Oceania Football Center

Overseas-based players to boost Fijian squad heading to FIFA U-20 World Cup

Fiji’s U-20 team is set to receive a big boost ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, with the addition of two young defenders: the 18-year-old Semi Nabenu and the 17-year-old Josh Laqeretabua. Both players are set to join the squad in preparation for the tournament, which will be held in Indonesia this May.

Semi Nabenu, who plays for Auckland United in New Zealand’s Northern League, has already recorded his first minutes in the senior team. He is a central defender who possesses good technical ability and has a strong physical presence on the pitch. Nabenu’s experience playing at a senior level will be valuable for Fiji’s U-20 squad as they prepare to face tough opposition in the tournament.

Josh Laqeretabua, who currently plays for Charlton Athletic’s U-18 team in England, is also set to join Fiji’s U-20 squad. Although he has not yet played at the senior level, Laqeretabua’s strong performances at the youth level have caught the attention of Fiji’s U-20 team management that invited the player to join the squad. Laqeretabua is also a central defender and is known for his ability to read the game well and make crucial interceptions.

Both players are set to play a crucial role in shoring up Fiji’s defense, which struggled in a recent invitational tournament in Indonesia. The team lost all three matches and conceded ten goals, while scoring just one. The addition of Nabenu and Laqeretabua should give the team a much-needed boost as they prepare for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Fiji’s U-20 team is coached by Argentinian Rodolfo Zapata, who will be counting on his new defenders to provide a solid foundation for the team. With the tournament just a few months away, Fiji will be looking to improve on their recent performances and make a strong showing at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Vanuatu: Ifira Black Bird records strong win over Siaraga in OFC Champions League national play-off

In the national round of the OFC Champions League in Vanuatu Ifira Black Bird defeated Siaraga from Luganville with a convincing 3-0 win in the first leg of the play-off. The match was held in VFF Freshwater Stadium in Port Vila, Vanuatu, and saw Ifira Black Bird dominate the game with their impressive performance.

The match started off on an equal footing, with both teams displaying their skills and tactics to try and gain an upper hand. However, it was in the second half that Ifira Black Bird really turned up the heat and took control of the game. The first goal came in the 53rd minute from a long-range shot by Kerry Iawak, the former Police FC player. Siaraga goalkeeper made a valiant effort to save the shot, but the ball sailed past him into the back of the net.

Ifira Black Bird did not stop there, and their second goal came in the 64th minute, when Alphonse Lency took the rebound of the goalkeeper to score another from the corner-kick. With a 2-0 lead, Ifira Black Bird was clearly in the driver’s seat, and their confidence continued to grow. The third and final goal of the match came in the 77th minute from the strong striker Tonly Kalotang, putting the game beyond doubt and securing a 3-0 win for Ifira Black Bird. It is also important to mention the impressive performance of Ifira’s midfielder Godine Tenene who participated in the creation of the three goals of his team and also orchestrated his side in the pitch.

Ifira BB players celebrate one of their goals – *Eleven Sports*

The win gives Ifira Black Bird a big advantage going into the second leg of the play-off, which will be held in Luganville. Siaraga, on the other hand, will need to regroup and come up with a new game plan if they hope to turn the tables on their opponents. This was the first time Siaraga has made it to the play-offs, and they will need to step up their game if they want to keep their hopes of qualifying for the OFC Champions League alive.

It was an impressive performance by Ifira Black Bird, who have now won both the national league and the first leg of the play-off against Siaraga. The team will be looking to maintain their winning momentum in the second leg and secure their place in the OFC Champions League group stage that will be also played in Vanuatu.

Kossa and Solomon Warriors draw in first leg of Solomon Islands’ O-League national play-off

On the day of the highly anticipated OFC Champions League national play-off between Kossa FC and Solomon Warriors, fans were treated to a tightly contested match at the Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara. The game, played in two legs, was expected to be a fierce battle between the top-two finalists of the Telekom S-League for the right to represent the Solomon Islands in the OFC Champions League group stage, which will be held in Vanuatu this May.

In the first half, both teams started brightly, with Kossa and Solomon Warriors exchanging blows in the opening minutes of the game. It was the Telekom S-League top-scorer Gagame Feni of Kossa FC who broke the deadlock, scoring in the final minutes of the first half to give his team the lead.

In the second half, Solomon Warriors came out with renewed energy, and their persistence paid off as they were awarded a set piece. It was the defender Aengari Gagame who rose highest and scored a powerful header to level the score. The rest of the second half saw both teams battle fiercely for the winning goal, but neither team could find the back of the net.

A lot of contest for the ball marked the clash between Warriors and Kossa – *TSL Media*

The game was not without controversy, as experienced defender Emmanuel Poila of Warriors was sent off in the 84th minute after receiving his second yellow card. The referees took some time to make the decision, causing confusion among the players and fans.

Kossa tried to take advantage of their one-man advantage and put pressure on Solomon Warriors in the final minutes of the game. Gagame Feni had a free-kick opportunity to score the winning goal, but unfortunately for Kossa, he couldn’t keep the ball down and it went over the bar.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw, which sets up an exciting second leg and a decisive game to decide which team will represent the Solomon Islands in the OFC Champions League group stage.

Fiji U-20 loses to Junior All Whites by 3-0 in the final outing in Indonesia’s friendly tournament

On the final match of the invitational friendly tournament in Jakarta, the New Zealand U-20 side outplayed the Fiji U-20 side, clinching a 3-0 victory. The win came as a huge boost for the New Zealand side as they gear up for the upcoming U-20 World Cup in Indonesia.

Fiji, on the other hand, had a disappointing campaign as they lost all three games and conceded a whopping 10 goals, while managing to score only one. The team’s coach, Rodolfo Zapata, will need to regroup and improve the team’s performance before the World Cup.

New Zealand dominated the match from the outset, scoring two goals within the first 10 minutes of the game. Charlie Beale opened the scoring for the Kiwis after a great assist from Oscar Bell, before Bell himself got on the scoresheet to double the lead. In the second half, Jay Herdman of Vancouver Whitecaps scored the third and final goal of the match, cementing the victory for New Zealand. You can watch the highlights of the match by clicking here.

The first goal scored by New Zealand – *Vidio*

The win against Fiji followed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the host nation Indonesia, which secured New Zealand’s second-place finish in the tournament. The winner of the tournament was Guatemala, who won all three of their games, beating Indonesia 1-0 in the final game.

Overall, the tournament served as an important preparation for the upcoming U-20 World Cup, giving the participating teams a chance to test their skills against international opposition. While Fiji will need to work on their performance, New Zealand will be looking to build on their impressive display and carry the momentum forward into the World Cup.

OFC Champions League: Lupe o le Soaga has dominant performance and thrashes Veitongo in Apia

Lupe o le Soaga’s dominant 9-0 win over Veitongo in the OFC Champions League qualifying stage was a strong statement of the team’s capabilities. This victory marked their second consecutive win after their 13-0 win over Ilaoa & To’omata in their first match.

The game saw a number of impressive performances from Lupe o le Soaga players. English striker Jared Cunniff opened the scoring for the Samoans at the 15th minute, and was later joined by defender Andrew Setefano, who added another goal with a header. Cunniff went on to score his second goal of the match with a lob over Veitongo’s goalkeeper at the 40th minute. Team captain Vaa Taualai also stepped up and scored a penalty, contributing to his team’s 9-0 win.

Lupe o le Soaga celebrat one of their goals – *OFC Media*

Michael Tumua Leo scored his sixth goal in the competition and fifth for Lupe at the 64th minute. Taualai also scored another goal from the penalty spot two minutes later, and Soliai Letutusa added another with a strong finish at the 70th minute. Darren Talilai scored another goal after a great assist from New Zealand-based Harrison Bolton-Roberts. The ninth goal was an unfortunate mistake by Veitongo’s defense, who cleared the ball onto Sione Fehoko, resulting in an own goal. You can see the highlights of the match by clicking here.

Although Veitongo suffered a heavy defeat, their goalkeeper Semisi Otukolo was praised for his performance, making a number of stops that prevented the scoreline from being even more lopsided – he even saved a penalty-kick from Taualai in the early minutes of the game.

With this win, Lupe o le Soaga will now face Tupapa Maraerenga for a chance to qualify for the OFC Champions League group stage. Only a draw will be enough for them to proceed. Veitongo, on the other hand, has no chance to qualify and will play their final match against Ilaoa & To’omata for pride.

Gagame Feni collects Telekom S-League’s Golden Boot award

Solomon Islands international Gagame Feni achieved one more highlight in his impressive carreer; playing for Kossa FC, the striker earnedthe golden boot for the 2022/23 season of the Telekom S-League, thanks to his impressive 34 goals throughout the campaign.

At 30 years old, Feni has already represented his country 27 times, scoring an impressive 13 goals. He has also gained plenty of experience playing across the region in countries such as New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji. Feni’s skill on the pitch has made him a valuable asset to his team and a formidable opponent for his rivals.

In the last match of the season, Feni scored a crucial goal against the reigning champions, Solomon Warriors, in a 1-1 draw. This result confirmed Kossa FC’s second-place finish in the table and earned them a spot in the OFC Champions League national play-offs, where they will face off against Solomon Warriors once again.

Feni is a player to watch in the upcoming battle for a spot in the OFC Champions League group stage; his impressive track record and ongoing success on the pitch are a testament to his talent and dedication to the sport. This Wednesday, 22th Feb, the first leg will be played between Warriors and Kossa at Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara.

Solomon Islands: Kossa books spot for OFC Champions League national play-offs

Kossa Football Club has secured their place in the national play-offs of the OFC Champions League after finishing second in the Telekom S-League, the premier football league in Solomon Islands. The confirmation came after their final game of the season against the league champions, Solomon Warriors, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Gagame Feni opened the scoring for Kossa in the second half, putting them in a position to win the game and clinch the league title. However, Tigi Molea of Solomon Warriors scored at the 90th minute to level the match, denying Kossa the victory they needed to take the top spot.

Despite the draw, Kossa’s second-place finish in the league ensures their qualification for the national play-offs of the OFC Champions League. The play-offs will feature a two-leg match between the champions Solomon Warriors and Kossa, with the winner qualifying for the OFC Champions League group stage.

The first leg of the play-offs will be played on February 22nd, while the second leg will take place a week later on February 28th, both in Honiara. These matches will be crucial for both teams as they battle for a spot in the prestigious OFC Champions League, where they will face the best teams from the Oceania region.

Kossa’s performance in the Telekom S-League has been impressive, and they will be hoping to carry this form into the play-offs against Solomon Warriors. The two teams have already shown their quality in their encounters during the league, and fans can expect another exciting and fiercely contested match between them.

Solomon Islands striker Ali Mekawir scores his first goal in United Arab Emirates

Ali Mekawir, the Solomon Islands international footballer, made history by scoring his first goal for TFA in the United Arab Emirates. He plays for TFA in the Third Division League, which is the fourth tier of football in the country.

Mekawir’s goal came in a match against Sport Support, where his team dominated the opposition with a 7-0 victory. He scored the third goal for TFA in the match, which helped his team secure a comfortable win. The goal was a significant moment for Mekawir, as it marked his first goal in the UAE and showcased his potential to play at a higher level.

Despite playing in the lower tiers of football in the UAE, Mekawir is looking to get the attention of football scouts and clubs in Asia. He has played eight matches in the current season for TFA and scored one goal, but his performances have been promising. The 22-year-old striker is determined to take his career to the next level and is actively seeking opportunities in Asia.

Mekawir’s goal for TFA is a testament to his hard work and dedication. It is a moment he will always cherish, and it serves as a reminder that with perseverance and determination, success is achievable. As he continues to play and develop his skills, he hopes to make a name for himself in the football world and fulfill his dream of playing at the highest level possible.

Tupapa Mararenga hammers Ilaoa & To’omata to secure second win at OFC Champions League qualifying stage

In their second match of the OFC Champions League qualifying stage, Tupapa Maraerenga from the Cook Islands put on an impressive performance against American Samoa champions Ilaoa & To’omata, winning by a resounding 8-0. The Cook Islands side had previously secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Veitongo from Tonga in their first matchday.

From the start of the game, Tupapa looked strong and dominated possession, creating a number of opportunities. In the first half, they found the back of the net six times, with Jake McCoy opening the scoring, followed by goals from Paora Porter, Taylor Saghabi, Lee Harmon, and another from Saghabi, before McCoy scored his second of the game with a fantastic individual effort. Although Tupapa missed a penalty in stoppage time, they still held a commanding lead of 6-0 going into the second half.

Paora Porter celebrating his goal – *OFC Media*

In the second half, Tupapa’s coach Tuka Tisam made several substitutions, which slowed the tempo of the game. However, Tupapa managed to score two more goals, with Dwayne Tiputoa scoring at the 87th minute and Ngametua Tuakana scoring a fantastic goal after dribbling past the defense of Ilaoa & To’omata. You can watch the highlights of the match by clicking here.

While Ilaoa & To’omata had a clear chance to score with Tino Vaifale, Tupapa’s goalkeeper Manaariki Pierre made a crucial save, preventing them from scoring. With this loss, Ilaoa & To’omata will not be able to qualify for the next stage of the OFC Champions League, while Tupapa’s next game against Lupe o le Soaga from Samoa will be crucial in determining which team progresses to the next stage.

New Zealand’s Matthew Garbett debuts in Dutch football

Matthew Garbett, the New Zealand international footballer, made his debut for NAC Breda in the Dutch second-tier league, the Eerste Divisie, on a disappointing note as his team lost 4-1 to Jong Utrecht. Despite the poor result, Garbett put in a solid performance and received a 7 out of 10 rating from the popular football app SofaScore.

Garbett in NAC Breda colours – *NAC Breda media*

The 20-year-old Garbett is on loan to NAC Breda from Italian side Torino FC and has previously played in Sweden. He has represented New Zealand at the international level on 12 occasions and scored one goal.

Garbett’s debut performance will give NAC Breda fans hope that he can make a valuable contribution to the team’s push for promotion to the top flight of Dutch football. With his pace, skill, and work rate, he looks like a player who can make things happen in the final third of the pitch.