Oceania Football Center

Meet Terence Carter: new Galaxy FC striker

English striker Terence Carter recently arrived in Port Vila to sign with Galaxy FC. The 26 years old player brings lots of international experience – he already played in England, United States and Australia.

Carter grew up in London and he could develop his football during his adolescence in England by playing for Queens Park Rangers youth teams and reserve squad. He plays as a striker but he can also play as a winger or attacking midfielder – “I have got some good attributes (fast and good in the air) but I am also a very hard working player with a good technical base […] I really hope to contribute with goals and assists” he said.

After some years he left Europe to play football at college level in USA, playing for two colleges: Northeastern University and University of Cincinnati. He last played for Adelaide Raiders in Australia after a stint at Adelaide Comets – “There were great experiences. I played with some great players in both countries and it was good to contribute to winning things also”. He helped Northeastern University to win CAA Conference back in 2012. He also won Australian FFSA Cup with Adelaide Comets in 2018.

Terence Carter is an experienced striker. However it is going to be his first time in a continental tournament – “I have played in a few different places now and to be able to showcase my ability on a big stage is something that really has attracted me to this opportunity.”

He has joined Galaxy FC after a selection made by the team management. He was selected among many other good strikers with international experience – “They (Galaxy management) were able to reach out to me through a coach that has coached in Vanuatu and has coached against me a few times.” he said.

He arrived in Vanuatu on Sunday and he already trained with Galaxy FC squad and he affirms that he is feeling welcomed – “The boys have been excellent in making me feel welcomed here and comfortable.” said the English striker.

Carter (orange shoes) during his first training session with Galaxy FC. Source: Galaxy FC Media

Galaxy FC count on a very interesting team with some good foreign players. They also added some local players and they recently announced five new signings – “There is a good standard here too. There are another two foreign players from Brazil too that I believe between us and the local players linking up we should be a real good force […] The anagement have done everything they can to get me settled.” said Carter.

Despite having a good squad, Galaxy FC will have a tough challenge in OFC Champions League. They are in Group A with current Champions League winners Hienghène Sport (New Caledonia), Eastern Suburbs (New Zealand) and Hekari United (Papua New Guinea). However his expectations are good – “We just have to worry about what we want to do and how we want to play and hopefully we can execute and get points on the board early and make it into the next stage.”

It is going to be Galaxy’s first time in OFC Champions League but they can surely be pointed as a team to be watched. Team owner Andrew Leong already proved his capacity of building great teams to play the continental tournament with Amicale some years ago.

Talo or Pole: who is the first choice goalkeeper of Hekari?

It was recently reported by Oceania Football Center that Solomon Islands goalkeeper Anthony Talo signed with Papua New Guinea giants Hekari United. The goalkeeper was followed by his countryman the defender Robert Laua for the club based in the Papua New Guinean capital city.

Many questions were raised since them and the major of them all is: who is going to be the first choice goalkeeper of Hekari United in the OFC Champions League 2020?

The club currently count with five goalkeepers in their squad and the most important of them is the Papua New Guinea international Ishmael Pole. The 175cm tall stopper played the last edition of the Pacific Games for his national team where they ended in the 4th position after losing the bronze medal contest for Fiji in the penalty shootout.

Image may contain: 2 people, outdoor — Anthony Talo and Ishmael Pole before trainings

Despite the obvious contest between the two important goalkeepers, both of them are very friendly with each other with a real sportsmanship attitude. The quality of the goalkeepers is clear – any of them who is chosen by the coach Jerry Allen to stay between the sticks has all capabilities to display a good performance.

Anthony Talo recently won the OFC Futsal Nations Cup for Solomon Islands in a tournament held in New Caledonia after beating New Zealand in the penalty shootout. He was awarded the best goalkeeper of the tournament. He already played OFC Champions League for Western United, Marist and Solomon Warriors and most recently was playing in Telekom S-League for the powerhouse Henderson Eels.

Talo is primarly a Futsal goalkeeper – which is a total different game from the 11-a-side football – and despite his experience in the football pitch his success for the Kurukuru are the most important achievements of his career. It will be interesting to analyse how the Solomon Islander will perform in the pitch.

Another question raised by the fans and media is the situation of the foreign slots for the continental tournament: is it clever to use a foreign spot in a position you already have a very good local player as Pole? If Pole will be the starter, will the team use a foreign slot for a reserve player?

The next PNG National Soccer League matches may give us an important picture of what will happen in the most important tournament of the year for Hekari – that marks their comeback to the continental stage challenges.

Galaxy announce five new signings

Galaxy is in a very hard group in the OFC Champions League 2020, alongside the current champions Hienghène Sport, the New Zealand national champions Eastern Suburbs and the former champions Hekari United from Papua New Guinea that will host the Group A. They know it will be the hardest question of their history to qualify for the next stage, so they decided to reinforce their team with five new players coming from the Port Vila Premier League.

The five new players of Galaxy FC – *Galaxy Media*

The new players are coming from four different teams of Port Vila: Alphonse Lency from Ifira Black Bird, Roger Marcel from Erakor Golden Star, Malakai Makito and Reuben Franck from Yatel and Edison Stephens coming from Tafea.

Galaxy will play the VFF National League Championship in this January before travelling to Papua New Guinea for their first ever OFC Champions League campaign.

Galaxy to play against Port Vila squad

Galaxy FC and Vanuatu sports media recently stated the club will play a friendly match against a squad from Port Vila Premier League; players from various teams from the league were selected to part part in this game that will count as preparations for Galaxy in order to compete at OFC Champions League.

Image may contain: 9 people, people smiling, people standing and outdoor — Galaxy squad – *Galaxy Media*

The match will be played at Korman Stadium, Port Vila on the next Saturday (11/01) at 3pm. Entrance: Adult VT 300 – Kids U-12 VT 100.

Check the Port Vila squad that will face Galaxy in this friendly match:

GK: Rodolphe Viratiro (Yatel); Anthony Tawia (Ifira Black Bird).
DF: Junior Vava (Ifira Black Bird); Jason Thomas (Erakor GS); Jesse Kalopong (Erakor GS); Michel Coulon (Tupuji Imere); Alfred Kapalu (Yatel); Waiwo Kalmet (Tafea).
MF: Jeffery Bob (Tafea); Loic Taiwia (Ifira Black Bird); Georgino (Sia-Raga); Yannick Albert (Mauwia); Malakai Andrew (Tafea); Jordy Tasip (Tafea); Godine Tenene (Erakor GS); Kaltfer Kaltak (Erakor GS); Jackson Tasso (Erakor GS).
ATT: Allista Kalip (Tafea); Azariah Soromon (Tupuji Imere); Jean-Marie Manuriki (Ifira Black Bird); Micah Tommy (Tafea); John Thomas (Tafea).

Staff:
Head coach: Richard Iwai – Assistant Coach: Keith Hinge.

The Port Vila selection squad will have trainings in the next Wednesday (08/01) in Port Vila Stadium.

Mariya to represent Oceania in CONIFA World Cup

The Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA) is the international governing body for association football teams that are not affiliated with FIFA. Currently, CONIFA is responsible for the organization of the CONIFA World Football Cup which has been held every two years since 2014.

The next edition is set to happen in 2020 in North Macedonia and there will be an Oceanian representant in this championship: Mariya.

Australian First Nations Mariya, the FA’s full name, represents the indigenous peoples of Australia. It is known that Australia is not affiliated with OFC anymore but Mariya is affiliated with CONIFA as an Oceanian association because Australia belongs to Oceania geographically.

It is going to be the second time ever that CONIFA World Cup will count on an Oceanian representant. Tuvalu represented Oceania at 2018 CONIFA World Cup. There are five associations from Oceania affiliated with CONIFA: Hawai’i, Kiribati, Mariya, Tuvalu and West Papua.

Suva’s head coach for 2020 is still unknown

One of the most important teams from Fiji, Suva still need to confirm their head coach for 2020 season. The contract of Suva’s current head coach Kamal Swamy expires this month.

Kamal Swamy is not available to work full time so Suva management team is looking for a new person to work full time. Former Nadi head coach Babs Khan is the favourite to become Suva’s head coach.

Suva finished 2019 Vodafone Premier League in the third position. They also reached two finals last season (FIJI FACT and IDC) losing both.

Phoenix signs Australian youth international

As the speculations during the last weeks said, Wellington Phoenix signed another player for the season and it is the Australian age group international Brandon Wilson. The midfielder that also can play as right back is an ideal player for the needs of the Kiwi side in the moment as their regular right back starter Louis Fenton is injured.

Brandon signing — Wilson putting pen to paper in his new contract – *Phoenix Media*

The 22-year old player has experience in European football as he was part of youth squads of Burnely and was regurarly called up for the age group national teams of Australia. The midfielder most recentely played for the current A-League premiers Perth Glory.

Wilson was involved in a controversial case with the Australia U23 side that the outcome was his ban from the team that is currently preparing for the AFC U23 Asian Cup. He and more three players were sent home from a camp last year and were not called up again for the team that prepares for the continental tournament.

Andrew Abba is set to play winter league for Forrest Hill Milford

Solomon Islands international Andrew Abba is ready to leave Waitakere United by the end of 2019-20 ISPS Handa Premiership season. The 30 years old winger is going to join Forrest Hill Milford that is going to play Lotto NRFL Division 1.

Abba is currently injured and it seems that he will not play for Waitakere United anymore due to his knee injury. He is expected to be back in April – the same month that 2020 Lotto NRFL Division 1 begins.

Andrew Abba celebrating a goal for Waitakere United. Source: NZF Media

Forrest Hill Milford coach Adam Dickinson said “We ae really pleased to have Andrew onboard. He brings a vast amount of quality and experience to our squad and I am looking forward to working with him this season.” – Abba is an experient player that has been playing in New Zealand since the 2000s.

Phoenix continue unbeaten run as they win Mariners at Sky Stadium

Phoenix extended to eight their unbeaten run in the A-League with a hard fought win against Central Coast Mariners last Saturday at Sky Stadium in Wellington. Before losing four matches in a row at the starting of the season, the current streak puts Phoenix in the top places of the ladder battling for big things in the season.

Image may contain: 2 people, people playing sports, stadium and outdoor — Hooper finishes for Phoenix – *Phoenix Media*

The most important signing of the season for the New Zealand side, Gary Hooper, started for the team for just the second time in the season. The striker scored when started the game against Melbourne City and opened the account for Phoenix against Mariners after a brilliant pass of David Ball that allowed Tim Payne to enter the area and find Hooper unmarked just to give the final touch.

Phoenix had some problems in the defense as Giancarlo Gallifuoco hit the woodwork with a powerful long-range shot just before Hooper scored Phoenix first goal. Central Coast created opportunities especially with the former Socceroos member Tommy Oar.

Phoenix found the nets again with a solo effort of David Ball, passing two defenders and finding the low corner of the opposition goalkeeper. The ball was almost touched by the midfielder Ulises Davila in the process, but ended in the back of the net. The goal was awarded to Davila in the official report by the referees, but it might be changed during the week as the Mexican clearly does not touches the ball.

Image may contain: 2 people, people playing sports and outdoor — David Ball scored his third goal for the Nix – *Phoenix Media*

Just after conceding the second goal, CCM once again hit the post with a superb shot from the captain Tommy Oar, but their efforts paid off in the last moments of the first half when Mariners reduced the deficit after an unfortunate Luke DeVere flick on. He touched the ball backwards with his head after a cross from the right – an attempt to clear the ball ended in his own nets allowing Central Coast to go just one down to the break.

In the second half early minutes David Ball suffered a muscle injury and needed to be replaced by Jaushua Sotirio. Phoenix created opportunities, but turned its attention to defense to hold the lead. Mariners introduced offensive players as Samuel Silvera in order to score an equalizer; good chances were wasted by the team, but unfortunately for them the score remained untoched until the final whistle.

The win puts Phoenix in the 4th position in the A-League standings just four points away Melbourne City – that is currently the 2nd placed side in the run. The Nix will be back to the pitch next Satruday (12/01) when they face Western Sydney Wanderers at home.

Malampa Revivors prepare for OFC Champions League

Malampa Revivors is going to play OFC Champions League for the second straight year. After a not so good campaign in 2019 – one draw and two losses in the group stage – the team from Luganville look forward to do something better this year.

Revivors’ preparation keeps going. With some great young players, they recently played two matches against Patuvuti, the current champion of Sanma Region. The results are exciting once Revivors managed to win both matches by 2-1 and 5-0.

There are some young players that must be highlighted after their great performances in both matches: Armando Ravo and Jean-Claude Batick. Ravo is one of the most promising players from Vanuatu. Despite being only 17, he played 2019 OFC U23 Olympic Qualifier held in Fiji.

Ravo (number 15) playing for Vanuatu during 2019 OFC Olympic Qualifiers. Source: OFC Media

Batick is a 19 years old forward that also capped for Vanuatu Youth Teams. He played OFC U17 Championship in 2017 and OFC U20 Championship in 2018. It is going to be interesting to watch him playing at the highest level of Oceanian Football this year.

Revivors are currently leading 2019-20 Luganville Premier League. Their next challenge will be VFF National Championship that begins next week.

Malampa Revivors will host 2020 OFC Champions League Group B. All Group B matches will be played at Luganville Soccer City Stadium from 15 to 21 February 2020.