Oceania Football Center

Keana case – Episode #01: damaging his own career

Episode #2: What is behind
Episode #3: The suspension

One of the subjects that is the gossip of the town in Oceania is the outcome of Maxwell Keana case and his judgement that is going to happen soon. Oceania Football Center brings to you a series of articles with everything that is related to this case. All information contained in the articles is verified and veridical.

On February 2019 Solomon Islands was excluded from 2019 U17 FIFA World Cup because they had an overaged player in 2018 OFC U16 Championship. A disciplinary committee found U16 player Chris Satu breached both the OFC Disciplinary Code and OFC regulations when he turned out for Solomon Islands at the OFC U16 Championship last year. After many court battles Solomon Islands was allowed to play the U17 World Cup.

As Oceania Football Center reported on 12 October, Maxwell Keana was ruled out of Solomon Islands U17 National Team squad that played U17 World Cup in Brazil. He failed in medical tests so he could not stay in the squad for the World Cup.

Many people in Solomon Island questioned Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) about these medical reasons asking the federation to release this information but these medical reports are confidential and SIFF can not provide it to the public.

Maxwell Keana was ruled out of Solomon Islands squad for FIFA U17 World Cup

After being ruled out of the squad, Keana sent a letter to Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) saying he was overaged in the 2018 OFC U16 Championship. Keana also stated in the letter that he was born in 1998 and not in 2002 as it is reported in his official documents. On the other hand, SIFF assures that Keana’s passport and legal documents are right and he was eligible to play that tournament.

It brings us to some reflection.
• If Keana’s documents are right, he is lying to OFC;
• If Keana’s documents are wrong, he or his family might have lied to SIFF;
• The reason why he wrote this letter to OFC.

According to SIFF media, SIFF is also carrying out its own investigation with a view to charge the player and bring a disciplinary case against him before the SIFF Disciplinary Committee. The hearing, which will be convened by the OFC Disciplinary/Ethics Committee via telephone conference is set down for 10AM on Friday 29 November at the SIFF conference room.

According to local sources, there are some people interested on picking a fight with SIFF and these people could be behind it by telling Keana to send this letter to OFC. While people want to pick this fight, Keana may be expecting to get some money by being a puppet of these people. Local people already advised him that he should not do it because he is putting his career in trouble.

See the next episode by clicking here

Ifira Black Bird keeps pounding

The PVFA Premier League’s Week 7 is over so it means that half of the season is gone. Four matches were played in Port Vila top division this weekend Oceania Football Center brings a review of each match for you! Scroll down and check it!

ERAKOR GOLDEN STAR 1-1 SIA-RAGA

Erakor and Sia-Raga opened the gameweek with a good match on Friday. After a 0-0 draw in the first half, Godine Tenene opened the scoreboard for Erakor Golden Star but Ryan Banga netted for Sia-Raga to draw the clash. At the final whistle the score was 1-1 and surely both teams are not happy with the result.

Both teams lost in the previous gameweek and this draw put them away from the title race. Erakor is currently in the fourth position with 10 points while Sia-Raga is in sixth with eight points.

Erakor Golden Star starting eleven against Sia-Raga. Source: Vanuatu Sport

MAUWIA 0-1 YATEL

Yatel keeps their good streak by winning Mauwia by 1-0. In a very tough match Yatel only managed to score the winning goal in the last minutes with a penalty kick netted by Frank Reuben.

Yatel has not lost in November and this win helped them to overcome Sia-Raga to take the fifth position in the table with nine points. Mauwia is still in the last position with just three points but at least they are being more competitive in the last weeks so they still have hopes to do something better in the second half of the season.

Yatel players before facing Mauwia. Source: Vanuatu Sport

IFIRA BLACK BIRD 1-0 GALAXY

Who is going to stop Ifira Black Bird? After beating Tafea on 15 November they won Galaxy by 1-0 this weekend. After a 0-0 draw in the first half, Ifira Black Bird played with 10 men in the second half after team captain Loic Taiwia was sent off in the beginning of the second half.

Even with only ten players Ifira managed to put Galaxy in trouble. Dolsen Siapan came from bench to score the winning goal for them and Ifira also had some other opportunities like a shot that hit the crossbar in the latest minutes.

The lack of goals is being a big problem for Galaxy. Despite having the best attack in the league with 28 goals scored they only netted three times in the last four matches. The absence of Kensi Tangis (injured) is a trouble that Galaxy needs to deal with. The current league topscorer is being missed there.

Ifira remains unbeaten in the league with 17 points in seven matches while Galaxy is in the third position with eleven points.

Ifira Black Bird starting eleven against Galaxy. Souce: Vanuatu Sport

TAFEA 5-2 TUPUJI IMERE

After losing to Ifira Black Bird in the previous round, Tafea came to the pitch willing to take the three points home. Allista Kalip opened the scoreboard for Tafea but Azariah Soromon netted for Tupuji Imere a few minutes later. It was the first goal of Soromon in 2019-20 Port Vila Premier League. Kalip also managed to score his second goal in the match to put Tafea ahead. The biggest setback for Tafea came in the middle of the first half when forward Jordy Tasip was knocked on his head. He was replaced by Jayson Timatua.

Kalip was on fire. He scored his third goal in the beginning of the second half to set his first hat-trick of the season. John Thomas came from the bench to replace Waiwo Kalmet and he scored Tafea’s fourth goal.

Tupuji still tried to react with a goal scored by James Chilia but it was not enough. Defender Junior Felix scored a penalty kick to set the final score. Tafea is now back to the second position with 14 points while Tupuji is in the seventh position with just four points so far. They need to open their eyes if they do not want to be relegated.

Allista Kalip scored a hat-trick against Tupuji Imere

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

Benben wins Women’s Opening Knockout

After two years Vanuatu has a women’s football league again. Nine teams took part of Women’s Opening Knockout, a warm-up tournament that precedes the Premier League. The nine teams were split in two groups.

After one month of football, the Opening Knockout is over. Just like it happened last weekend in men’s football, Galaxy won Tupuji Imere in the third place match. The final score was 4-1.

The final was contested by Erakor Golden Star and Benben United. Both teams were in Group A and Benben United won by 2-1 in the group stage.

Benben United (in blue) and Erakor Golden Star (in black and yellow). Source: Erakor Golden Star Media

Benben United won the final match by 1-0 at extra time after a 0-0 draw in the 90 minutes and took the trophy home. The next step is the Premier League that is going to begin soon. According to Vanuatu’s Women National Team, Robert Yalou, bringing back the football league is very important in order to identify and develop players for the National Team.

Oceania Football Center congratulates all teams for participating in the Opening Knockout, specially Benben United that was crowned as champions.

Young players carry on Kossa

Kossa smashed Guadalcanal by 8-0 today in Telekom S-League with seven different players noting their names in the scoresheet.

Barrie Limoki was the Kossa’s top scorer in the match with two goals scored. The 15 years old player has now five goals in the competition so far. Limoki recently played the U17 World Cup held in Brazil.

Limoki (right) scored a brace for Kossa. Source: S-League Media

Another player that attended the National Team in Brazil’s world cup is Charles Mani. The 17 years old forward scored his first goal for Kossa in this win against Guadalcanal.

Kossa is currently in the third position with 17 points.

Davidson Malam debuts with a clean sheet for Laugu United

As it was stated earlier in Oceania Football Center’s website, goalkeeper James Do’oro was not available to play for Laugu United against Marist this Saturday. His absence opened the doors for the debut of a young and talented goalkeeper: Davidson Malam.

Malam was the Solomon Islands National Team starter goalkeeper in the U17 World Cup held in Brazil, playing all three matches in the tournament. He played 90 minutes in his debut and helped Laugu to take one point home in a 0-0 draw against Marist.

Laugu is currently in the sixth position with 15 points.

Bougainville: a possible new member for OFC

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?

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.

Thirteen years old footballer died in New Zealand

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 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.

Wellington Phoenix looks for first win in A-League against Brisbane Roar

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.

Image result for Roy O'Donovan roar — 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 vs Perth — 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.

Ahau’ and Nukuhetulu to play Tongan Division I final

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!

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!