Oceania Football Center

Raymond Gunemba: a story of a national idol

Football can tell us many stories; some sad, others full of joy, but most of them contain various emotions, feelings that surely can embrace a village, a city, a province of even a nation. The young footballers dream to defend the colours of their countries internationally – to see their idols in the pitches doing exactly what they hope to do in the future just make their dreams even bigger.

We can name various football idols worldwide that inspired the new generations in their respective nations. When we think about Papua New Guinea, one of the first name that comes to mind is Raymond Gunemba. The 33-year old forward made the best days of his club football career in his local team Lae City FC. The community says a lot about what Raymond is, coming from a family that has a rich history in football: “My small brother Troy and small sister Megan, all our family are football so it is in the blood!“, says the forward that already scored ten times for his country.

Related image — Gunemba in the last OFC Champions League – *OFC Media*

Raymond is also coached by his father Peter in Lae City FC: “I treat him as my coach and respect him when I am at the field. I feel open to express my comments to him openly about the game“, explains Raymond Gunemba.

Despite of making most of his career in Papua New Guinea, Gunemba also had short stints of football in Australia and New Zealand. The player agrees there are big differences of the football played in his home nation in comparison with the game played overseas: “I learnt a lot of new things like: timing and how they conduct the trainings. I see big differences from Papua New Guinea especialy in the managing side of the team – they have better equipments“.

Image result for Raymond Gunemba — Gunemba (right) had a short stint in Australia with Geelong SC – *Geelong Advertiser*

Gunemba side, Lae City, took part in the last edition of OFC Champions League – competition where they were beaten by Auckland City in New Zealand and eliminated from the tournament. “It was a good tournament. I think the boys have enough experience now so we will do better the next one”, says Gunemba. The next one that the Papua New Guinean international says will be the next edition in 2020; Lae City was once again national champions beating in the penalty shootout Hekari United – match that Raymond has clear memories: “It was a very tough game, but I think we should score within the normal time. The players discipline that causes us to go into penalty shootout. I think our team was too conservative“, says the 33-year old player.

Raymond expects a better performance for his side in the upcoming continental tournament and hopes his partnership with Nigel Dabinyaba keeps working: “It is being a good partnership, but lately he has been off track a little bit, so need to work with him or otherwise we got some good players to work with in the squad“.

It was in 2016 that Gunemba and some of his teammates of Lae City reached the peak of their career, when they played New Zealand at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby in the grand final of OFC Nations Cup. The Papua New Guineans won Solomon Islands in the semifinals to reach their first ever final of the most important competition in the region. That time the things did not go well for the home side, they were very close to secure a historical title, but lost in the penalty shootout for the All Whites. “It was a first time experience and the game was very strong and we really appreciate the result despite not ending with the trophy“, says Gunemba. The player believes that his national team needs mental toughness to be prepared to face New Zealand once in the upcoming tournaments. “PNG has the talent to beat New Zealand, but the problem is the lack of discipline and attitude for the Papua New Guinean players“, adds Gunemba.

“It was the biggest achievement of my football career”, says Gunemba when remembers the Golden Boot award he won in the 2016 OFC Nations Cup. Gunemba was the best scorer of the entire competition with five goals.

The Kapuls were under guidance of the Danish coach Flemming Serristlev and we can check in the words of Gunemba the importance the coach had in the success of the national team: “He was the key figure in our success. I believe if he was still here in PNG, we would do much better in the Oceania region“, the player also adds that “Most of the current national team players we really want Flemming back“.

Gunemba still has time to leave his criticism of the current managent of Papua New Guinea Football Association: “It is necessary to have fairness in football, there are still differences between the rebel association and PNGFA. We are one now but the differences are still there“. The PNGFA had a serious problem in the recent years, where two national federations claimed to be the representative of the football in the country, despite only one being considered by FIFA and OFC. The differences between the two football bodies come to an end in the last year with the new president John Kappi Nato, but accordingly to Gunemba there are still questions to be solved between the two parties. “We need to stop all the differences and just focus on how to develop football in the country. There are lots of young talents but lack of coaching and managent can not lead us to another level”, adds Gunemba.

A 33-year national idol, still has a lot to give to his nation. Gunemba is active in the country motivating the young footballers to keep pursuing their dreams and improve their game. The differences between the members of the management of football in the country can not really disturb the dreams of the people that see in their role models the path they want for their futures. A story of success as Gunemba has keeps the flame alive for the youth that wants to have a life from their footballing careers.

Measles outbreak affects once again football activities

The serious problem in Pacific keeps creating many problems: the measles outbreak already affected a lot the sport in the region – stopping football activities in Samoa that lead to the forced final of the national league awarding the title to the current leader of the table when the league needed to stop and as well not allowing the Tonga Futsal national team to play their two final games of the OFC Futsal Nations Cup held in New Caleonia in the last October.

Now the news come from the Oceania Football Confederation: they are forced to postpone once again the U17 Women’s Championship that was scheduled to be held in Tahiti this December. OFC said they will be arranging new schedules in partnership with Tahiti Football Federation in order to play the championship in the next year. “The decision was made following new advice provided by health authorities in Tahiti regarding the risks associated with the spreading of the measles virus across the Pacific, and recommendations to cancel travel to French Polynesia in case of a person’s vaccination status is not known“, says the Football Confederation.

Image result for ofc u16 women's championship — A match during the last edition of the championship – *OFC Media*

The postponement of the tournament will allow the staff and players of the teams taking part in the tournament to meet the recommendations of the health Tahitian authorities, also mentions OFC.

Oceania Football Center, alongside the Confederation and all health authorites in Oceania advise the community to vaccinate in order to finish this outbreak that is letting the region very worried.

TBT #03 – Forgotten heroes from Solomon Islands

In 2013 Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) was struggling financially and 2014 World Cup qualifier was coming to its end by that time. Solomon Islands was in the final stage alongside New Zealand, Tahiti and New Caledonia fighting for a spot in the Inter-confederation play-offs.

The four teams should face each other twice in order to decide which team would qualify for the Inter-confederation play-offs. After four matches Solomon Islands was on bottom with just three points but SIFF’s financial situation was catastrophic and they would not be able to sent a team to Papeete to face Tahiti.

If Solomon Islands did not show up to this match, they could likely be punished for it by FIFA and get a five-year ban from international football and few USD millions fine was ready to be unleashed. But like in a heroes movie, David Firisua and Neil Poloso appeared and put their efforts together to avoid it.

After a research, they managed to find thirteen players from Solomon Islands that were living in New Zealand and could be able to defend the National Team. Most of them were young and unknown players by that time but the team still had two important players flying to Tahiti: Henry Fa’arodo and Benjamin Totori.

Team picture of Solomon Islands vs Tahiti

Tahiti was having its greatest time in football history: They won OFC Nations Cup in 2012 and they were a few months away from traveling to Brazil to play 2013 Confederations Cup where they faced Spain, Uruguay and Nigeria.

“We were being mocked by few Solomon Islands calling us a bunch of fruit pickers living in New Zealand. However, they do not know the quality we have ourselves. The likes of Benjamin Totori who was playing for Wellington Pheonix then. Our skipper, Henry Fa’arodo Jnr who also was playing Team Wellington. Michael Fifi’i and Andrew Abba who are lethal attackers and not forgetting Joachim Rande. This was a team made up of internationals.” said Alex Waimora, one of the called-up players for this match.

Things happened fast in that week. With two players from college (George Ladoga and Alex Waimora) and some others from Zealander universities, Solomon Islands flied to Tahiti with their hearts and souls to give their best – “We met up a day before flying to Tahiti. We trained once in Auckland then traveled to Tahiti for the game” said Andrew Abba. They stayed at Oceania Football Confederation centre at Onehunga for two days and that was all. They did not have any financial backing except the tickets to and from Tahiti. You can check all Solomon Islands players that took place in this historical match by clicking here.

Alex Waimora also shared with Oceania Football Center how was the day he was called-up for Solomon Islands National Team – “I was still in High School when this great historical football moment came about. George Ladoga and I were fellow Solomon Islanders studying at New Zealand’s top high school, Saint Kentigern College. It was an early morning when we recieved a phone call from our high school coach, Michael Ridenton who is a former All Whites saying that we should expect a big news later that day about our football careers. Well, it was in the evening and we just received an e-mail from David Firisua asking for our service for a WORLD CUP QUALIFYING match against TAHITI for the national team. Without a doubt, George and I replied and fully agreed.”

That match was special and difficult for them, specially for Andrew Abba because he played with an injured knee. “Our gameplan was to get them on the counter attack” he said – Andrew Abba also made an interview recently with Oceania Football Center about his comeback to Solomon Islands national team.

Solomon Islands had some chances to score with Benjamin Totori but Tahiti’s goalkeeper performed really well in that day. “One exciting moment was when Benjamin Totori hit the ball after one twos with me and the ball got stuck in the back of the goal post. We all jumped in celebration thinking it was a goal but actually it was not… I also came close to scoring on one occasion when Benjamin Totori set me through but I was pulled back by Tahiti’s defender… I wanted to fall down in the box but I was just few inches away” said Waimora.

Despite fighting bravely they could not avoid the defeat to Tahiti. “Unfortunately we made two mistakes and they scored after these mistakes” said Abba. Losing by 2-0 was a great result having in mind that Solomon Islands National Team had only one training session while Tahiti was a well drilled and conditioned team.

They did not avoid the defeat but they avoided something bigger: A five-year ban from international soccer for Solomon Islands. It is something forgotten in the past but local people should remember what Firisua, Poloso and these thirteen players did on 22 March 2013. Unfortunately there are not good pictures of this match. Samuel Osso, Andrew Maeribu, Stewart Quan, George Ladoga, Michael Fifi’i, Andrew Abba, Henry Fa’arodo, Joachim Rande, Benjamin Totori, Wesley Olea, Alex Waimora, Calvin Erick and Tony Havea, YOU ARE HEROES!

Currently living a good time in football, even qualifying for an U17 World Cup, the history of Solomon Islands in football could be completely different if they have not showed up for that match. “Today, we see Solomon Islands national U17 to the world cup, today we see Solomon Islands national U23 have a very fantastic tournament. I mean, we opened and gave these kids these opportunities indirectly when we agreed on stepping onto that plane and flew to Tahiti.” stated Waimora.

“All in all, I think it was an experience that helped many of us realise how it is important to run football properly […] Today we do not expect SIFF to give us any money or compensation for this moment of history because we know money is an issue that everyone faces. One thing we hope SIFF will do is learn from this experience and make a better future for the upcoming football stars. No team deserves to travel with only 13 players to a world cup with no financial support at all.” said Waimora. “People doubt us, people call us sorts of names, but behind that brick wall we climbed high and put Solomon Islands Soccer to where it is today” stated Michael Fifi’i.

It seems that SIFF really learned something from this lesson. The Federation’s current situation is much better than that chaotic situation of six years ago. We hope this chaos never come back, but if it happens, there will be more heroes ready to save them.

Marist wins and gets closer to rivals

Telekom S-League midweek match was contested by Marist and Real Kakamora, two teams there are in such a bad situation in the championship: Marist is currently in the seventh position while Real Kakamora remains on bottom with zero points.

Marist won the match by 3-1 and they now have 15 points, the same amount of points as Laugu United and Malaita Kings.

You can check the current league standings and the top goalscorers by clicking here.

Planned PNG ‘Conference Competition’ cancelled due to lack of interest

Hekari United and Toti City battled out last year’s National Soccer League Grand Final. Photo: PNGFA

News emerged today that the planned Papua New Guinea National Soccer League ‘Conference Competition’, due to take place at a slightly lower level than the ‘Premier Competition’, has been scrapped due to lack of interested clubs.

This is another blow to preparations for the start of the 2019/20 season, which, as was reported last week, has already been delayed twice. The top division of PNG football should have started last weekend, on the 16th November, before being delayed to the final weekend in November and, now officially, to the 7th December.

After 26 clubs took part in last season’s successful conference-based league system, the NSL board had made ambitious plans to take that total to 32, with 8 taking part in the ‘Premier Competition’, and 6 taking part in each of the four regions of the country in a ‘Conference Competition’. We learnt last week that 12 teams applied for the Premier Division, a figure which the board wanted to narrow to 8, and today’s press release indicated that there were in fact a further 11 teams willing to take part at the conference level – 4 from the Southern Region, 2 from the Northern and Highlands, and 3 from the New Guinea Islands.

Have the NSL therefore become a victim of their own ambitions here? 23 clubs in total have registered interest in playing NSL football across all divisions this year, so it would be a shame if the only division taking place was an 8-team ‘Premier Competition’, which would exclude the remaining 15 clubs. These are clubs who may well have already begun preparations ahead of the new season expecting to play competitive football, with several players in their ranks hoping to impress and earn selection for the national team in the coming months and years. What will happen to these teams if they are denied this access to competitive football at the highest level in the country?

It remains to be seen whether the nationwide ‘Premier Competition’ will be expanded to include a larger number of clubs as a result of this cancellation.

For an outsider, it’s important to understand how challenging the logistics of football in Papua New Guinea can be. It is difficult to lump all the clubs in the Highlands and New Guinea Islands into one nationwide division and play home and away games, because transportation costs are high, and the journeys themselves can often be long, treacherous sea crossings by boat or arduous passages down from the mountainous regions. This was probably one of the key reasons why the NSL and the PNGFA chose to work under a conference system last season – so that the highest level of football was accessible to any club, anywhere in the country.

With larger cities boasting better transport links in the Northern and Southern regions, it’s less of a challenge for clubs from those regions to play home and away matches every week.

We’re not sure where the NSL goes from here: 23 clubs interested is still a good amount, and the competition seems to be an attractive proposition, despite what the doomsayers on Facebook have been saying following the announcement earlier this morning. Do they expand the top division into two conferences, and include all the clubs who have expressed an interest? Do they stick to the plan and go with a fixed number of 8? Or do they find a third option somewhere in the middle, which strikes a balance between including the clubs interested while keeping control of the difficult logistics involved?

Watch this space.

Mario Ilich: the new Auckland City man shares his experiences

Team Wellington was the third team from New Zealand to win OFC Champions League in the 2018 edition – before, only the Auckland giants Waitakere United and Auckland City had the honours to claim the continental glory. Mario Ilich took an important role in the win of his former side in the regional tournament, eliminating Auckland City and beating the Fijian giants Lautoka in the finals. “It was an amazing feeling, one of the highlights of my career to date. We had such a special group of players and staff that year, we all got on so well on and off the field – it was a real family vibe which I thought gave us the edge over other teams“, says the midfielder.

Image result for Mario Ilich — Ilich in the decisive match of OFC Champios League 2018 – *NZ Herald*

Ilich is a 24-year old football player that has yet a lot to come, but we can surely say he is already a well experienced player. One of the most celebrated players of the winning team of Team Wellington in the 2018 edition of OFC Champions League had the chance alongside his teammates to be in one of the most important football tournaments worldwide: the FIFA Clubs World Cup, that was held in United Arab Emirates in 2018, where TeeDubs faced the local champions Al-Ain in the first stage of the tournament.

“It was an awesome experience one that I will never forget. The game was a roller coaster of emotions and was crazy when we went 3-0 up. I don’t think we could even believe it ourselves. My goal, well probably was one of the easiest tap-in goals to score but I can now say I have scored at the FIFA Clubs World Cup which not many people can say, I guess“. Ilich mentions his goal against Al-Ain after a corner where he was found free in the 6-yard box to score the third goal of Team Wellington against the local side. Unfortunately, the final result of the game was not in favour of the Oceania champions in that time. “I think we got caught out a few times by the pace of Al Ain’s play. Maybe a lack of focus defensively which let them back in the game. But we didn’t let their come back goals get the better of us, we kept fighting to the very end and even had a few good chances towards the end of extra time to win the game. Then to go and lose on penalties, it’s always tough losing like that but at the end of the day there can only be one winner“, tells Mario Ilich.

Image result for Mario Ilich Al Ain — Ilich (second from right) celebrates a goal against Al-Ain – *FIFA*

Team Wellington kept most of their players for the 2019 edition of the OFC Champions League but were beaten by current champions Hienghène Sport in Nouméa in the semifinal stage – a shocking result for the fans of Oceania football – “It was very disappointing to get so close once again and loose in the manner we did a year later“, shares Ilich that was one of the winners in 2018 that also played the last OFC Champions League. “That was a game which we dominated early on for long periods and had several chances in the first half that if we took on another could’ve been up by 2 or 3 goals at the break. Unfortunately we didn’t and all credit to Hienghène Sport as they came out hungrier in the second half and took the few chances that they had and put the game to bed“.

New Zealand is certainly the best developed football nation that takes part of the Oceania Football Confederation – this is the reason the fans were shocked with the elimination of both New Zealand powerhouses – Auckland City also lost in the semifinal for New Caledonian side AS Magenta – in OFC Champions League semifinals. Ilich says that “Yes, New Zealand is probably ahead of the other nations at this point in time, but I believe that this is only because there is more funding and backing behind football in New Zealand compared to these countries. But, as seen in the past few years, there are real quality teams and players that come out of these countries and with time hopefully these countries only become stronger“.

A imagem pode conter: 2 pessoas, pessoas praticando esportes e atividades ao ar livre — Ilich (rigt) against Hienghène Sport – *OFC Media*

Before signing for Auckland City for the 2019/20 ISPS Handa Premiership season, Ilich had a very sucessful stint in Australia regional leagues: “The stint in Australia was enjoyable! I was playing for Bentleigh Greens located in Melbourne. It was cool exploring a new city and experiencing football over the ditch. The league was quite tough and physical so personally it was good to experience that type of football for a change. We actually ended up winning the grand final and becoming Champions of Victoria which put the icing on the cake for my few months in Australia!“. Ilich also added the he sees no much differences of the level of football played in ISPS Handa Premiership in comparison to what he played when in Bentleigh Greens – “I think the league over there is a lot more physical where as to in New Zealand it is more technical and tactical then anything“.

The coach responsible for the recent success of Team Wellington, José Figueira, decided to part ways from his former club at the end of the previous season; his new club is the biggest winner of football in New Zealand, Auckland City – also the new club of Mario Ilich for the season that just started in the country. “Auckland City is the most successful and historic club in the New Zealand league. Every player wants to be playing for the Navy Blues. So when the opportunity arose I wasn’t going to turn it down. Of course José has had an impact in my decision as well, after playing under him for so many years – I am a huge admirer of how he coaches and sees the game“.

A imagem pode conter: 1 pessoa, praticando um esporte e atividades ao ar livre — Mario Ilich in the colours of Auckland City – *NZF Media*

Ilich is a declared fan of the Navy Blues new head coach: “The way José sees the game is very tactical where he tries to make his players feel comfortable and enjoy there football by having lots of possession of the football, which I am a huge fan of. His style of football in past years in New Zealand has been quite rare, but we are slowly starting to see more football teams from New Zealand try and play a possession based football game which is a big positive. I hope more coaches coming through follow the philosophies of Figuera for the good of the game in New Zealand“.

Auckland City started well its campaign in the season with already three victories in the run. As the most traditional club in the league, it is certain the fans will expect the Navy Blues to be in contention for the season honours. Mario Ilich sees a more balanced competiton than previous years and hopes for the best to his side: “I think this season is going to be very competitive. I don’t think I could tell you right now who would be the main contenders like recent years – which is real positive. After the first few rounds there have already been a few shock results which shows that any team on their day can beat anyone. We have a new young group and we are working hard every week on the track and hopefully we can continue to build stronger game by game and really push to cement that top spot!”

Time will say what will be the next chapters of the talented midfielder career. Auckland City is certainly a major club in the region and Ilich believes his hardwork will make him go steps higher in football – and he feels a spot in the All Whites is a possibility for a near future: “I am always hopeful for sure! Playing for the All Whites is every young kiwi footballers dream and has been for many years, all I can do is keep working hard and being successful on the football field and one day hopefully that call comes“, says Ilich.

Mario Ilich will have a great chance to impress the new All Whites coach Danny Hay in the upcoming months: he will be playing once again the OFC Champions League, this time for his new side Auckland City. Ilich and all Oceanian players know that winning this competition means a lot and, for a player who already touched that trophy once, the taste to do it again may be considerable better.

Galaxy FC: pursuing the domination of Ni-Van football

Galaxy FC is a sensation in Vanuatu. Founded in 2014, the blue team owned by Andrew Leong is having a powerful beginning. Promoted to Port Vila Premier League in 2018, they managed to qualify for Oceania Champions League in their first ever season at the highest level of Ni-Van football.

The team is completely focused on 2019-20 Champions League and it can be checked by taking a look at their powerful squad with five foreign players and many other players that defend Vanuatu National Football Team. This constellation is commanded by Moise Poida, a legendary person in Vanuatu when it comes to football.

They are having a successful year in local football as you can check below:

• 2019 Port Vila Premier League – Top Four: Champion
• 2019 VFF National Super League: Runner-Up
• 2019 Independence Cup: Semifinalist
• 2019 Opening Cup: Runner-Up

Galaxy FC squad that won 2019 Port Vila Premier League Top Four.

Currently in the third position in Port Vila Premier League behind Ifira Black Bird and Tafea, Galaxy was considered the favourite to win the league when the season began. Their powerful wins by 14-0 and 10-0 against Yatel and Mauwia respectively indicated that no one could stop them this season, but things changed after they faced Sia-Raga.

After an unexpected loss by 1-0 to Sia-Raga in the fourth gameweek, Galaxy saw their season suffer a twist in a negative way. Current league topscorer Kensi Tangis got injured in this match and he has not returned yet. They scored only two goals in the last four games, showing that they are really missing Tangis.

Kensi Tangis is the current league topscorer

Even disappointing in last matches they still have chances to win the league once they are just six points behind current leader Ifira Black Bird. The bad moment can not erase the good job that is being done there, specially when it comes to media sources and youth football.

Oceania Football Center recently reported that Galaxy was promoting a mini championship for children. An important point to develop young players to reach the highest level of local football. When it comes to media sources, Galaxy is surely one of the best alongside Erakor Golden Star and Tafea social medias.

They recently tried to livestream a match against Erakor Golden Star but it was not so successful. Anyway it was a great initiative that Oceania Football Center expects that it can be accomplished by Galaxy and other teams soon.

Upoming years must be big for Galaxy. Andrew Leong is a very rich man and he was behind Amicale FC when they reached OFC Champions League final twice in 2011 and 2014. He can surely do the same to Galaxy.

Oceania Football Center and Vanuatu Sport News launch media partnership

Oceania Football Center is honoured to seal a partnership with one the most efficient promoters of sport in Vanuatu – the social media and radio program Vanuatu Sport News. Both brands are focused to promote football in the Pacific and Vanuatu Sport News is instrumental for our initiative to keep well informed about the most important happenings of the sport in the Ni-Vanuatu land.

The partnership consists in the promotion of both Vanuatu Sport News and Oceania Football Center work and the mutual usage of information from both brands.

Oceania Football Center and Vanuatu Sport News logos

Vanuatu Sport News has a well-known radio program in Port Vila and is responsible for most of the sportive updates in the country. Their work is being vital for Oceania Football Center to keep the Port Vila Premier League results and goalscorers updated weekly – as the readers can check in our weekly previews and reviews about the games in each watchweek.

Ifira Black Bird can not stop winning

Ifira Black Bird won the last three matches in Port Vila Premier League against Tupuji Imere, Tafea and Galaxy. This great run took them to the first position in the league as the only unbeaten team in the season.

After losing in the semifinals of the Independence Cup in July and in the Opening Knockout semifinals in August (both against Tafea), Ifira is breaking the predictions standing on top ahead Galaxy and Tafea that were considered the favourites to win the league before the beginning of the season.

Ifira Black Bird players against Tafea. Source: Vanuatu Sport

The biggest point of the team is their defense – they suffered only one goal in the league so far (against Yatel). Goalkeeper Kalo Firiam is performing really well and there are other important players doing important roles in the team like Jonathan Spokeyjack and Jean-Marie Manuriki.

Ifira Black Bird faces Mauwia this weekend to keep themselves unbeaten. They last won the Premier League in 2017.

Pacific Cup begins today

The 2019 Pacific Cup begins this Wednesday at Bill McKinlay Park, Auckland, New Zealand. Ten teams will fight for the trophy in the main competition while seven teams will take part of the 40’s Cup, a competition for players who are older than 40 years old.

It is a traditional competition played by Fijian clubs yearly. There are also teams from New Zealand, Australia and United States.

Four teams from Fiji are going to take part in the main tournament: Labasa, Lautoka, Nadi and Suva.

Labasa: Current champion of Fijian Battle of The Giants and Inter-District Championship.
Lautoka: Current champion of Pacific Cup.
Nadi: Current champion of FIJI Fact.
Suva: Current runner-up of FIJI Fact and Inter-District Championship.

Nadi is the most successful team in the Pacific Cup’s history with four titles. You can check the full list of champions in the picture below:

Oceania Football Center wishes good luck to all teams!