Bougainville is an autonomous region in Papua New Guinea located 700km eastern from New Guinea island. People from Bougainville will begin voting in a referendum that will determine if their homeland will become an independent nation. The results are expected to be released on December.
Bougainville’s population is around 200.000 people, something close to Samoa and New Caledonia populations. With the possibility of independence, it also brings a question in football lover’s mind: Is Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) going to have a new member soon?
People holding a Bouganville’s flag
OFC currently has 11 full members and three associate members and Bougainville could become the 12th full member in the confederation.
There was only one team from Bougainville in the last Papua New Guinean National Soccer League. Chebu AROB won the Islands Conference and lost in national quarterfinals for Eastern Stars by 2-0. There was also a second team related to the region: Bougainville FC based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea’s capital. They ended the season in the fourth position of Southern Conference.
Aimee Lindsay, 13, died at school after an athletics training earlier this week. She collapsed in front of other students. She was in the 8th year at Kamo Intermediate School.
The school released a statement saying that it has been found Aimee had an undiagnosed medical condition.
Lindsay Aimee was 13 years old
Lindsay was a very talented girl. At 10 years old, she was selected for the Northland under-12 Girls Weir Rose Bowl tournament team in 2016, which was very rare for someone of her age. Earlier this year she was called for the NFF Northern Lights under-14 girls’ futsal team that finished third at the Futsal Youth National Championships in Wellington. She also took part of the wider training squad for the NFF Northern Lights under-14 girls’ football team preparing for their national age-group tournament in Wellington in December.
After a bye week for the Phoenix in the last weekend of football in the A-League, the Australian football top tier, the club from Wellington restarts their campaign in the league facing Brisbane Roar at WestPac Stadium. Phoenix is still to win in the season and grabbed their first point in the run in their previous game two weeks ago away from home against Melbourne Victory in a 1-1 draw.
The club from Brisbane that is coached by English legend Robbie Fowler already won one match in the season and draw other two while Phoenix stands at the bottom of the table with just one point collected. The main threat for Phoenix in the match is the Irish striker Roy O’Donovan that already scored four goals in the season so far. The midfielders Aiden O’Neil and Stefan Mauk are key players as well for Roar in the present campaign.
Roy O’Donovan scored four in five matches for Brisbane – FFA
Roar also has one New Zealand international in their squad, the goalkeeper Max Crocombe is a new signing for the season for the team coached by Fowler. The player is already capped for the All Whites in two occasions and has plenty experience in English football after playing teams as Salford City and Oxford United.
The squad of Phoenix for this game counts with Gary Hooper that is returning from injury. Despite the good news, is not expected the English striker to play the entire game. Hooper scored his first goal of the season in the previous match against Victory – and he is surely the biggest hope of Phoenix fans for the season.
The full back Louis Fenton is the only unavailavle for the match since he injured his shoulder and was also forced to lose two international games with the New Zealand National Football Team.
Gary Hooper is the biggest hope for Phoenix in the season – Phoenix Media
Even without Hooper, Phoenix managed to score a decent amount of goals especially through the Mexican midfielder Ulises Davila that already has three in the campaign. The real problem of Phoenix in the season for now is the defensive system, the club suffered goals in all the five matches in the season – total of nine goals conceded in five matches.
The match will be played at 7pm NZT at WestPac stadium and will be telecasted by SkySport and livestream by MyFootball.
The Division I semifinals are over and the finalists are defined: Ahau’ and Nukuhetulu!
Nukuhetulu won Longoteme by 3-0 to secure a spot in the final match. Nukuhetulu ended the regular season in the second place while Longoteme ended in third while Ahau’ won Houmakelikao Steeler by 1-0 and advanced through the final of Tongan Division I, the second tier of Tongan Football. The goal was scored by Fetuani Tovi in the second half.
Ahau’ squad against Steelers. Source: Ahau’ Media
Ahau’ is the biggest surprise of Tongan football this year. They returned to Tongan football pyramid this year after staying inactive for a long time. They ended the regular season in the fifth position and they managed to contradict the predictions twice after beating fourth placed Fua’amotu by 3-1 in the quarterfinals. The semi-final result against Houmakelikao Steelers was a big upset for Steelers because they ended the regular season in the first position with only two losses.
The definition of promoted teams to Tongan Premier League is still a riddle. Oceania Football Center is investigating if both teams are already promoted or not.
See more info about Tongan Division I by clicking here. Oceania Football Center wishes good luck to both teams in the final match!
After a week with one match on Wednesday, Telekom S-League returns full steam ahead to another round. Oceania Football Center brings the S-League’s matchweek preview to you once again so you can stay tuned on what is going to happen in the major football league of Solomon Islands. Scroll down and check the full preview below!
This matchweek has a special schedule because there will not be matches on Sunday. Two matches are going to be played on Saturday while the other matches will take place on Monday because Lawson Tama Stadium will be prepared for the visit of Prince Charles of Wales that is going to visit the country.
KOSSA vs GUADALCANAL
After a draw against Laugu United last weekend, Kossa players turn their attentions to face Guadalcanal. Currently in the fifth position with fourteen points, Kossa is the team that played less games (8) in this Telekom S-League season.
Guadalcanal played on Wednesday against Henderson Eels and they were smashed by 7-1. It would not be surprising if they get smashed once again. It is a good opportunity for Kossa forwards to boost their amount of goals in the season.
Kossa squad against Laugu United. Source: S-League Media
MARIST vs LAUGU UNITED
Currently in the 7th position, Marist is having such a disappointing season. Still winless in November (lost to Solomon Warriors and Henderson Eels respectively) they are looking for three points against Laugu. On the other hand Laugu has a strong side and they are really prepared for this match despite the bad weather that is ravaging Honiar “We still managed to do our trainings” said Laugu’s player Michael Sira.
Sira is one of the players that is coming back to Laugu squad this weekend. He did not play the last match against Kossa because he was suspended. Dunstan Quanafia is also back to the team. According to team sources, goalkeeper James Do’oro is not available for this match and Davidson Malam will debut as for Laugu United. Malam played the U17 World Cup in Brazil and played all three matches there.
Laugu drew against Kossa last weekend and they now have the mission of winning this match to keep up with their rivals in the fight for the third position. Darold Kakasi can take an important role against Marist. He arrived to play the second round of the league and he scored his first goal for Laugu last weekend.
Laugu United players celebrating a goal against Kossa. Source: S-League media
MALAITA KINGS vs HENDERSON EELS
After smashing Guadalcanal by 7-1, Henderson Eels is going to have a better challenge this matchweek. Malaita Kings is currently in the third position and they need to recover from the heavy loss they suffered against Solomon Warriors last weekend.
While Malaita Kings rested a full week, Henderson Eels has to deal with two matches in a week. It obviously affected the team preparation for the game because preparation is not the same when the available time is lower “After facing Guadalcanal we started with a rest day on Thursday for those who played the whole match. Then we made a low-intensity session on Friday morning” said Eels coach Eddie Marahare.
Eels bet their chips in Raphael Lea’i. The marvelous forward scored six goals in the last two matches and he can be a gamechanger alongside Joses Nawo against Kings. On the other hand Edward Huniuehu is having a good season and he may upset Henderson Eels defense if he plays in a good level.
Henderson Eels squad against Guadalcanal. Source: S-League media
ISABEL UNITED vs SOLOMON WARRIORS
Solomon Warriors faces Isabel United in a very important match in the title race. Warriors is still unbeaten in the league with six matches to go and they need to keep this streak against Isabel. “We need to win to keep the top spot in the table” said Warriors’ player John Alick.
Warriors is well known for their prolific attack with some powerful and amazing players like Tony Kaltack, Benjamin Totori and Dennis Ifunaoa “They are very good players and score a lot of goals. They are having important roles in the team. We are very happy to have them with us this season” said Alick.
Isabel is currently in the fourth position and they are doing such a great debut season in Telekom S-League but they know they are going to have a difficult job against current league leaders. Solomon Warriors scored 50 goals so far and allowing only nine goals – they have the best attacking record and the best defensive record in the league.
Can Isabel contradict the expectations and upset Warriors intentions? We will check it soon.
Real Kakamora is in a bye week. Oceania Football Center wishes good luck to all teams!
The New Zealand rising star Sarpreet Singh has made a surprising and impressive move this year after a very good season at Wellington Phoenix; the 20-year old midfielder received an irrecusable offer from the German football giants Bayern FC and went to play in the country that best New Zealand player of history – Wynton Rufer – had his best years.
Despite being contracted to play in the Bayern II that plays in the German football third tier, Singh made his preseason with the first team of Bayern in United States and played against giants of European football in friendly matches – impressing the coach Niko Kovac, that was in charge of Bayern in that time. These good performances of the ex-Wellington Phoenix made him to be called up for the first team in the German Super Cup match between Bayern and Borussia Dortmund. The New Zealander did not make his debut staying only in bench.
Sarpreet Singh in Bayern Munich colours – Stuff
With the bad results had by the Croatian coach Niko Kovac, the Bayern Munich direction decided to fire the coach and changes are already made in the team after the departure of the former Croatian international. The club decided to put in charge the coach Hansi Flick in interim basis and the coach called up for his team four players from Bayern II, including the New Zealand international. “We’re convinced that these boys will develop in the best way if they train with the best players. In our first-team, they have the conditions to do that“, said the new interim coach of Bayern FC.
Now finally the New Zealander, that recent played two friendly games with the All Whites and scored a brace in a match of 3.Liga for Bayern Munich II, will have a new chance to play his first competitive match for Bayern and turn into the first New Zealand player to play competitively for a German club in the first two tiers since Marco Rojas in 2014/15 season.
The current premiers of ISPS Handa Premiership in New Zealand are back to the first spot in the table after their convicing win against Hamilton Wanderers in their previous game in the league. The Navy Blues will be playing in Wellington against Wellington Phoenix Reserves looking to remain in the first position in the league. Auckland City will count with the prolific goalscorer Myer Bevan and their new signing Clayton Lewis might debut after returning to New Zealand football. WeeNix will not count with some first team players as they did in their previous match against Team Wellington – the first team will be playing against Brisbane Roar will need players as Ben Waine, Oliver Sail and Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi that recent played for the reserves side.
Myer Bevan scored a brace against Hamilton Wanderers
Waitakere United, the local rivals of Auckland City, is currently in the second place in the laddar and can retain the first position if they suceed in the their trip to Auckland to play against the current ISPS Handa Premiership champions Eastern Suburbs. The team coached by Tony Readings lost many important players from the previous season when they won the league, but could manage to improve in the standings after an important away victory against Southern United.
Team Wellington will be looking to find their second win in the competition under the guidance of their new coach Scott Hales – they just won at home in their first game of the season against Hamilton Wanderers. They will be travelling to Nelson to face the last placed side Tasman United that is still to score a goal in the competition. Tasman suffered harsh defeats against Southern United, Waitakere United and Hawke’s Bay in their first three games in the season and is despair to score their first point in this clash against the last year finalists Team Wellington.
The actual table of ISPS Handa Premiership and the 4th matchweek matches – NZF Media
Canterbury United suffered an equalizer against Waitakere United in their previous game minutes away from the final whistle. The team from Christchurch just won one match this season – at home against Southern United – and hopes to secure another good result against Hawke’s Bay United. The club from Napier that is co-coached by Chris Greatholder and Bill Robertson comes from victories in a row and playing against Dragons in the English Park might be a very challenging for Dylan Sacramento and his teammates.
Dragons players celebrate their goal against Waitakere United – NZF Media
Both Southern United and Hamilton Wanderers just have three points in the run currently and will face each other in the fourth round of ISPS Handa Premiership. Southern suffered a disappointing defeat at home against Eastern Suburbs by 4-2 in the previous round and will to recover once again playing in Dunedin. Hamilton Wanderers has the worst record of goall conceded in the league so far and hopes to count with Tommy Semmy and Derek Tieku to recover from their past defeats in the league.
Semmy scored just one goal in the season so far
Tommy Semmy was the top scorer of the NRFL Lotto Premier League in the winter season in New Zealand playing for Wanderers, but he is still to have the same impact in the top tier of football in New Zealand.
Five very exciting matches will have place in the fourth matchweek in the ISPS Handa Premiership this weekend – the teams start to show what they are contending for in the 2019/20 season and the next rounds outcomes can start splitting the league in two: the contenders for the top four and the clubs who will fighting at the bottom of the standings.
The football in Tonga is getting close to their final moments in the season in their both leagues – the top tier Tonga Premier League and the second tier Division I. The dominance of Veitongo in the first tier is clear and the team coached by Timote Moleni is very close to finish the season and seal their title.
The top tier in Tonga has 21 games for each team – each team face the other seven teams three times during the season. Veitongo has already secured the title of the season and now their challenge is to end the season undefeated.
The current champions Lotoha’apai could not defend their title; players as Tuia and Halapua Falepapalangi were not enough to challenge the stellar side of Veitongo that has various players in the Tonga national team, as Hemaloto Polovili, Mahe Malafu and Sione Uhatahi.
The dominance of Veitongo is clear in the season – RNZ
If the Premier League is already decided for Veitongo, the second division has a different format: the final playoffs will decide which side will qualify for the the top tier in the 2020 season.
The results of Division I Quarterfinals – TFA
Houmakelikao Steeler ended the reguar season in the first place and kept their good running Zion in the first match of the day in Loto Tonga Soka Centre. The 2nd placed in the regular season Nukuhetulu destroyed the chances of Longolongo to proceed, while Ahau and Longotome proceeded to the next stage – the decisive semifinals. The semifinals will decide which two sides will be promoted to the first tear in the next season.
Ahau won Fua’amotu to qualify for Semifinals – Ahau’ FC Media
The semifinals will be played this Saturday in Nuku’alofa at the home of Tongan football, Loto Tonga Soka Centre.
The decisive semifinals in Division I – TFA
It is a good action by Tonga Football Federation to keep the results out for fans and media to keep updating football inside their country. The decisive times are coming for club football in Tonga and the fate of the development of football in the kingdom depends on them.
The Port Vila Premier League comes to its half this weekend. Four matches will be played to finish the first round of the tournament. As you are getting used to, Oceania Football Center brings a preview of all four matches. Check it below!
SIA-RAGA vs ERAKOR GOLDEN STAR
Sia-Raga and Erakor Golden Star arrive to this match willing to take three points home. Both teams suffered unexpected losses last weekend and they now need to recover from these setbacks. The loss against Yatel has distanced Erakor Golden Star from current league leader Ifiria Black Bird. They are now five points behind the leaders.
In the other yellow side of the league, Sia-Raga had a heartbreaking loss against Mauwia which smashed their opportunity to climb some positions in the league standings. Anyway, this match is going to be a direct clash for the fourth position once Erakor is in 4th with nine points and Sia-Raga is in the 5th position with seven points.
It is going to be a very interesting match where both teams have opportunity to win on this Friday at Port Vila Stadium.
Erakor Golden Star players. Source: Vanuatu Sport
YATEL vs MAUWIA
If Sia-Raga and Erakor Golden Star had unexpected setbacks last weekend, Yatel and Mauwia really have something to celebrate from the last gameweek. Yatel contradicted expectations to beat Erakor by 2-0 while Mauwia had an impressive second half to turnaround the match against Sia-Raga to win by 3-1.
Both teams had good results last weekend but it is not enough for them. Mauwia remains on bottom with just three points while Yatel is currently in the 6th position with six points. After a bad beginning with five winless matches in a row, Yatel is trying to climb some positions in order to avoid the risk of relegation while Mauwia still needs to win to leave the 8th position. “Mauwia is a great team […] They are training really hard just like us.” said Yatel’s president John Tougon.
This match is going to be quite exciting because it is an opportunity to check if Mauwia really has something interesting to show in the Premier League. It is the right time to prove that the win against Sia-Raga was not just an outlier.
Mauwia is ready to show they are not dead horses. Source: Vanuatu Sport
GALAXY vs IFIRA BLACK BIRD
The biggest clash of the gameweek and one of the most important clashes of the season! Galaxy won Tupuji Imere last weekend and they are now looking for another win against the current leaders in other to retake the first position. Ifira Black Bird leads the league with fourteen points in six matches and they are three points ahead Galaxy and Tafea in the table.
Ifira Black Bird won a crucial clash against Tafea last week but players and coaching staff know the importance keep focused on the league “We are looking forward for this game, it is going to be an interesting match. We are going to do our best to stop them” said Fedy Vava, a legendary ni-van player that currently defends Ifira Black Bird.
Galaxy got three points Tupuji Imere to end a negative streak after three matches without winning. The last weekend’s win was very important to raise their morale and they will surely come hungry with a powerful attack to face Ifira BB.
Who is going to win this incredible match? We are going to check it on Saturday!
Ifira Black Bird is currently leading the league. Source: Vanuatu Sport
TAFEA vs TUPUJI IMERE
After losing their first game in this season, Tafea faces Tupuji Imere this Saturday in order to keep up with other teams in the title race. Tafea still has some missing players like Cyril Leo (suspended), Edisson Stephens (injured) and Kevin Shem (work commitments). Waiwo Kalmet is back from suspension but he might not play this match because he is still recovering from an injury. Coach Robert Yalou is currently involved in VFF Youth Championship and he might not show up to the match as Tafea’s head coach.
The loss against Ifira Black Bird made Tafea FC fall to the third position in the league standings but they already turned the page to remain focused on their goals “It is not time to talk about past, we are focused on next game” said Jeffery Bob, player from Tafea.
On the other hand, Tupuji Imere is trying to recover their best performance. With lots of players working overseas and some other players ready to leave Vanuatu temporarily for work they need to find a solution to recover in the championship. Azariah Soromon returned to the team in the last match but he did not manage to score yet.
Tafea squad against Ifira Black Bird. Source: Tafea FC media
Oceania Football Center wishes good luck to all teams!
It was announced today by Nouvelle-Calédonie 1. that the current OFC Champions League title holders Hienghène Sport added a new player to their squad in order to compete at FIFA Clubs World Cup to be played in December.
The former Malampa Revivors player is the Japanese Kohei Matsumoto, that recently signed for Hamilton Wanderers in ISPS Handa Premiership – the New Zealand football top tier – playing three matches this season.
Matsumoto played 2019 OFC Champions League for Malampa Revivors
The midfielder played against Hienghène Sport in the 2019 OFC Champions League when both sides met at Stade Yoshida in Koné for the group stage of the competition. Matsumoto defended the Ni-Vanuatu side Malampa Revivors in the competition where his team was eliminated in the first stage.
The 30-year old player has big experienced of playing in important leagues as in its home nation, as well with a short stint at Brisbane Roar in the Hyundai A-League, the Australian football top-tier. He also played for several years in the ISPS Handa Premiership defending teams as Hawke’s Bay United and Auckland City.
Hienghène now has three imports in his squad heading to Qatar to represent OFC at FIFA Clubs World Cup – in august the New Caledonian champions signed a Brazilian and a Portuguese player that were both playing at regional divisions in Brazilian football – Pedro Sousa and Marcos Camargo, as the report says.
Oceania Football Center 