Oceania Football Center

Wellington Phoenix fails at Season Home Opener

The Wellington Phoenix could not secure a positive result at their first match in the 2019/20 A-League season after a 1-0 defeat against the newcomers Western United FC. The New Zealand based club had chances to draw or even win the match but could not find the nets of their former goalkeeper Filip Kurto.

A imagem pode conter: 11 pessoas, pessoas sorrindo, pessoas em pÃ© e texto — The Wellington Phoenix starting lineup vs. Western United

Ufuk Talay promoted seven debuts in the pick of starting team for the season opener: Stefan Marinovic, Luke DeVere, Matt Steinmann, Ulisses Dávila, Callum McCowatt, Jaushua Sotirio and David Ball. During the game the All-White Tim Payne also made his A-League debut alongside Junior Socceroos Reno Piscopo.

A imagem pode conter: 2 pessoas, pessoas praticando esportes e atividades ao ar livre — The ISPS Handa Premiership Golden Boot winner Callum McCowatt made his debut for Phoenix.

The English forward David Ball had a very good chance in the first half but the ball just passed near the post. Wellington kept a good defensive shape while Stefan Marinovic just made some easy stops. The young prospect Liberato Cacace hit a 30-meters shot that made the opposition goalkeeper to make a brilliant defense. But, at the 34th minute, a lapse of concentration of Phoenix defense allowed the veteran striker Besart Berisha to find nets unmarked inside the 6-yard box.

Besart Berisha netted WUFC's first goal in the A-League. — Besart Berisha celebrates his goal

Wellington Phoenix fighted hard to bounce back in the second half and created decent chances to score. The addition of Tim Payne in the place of Louis Fenton at the Right Back position increased the fire power in the wings. David Ball was replaced by the youngster Reno Piscopo that showed some quality coming from behind as an attacking midfielder, while one of the New Zealand top prospects, Ben Waine, had a very important with a header that was close to the goal.

Ulisses Dávila, the Number 10 and former Chelsea FC midfielder, had a fantastic chance to score in the injury time with an indirect free-kick inside the penalty box. Unfortunately, the Mexican could not find the target and the game ended up with the first defeat of the season for the New Zealand side. Dávila is one of the highest hopes of Phoenix for season, but in this match against Western United the fans have all reasons to be dissapointed.

The Nix will be playing next Sunday – 20th October – their second match in A-League 2019/20 against the title holders Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval, 8pm NZT.

Dennis Ifunaoa sends Labasa to IDC Glory

The so waited grand final match of the Inter-District Championship was a real battle between Suva and Labasa. After a hard win against Ba in the semifinals, the Capital Boys promised a huge fight against Labasa, the current Battle of Giantes champions that smashed Nadi with a 5-0 win in their semifinal match.

A lot of rain marked the final in the Prince Charles Park, in Nadi. The quality of the game was surely influenced with the pitch conditions to the heavy rains in the ground, what forced the players to battle harder for the balls to put themselves in forward positions.

The rain affected the quality of the football displayed at Prince Charles Park

Both Suva and Labasa had the chances to score in the game but the accuracy was no there. A match marked for much fight from the teams had to go to the extra-time when a certain player made the difference.

Dennis Ifunaoa was the scorer of a stuning goal to give Labasa the IDC trophy

It is always nervous to go to an extra-time, especially in a final game of an important tournament. But in the first minute of the extra-time, the substitute and Solomon Islands international Dennis Ifunaoa scored a superb goal, that found the left top-corner of Suva goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau. After so much fight from both sides – Labasa to defend its lead and Suva to find a goal to equalise – the game ended up in 1-0 win for the Babasiga Lions having Ifunaoa was the hero of the day.

The Labasa FC starting eleven for the IDC final against Suva FC

This is the 5th title of the Inter-District Championship for Labasa, that had his last trophy in the competition in 2016.

The Lions had a very fine season, winning as the Battle of Giants tournament and turning themselves in one of the top teams in Fiji at moment.

Navua wins IDC Senior Division

Navua has done it again! The 2019 Fiji Senior League winners complete the double and win the Inter-District Championship 2019 – Senior Division.

Navua made a fantastic season and will play next year Vodafone Fiji Premier League and also the Fijian Cups as a first-tier team. They have beaten by 1-0 Nadroga in the grand final with a late goal coming in the 82th minute from Alfred Ali.

A imagem pode conter: 11 pessoas, pessoas sorrindo, atividades ao ar livre — Navua FC Champions’ Team Picture

Navua is reaching some fast success in the previous two seasons: as mentioned, the team got promoted from the Fijian second-tier to the Premier League in the current season and in 2018 they also won the IDC – Senior Division title.

The 2019 edition was decided at the final minutes against Nadroga – Navua had beaten Lami to reach the finals while Nadroga surpassed Savusavu. In 2018 both teams also made the grand final of the Inter-District Champions – Senior Division and Navua also ended up with the trophy, beating Nadroga by 2-0.

Wellington Phoenix starts A-League campaign against Western United

The unique full professional football team of Oceania starts their run at A-League – Australian football top tier – 2019/20 season against the newcomers Western United playing at home ground in Wellington.

The Phoenix will be facing a very harsh challenge to receive back their former coach Mark Rudan after his polemical departure at the end of the last seaosn. Rudan accepted a deal with the new A-League franchise Western United and rumours emerged after some important Wellington Phoenix players – that made a very good season under Rudan coaching – decided not to sign a new contract with the New Zealand based club and followed Rudan steps to his new team. Former Wellington Phoenix captain, Andrew Durante, moved to Western United alongisde other very important players as Max Burgess and the A-League best goalkeeper of the year, Filip Kurto.

Under Rudan, Phoenix could bounce back after several season without competing at the Playoffs – finishing in a qualifying position, but lost their at the first stage against Melbourne Victory – and increased their fans hopes. Rudan surprisingly said he needed to leave Wellington due family problems – not keeping at the job until the end of his contract that was to be at the final 2019/20 season – at the end of the 2018/19 season.

Resultado de imagem para Mark Rudan — Mark Rudan former Phoenix coach will be at the opposite side at 2019/20 season kick-off

To replace Mark Rudan as head coach, Phoenix chose another Australian: Ufuk Talay. Talay was A-League champions last season with Sidney FC as assistant coach and was indicated by Rudan to the Wellington-based club board.

Krishna and Williams celebrating a goal vs Newcastle Jets while playing for Phoenix last season

With the departure of many important players – some to the new Rudan side, Western United – Talay needed to rebuild almost the entire team since before the new signings the roster had only seven players. The biggest absence in comparison with the last will be surely the ‘Fijian Flyer’ Roy Krishna that departed to Indian Super League side ATK after being the top-scorer and winner of Johnny Warren Medal – the award for the best player in the A-League season. In ATK, Krishna was joined by his partner at Phoenix, David Williams, another big missing for the New Zealand club.

Talay brought new many players, but the maintaning Steven Taylor – English Central Back, former Newcastle United – was surely a big deal. Taylor received the arm-band and will be the new captain in a rebulding season for the ‘Nix’.

Some young New Zealand talents came to Phoenix, as the case of former Eastern Suburbs and ISPS Handa Premiership 2018/19 Golden Boot winner Callum McCowatt and former Auckland City defender Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi. To replace the absence of Krishna and Williams, new imports were signed as the Mexican and former Chelsea FC midfielder Ulisses Dávila and the English striker David Ball. You can check here the full current squad of the Wellington Phoenix.

The Phoenix will be starting their new season this 13th October at 6pm NZT with live coverage of Sky Sports and My Football.

Keana’s dream: is it over or just postponed?

The dream of playing a FIFA World Cup is over for Maxwell Keana. He was ruled out of U17 squad just two weeks before Solomon Islands’ debut in the World Cup that’s going to be held in Brazil.

The 17 years old midfielder failed to a medical test which the whole squad underwent in a hospital in Honiara. He will stay in his country while his National Team mates will live his dream. He was part of the brilliant Solomon Islands’ squad that finished as OFC U16 Championship runner-up.

Maxwell Keana scored one goal in 2018 OFC U16 Championship

We hope Keana get well soon to show us his talent with Kossa and come back to National Team. He’s a talented player and surely will have more opportunities in Solomon Islands squads. Maybe his dream isn’t over, but just postponed, once he’s part of a bright generation of SI football and he’ll have the possibility to play a World Cup in the future.

Suva overcomes Ba to play IDC final for second straight year

Suva won Ba by 1-0 in 2019 Inter-District Championship in a thrilling semifinal. Christopher Wasasala scored a late goal in the 88th minute to take Suva to IDC final for second straight year to face Labasa.

After losing 2018 final for Lautoka, Suva comes back to final ready to lift this trophy for the 14th time in its history while Labasa won IDC four times. Both teams already clashed in an Inter-District final. It was in 1994 and Babasiga Lions screwed up the party by beating the host Suva by 1-0.

The Capital Boys counts on Wasasala finishing power to win. The number 10 scored four goals so far in the competition, being the current IDC top scorer.

Wasasala is the current top scorer of the tournament

For Labasa side, Atonio Tuivuna scored three goals in four matches. Despite scoring only one goal in this tournament, Suva needs to keep an eye on Siotame Kubu that can be a game changer for their defense.

Siotame Kubu celebrates winning goal in Battle of the Giants

Good luck to both teams and may the best win.

Port Vila Premier League kicks-off

The wait is finally over and Port Vila Premier League is back with a lot of goals! Come with us and see what happened in the first gameweek of PVFA PL.

Erakor Golden Star 3-0 Tupuji Imere (WO)

The kick off wasn’t kicked off actually. Tupuji Imere didn’t turn up for the match due to team vice-president’s mother death. They’ve sent a postponement request for PVFA but the forfeit info, for now, stands since some managers, media and even important players mentioned the postponement wasn’t done in time for Tupuji Imere. Erakor Golden Star was initially awarded with the three points. Let’s wait for the next days to confirm if this match will be played or not.

Galaxy FC 14-0 Yatel

As we previewed, Yatel wasn’t a challenge for Galaxy FC. With a massive win and a great performance, the blues smashed Yatel by 14-0 and takes the lead of PVFA Premier League. Kensi Tangis scored four goals and is the current league top scorer. Roberson and James Naka scored three goals each.

Kensi Tangis scored four goals and is the current league top scorer

Ifira Black Bird 2-0 Mauwia

Jean-Marie Manuriki and Olsen Sia scored one goal each to guarantee three points for Ifira BB against recent promoted Mauwia.

Tafea 2-0 Sia-Raga

Tafea’s title goalscorer in Port Vila Opening Cup final against Galaxy FC, Jordy Tasip came back to Vanuatu after U23 OFC Championship and showed why he deserves to be a National Team player. The young forward scored twice to give Tafea their first three points in the league. He’s really becoming an important player for Tafea!

Jordy Tasip scored a brace and helped Tafea to overcome Sia-Raga.

Next week matches:
Galaxy vs Mauwia
Tupuji Imere vs Sia-Raga
Tafea vs Yatel
Ifira Black Bird vs Erakor Golden Star

Take a look in the current league standings and the goalscorers:

Top Scorers
🇻🇺 Kensy Tangis (Galaxy) – 4
🇸🇧 James Naka (Galaxy) – 3
🇧🇷 Roberson (Galaxy) – 3
🇻🇺 Jordy Tasip (Tafea) – 2

Labasa rules out a shaken Nadi and advences through IDC final

Once Nadi President Javed Ahmed confirmed that eight players have been dropped from the squad and suspended, Nadi became an easy prey in Inter-District Championship semi final. Without Ame Votonui, Vuniuci Tikomaimereke, Christopher Kumar, Patrick Joseph, Mataiasi Toma, Jone Ralulu, Husseini Khan and Josevata Malakai, Nadi wasn’t able to deal with Labasa and lost by 5-0.

The playres were suspended due after a drinking spree to celebrate their win against Nadi in their final pool match. Ahmed also confirmed Coach Pranesh Amarsee has been asked to step aside until the end of IDC and Aginesh Prasad will be assisting the team for the Finals.

Christopher Kumar (8), Ame Votoniu (12), Vuniuci Tikomaimereke (9), Patrick Joseph (17) and other four players were suspended

Labasa goals were scored by Ilisoni Logaivau (2), Ashnil Raju and Atonio Tuivuna. The fifth goal was a penalty kick scored by goalkeeper Akuila Mateisuva.

The suspended eight offered their apologies to the team management and players yesterday and wished the team all the best. Their fate will futher be decided when the Nadi FA Board meets next month.

Labasa will face Suva or Ba in the final match tomorrow.

Port Vila Premier League kicks-off this weekend!

The waiting is over! Port Vila Premier League is back with four matches this weekend. Eight teams will fight for the glory this season!

Tupuji Imere vs Erakor Golden Star

Current winner 2019 Independence Cup, Tupuji Imere looks forward to make a better campaign in this Premier League season. They’ll have a tough challenge against strong Erakor Golden Star but they already proved they’re capable to win once they’ve beaten Erakor Golden Star by 3-2 in Independende Cup quarter final.

Galaxy vs Yatel

Current champion of Port Vila Top Four and qualified for 2020 OFC Champions League, Galaxy came back even stronger for this season with some new players like Bong Kalo, Gabriel and Roberson aiming their first Premier League title. Yatel probably won’t be a challenge for Galaxy.

Galaxy has a strong squad and is one of the favourites to the title

Ifira Black Bird vs Mauwia

Despite being favourite for this match, Ifira Black Bird needs to keep an eye on Mauwia. They faced each other recently in Port Vila Opening Cup and Ifira BB won by 2-1.

Tafea vs Sia-Raga

Current Premier League Champions, Tafea comes stronger for this season. After Amicale’s bankruptcy many Amicale players went to Tafea looking for titles. Just like Ifira vs Mauwia, they faced each other in Port Vila Opening Cup group stage and Tafea won by 1-0.

Tafea squad in 2019 Port Vila Opening Cup

Good luck to all teams!

Tony Kaltack: following Kensi Tangis steps in S-League

Tony Kaltack is having a brilliant start in Solomon Islands. The Ni-Van forward already scored 9 goals S-League, helping Solomon Warriors to reach the second place right after Henderson Eels.

Tony Kaltack is the current S-League top scorer.

It’s not the first time that we see a Ni-Van forward scoring a lot of goals and being important for Solomon Warriors. Kensi Tangis also had a great time while playing in Lawson Tama Stadium.

Currently playing for Galaxy FC in Vanuatu, Tangis had good seasons in Solomon Islands, specially his last one there. He was the 2018-19 S-League top scorer with 23 goals in 13 matches and also scored two goals in 2019 OFC Champions League campaign.

Kensi Tangis playing for Solomon Warriors

We can’t assure that Tony Kaltack will be as successful as Kensi Tangis, but his beginning is very promising and the 23 years old forward is ready to shine as much as he does in Vanuatu National Team!