Oceania Football Center

S-League: the fights go on

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!

Sarpreet Singh is promoted to the first team of Bayern FC

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 has been called up to the Bayern Munich first team. — 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.

Auckland City looks to remain on top in ISPS Handa Premiership

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.

A imagem pode conter: 5 pessoas, pessoas praticando esportes e atividades ao ar livre — 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.

A imagem pode conter: 1 pessoa — 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.

Tongan leagues in their decisive moments

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.

Image result for Veitongo FC — 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.

A imagem pode conter: 4 pessoas, pessoas em pé, céu, atividades ao ar livre e natureza — 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.

Galaxy challenges Ifira Black Bird in a big clash of leaders

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!

Hienghène Sport signs former Malampa Revivors midfielder

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.

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2019 – Tahiti vs Italy preview

Today will start for Tahiti the journey in the Beach Soccer World Cup 2019. In Asunciòn, Paraguay, the Tiki Toa will face Italy in a tough match.

Italy is one of the best european team and it won the last Euro Beach Soccer League 2018 against Spain at the penalty kicks. The italian best player is Gabriele Gori. The italian forward as scored more then 200 goals in his national team. He’s playing in Viareggio Beach Soccer, one of the most powerful teams in the world, where he made the treble in 2016 (Scudetto, Coppa Italia and Champions League). He arrived at the second place in the Gold Ball 2016, only after the portugues phenomenon Madjer.

In a question made by Giuseppe di Giovanni of Gazzetta dello Sport he said about :”What is it? Do you think I shivered as soon as I heard the question. Here, it’s my second life. All that football didn’t give me gave me back the Beach with interest. And then, when I put the shirt on the national team, I always kiss her. It is undescribable ”.

A wonderful gol made by Gabriele Gori. From La Repubblica.

But Tiki Toa are ready to confront this match. They hardly prepared themselves in this week they were in Paraguay. There’s only problem that they can’t overcome: the heat of the sand. In the sout american country it’s very hot now, much hotter then the tahiti, and the sand retains all the heat. This would be a tough problem for all the non-americans teams. But we know that the tahitians player will make all they can to win this match.

Raphael Le’ai start in Henderson Eels reaffirms his talent

After turning into a national hero even in his teen years after being the key player to qualify his nation to their first ever FIFA football tournament, the young Raphael Le’ai keeps shining and proving his talent is really big. The 17 year-old forward earned a scolarship in New Zealand after his solid performances at OFC U16 Championship, where Solomon Islands ended as runners-up. Making stellar performances playing for Scots College in the New Zealand school tournaments, the talented player represented his country at FIFA U17 World Cup recently in Brazil and was one of the best players of his team.

Image result for Raphael Lea'i" — The young Le’ai when player of Marist FC – *Island Sun*

After touching down Solomon Islands after an amazing experience at world stage, the young Le’ai joined his teammates Derick Taebo and Leon Kofana at Henderson Eels in the Telekom S-League, the most important football league in his country. Despite being only 17 years old, Le’ai already played in S-League before and for one of the most important clubs in the nation, Marist FC – and he was outstanding as well.

Le’ai had trials in Argentina football top-tier before sealing his move to New Zealand for his scolarship with Scots College and trainings with professional outfit Wellington Phoenix. His pedigree is clear of high level and it is known by the entire nation in Solomon Islands.

The young forward joined Eels for the second round of Telekom S-League season and is hoping to help the side to win their first national glory. The numbers of the teenager are impressing: three matches played, six goals scored.

Le’ai scored a brace against Kossa in his second match for Henderson Eels and four goals in his third game for the club against Guadalcanal. The senior players of the teams just can not deal with the speed and technique of the impressing 17-year old.

Usually when wonderkids appear in the world of football they take some time to adapt to the first team experiences – this is really not the case of Raphael Le’ai. Despite being aware of the level of football played in Oceania, the logical view is that a young player would need time to showcase himself playing against seniors. Le’ai just seems to good for Telekom S-League level.

The Solomon Islander talent earned the award of MVP in the School tournaments played in New Zealand when defending Scots College colours – one more personal award for Le’ai, he already won the MVP award and top goalscorer at OFC U16 Championship where he helped Solomon Islands to qualify for FIFA U17 World Cup.

Once again playing at the highest level in his nation, the talent of one of the best players produced in the country in the recent years is reaffirmed – not so often we see a 17-year old being the most decisive player for one of the most important football teams in the country and remembering he already scored a bunch of goals previously for Marist FC in a even younger age in the previous season.

The future seems really bright for Solomon Islands when we spotligth the talent of the young but already determinant Raphael Le’ai.

Vanuatu Football Federation ready to know their new president

Vanuatu Football Federation presidential election will take place next month in Santo. Lambert Maltock and Stephen Felix are the candidates. Maltock is the current president of Vanuatu Football Federation and Oceania Football Confederation while Felix is current Port Vila Football Association president.

Lambert Maltock and Stephen Felix – Candidates to the presidency of VFF

These are bad news for those who want changes in Vanuatu’s football. The mood is pessimistic among people involved with football in the country, specially in Port Vila. As Oceania Football Center already reported, things are not going well there in Vanuatu so an election contested by two men who are already in the command of local football is synonym of hopelessness and doldrums.

Maltock is the favourite to win this election once he has good support from secondary leagues and football associations.

Galaxy appeals against Tupuji Imere’s controversial transfers

Galaxy FC sent a complaint to Port Vila Football Association (PVFA) because of the transfer of Vaum players to Tupuji Imere outside transfer window. The PVFA already sent it to Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF).

As Oceania Football Center already reported, Tupuji Imere signed two players from Vaum United but in the last week people started to raise some doubts about the legality of these transfers.

Mahit Ollie (number 16) is one of the players that went to Tupuji Imere from Vaum.

There is no news about PVFA or VFF answers to Galaxy’s appeal. Oceania Football Center is keeping an eye on it in order to bring reliable information about this case.