Oceania Football Center

OFC Champions League groups set; competition to start this May

The draw for the group stage of the 2023 OFC Champions League has been concluded and the stage is set for a thrilling tournament. The event, which was held this week at the OFC headquarters, saw teams being drawn into two groups that will play in different venues in Vanuatu. One group will be played in Port Vila while the other will be held in Luganville.

Group A promises to be an exciting affair, with current OFC Champions League winners Auckland City leading the pack. The New Zealand-based club will be up against some tough competition, including Solomon Islands’ champions Solomon Warriors, Samoa’s Lupe o le Soaga, who qualified for the tournament through the OFC Champions League qualifying stage, and Suva from Fiji that qualified for the tournament after beating Digicel Fiji Premier League winners of 2022 Rewa in the OFC Champions League national play-offs round.

Meanwhile, Group B also features some strong teams, including Tahiti’s AS Pirae, New Caledonia champions Tiga Sport, and Vanuatu’s champions Ifira Black Bird, who will host the tournament. The group is completed by Hekari United from Papua New Guinea, who have won the tournament before and will be looking to repeat their success.

Auckland City FC, the current champions of OFC Champions League – *OFC Media*

The tournament, which is scheduled to take place in May, promises to be an exciting event for football fans in the Pacific region. With the top teams from each group advancing to the knockout stages, the competition is sure to be fierce, with each team fighting for the title of OFC Champions League winners.

The venues for the group stages, Port Vila and Luganville, are known for their passionate football fans and the tournament is expected to draw large crowds. The event will provide an excellent opportunity for players from the Pacific region to showcase their skills on the international stage and for fans to enjoy the best football of the region.

Nadroga: Stefan Ristic wants to make history in Fijian football

Recently, Oceania Football Center reported that Digicel Fiji Premier League’s side Nadroga FC announced the signing of a new head coach; Hadzi Stefan Ristic, with vast experience in European football environment, the Serbian is set to arrive in Fiji this Sunday (25th March) to take over the heading coach position of the Stallions.

Ristic talked to Oceania Football Center about his upcoming challenge to bring success to Nadroga FC again in the Fijian football scenario. “I am receiving a lot of messages asking me why I decided to come to Fiji and which are my projects for Nadroga that I can not handle“, said Ristic.

The start of the history of the Serbian head coach – that has experience in countries such as Estonia and Dominican Republic – with Fiji has started this year in a very different manner: “My girlfriend by that time and I planned that vacation in February, when I talked to people from the club and agreed to watch the game when I was there. I didn’t plan to work until the summer, in the meantime I broke up with my girlfriend, but I still decided to go to Fiji and, as it turns out, I’m staying there” said the 31-year-old Serbian head coach – “I am coming to take Nadroga to the Champions League, I will be focused on that and on my business“, added Ristic.

As Ristic mentions, he had a meeting previously with Nadroga’s board members and then decided to take up the job; he seems pretty much aware of the challenge he is having as he is set to take club’s head coach spot: “I think it’s clear to everyone that I didn’t come to Fiji to earn millions, I want to give maximum benefit and make the next period historically the best for this club. Nadroga existed before me and this administration, and it will exist after us, so it is very important that we all give our best in these moments. When I say everyone, I mean the administration, the city, the players, the fans and of course myself” he explained.

Ristic mentioned some of his projects for Nadroga and explains his views of is important to be changed by the club vision for the upcoming months: “we have to improve the communication between people and that negative atmosphere that reigns should be directed in a positive direction that would bring something good to the players and a motive to show that this position we are in now is not realistic” said the Serbian – “when I see that we are on the right track, then I plan to open an academy and a structure in the junior selections of Nadroga, which would remain after me and create players who would play for their local team. I want all 11 players from the Nadroga-Navosa area to come out at Lawaqa Park at some point in the future. Then I will consider that I have done a good job. There is a lot of talent in this area, it just needs to be well directed. As for the arrival of new players from abroad, we will only bring them where we have a deficit, and those will be players with experience who can help local players. Domestic players are still the priority“, added Ristic.

Nadroga sits 7th in the table of the Digicel Fiji Premier League with only one win from three matches – this proves Stefan Ristic is certainly going to have a big challenge as he mentioned his biggest goal is to reach the OFC Champions League of the next season with the Stallions.

Goalless draw between All Whites and China at Mt. Smart Stadium

New Zealand and China played out a goalless draw in a friendly match on Thursday, 23rd March, at Auckland’s Mt. Smart Stadium. The game was closely contested, with both sides creating numerous chances but ultimately failing to find the back of the net.

New Zealand dominated the first half, but it was China who came closest to scoring in the opening 45 minutes. Winger Wei Shihao sent a free kick just wide in the 32nd minute before forcing a great save out of New Zealand goalkeeper Oliver Sail two minutes before halftime.

New Zealand suffered a setback when their captain, Chris Wood, was ruled out of the game due to injury. Despite this, the All Whites put an interesting performance especially from players as Alex Rufer and Callan Elliot, who made his debut for his national team.

The game took a dramatic turn when New Zealand defender Tommy Smith was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. This forced the All Whites to concentrate more on their defensive end, but they were able to hold on for a hard-fought draw.

Chinese and New Zealanders wait for a corner to be taken – *Sportskeeda*

Both teams will be disappointed not to have found a winning goal, but it is New Zealand who will probably be the happier of the two sides, given that they had to play with a man down for a significant portion of the game. The teams will meet again in another friendly match at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Sunday, 26th March.

New Zealand is looking to build on their performance as they prepare for a new World Cup cycle, while China will be hoping to start their new era under coach Aleksandar Jankovic on a positive note.

Tri-Nations: Feni and Komasi goals give the win for Solomon Islands against Vanuatu

In the Tri-Nations friendly tournament in Lautoka, Fiji, the Solomon Islands national team secured a 2-0 win against Vanuatu at Churchill Park. Solomon Islands, coached by n the Spaniard Felipe Vega-Arango, showed great spirit and determination throughout the game, which was evident in their solid defense and attacking flair.

After a goalless first half, the Solomon Islands team came out all guns blazing in the second half, with Gagame Feni, the top scorer of the Telekom S-League, opening the scoring in the 68th minute. Feni’s goal was a result of his clinical finishing skills, which he has displayed consistently in the national league. The Solomon Islands team continued to push forward, and their efforts were rewarded with a second goal by Central Coast’s William Komasi in the 81st minute.

Solomon Islands national team – *SIFF Media*

Vanuatu, who had won their first match against Fiji by 2-1, put up a strong fight but were unable to break through the Solomon Islands defence. This defeat marked their first loss of the tournament, and they will now look to bounce back in their final match against Fiji U-20.

On the other hand, the win for the Solomon Islands team is their second in the competition, having beaten Fiji U-20 by 4-1 in their opening match. With this win, they have secured their first place in the process and will look to confirm it in their final match against the Fiji national team.

Overall, the match was a great display of footballing skills, and the Solomon Islands team’s victory is a testament to their good form under the head coach Felipe Vega-Arango. The team will be hoping to carry this momentum forward as they prepare for Pacific Games, to be played in home soil this year.

Bula Boys vs Junior Bula Boys: Fiji national teams draw at Churchil Park

The match between the Fiji national team, the Bula Boys, and the Fiji U-20 side, the Junior Bula Boys, in the Tri-Nations friendly tournament was a highly anticipated encounter. Both teams were looking for a win to boost their morale after losing their opening matches in the tournament. The game was held at the Churchill Park Stadium in Lautoka, Fiji.

The first half of the match was a closely contested affair, with both teams creating a few chances but failing to convert them into goals. The halftime scoreline was 0-0, with both teams looking to break the deadlock in the second half.

The second half of the match was full of action and drama. The Junior Bula Boys came out strongly and took the lead through substitute Samuela Navasa, who scored a brilliant goal to put his team ahead. However, the Bula Boys responded quickly and equalized through defender Simione Nabenu, who headed in a corner kick to make it 1-1.

The Bula Boys continued to push forward and were rewarded for their efforts when Suva’s striker Samuela Drudru scored a superb goal to put his team ahead. However, the Junior Bula Boys refused to give up and continued to attack, searching for the equalizer. In the dying moments of the game, Lautoka’s defender Sterling Vasconcellos scored a dramatic equalizer to make it 2-2, much to the delight of the Junior Bula Boys‘ fans.

The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with both teams putting in a spirited performance. Still before the final whistle Fiji national team’s Tevita Waranaivalu was sent with a direct red card. While the Bula Boys and the Junior Bula Boys would have been disappointed not to win, the result was a fair reflection of the game. Both teams now have one point each in the tournament as they will play Vanuatu and Solomon Islands in their final games.

International Friendly: New Caledonia beats Tahiti at Stade Pater

🇫🇷 Français

On Monday, 21st March, the New Caledonia national football team took on their Pacific Island neighbors, the Tahiti national team, in a friendly match held at Stade Pater, Pirae in Tahiti. The match was closely contested, with both teams showing their skills and determination to win. Both sides are looking forward to the Pacific Games to be played this year in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

The match started with both teams trying to gain control of the midfield, and there were some early chances at both ends of the field. However, it was not until the second half that the game came to life, with Makalu Xowi of AS Temanava breaking the deadlock for New Caledonia in the 69th minute. Xowi, who plays for Tahiti’s Ligue 1 side, AS Temanava, showed his class with a well-taken goal that gave his team the lead.

Despite the setback, Tahiti continued to press forward, looking for an equalizer. However, their efforts were in vain as New Caledonia held firm at the back, with goalkeeper Warren Hlupa making some crucial saves to keep his team in the lead. And as the game approached its final minutes, AS Magenta’s William Rokuad put the game to bed with a late goal in the 88th minute to secure the victory for New Caledonia.

New Caledonia national team – *Christophe Fotozz*

The win was a significant boost for the New Caledonia team, who had come into the game as underdogs. It was also a reminder of their potential to compete against some of the best teams in the Pacific region. For Tahiti, it was a disappointing result, but they will have a chance to make amends when they face New Caledonia again on Friday, 24th March.

The friendly match between New Caledonia and Tahiti was an exciting and closely contested game. The win for New Caledonia was well-deserved, and it will give them confidence going into the rematch on Friday. Fans will be eagerly anticipating the next game, as they look forward to seeing some more entertaining football.

Vanuatu international John Alick chosen the best player of the season in Solomon Islands

John Alick‘s impressive performances throughout the Telekom S-League season 2022/23 earned him the coveted title of best player of the season. The Vanuatu international midfielder played a key role in his team, Solomon Warriors’ success, helping them to win the league once again.

Alick’s contributions to his team’s success were immense. As a tall midfielder, he was able to dominate the midfield and create scoring opportunities for his team. He scored crucial goals in the final matches of the league, which proved to be the difference between winning and losing. For his outstanding performances, Alick was awarded the Golden Ball, the award for the best player of the season.

John Alick receiving his prize at TSL Awards Night – *TSL Media*

Alick has been a key member of the Solomon Warriors team for a number of seasons, and his consistency and leadership have been crucial to the team’s success. He has proven himself to be a versatile player who can play in a variety of positions, making him an important asset for the team.

Alick’s passing skills and ability to take powerful long-range shots have earned him a reputation as one of the best midfielders in the region. He is a hard-working player who is always willing to put in the extra effort to help his team achieve their goals.

With his team’s league success, Alick has also secured a berth at the OFC Champions League group stage, where he will have the opportunity to showcase his talents on the international stage. It is clear that Alick’s performances have not gone unnoticed, and he has rightfully earned the title of best player of the season.

Marlon Tahioa honoured to be part of Solomon Islands national team

The Suva’s striker Marlon Tahioa received his first call-up to his national recently; the player made a name for himself in Fiji, having played for Nasinu and Labasa beforing being picked up by one of the strongest teams of Fiji recently.

The call-up is certainly deserved for Tahioa, the striker is a good form in his club and caught the attention of Solomon Islands’ head coach Felipe Vega-Arango. The player is set to for his debut with his national team in the Tri-Nations friendly tournament that is taking place in Churchill Park, Lautoka.

“Honestly I feel great and honoured at the same time, because it is my first time to receive a national team call-up for the Solomon Islands. I know that there are many good players, but i thank God that he has given me an great opportunity to represent my country“, states the player in interview to Oceania Football Center – “I also thank the coach for giving me the opportunity to play for the national team, because it is once in a lifetime thing and also it is the highest level of football that we can reach“, added the striker.

Marlon Tahioa in Suva colours – *Fiji FA Media*

The striker, that recently helped his team to qualify for the OFC Champions League group stage to be played in Vanuatu this May, confirmed his presence in the regional tournament and also talked about the chances of his team in the competition: “Suva is a good team, the bonding between all the plyers is good. We have to work hard and work together because O-League is going to be tough“, said the player.

As Tahioa expects more international call-ups in the future, the striker states how he approaches the team camp for the first time: “I believe so that I will have more opportunitues, but I am being humble to join the team and work“, added Suva’s number 10.

Solomon Islands kicked-off the Tri-Nations in style as they won the Fiji U-20 squad by 4-1 and will be expecting to play Fiji national team and Vanuatu national team in the upcoming matches of the friendly tournament – and Tahioa for sure will be involved.

Telekom S-League: Phillip Mango awarded best goalkeeper of the season

Phillip Mango’s performance in the Telekom S-League season 2022/23 earned him the prestigious Golden Glove award. The Central Coast goalkeeper was a key player in his team’s success, helping them finish third in the league standings.

Mango’s exceptional form saw him named the best goalkeeper of the season, a testament to his hard work and dedication on and off the pitch. His leadership and composure in the box were crucial to Central Coast’s defensive stability, and his impressive shot-stopping ability played a significant role in the team’s success. Mango is also the team captain of Central Coast.

Despite his club commitments, Mango also found time to represent his country at the international level. He is part of the Solomon Islands national team that competed in the Tri-Nations friendly tournament in Fiji, what made him not avalaible at the Awards Night in Honiara to get his Golden Glove award.The experienced goalkeeper has played for his national team 26 times, demonstrating his talent and skill on the international stage.

Mango’s achievements in the OFC Champions League are also noteworthy. He was a vital player for Central Coast in the last edition of the tournament in 2022, where he helped his team reach the semifinals. His performances in the tournament caught the attention of many, and he was recognized as one of the best goalkeepers in the region.

Mango has proven himself to be one of the best goalkeepers in the Telekom S-League and the region, and his performances have earned him recognition and respect from his peers and fans alike. With his skills and experience, there is no doubt that he will continue to excel at both the club and international levels for years to come.

Tri-Nations: Vanuatu beats Fiji at Churchill Park

In a thrilling debut match for both national teams in the competition, Vanuatu emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over Fiji in the Tri-Nations friendly tournament. The game started with Vanuatu looking the better side, and they managed to score the first goal of the match through Ifira Black Bird’s Jonathan Spokeyjack at the 18th minute.

However, Fiji was not willing to go down without a fight, and they managed to equalize through Patrick Joseph, who scored from a penalty kick. The scoreline remained 1-1 at halftime, with both teams looking to take control of the game in the second half.

The second half started with Vanuatu once again showing their attacking intent, and it did not take long for them to take the lead again. Ba’s midfielder Claude Aru scored a beautiful goal from a free-kick, putting Vanuatu ahead once again.

Despite Fiji’s best efforts to find an equalizer, they were unable to break through Vanuatu’s defense. The final score of the game was 2-1 in favor of Vanuatu, much to the delight of their coach, Etienne Mermer.

This match was also the first game for Fiji’s interim head coach, Marika Rodu, who will have a lot to ponder after this defeat. Overall, it was an exciting match between Vanuatu and Fiji senior teams in the Tri-Nations friendly tournament, with Vanuatu emerging as the deserved winners.