre Aguirre – Defensive Midfielder – 20 Years Old

Abdias is a young defensive midfielder that played for some teams in Ecuadorian lower leagues. He played the Ecuadorian second tier for América de Quito in 2017 and he last played for Fiorentina FC in Ecuadorian third tier. He played for U19 Ecuador National Futsal Team in the 2017 South American Futsal League.

Gustine Icaza Vergara – Winger – 19 years old

Another young player coming from Ecuador, Vergara is a right-footed player that can play as a forward and as an attacking midfielder specially in the left side of the pitch. He last played for América de Ambato, in Ecuadorian third tier.

The third player signed by Lae City is still unknown. Oceania Football Center keeps investigating to bring accurate information.

Micah Lea’alafa: proving himself in 2019

This year was very special for Solomon Islands’ winger Micah Lea’alafa. The 28 years old player had a good first semester for Auckland City scoring eight goals in eleven matches including ISPS Handa Premiership and OFC Champions League matches.

His good season with Auckland City made some clubs interested on him. After four victorious years playing for the Navy Blues, he departed to South Africa to play for Maritzburg United.

Lea’alafa left Auckland City after four years.

Micah’s beginning is not being so easy in South Africa. Despite playing nine matches so far, he has not scored yet. He also had some problems with injuries that prevented him to play some games. It has been five months since he was transferred to Maritzburg United and he almost won his first title with the club some weeks ago. Maritzburg United was defeated by Mamelodi Sundowns in the League Cup final.

Lea’alafa did not take part of Solomon Islands squad that played 2019 Pacific Games. He played only three matches for Solomon Islands National Team this year and scored a goal against Vanuatu back in March.

Micah Lea’alafa – 2019 Goals and Assists

Still trying to score his first goal in Africa, Lea’alafa keeps working hard to prove that he can play a more important role in the team. Anyway he already makes Solomon Islanders proud by being the only player from Solomon Islands with a full professional contract as a footballer.

Allista Kalip: voice of experience in a young Tafea squad

Currently leading the 2019-20 Port Vila Premier League, Tafea FC counts on a very young squad with good talents like Junior Felix, Waiwo Kalmet and Jordy Tasip. However there is an experient player with a long history as a Tafea’s player that is being very important for them in the season: Allista Kalip.

Tafea’s topscorer in the league with seven goals, Kalip is having an important role in the team despite being the oldest player in the squad with 30 years old and he knows what he wants: win the league – “Scoring is not the most important thing […] I want to win the league to qualify for OFC Champions League”.

Kalip also pointed the importance of coaching staff for Tafea’s good moment in the season – “They work very hard to prepare the team.” – he stated.

Allista Kalip after playing a match for Tafea in 2019-20 Port Vila Premier League. Source: MG Tafea FC Media

Living one of the best moments of his career, he obviously thinks about being called for Vanuatu’s National Football Team – “I am ready to represent my country.” – However the competition for a spot in the National Team is huge once Vanuatu has so many good forwards like Tony Kaltack, Kensi Tangis and Azariah Soromon, for example.

Tafea have 18 points in nine matches and they are sharing the lead with Ifira Black Bird. You can check the current league standings and the topscorers by clicking here.

Four Royals players selected to play for a football team in England

According to local sources, four players from Royals Academy were selected to play a friendly for Langney Wanderers FC first team against Hastings United. Sammy, Ian Lagwai, Michael Laulae and Ali Mekawir.

Mekawir is a Langney Wanderers’ player since September while the other three players are not Wanderers’ players but were invited to play friendlies for them.

Royals Academy players defended Langney Wanderers against Hastings United

Langney Wanderers plays the Southern Combination League Premier Division, one of the 14 leagues that are part of English 9th tier. Wanderers lost the friendly match by 4-0.

Oceania Football Center congratulates Royals Academy and the players.

Krishna plays 90 minutes in ATK’s win

ATK faced Bengaluru in the ninth matchweek of 2019-20 Indian Super League on Christmas Day. Fijian forward Roy Krishna was the team captain for the third time in the season.

Despite being the captain, Roy Krishna did not play a good match once he did not have much opportunities to touch the ball in the 1-0 win. You can check the highlights by clicking here.

Indian legend Sunil Chhetri (left) and Roy Krishna (right)

This win was very important for ATK. The team from Kolkata took the lead of Indian Super League – “Very proud to lead our brothers yesterday and get a much needed win” said Krishna in a Social Media. They are now cheering for a FC Goa loss to remain in the first position.

Pierce Clark leaves Tasman United

Pierce Clark is the newest player of South Melbourne FC from Australia. The 21 years old goalkeeper was announced by them on Christmas. Clark is Australian and he was playing for Tasman United in the ISPS Handa Premiership.

He played eight matches for Tasman United with only one clean sheet against Team Wellington.

Pierce Clark playing for Tasman United against Canterbury United. Source: NZF Media

Clark is coming back to Australia after a six month stint in New Zealand, he was part of Newcastle Jets U21 squad before joining Tasman. South Melbourne FC play the NPL Victoria, one of the eight National Premier Leagues in Australia.

Teaonui Tehau: a blessed year

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Teaonui Tehau is one of the most proeminent footballers currently playing in Oceania. The 27 years old forward is scoring lots of goals year by year but 2019 was something special to him.

The AS Vénus forward had such an important role in the squad to lift two trophies in a single year: The 2018-19 Ligue 1 and 2018-19 Coupe de Tahiti-Nui.

AS Vénus players celebrating 2018-19 Coupe de Tahiti-Nui title. Source: FTF Media

These trophies are even more special to him once he was the topscorer of both competitions by scoring 42 goals in the Ligue 1 and eleven goals in the Coupe. The 2018-19 season is already over but AS Vénus keep ruling the rooster in Tahiti – they are the current leaders of 2019-20 Ligue 1 and they are already qualified for 2019-20 Coupe de Tahiti-Nui quarter finals.

Talking about qualifications, AS Vénus is going to play 2020 OFC Champions League. They are in Group D alongside with Auckland City (New Zealand), Ba (Fiji) and the Preliminary Round winners that may be Tupapa Maraerenga (Cook Islands), Veitongo (Tonga) or Lupe o le Soaga (Samoa).

Teaonui Tehau (blond hair) playing for AS Vénus. Source: FTF Media

Tehau is one of the forwards with most goals scored in the world during 2019. Despite scoring 42 goals in the 2018-19 Ligue 1, he scored 12 in 2018 and 30 in 2019. He has seven goals in the current league season so he scored 37 goals in the Ligue 1 if we take the calendar year into consideration.

Considering only the National Leagues (without National Cups and International Cups), Lionel Messi scored 34 goals in La Liga in 2019 while Kylian Mbappé scored 31 in French Ligue 1 during this year and this information can be checked by clicking here. Unfortunately most people in the world do not care about Oceanian Football but Tehau’s achievement should be known by every football fan.

Tehau scored 54 goals including leagues, cups and international caps, being the top goalscorer of the world alongside with Robert Lewandowski that also scored 54 goals.

Lionel Messi scored 34 goals in La Liga this year.

We are only one week from 2020 and it seems that Teaonui Tehau will keep scoring lots of goals in the upcoming year. He is one of the major contenders to win 2020 OFC Champions League Golden Boot Award.

Auckland City draw but continues on top in ISPS Handa Premiership

The New Zealand top-tier football league – the ISPS Handa Premiership – reached the last round of 2019, the competition will resume in the next year and the powerhouse Auckland City will remain at the top of the table.

The first match of the Matcheeek saw a convincing win of Canterbury United against Tasman United at English Park – in a rare Friday game in the season. George King scored the first for the home side and the experienced Aaron Clapham approached a defensive error of Tasman to score the second and final goal of the encounter in favour of Canterbury. Tasman faced their second defeat in a row after losing at home against Hamilton Wanderers.

Waitakere United played Team Wellington at Seddon Fields and could stop the prolific attack of the opponent for more than 90 minutes. Waitakere pulled ahead with the New Zealand youth international Dane Schnell and saw their victory turn into just a draw when Hamish Watson scored through a header in the last minute of the game.

Team Wellington lost a golden opportunity to get closer Auckland City in the table, but they could not find any better than a draw against Waitakere that allowed an equalizer once again in the season.

Waitakere United players celebrating the goal scored by Dane Schnell

Southern parked the bus against the powerful Auckland City in Dunedin and it proved to be a good decision. The team coached by Paul O’Reilly could hold the Navy Blues to a 0-0 draw. It was the second 0-0 draw in a row for Auckland City, but as Team Wellington also could not win their game in the weekend they will finish the year at the top of the table.

Auckland had much more ball possesion and created chances to score, but the defensive approach of Southern proved right and they could grab a point in this hard contest.

Auckland City FC did not manage to find the goal

Wellington Phoenix Reserves counted with seven players of their first team – including the likes of Gary Hooper, Callum McCowatt and Ben Waine. They started very well the match away from home against Eastern Suburbs and created lots of opportunities to score. In a fantastic solo play Ben Waine scored for the visitors and himself provided a very good assist to the powerful striker Gary Hooper just to tap in for to double their lead.

But the second half a different story was told: Martin Bueno scored his third goal of the season and reduced the margin for the Lilywhites and Reid Drake with a fantastic finish in a free-kick attempt levelled the score – giving final numbers to a close contest in Auckland: 2-2.

Martin Bueno takes the ball after scoring for Eastern Suburbs

Hamilton Wanderers seems to keep their good run in the season with a hard fought 2-1 win over Hawke’s Bay United. Derek Tieku and Jake Butler scored for the home side at Porrit Stadium to seal their second win in a row after a nightmare start of season in the 93rd minute. Ahinga Selemani scored once again in the season for Hawke’s Bay United, but proved not enough to continue their good form in the season.

Hamilton Wanderers players celebrating the winning goal in the 93rd minute

Despite not winning in the last match of 2019, Auckland City remains on top of the table – the Navy Blues that scored plenty of goals in the season finished their last two matches goalless. Team Wellington remains in the contention just behind Auckland City in the standings as Hawke’s Bay United and Eastern Suburbs complete the top four so far in the season. You can check the complete table by clicking here.