Ricki Herbert to Ba: short term coaching aiming high in OFC Champions League

One of the most important move of Fijian football history will see the former All-Whites head coach Ricki Herbert to leave New Zealand in order to coach the Fijian powerhouse Ba. The experienced coach who guided New Zealand to their last appearance in a FIFA World Cup will leave his position in Hamilton Wanderers in ISPS Handa Premiership to coach Ba; but this will be for a short period. Hamilton Wanderers president David Douglas stated “this is great news for our current Football Development Manager Ricki Herbert – who is going to take a short term coaching job for Ba FC from Fiji for the upcoming Oceania Champions League. Ricki will then be back to continue his FDM role with the club. All the best for the next few weeks a Ricki“.

Image may contain: one or more people, people playing sports, people standing and outdoor
Herbert in 2010 alongside Italian legend Marcello Lippi – Getty Images

Herbert can be instrumental for Ba in their run in the next OFC Champions League that will start next month. Ba is being very ambitious in the start of 2020, signing very important players from overseas and also investing in local talents.

New Zealand’s Kyle Adams join MLS

Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer have signed the defender Kyle Adams from New Zealand. Adams played for Auckland City youth side in his country before departing to United States. The defender that mainly plays as a left back as previously at Dynamo’s parter Rio Grande Valley in United Soccer League – the club decided to sign the player for 2020 season of Major League Soccer, the most important football league in United States.

Kyle Adams Welcome
Dynamo announces Adams – Dynamo Media

Adams is 23 years old and represented New Zealanda at U17 and U20 levels, but he is still to be called up for the All-Whites. The defender might have bigger competition and more exposure while in MLS and surely the new New Zealand head coach Danny Hay might watch the development of the new signing of Dynamo. Players as Bill Tuiloma, Deklan Wynne and Michael Boxall, that made most of their careers in MLS, are capped in New Zealand national side, what may suggest Adams is the in right path to have chance to don the New Zealand colours.

Ricki Herbert is the new coach of Ba

The former New Zealand national team head coach Ricki Herbert is the new head coach of the Fijian powerhouse Ba. The current Vodafone Premier League champions are preparing for 2020 OFC Champions League and the New Zealander is a great signing for the board of Men in Black. See more details about Ricki Herbert move to Fijian side Ba.

Herbert announced in as new Ba head coach – Waisea Naisokia

Most recently Herbert coached the ISPS Handa Premiership side Hamilton Wanderers, but decided to leave the club last month. Herbert will watch the final match of the Champion vs Champion series in Ratu Cakobau Park between Ba and Labasa. “It is a wonderful opportunity to be with Ba Football“, stated Herbert to local newspaper.

As player Herbert has experience in the English football and also represented New Zealand at 1982 FIFA World Cup played in Spain. Ricki Herbert is a legend of New Zealand, being the last head coach to guide the national team to a FIFA World Cup in 2010. Herbert also coached the Wellington Phoenix for several years and also had a stint in Maldives as their national team head coach.

Max Mata: back to Swiss football

The 19-year old New Zealand prospect Max Mata had a very good year in 2019. Last January the striker signed his first professional contract with Grasshopper Zurich that currently plays the Challenge League, the second-tier of football in Switzerland. The club is famous in the country and played several season in the top league.

Mata signed for the club and was directly sent to the U21 squad that currently plays in the fourth tier of football in Switzerland. The New Zealender played in seven matches for the youth side, scoring four goals in total. In order to keep his development, Grasshopper decided to loan Mata to the Estonian top-tier side Nõmme Kalju in July, just before the striker represented his country in the U20 FIFA World Cup held in Poland, where New Zealand impressed, but were knocked-out of the tournament in the round of 16 after being defeated by Colombia in the penalty shootout.

Mata has a very succesful stint during his time in Estonia: Nõmme Kalju finished the league in 3rd place; Max Mata had an excellent record with the club, scoring eleven goals in twenty matches played for the Estonian side. The Kiwi had a rare opportunity to play at UEFA Champions League at only 19 years old, as Kalju took part in the prelimiary stages of the competition facing the giant Scottish side Celtic FC. The Estonians could not grab an upset, but Mata can proudly say he made his professional debut in an UEFA Champions League match. Mata and his club also took part in the UEFA Europa League, as they were knocked-out of the top continental competition, in a double-legged contest against Luxembourg side Dudelange, but Mata and his teammates could not advance in the competition.

Image may contain: 2 people, people playing sports and outdoor
Mata making his debut against Celtic FC – Nômme Kalju Media

Another fantastic moment in Mata’s career happened in the last year when the player was called up by New Zealand head coach Danny Hay for the European tour of the New Zealand national team to play against Ireland and Lithuania in November. The talented striker made his international debut in Vilnius against Lithuania entering in the second half of a match that ended-up in a 1-0 defeat of the All-Whites.

After a superb year, Mata is back to Switzerland in 2020. The player hopes to have opportunities in the first team of Grasshopper as he already proved himself in his stint in Nõmme Kalju, represented New Zealand in U17 and U20 World Cups and is now a full-capped international after his debut for the All-Whites.

Mateinaqara might miss CVC second leg

Goalkeeper Beniaminio Mateinaqara might not play for Ba this Sunday in the second leg of CVC against Labasa. He got injured in the final minutes of the first leg and he was replaced by Misiwane Nairube.

Mateinaqara playing for Ba. Source: Fiji FA Media

According to local sources Nairube is expected to be the starting goalkeeper for this Sunday’s match. Labasa will face Ba at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori at 3pm. The first leg finished drawn at nil.

Piscopo helps Australia to qualify for 2020 Olympics

Australia faced Uzbekistan in the 2020 AFC U23 Championship’s third place match. Wellington Phoenix winger Reno Piscopo was in the starting eleven after sitting in the bench in the semifinal against South Korea.

The Olyroos had a difficult life in the first half with Uzbekistan creating many chances. However things got better for Australia in the second half when Nicholas D’Agostino found the net in a marvelous individual play.

Uzbekistan’s player Oybek Bozorov was sent off at the 59th minute just six minutes after coming from the bench to replace Nurillo Tukhtasinov. Reno Piscopo was replaced by Ben Folami in the 86th minute. You can check the highlights by clicking here.

Reno Piscopo played 86 minutes against Uzbekistan

The 1-0 win has sealed the bronze medal and a spot in 2020 Olympics for Olyroos. Australia is back to the Olympics after missing two editions. They last played its football tournament in Beijing, 2008.

Piscopo finished the tournament with one goal and three assists in five matches. He is expected to be back to Wellington soon so he must be available to play for Wellington Phoenix in the Distance Derby against Perth Glory on February 7.

David Browne scores his first goal in Finland

Papua New Guinean forward David Browne played his second match for Finnish club HJK. After an outstanding performance in a friendly match against RFS from Latvia he had the opportunity to play his first official match in Finland.

HJK faced TPS in the first stage of the Finnish Cup. Browne was in the starting eleven and played an important role in the 3-0 win.

David Browne (second from left to right below)

Browne scored in the 50th minute to seal the HJK’s 3-0 win. He was replaced by Rasmus Schüller in the 66th minute.

According to reliable sources he has not signed with the Finnish club yet but his outstanding performances are giving him lots of credits. Oceania Football Center congratulate Browne for scoring his first goal in Finland.

AJ Inia signs with a new club in Australia

As it was previously reported by Oceania Football Center, AJ Inia was ready to sign with George Cross FC. The transfer was successful and Inia was already announced as George Cross’ newest player.

AJ Inia with George Cross jersey. Source: George Cross FC Media

AJ Inia is 19 years old and he already showed his interest on representing Tonga at international level.

2020 PVFA Opening Cup kicks off

The 2020 PVFA Opening Cup kicked off this weekend. Four matches were played at Port Vila Stadium and Oceania Football Center bring a report of these matches for you! Scroll down and check the reports.

TAFEA 3-0 YATEL

Tafea faced Yatel in the opening match of the tournament. Current league leaders Tafea scored three goals in the first half to seal the 3-0 win. John Thomas, Allista Kalip and Evaristo Kapulu were the goalscorers. Tafea’s goalkeeper James Iamar saved a penalty kick in the second half to guarantee a clean sheet for his team.

ERAKOR GOLDEN STAR 1-0 MAUWIA

Erakor Golden Star had a difficult challenge against Mauwia. After a hard match the referee awarded a penalty kick for Erakor in the last minute of the second half. Team captain’s Jackson Tasso netted the penalty to seal the 1-0 win.

Erakor’s captain Jackson Tasso (right) scored the winning goal in the last minute. Source: Vanuatu Sport

TUPUJI IMERE 3-1 IFIRA BLACK BIRD

Tupuji Imere count on some new players from First Division side Mauriki FC. Charley Kaltanak opened the scoreboard for Tupuji and Kensly Taserei score the second from a penalty kick. Michel Coulon scored the third goal in the second half and Jonathan Spokeyjack netted the only Ifira’s goal.

GALAXY 4-2 SIA-RAGA

English striker Terence Carter scored two early goals to give the lead to Galaxy as team captain’s Diego was sent off in the first half. Roberson scored Galaxy’s third goal in the second half while Jino netted a penalty kick for Sia-Raga.

Jason Bule scored Sia-Raga’s second goal (3-2) to put some pressure on Galaxy. Three players were sent off in the second half. Goalkeeper Seiloni Iaruel and defender Alphonse Lency from Galaxy and Jesino from Sia-Raga. Bong Kalo scored a late goal to seal the 4-2 win.

Galaxy’s captain Diego (right) was sent off in the first half. Source: Vanuatu Sport

Atkin Kaua ready for a third trial in Europe

Solomon Islands international Atkin Kaua keeps trialling in Malta. After spending some days with Tarxien Rainbows he had a second opportunity by training with Mqabba FC.

Atkin Kaua keeps trying to get a professional contract in Malta.

Mqabba’s head coach liked him but according to Netherlands Oceania Support Foundation, Mqabba’s management preferred to sign with a defender. Kaua still has a third chance to get a professional contract in Malta – He is going to train with St. George’s FC from Malta’s second tier.

Maltese transfer window is set to close on January 31. Oceania Football Center wish good luck to Atkin.