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.
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.
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.
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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.
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“.
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“.
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 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
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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!
As Oceania Football Center reported, football activities in Samoa are suspended since 19 November because of the measles outbreak that is ravaging the country. It was also reported that the 2019-20 OFC Champions League could be affected because 2019 Samoa Premier Men’s champion is supposed to play the preliminary round of the continental club championship that is scheduled to be played in December.
Football Federation Samoa (FFS) had a meeting with representants of all clubs to decide what should be done with the current football season in the country. According to people who attended this meeting, the season is over and the current league leaders were crowned as champions.
Samoan Premier Men’s League season was very spectacular with Lupe o le Soaga and Kiwi fighting for the trophy but due to the measles outbreak the season was canceled and the trophy was awarded to Lupe. They will represent Samoa in 2019-20 OFC Champions League.
Faleasiu was crowned as Men’s First Division champions while Kiwi won the Women’s League. You can check the list of winners of Premier Men’s League by clicking here.
After two matches played on Saturday (Kossa 8-0 Guadalcanal and Laugu United 0-0 Marist), the matchweek was finally finished on this Tuesday with two important matches that changed completely the league’s course.
These two matches played on Tuesday were initially schedule to be played on Sunday but they were postponed because Charles, The Prince of Wales was visiting Solomon Islands.
SOLOMON WARRIORS 1-3 ISABEL UNITED
Solomon Warriors lost their first match in 2019 Telekom S-League against Isabel United. An early goal scored by Daiman Gela opened the path for Isabel to win the match and reach the third position in the standings. After a 2-0 loss in the first half, Warriors had an opportunity to score a penalty early in the second half but they missed it and Thomas Amasia scored the third for Isabel a few minutes later. Warriors goal was scored by Gibson Daudau at 65th minutes but it was too late because the match was already 3-0 for Isabel.
HENDERSON EELS 9-2 MALAITA KINGS
Henderson Eels faced a strong Malaita Kings side in the first half but things changed a lot in the second half. After a 2-2 draw in the first half, Eels thrashed Kings to grab three more points and take the Telekom S-League’s lead.
Raphael Lea’i was the Man of the Match scoring four goals. The 17 years old forward scored ten goals in four matches so far, averaging 2,5 goals per match. Tutizama Tanito and Joses Nawo netted twice both.
You can check the current standings and the topscorers by clicking here.
Nadi FA player William Valentine appeared in the Nadi Magistrates Court this afternoon for stabbing his girlfriend with a scissor. According to sources, Valentine was drunk when he assaulted his girlfriend.
Valentine is 28 years old and played four matches in 2019 Vodafone Premier League. He also made his debut for Fijian National Football Team this year in a 0-0 friendly against Vanuatu.
According to Fiji Village, he has been released on bail and the case has been adjourned to the 3rd of February next year.
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