Oceania Football Center

Raphael Lea’i come as late substitute as FK Velež collects valuable three points in Bosnian Premier League

Raphael Lea’i and his team, FK Velež, secured a crucial 2-0 win over FK Borac in the m:tel Premier League on Monday, 1st April. Despite being subbed in only during injury time in the second half, the Solomon Islands’ star played his part in helping his team secure a valuable victory.

FK Velež now sits in fourth place in the league, just four points behind third-placed Sarajevo, who occupy the qualification zone for the UEFA Conference League. This win over second-placed FK Borac shows just how important it was for FK Velež to collect all three points.

Raphael Lea’i in a training session – *Radio Sarajevo*

The goals in the game were scored by Nermin Haskić and Nemanja Anđušić. With just four games left to play this season, FK Velež will be hoping to secure a spot in continental competitions.

Lea’i, who is only 19 years old and a recent signing, has been used sparingly by the FK Velež coaching staff. He has received little game time but it is understandable for a young player who is still adapting to a new team and league. Nonetheless, he continues to make an impact when called upon, and his potential is clear for all to see.

PNG Football community mourns the loss of former Kapuls’ star Neil Hans

It is with deep sadness that Oceania Football Center report the passing of former Papua New Guinea international striker Neil Hans. The talented footballer died at the age of 35 after suffering a stroke. The information was recently confirmed by the Papua New Guinea Football Association.

Hans was a well-known figure in the Papua New Guinea football community, having played for a number of clubs including Hekari United FC, FC Port Moresby, FC Madang and Kagua Erave FC. However, it was with Hekari United that he achieved his greatest success, helping the team to win numerous titles.

Hans was a key member of the Hekari United squad that competed in the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, UAE. His skill and determination on the pitch were admired by fans and teammates alike, and he will always be remembered as a true footballing talent.

In addition to his club success, Hans also represented his country on seven occasions, scoring five goals in the process. One of his most memorable performances for the national team came in a 2-1 defeat against New Zealand in the 2012 OFC Nations Cup held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, where he scored agains the All Whites. He was a true ambassador for Papua New Guinea football and will be sorely missed.

The PNG Football Association has sent its condolences to Hans’ family and friends, expressing its deep sadness at the loss of such a talented athlete. The football community in Papua New Guinea and beyond will always remember Neil Hans as a true icon of the game.

Brian Kaltak’s Central Coast Mariners qualify for continental football next season

The team of Vanuatu national team captain Brian Kaltak has qualified for continental football, following an impressive performance by the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League. The Mariners secured their spot in the next edition of the AFC Cup, the second most important tournament in the Asian Football Confederation, after finishing second in the table of the Australian top-tier league.

The Mariners sealed their place in the AFC Cup after an outstanding 4-1 victory over Adelaide United in the final matchday of the regular season. This result not only secured their place in the continental competition but also confirmed their place in the semi-final of the A-League.

For Kaltak, this is a significant achievement, as he will become only the second Pacific Islander after Fijian star Roy Krishna to play international football in Asia. This is a remarkable feat for the Vanuatu national team captain and a great opportunity for him to showcase his skills on the continental stage.

The Mariners will now wait for the winners of the elimination final between Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix to know their opponents in the semi-finals of the A-League. This is a great chance for the team to continue their impressive form and reach the final of the competition.

Ifira Black Bird grabs first win in Australia in preparations for OFC Champions League

Ifira Black Bird, the national champions of Vanuatu, have been preparing for the upcoming OFC Champions League in Australia, where they have been playing friendly matches against local clubs to fine-tune their skills and tactics. The team has been working hard to prepare for the tournament, which will take place in their home country of Vanuatu in May.

In their most recent match, Ifira Black Bird achieved an impressive 1-0 victory against Broadbeach Soccer Club in Gold Coast. The team’s star midfielder, Godine Tenene, scored the decisive goal, while the goalkeeper, Anthony Taiwia, made a crucial penalty save in the first half to secure the win.

The victory against Broadbeach Soccer Club will undoubtedly give Ifira Black Bird a boost of confidence as they head into the OFC Champions League, where they will be facing some of the best teams in the region. The team will have two more friendly matches while in Australia, against Peninsula Power and Burleigh Heads, to further sharpen their skills and tactics.

Ifira Black Bird players before the match – *PVFA Media*

The preparation of Ifira Black Bird in Australia has been vital for the team’s success in the upcoming tournament. The team has been able to acclimatize to different playing conditions, face different opponents, and work on their teamwork and strategy.

With their recent victory and continued preparation, Ifira Black Bird will be looking to make a strong showing in the OFC Champions League, and perhaps even go on to win the tournament. The team will undoubtedly have the support of their home fans as they compete on their home soil, and their success in the tournament will be a source of pride for the people of Vanuatu.

Kossa announces the addition of star midfielder Tutizama Tanito

Kossa, one of the most prominent football clubs in the Solomon Islands, has recently signed Tutizama Tanito, a star midfielder from the country. Tanito, who previously played for Henderson Eels, will reunite with his former coach Eddie Marahare at Kossa.

Kossa finished second in the last edition of the Telekom S-League in Solomon Islands, the most important football league in the country. However, they failed to qualify for the OFC Champions League last season as they lost in the national round to Solomon Warriors.

Tanito brings a wealth of experience to Kossa, having played in the OFC Champions League in the past. He was also a key member of the successful Henderson Eels team in recent seasons. Moreover, Tanito has represented Solomon Islands national team 17 times and scored four goals for his country.

According to Marahare, Tanito’s experience will be invaluable for Kossa at the TSL level. The coach has worked with the midfielder for four seasons previously and is confident that he can contribute greatly to the team’s success.

The addition of Tanito to Kossa is a major boost for the club as they prepare for the start of the Telekom S-League this Saturday (29th April) in Honiara. With his talent and experience, Tanito could play a crucial role in helping Kossa achieve success in the league and beyond.

FK Velež Mostar loses in Bosnian Premier League as Raphael Lea’i comes as late substitute

Raphael Lea’i, the 19-year-old Solomon Islands football sensation, was subbed in during the 88th minute of play in FK Velež Mostar’s match against NK Široki Brijeg on Wednesday, 26th April. Unfortunately, Lea’i’s side could not secure an equaliser, resulting in a 1-0 loss while playing away from home. The match was a part of the Bosnia and Herzegovina top-tier league, m:tel Premier League.

Velež had been under pressure to score an equaliser throughout the match, and Lea’i was brought on in the hopes of making a difference. However, despite his efforts and the team’s best attempts, they were unable to find the back of the net. The loss means that Velež has slipped down the table, dropping from fifth to sixth position – Velež Mostar best position in the league this season so far was 3rd.

This was Lea’i’s sixth appearance for his new club, and the fifth in the national league. In all his previous matches, he came on as a substitute. The young footballer has been making waves in the Solomon Islands and is the first player from the country to play professional football in Europe.

Lea’i’s presence on the pitch has been a source of inspiration and hope for young footballers in the Solomon Islands. He is viewed as a role model for many aspiring players, who see him as proof that with hard work and dedication, it is possible to achieve their dreams.

While the loss to NK Široki Brijeg is undoubtedly disappointing for Lea’i and his team, it is important to remember that there will be more matches to come in the league; also Velež achieved recently the final of the Bosnian Cup, what can be Leai’s first professional title.

Solomon Warriors vs. Hekari United international friendly is called off

The cancellation of the Solomon Warriors and Hekari United friendly matches has caused disappointment among football fans in the region. The matches were scheduled to be played on Monday, April 24th, and Wednesday, April 26th, at the Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara. However, due to unforeseen travel issues for the Hekari United team, the matches were postponed initially, and eventually, had to be called off.

Papua New Guinea’s powerhouse side Hekari United encountered difficulties in securing travel arrangements to Honiara due to logistical challenges.

Solomon Warriors and Hekari United sides

Initially, the matches were postponed in the hopes that the travel issues could be resolved in time for the teams to meet on the field. However, as the situation failed to improve, the organizers were forced to call off the matches entirely, citing the safety and welfare of the players as their top priority.

The cancellation of the matches is a significant blow to both teams, who were looking forward to using the matches as a final tune-up ahead of the start of the Telekom S-League this weekend. The Solomon Warriors, who are the reigning champions of the league, were keen to test their skills against a strong international opponent like Hekari United.

The Solomon Islands Football Federation already stated that the Telekom S-League will kick-off this coming weekend as scheduled – with Warriors match taking place on Saturday (29th April) – as the international friendly is not happening anymore.

Rewa stands three points clear over Lautoka at the top of Digicel Fiji Premier League

Rewa continues to dominate the Digicel Fiji Premier League after securing a strong 3-2 victory over Nadi. Asivorosi Rabo was the star of the show, scoring twice to help his team to victory. The other goal for Rewa came from the boot of Iosefo Verevou.

Lautoka, who is just behind Rewa in the league table, managed to stage a comeback against Suva with a late goal from their top striker Sairusi Nalaubu. The win keeps Lautoka within touching distance of Rewa, who sits three points clear at the top of the league table.

Labasa also continued their impressive run of form, securing a 1-0 victory over Navua thanks to a goal from Ashnil Raju. Meanwhile, Ba recorded a crucial win over Tavua, while Nadroga managed to secure three important points against Tailevu Naitasiri.

All matches in the league were played over the weekend, with games taking place on Saturday, April 22nd, and Sunday, April 23rd. The league table shows that Tavua and Navua are the only two sides still without a win this season. Tavua sits at the bottom of the table with just one point, while Navua is in 9th place with three points.

Rewa’s impressive form has been a key feature of this year’s league campaign, and their win over Nadi will further boost their confidence. With Lautoka hot on their heels, they will need to maintain their focus and consistency if they want to stay at the top of the table. The Digicel Fiji Premier League promises to deliver more exciting matches and thrilling moments in the coming weeks.

Roy Krishna’s Bengaluru loses Hero Super Cup final in India

In a heartbreaking turn of events, Bengaluru, led by Fijian superstar Roy Krishna, lost the final match of the Hero Super Cup to Odisha by a score of 2-1. Despite Krishna’s best efforts, Bengaluru was unable to secure the trophy as they were defeated by a determined Odisha side.

The opposition team counted on the impressive performance of Brazilian striker Diego Mauricio, who scored both of Odisha’s goals. Bengaluru managed to reduce the margin thanks to a goal scored by Indian legend striker Sunil Chhetri, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide in their favor.

For Krishna, who is in his first season with Bengaluru after achieving great success with Mohun Bagan in India, this defeat will undoubtedly be a disappointment. The Fijian superstar has been a key player for his team throughout the season, contributing with his speed, technical ability, and scoring prowess. However, despite his best efforts, he was unable to lead Bengaluru to victory in the Super Cup final.

Krishna during the final against Odisha – *ISL Media*

It has been a mixed season for Bengaluru, who won the Durand Cup but lost both the final matches of the Indian Super League and now also the Hero Super Cup. The team will undoubtedly be disappointed with their performance in these crucial matches, but they can take solace in the fact that they have a talented squad and even thou achieved to play three grand final matches in the season – in all national competitions they had played.

Looking ahead, Bengaluru will need to regroup and work on improving their performances in key matches if they want to achieve success in the upcoming seasons. With players like Krishna and Chhetri in their ranks, they undoubtedly have the talent to do so.

Solomon Islands’ star Micah Lea’alafa puts a superb performance as he scores his second goal in Australia

Solomon Islands international Micah Lea’alafa put in a stunning performance for his club FK Beograd in their National Premier League (NPL) match against Adelaide City. The 31-year-old midfielder scored a sensational goal to level the game and later provided an assist for the third goal of his team, securing a crucial 3-1 win for FK Beograd. You can watch the highlights of Lea’alafa by clicking here.

Lea’alafa’s thunderbolt goal was a sight to behold, as he fired a powerful shot into the top corner of the net, leaving the Adelaide City goalkeeper with no chance of making a save. The goal not only demonstrated his incredible skill and technique, but also his ability to make a significant impact on the game.

In addition to his goal, Lea’alafa also provided a valuable assist for Joshua Mori’s goal, showcasing his ability to create scoring opportunities for his team. This was Lea’alafa’s second goal for FK Beograd and also his second assist in the league, highlighting his growing importance to the team. He scored his first goal against Croydon Kings on 24th March.

Since joining FK Beograd earlier this year, Lea’alafa has been a regular starter for the team and has impressed with his exceptional talent and work rate. His performances have been crucial in helping FK Beograd climb up the ranks in the NPL South Australia, where they currently sit in fifth place in the standings.