Auckland City won their fourth game in the ISPS Handa Premiership after beating Tasman United at Kiwitea Street by 2-1. The Ni-Vanuatu defender Brian Kaltak played the entire 90 minutes to help the Navy Blues to win one more game in the New Zealand football top-tier. Kaltak was once Tasman United player, winning his former club might have a special taste for the central back.
Kaltak during the Auckland City win against Tasman – ACFC Media
The Navy Blues scored their goals through the efforts of Myer Bevan and Cameron Howieson, but suffered a late goal to reduce the margin to 2-1. Kaltak was vital for holding the lead in favour of the home side.
The Vanuatu national team member was an usual starter for the current ISPS Handa Premiership premiers in the season, playing entire 90 minutes in four games in the league. Auckland City is now four points clear in the top of the table and his side can surely count with the strength of the powerful central back.
The Oceania Football Confederation representants is the first side to reach Doha in Qatar to play the FIFA Clubs World Cup. Hienghène Sport will be among giant teams as Liverpool FC from England and the traditional Brazilian side CR Flamengo.
The team from the north of New Caledonia made a 13.000km trip to the Qatari capital. They will be facing the local champions Al-Sadd in the next 11th December.
This weekend marked the final of a very important tournament for Fiji football – the Pacific Cup played in New Zealand where many sides from the Vodafone Player League played. Traditional sides as Lautoka, Labasa, Suva and Nadi took place in the competition playing against players from overseas nations.
Another important players took part in the competition, as the Solomon Islands internationals Andrew Abba and Michael Boso and Fijian internationals Samuela Drudru and Rusiate Matarerega.
The player was suspended recently by SIFF and will not be taking part of any football activities in the country. Keana already did not play for his side Kossa in the last matchday of Telekom S-League – he was an usual starter at the midfield of the gold and green team.
Maxwell Keana was ommited from the squad that played recently the U17 World Cup held in Brazil due medical reasons, according to SIFF statement. The fans raised questions about the omission of one of the standout players of the team during the U16 OFC Champioship and rapidly the interest in the case increased.
Keana (first from right) at OFC U16 Tournament – Solomon Times
After the releasing of the final squad for the world stage tournament, the midfielder sent a letter to OFC regarding a possible case of an overaged player in the competition, that in case was himself. Accoding to SIFF, the players documents are from entire responsibility of him and his family – and them were the ones who provided the necessary documents of the player for the registration in the championship.
The weekend of football in ISPS Handa Premiership was more than lively: 25 goals in five matches entartained the fans all over New Zealand with the best of the football in the country. Auckland City remains on top with a hard-fought win over Tasman United while Team Wellington recovered from past defeats with a home win against Canterbury United.
The first match of the round saw the biggest amount of goals in a same game in the matchweek; Southern United travelled to Auckland to trash Waitakere United. Waitak was the 2nd best placed in the standings before suffering their first defeat of the season. The Dunedin-based club counted with a perfect game of their key man Joel Stevens – the talented winger scored a hattrick for his side, with the Irish striker Garbhan Coughlan adding another to his tally, his fourth in the campaign. Despite the amazing game of Stevens, the spotlight at the end of the game was at Cameron McKenzie, his teammate, after the midfielder scored from the half of the match lobbing the opposition goalkeeper. Waitakere scored two goals to cut the deficit with the late effort of Jack Duncan and an own goal.
Southern players celebrating one of their five goals – NZF Media
Sunday was full of football in New Zealand top-tier with three games played. Hawke’s Bay United expected to keep their good run in the league with a home win over current title holders Eastern Suburbs, but a late Christian Gray equalizer the denied the HBU win.
Despite suffering the first goals through Stephen Hoyle’s brace, the home side could comeback to a 3-2 magnificent comeback with the brace of Ahinga Selemani and a goal scored by the youngster Jorge Akers.
HBU players celebrate one of their goals – Steph Gunther
The nightmare start of season of Hamilton Wanderers continue: the bad moment seemed to finally have an end after the German import Thilo Wilke and Derek Tieku scored two for Wanderers in the first ten minutes of the game. Playing at home ground against Wellington Phoenix Reserves a win seemed almost guaranteed at that moment – the final outcome was pretty different.
Ahmed Othman and Sam Sutton equalized the game still in the first half; the same Othman found the nets at the 56th minute of play and Stephen Sprowson gave finals numbers to the scoreline at the 80th minute. A non inspired Tommy Semmy that came from the bench still in the first half could not help Wanderers to recover in the competition and now sees his side at the bottom of the ladder. This was the first victory of Wellington Phoenix Reserves in the competition.
Phoenix reserves grabbed their first win in the league – Lance McCaughan
Team Wellington finally found their second win in the league after beating at David Farrington Park the Christchurch side of Canterbury United Dragons. The Scottish import of the Christchurch-based site Callum Ferguson found the next at the 22th minute to put the visitors upfront.
Team Wellington was resilient enough to level the match just two minutes after suffering the opener with the first goal of the season of the talented Jack-Henry Sinclair. Still in the first half the North-Irish full back Rory McKeown put the team from New Zealand capital city ahead – this would be the final goal of the encounter.
Jack-Henry Sinclair scored his first goal in the season for Team Wellington
Myer Bevan continued his goalscoring run for the fifth match in a row after scoring through a penalty kick for Auckland City FC. Bevan has now eight goals in the season. Cameron Howieson scored another for the Navy Blues as the team won Tasman United by 2-1.
Jama Boss reduced the margin for the Nelson-based side with a sharp shot in the edge of the box. This goal was the first scored by Boss, the most important signing of the season for Tasman that improved a lot their game since their previous game, when the team coached by Jess Ibrom scored their first three points in the league with a win against Team Wellington.
Auckland City celebrates their first goal – NZF Media
With the win Auckland City increased their lead for a four points difference from the second placed side. To see full standings of the league after the fifth matchweek click here.
Myer Bevan continues as the top goalscorer of the league so far with eight goals, being chased now by Southern United star Joel Stevens that scored already six in the run after a brilliant hattrick this weekend.
Wellington Phoenix impressed against Adelaiade played away from home to grab a very important win at Coopers Stadiuim. The Kiwi side played a very entertaining football to deny Adelaide United continuing in their good form in the league.
Ufuk Talay made some changes in the starting eleven, placing Reno Piscopo alongside Ulises Davila and Jaushua Sotirio behing the central striker David Ball. The usual starter Callum McCowatt made his way from the bench in the second half of the game.
Reno Piscopo started the game for Phoenix – Phoenix Media
Piscopo seemed a good choice since the first minute of the game, when he headed the ball to make Adelaide United’s Paul Izzo to make a wonderful save. Jaushua Sotirio was always a dangerous choice when picked up by Phoenix midfielders – he suffered a foul outside the box that was first awarded as a penalty, the call was later corrected by VAR.
Adelaide had dangerous moves in attack, especially through the full back Michael Maria. The both outstading midfielders of the Australian side – Riley McGree and James Troisi – were well marked by Nix defense and could not create much opportunities for their team.
A lively first half did not seem any of the team to find the nets – but in the second half three goals would put numbers in the scoreboard. The first goal of the match is already one of the goal of the season contenders: Adelaide United striker Nikola Mileusnic shot lobbed the Phoenix goalkeeper to find the top corner – a shot few goalkeepers in the world could prevent for finding the net – a stupendous goal to put the home side upfront.
But I did not take much for Phoenix to find an equalizer: in the first minutes after the introduction of the marquee striker Gary Hooper in place of Matti Steinmann, Jaushua Sotirio made a fantastic run and crossed to the box to find David Ball. The Englishman made no mistake to find the nets and score his first goal for Nix.
A much celebrated goal for David Ball – Phoenix Media
The equalizer was deserved for the Phoenix – the team played good football during the entire 90 minutes and to be down by 1-0 did not match the reality of the game.
Just minutes later of Ball levelling the score, Liberato Cacace made a fantastic run to the penalty box and was pushed by George Blackwood. The wonderkid play ended up with a penalty kick awarded to his side. Ulises Davila presented himself to take the penalty and suceeded, scoring his 5th goal in the league.
Highligts of Adelaide United against Wellington Phoenix
Adelaide United could not create much pressure to Phoenix to find another goal – indeed the New Zealanders were very dangerous when counter-attacking. The pace of David Ball and Jaushua Sotirio and quality of Gary Hooper introduced in the second half created much problems for the Adelaide defense.
After a very harsh start of the season with four defeats in a row, Wellington Phoenix is now three matches in a row without a defeat and left the bottom of the ladder to be just three points away from the playoff qualification zone.
Phoenix players celebrate the win after the final whistle – Phoenix Media
Phoenix will now play their next match against Western Sydney Wanderers – a special night awaits the football fans at Eden Park in Auckland to welcome the sole full professional football team in Oceania in the most populated city in the country.
Micah Lea’alafa was absent in the Maritzburg United’s 0-0 draw against AmaZulu in the ABSA Premiership, the South Africa football league. The club’s media did not release anything about Lea’alafa’s absence but he is not impressing the team coach Eric Tinkler.
Micah Lea’alafa did not play this weekend. Source: Maritzburg United FC Media
Lea’alafa played seven matches for Maritzburg and he has not scored or assisted yet. New Zealander Daniel Morgan was also absent for this match. Jeremy Brockie entered in the second half and played just a few minutes.
Tupapa Maraerenga is the champion of 2019 Vans Premiership – the senior men’s football league in Rarotonga Island. After a tough title race against Nikao Sokattak, Tupapa won the league for the third straight year.
Tupapa Maraerenga players celebrating their titles.
It means that they are going to play 2020 OFC Champions League Preliminary Round alongside Veitongo (Tonga), Lupe o le Soaga (Samoa) and the champions of 2019 FFAS Senior League (American Samoa). Tupapa also won the Senior Women’s Championship – the main women’s football league in the island.
Jordy Tasip is a promising player from Tafea FC. The 19 years old forward is being a key player for them in Port Vila Premier League and the secret for it comes from hardworking.
Tasip scored three goals in PVFA Premier League so far – only Allista Kalip scored more than him among Tafea players.
Jordy Tasip. Source: MG Tafea FC Media
That is his first season playing for Tafea. He was previously playing for Amicale that unfortunately ended its football activities some months ago. Despite being a young player, it seems that he is very determined “He trains hard. He is one of the most fit players in Tafea” said Tafea’s manager Robert Calvo.
Tasip is also part of Vanuatu Youth National Football Teams – he played the 2018 U20 OFC Championship and the 2019 OFC Olympic Qualifiers, scoring one goal in both competitions. He was one of the youngest players in Vanuatu’s U23 squad.
Tasip (left) celebrating a goal in OFC Olympic Qualifiers. Source: OFC Media
In a country that football is amateur or semi-professional, being fit and having a good diet is not so easy. As Robert Calvo stated, Tasip is one of the most fit players in Tafea’s squad and it comes from hardworking – “I train every day with Tafea and I always do some extra like body workout” said Tasip. He also takes care of his feeding “My family always support me with that” he added.
At 19, Tasip still has lots of things to learn about the game, but his seriousness can take him to a higher level – “He has the skill and the spirit” asserted Calvo. Maybe he can develop to think about making the next level in a bigger football league.
Another matchweek of Telekom S-League is gone with lots of emotions and surprises. Isabel United and Solomon Warriors were the biggest winners of this gameweek. Scroll down and check what happened in all matches:
SOLOMON WARRIORS 8-0 REAL KAKAMORA
After losing to Isabel United in their last match, Solomon Warriors is back to winning ways after smashing Real Kakamora by 8-0 at Lawson Tama Stadium.
Tony Kaltack scored a hat-trick and he has now eighteen goals in the league. This win took Solomon Warriors back to the first position because Henderson Eels lost this weekend.
Tony Kaltack scored a hat-trick this weekend. Source: S-League Media
ISABEL UNITED 1-0 HENDERSON EELS
After surprising Solomon Warriors last week, Isabel United surprised once again to beat Henderson Eels by 1-0. Marlon Nanone netted a penalty kick in the first half to seal the win.
Isabel United had some difficulties during the match because David Supa was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the second half but they managed to hold Eels.
Eels is now in the second position with 31 points while Isabel is in third with 21.
Isabel’s players celebrating the goal scored by Nanone. Source: S-League Media
MALAITA KINGS 2-1 LAUGU UNITED
Malaita Kings got three important points against Laugu United on Sunday. Edward Huniuehu scored his 11th goal in this season to open the scoreboard in the first half. Nigel Dabinyaba scored his first goal for Kings in the second half to increase the lead to 2-0.
Laugu also had opportunites to tie the match. Darold Kakasi scored for Laugu United – 2-1. They also had an opportunity to tie the match but Kings’ goalkeeper Erick Peter saved a penalty kick from Atkin Kaua in the last minute of game.
Laugu is now in the seventh position with fifteen points while Kings is in fourth with eighteen points.
Edward Hunieuhu has 11 goals in the league. Source: S-League Media
GUADALCANAL 3-3 MARIST
Guadalcanal almost felt the taste of a win for the second time this season but Marist managed to avoid it.
In a match with two turnarounds, Guadalcanal opened the scoreboard and saw Marist turning it to 2-1. Then Guadalcanal took the lead again with a penalty kick goal but they could not take the three points home because Steward Toata scored for Marist in the late second half and put a final dot in this breathtaking game with the scoreboard tied – 3-3.
Players fighting for the ball – Source: S-League Media
Oceania Football Center 