Oceania Football Center

International friendly matches: Solomon Warriors to host Hekari United at Lawson Tama

The upcoming friendly matches between the current Telekom S-League champions Solomon Warriors and the Papua New Guinea powerhouse Hekari United are set to take place in Honiara at Lawson Tama Stadium this week. The two teams will play on Monday 24th and Thursday 27th April 2023 in preparation for the OFC Champions League, which will be played next month in Vanuatu. Both national leagues – TSL in Vanuatu and the PNG’s National Premier League – are also set to start soon.

Both Solomon Warriors and Hekari United have qualified for the tournament and these matches are crucial for their preparations. The OFC Champions League is a major football tournament that brings together the best clubs from across the Oceania region. Winning the tournament is considered a great achievement and both teams will be looking to make a strong start in these friendly matches. The matches are scheduled to start at 15:30 local time at the Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara.

The two matches promise to be exciting and entertaining, with both teams boasting a wealth of talent and experience. Solomon Warriors, who won the Telekom S-League last season, will be looking to build on their success and make an impact in the OFC Champions League. Hekari United, on the other hand, has a rich history in the region, having won the tournament once.

The friendly matches between Solomon Warriors and Hekari United are an excellent opportunity for both teams to prepare for the upcoming OFC Champions League. The matches promise to be highly competitive and entertaining, and fans can expect an exciting spectacle of football at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara.

Solomon Islands: Prince Tahunipue returns home to play for Central Coast FC

Prince Tahunipue is set to return to his home country of Solomon Islands to play for Central Coast FC in the upcoming season of the Telekom S-League. Tahunipue is no stranger to playing in different leagues, having had stints with Wynnum Wolves FC in Australia and Galaxy FC in Vanuatu.

Tahunipue’s recent brief stint with Vanuatu’s top-side Galaxy FC allowed him to gain valuable experience, and he is now set to make a big impact for his new team. His experience playing in different leagues will be an asset to Central Coast as they hope to have a better season than in 2022 season in Solomon Islands top-tier.

Prince Tahunipue in Wynnum Wolves colours

The wing-back Tahunipue’s skills are highly sought after, and his attacking flair and speed make him a valuable asset to any team. With his seven appearances for the Solomon Islands national team, Tahunipue has demonstrated his talent and ability to compete at the highest level for his country.

Tahunipue’s skill and experience will be highly valued by his new team and his presence on the pitch will be a formidable force for opponents to reckon with. With the Telekom S-League set to start soon, fans will be eagerly anticipating Tahunipue’s performances on the field.

New Caledonia futsal star Marcel Hnepeune passes away at the of 29

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It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Marcel Hnepeune, captain of the ASPTT team, who died this Saturday (April 22nd) during a match against FC Ferrand. Marcel was just 29 years old and had been the captain of the ASPTT since 2017. He was a highly respected player known for his efficiency and technique, and his untimely death has left the ASPTT family in mourning.

During the match, Marcel started at kick-off but was replaced after a few minutes of play. As he was making his way back to the bench, he collapsed and could not be revived. The cause of his death was a cardiac arrest, a sudden and unexpected event that has shocked the sporting community in New Caledonia.

Marcel’s contribution to the ASPTT team cannot be overstated. Last year, he led his team to victory in both the Caledonian Cup and the Super League championship, achieving a double. He was also a key player in the Caledonian selection, participating in the Oceania Nations Cup in Païta in October 2019, a qualifying phase for the 2020 World Cup.

Just a week before his passing, Marcel had received the player of the match award after his outstanding performance against the Fiji national team at the Melanesian Cup in Fiji. The Caledonian selection finished third in the tournament, and Marcel’s contribution was widely praised.

“Caledoian Football and Cagou Football are in shock after the sudden disappearance of Marcel Hnepeune, this Saturday, April 22 during the meeting that the international A futsal was playing with his ASPTT team, in the Super League futsal. New Caledonian futsal mourns the one who was one of its very best elements and above all a ‘big brother’ respected by all. To the family of Marcel Hnepeune, to his relatives, to the clans and to his tribe, to the ASPTT club and to the Caledonian Futsal family, the Caledonian Football Federation, its President Gilles Tavergeux, its Federal Council and its elected Members , its employees, send their most sincere condolences and join in the sadness caused at this time of mourning.” said FCF in a social media statement.

Marcel’s death is a great loss to the sporting community in New Caledonia. His talent and dedication to the sport will be greatly missed, and his memory will be cherished by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and teammates during this difficult time.

Solomon Islands’ Carlos Liomasia joins Tailevu Naitasiri in Fiji’s top-tier league

Tailevu Naitasiri recently announced in a social media post that Solomon Islands midfielder Carlos Liomasia had been signed by the Fijian top-tier league team. Liomasia, a former player for Real Kakamora back in his country, is 28 years old and is expected to bring significant talent and experience to the team as they compete in the Digicel Fiji Premier League. Recently, Liomasia had a stint in Australia NPL’s side Peninsula Power.

Liomasia’s signing is seen as a major boost for Tailevu Naitasiri, as he is expected to be a crucial addition to their squad. With his impressive skills on the field and experience in high-level competitions, Liomasia is likely to help lead the team to success in the upcoming matches.

Although Liomasia has been called up by the Solomon Islands national team, he has yet to make his debut. However, his performance in the Digicel Fiji Premier League is sure to attract attention from national team selectors, and he may soon have the opportunity to represent his country on the international stage.

Liomasia is set to make his debut for Tailevu Naitasiri in their upcoming match against Nadroga FC at Lawaqa Park. Fans of both teams are eagerly anticipating his performance, and many are expecting him to make an immediate impact on the field.

The signing of Carlos Liomasia by Tailevu Naitasiri is a significant move for the team, and it is clear that his talents will be put to good use in the Digicel Fiji Premier League. With his help, the team will be looking to secure victories and climb the league rankings.

FIFA U-20 World Cup: Fiji and New Zealand get to know their opponents

The FIFA U-20 World Cup is just around the corner and the participating countries are gearing up for the upcoming matches. The recent change in venue from Indonesia to Argentina has brought a new twist to the tournament. Fiji and New Zealand, two of the participating nations, have now got to know their opponents in the tournament.

New Zealand finds itself drawn in Group A alongside Argentina, the hosts, Guatemala, and Uzbekistan. The Kiwis will open their campaign against Guatemala on May 20th. The draw puts them in a challenging group, with Argentina being one of the favourites to lift the trophy. However, New Zealand has a good record in youth tournaments, having reached the round of 16 in the previous edition of the U-20 World Cup in Poland. They will look to build on their previous successes and aim to make it to the knockout stages.

Fiji, on the other hand, is placed in Group B alongside United States, Ecuador and Slovakia. They face Slovakia in their opening match on the same day as New Zealand. Fiji is the underdog in the group and will need to put up a strong performance if they hope to make it through to the knockout stages. The team is relatively inexperienced in international tournaments, having only qualified for the U-20 World Cup for the second time in their history.

Fiji and New Zealand last year at U-19 OFC Championship

The change in venue from Indonesia to Argentina has brought about its own set of challenges for the teams. The climate and time difference will be a factor for the participating teams. However, with the tournament being held in South America, it provides an opportunity for the teams to showcase their talents in front of a football-crazy audience.

FIFA U-20 World Cup is set to be an exciting tournament – a great opportunity for a rare exposure of OFC to international football. The change in venue has brought about a new challenge for the teams, but it also provides an opportunity for them to showcase their talents on the big stage. All eyes will be on the teams as they gear up for the opening matches on May 20th.

Vanuatu national team to take part of Intercontinental Cup in India this June

Vanuatu’s national football team has accepted an invitation from the All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) to participate in the Intercontinental Cup 2023 tournament in India. The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 9 to 18 in Bhubaneswar, India, and will feature four teams, including Vanuatu, Lebanon, Mongolia, and host nation India.

The Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) is excited about the opportunity to participate in the Intercontinental Cup 2023 tournament, which will provide the national team with invaluable experience playing against non-OFC teams. This will be the first time that Vanuatu will be competing in the tournament, and the team is determined to make the most of the opportunity.

The Vanuatu national team has been preparing for the Pacific Games 2023, and the players are working hard to improve their skills and fitness towards the competition to be played by the end of this year. Recently, Vanuatu played three friendly matches in Fiji against the local national team and its U-20 side and also the Solomon Islands.

Vanuatu’s last match against a non-OFC team was in 2019, when they lost 6-0 to Indonesia in Jakarta. Since then, the national team has only faced OFC opposition, including taking part of the last edition of the Pacific Games hosted in Samoa – competition Vanuatu is preparing for as it will take place again this year in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Roy Krishna and Bengaluru FC proceed to Hero Super Cup final in India

Roy Krishna, Fijian football superstar, played a pivotal role in Bengaluru FC’s victory against Jamshedpur in the semifinals of the Hero Super Cup on Friday, 21st April. The match was a closely contested affair, with both teams creating chances but failing to convert them in the first half.

However, in the second half, Bengaluru FC took control of the game and scored two goals to seal the victory. The first goal was scored by Jayesh Rane, who tapped in a cross from Sivasakthi Narayanan. The second goal was scored by the local legend Sunil Chhetri, who converted a header from a cross by Roy Krishna.

Roy Krishna against Jamshedpur – *ISl Media*

Roy Krishna’s contribution to the team cannot be overstated, as he has been in scintillating form throughout the season. His pace, skill, and vision have been key to Bengaluru FC’s success, and he has been involved in many of the team’s goals this season.

Bengaluru FC will now face Odisha in the final of the Hero Super Cup, which will be played on Tuesday, 25th April. This will be the third final of the season for Bengaluru FC, as they have already won the Durand Cup and lost the grand final of the Indian Super League. The team will be looking to add another trophy to their cabinet, and Roy Krishna’s form will be crucial in achieving this goal.

Solomon Islands: Don Keana confirmed to play for Waneagu United in the upcoming TSL Season

Don Keana, the talented 22-year-old midfielder from the Solomon Islands, has made a surprising decision to play for Waneagu United in the upcoming season of the Telekom S-League. The move comes as a shock to many fans and pundits, as Keana was heavily linked to the reigning champions, Solomon Warriors. The player cited personal reasons to make this change.

Keana had even trained with the Solomon Warriors squad, but ultimately decided to return to Waneagu, the team he represented in the 2021/22 season. The midfielder’s decision to snub the Warriors has left many fans scratching their heads, but Keana seems to have his reasons for choosing Waneagu over the reigning champions.

The midfielder has just returned from playing in Australia for Peninsula Power, and his experience in the highly competitive Australian league will undoubtedly serve him well as he looks to make an impact in the Telekom S-League.

Keana has already represented the Solomon Islands national team, and he was part of the squad that recently competed in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. His impressive performances on the international stage have made him one of the most highly rated young talents in the Solomon Islands, and his decision to play for Waneagu will undoubtedly be a major boost for the club.

Keana during training session in Waneagu United – *Waneagu Media*

With Keana in their midfield, Waneagu will be hoping to challenge for the title this season and improve on their sixth-place finish in the 2022/23 campaign. The midfielder’s technical ability, vision, and passing range make him a valuable addition to any team, and Waneagu will be hoping that he can help them take their game to the next level.

It remains to be seen how Keana will fare in the upcoming season, but there is no doubt that he will be one of the players to watch in the Telekom S-League. His decision to join Waneagu instead of the reigning champions may have raised a few eyebrows, but if he can help his new team achieve success, then he will undoubtedly have made the right choice.

Solomon Islands’ Barrie Limoki scores his first goal of the season for Nadi

Barrie Limoki, the talented 19-year-old striker from Solomon Islands, recently scored his first goal of the season for Nadi in their 5-2 away win over Tavua in the Digicel Fiji Premier League. The young rising star had returned to Nadi for this season after playing for the Green Machine last year.

The match was a high-scoring affair, with Nadi dominating from the outset. Limoki scored the second goal of the five in the match, displaying his skill and composure in front of the goal. The striker had been making some impressive runs throughout the match, and his goal was a well-deserved reward for his efforts.

Limoki is already a seasoned player at the international level, having represented the Solomon Islands U-17 and U-20 sides in the past. His talent and experience are sure to be an asset for Nadi this season, and his goal in this recent match is a sign of good things to come.

Nadi’s 5-2 victory over Tavua away from home is an important result for the team, and Limoki’s goal played a crucial role in securing the win. As the season progresses, it will be exciting to see what the young striker can accomplish for Nadi. With his skill and determination, there is no doubt that he can continue to make a significant impact for his team.

Rewa takes the lead of Digicel Fiji Premier League with a strong win over Lautoka

Rewa secured an impressive victory over Lautoka in the Digicel Fiji Premier League, winning by a score of 4-1. With this win, the defending champions took the top spot in the league table. Abbu Zahid scored an early goal for the Delta Tigers, but Aporosa Yada managed to equalize for Lautoka at the 29th minute mark. However, Patrick Joseph quickly restored the lead for Rewa just four minutes later.

In the second half, Zahid scored his second goal of the match, and veteran Kavaia Rawaqa sealed the deal with a goal of his own, bringing the final score to 4-1 in favor of Rewa. The win was an important one for the team, as it helped them climb to the top of the league standings.

Rewa players celebrate one of their goals – *Fiji FA Media*

In other matches during the round, Labasa put on a dominant display with a 3-0 victory over Ba. Nadi bounced back from their previous match with a strong performance, beating Tavua 5-2 on their opponent’s home turf. Meanwhile, Tailevu Naitasiri earned a crucial 3-2 win over Navua.

Tavua remains the only team in the league yet to record a victory, placing them at the bottom of the ladder. The league table is currently led by Rewa, followed by Lautoka in second place.