Oceania Football Center

PVFA Premier League returns to action in Vanuatu’s capital city

The football season of the most important football league of Vanuatu returned to action this week; five matches took place in Port Vila Stadium. The new national champions Ifira Black Bird did not debut in 2023 for the local league as they are preparing for this week clash against Luganville’s Siaraga for OFC Champions League national round play-offs. The match that was scheduled against North Efate United was postponed.

On Thursday (16th Feb) the first match of the round saw a 1-1 draw between Mauriki FC and Seveners United. On Saturday more four matches were played: iCount Yatel FC won by 3-0 Penama FC – the former Fiji’s Rewa FC midfielder Alick Worworbu scored in his debut to confirm his team win over Penama FC.

iCount Yatel players celebrate one of their goals – *PVFA Media*

Another important match of the day saw the traditional Tafea FC to record an impressive victory over Mauwia FC by 4-1. The strong-striker Johnny Heheina scored a hattrick for Tafea that added three valuable points in the ladder – this match also marked the debut of Moffat Kiriau for Mauwia FC.

The powerful Galaxy FC made no mistake and recorded a strong 4-0 win over Shepherds United – goals were scored by Prince Tahunipue, Roy Alick, Selwyn Vatu and Jack Vira. This was the debut match of Solomon Islands international Tahunipue for Galaxy FC.

Galaxy FC team captain Selwyn Vatu – *PVFA Media*

In the other match of the day, Erakor Golden Star emerged victorious over Tupuji Imere FC by a tight 1-0 scoreline; the match also marked the return of Vanuatu international defender Jason Thomas to his boyhood club Erakor Golden Star.

Despite not playing this round yet, Ifira BB continues at the top of the table, followed by Galaxy FC and iCount Yatel FC – you can check the updated table by clicking here.

Fiji Football Association furious on team indiscipline; Pawan Singh sent home after straight red-card

After the heavy defeat against Indonesia, Fijian fans turned not happy with the result but especially with three red-cards shown to the team in the 4-0 defeat to the hosts of the next FIFA U-20 World Cup. The Junior Bula Boys are playing an invitational tournament in Indonesia and the first impression to the hosts was definitely not good: Melvin Mani, Thomas Dunn and Pawan Singh were sent-off in the 90 minutes of the game.

Pawan Singh, the most serious of the three cases, w as sent-off after altercation with Indonesian players; Singh hit the neck of an opponent after sending a lot of punches in his direction. Singh saw a direct red-card and Fiji FA made a statement about the case.

“After receiving reports from the team management today, the President, Mr. Rajesh Patel and the board has taken following decisions:

1. The player in concern who received a red card because of the violent conduct is to be sent back to Fiji in the next available flight.

2. Further disciplinary action will be taken against him.

3. The team management has been directed to work on the discipline of the team, both on and off the field in preparation for the next match and onwards;

Our sincere apologies to the Indonesia team management, players and fans at large from both countries for what happened in the match and be rest assured that appropriate action is being taken“, said Fiji FA in a media statement. .

The player in case is Labasa’s Pawan Singh, as reported. The media statement made by Fiji FA was reposted by PSSI – Indonesia Football Association – in social media. Many local football fans were unhappy with the incidents and PSSI stepped up to clarify the situation and state Fiji FA already took actions regarding the case.

Fiji U-20 side already played another match in the invitational tournament against Guatemala and is still to play another game against OFC U-19 Championship winners New Zealand later this week.

FIFA Women’s World Cup play-off: Papua New Guinea fell short to Panama after gigantic effort

The Papua New Guinea women’s team played a historic match against Panama in the FIFA Women’s World Cup play-off at North Harbour Stadium in New Zealand this Sunday (19th Feb). Despite their best efforts, the Papua New Guinea team lost 2-0 to a much more experienced and professional Panama team. This was the first ever competitive match of the Papua New Guinea women’s team against a team that is not from Oceania, making it a significant milestone for the team.

Panama opened the scoring early in the game, thanks to a goal scored by Pachuca’s FC Marta Cox. In the second half, United States-born striker Rilley Tanner scored the second goal for Panama. Despite the defeat, the Papua New Guinea team made a gigantic effort and were very competitive against a team mostly made up of professional players. The Papua New Guinea team, in contrast, all play in Papua New Guinea and are not full-pro players.

The Papua New Guinea team can be proud of their efforts in the match, especially goalkeeper Betty Sam, who made several stops, with Panama finishing 36 times to the goal but only managing to score twice. The CONCACAF representative team had many chances to score in the second half but could only add one more.

Papua New Guinea national team – *FIFA Media*

It was unfortunate that Papua New Guinea missed their most prolific striker, Meagen Gunemba, in the match, but despite this setback, the team put up a strong fight. The Papua New Guinea coach, Englishman Spencer Prior, must be commended for his efforts in preparing the team for this important match.

Panama will now face Paraguay to decide which team will qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held later this year in Australia and New Zealand. Although Papua New Guinea did not advance, they can still be proud of their efforts in the match and for making it this far in the competition. The match against Panama will undoubtedly inspire the Papua New Guinea women’s team to continue striving for excellence in the future.

Fiji: Lautoka announces new head coach

Lautoka Football Association in Fiji recently announced the appointment of Ronil Kumar as the new head coach of the team. T his appointment comes after the departure of the former coach, Anginesh Prasad, who left to pursue study commitments in Australia.

Ronil Kumar is a well-known figure in Fijian football circles, having previously coached the Ba Football Club. Kumar also had an illustrious playing career, representing Fiji eleven times as an international player. His experience both as a coach and a player make him a valuable addition to the Lautoka team.

Although Kumar has been appointed as interim head coach, it is evident that Lautoka Football Association is placing a great deal of faith in him. The team is hoping to return to its golden days which they reached the OFC Champions League final. With his experience and knowledge, Kumar is expected to help the team achieve this goal. At 38 years old, Kumar is relatively young in coaching circles, but his appointment as the head coach of Lautoka is a testament to his abilities.

Kumar’s duties as head coach will officially commence on February 20th, and fans are eagerly anticipating his first game in charge. With his experience and knowledge, he is expected to guide Lautoka back to Digicel Fiji Premier League title contention and good performances in national tournaments.

New Zealand starts U-20 World Cup preparation with a loss to Guatemala

The New Zealand U-20 side suffered a disappointing defeat against the Guatemala U-20 side in an invitational tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia. The match was an important preparation for the U-20 World Cup, which is also being held in Indonesia later this year. The loss against Guatemala followed a defeat suffered by another Oceania Football Confederation member, Fiji, who lost to the host team.

New Zealand started the match on a positive note, with Melville United’s Olliver Colloty scoring an early goal. However, the team’s fortunes took a turn for the worse in the second half, as they conceded three goals to Guatemala. The Guatemalan goals were scored by Daniel Cardoza, Jefrey Bantes, and Luca Avendendo at the 54th, 60th, and 81st minutes, respectively. You can watch the highlights by clicking here.

The defeat was a tough blow for New Zealand, as they had hoped to start the tournament on a winning note. However, they still have two more games to play in Jakarta, against Indonesia and Fiji. It is hoped that the team will be able to bounce back and put up a better performance in their upcoming matches.

One factor that may have contributed to New Zealand’s defeat was the fact that nine players were still to join the squad and had not yet arrived in Jakarta due to travel delays. This meant that the team only had three substitutes on the match. However, despite this setback, the team coach, Darren Bazeley, remained optimistic and praised the players for their effort.

The defeat against Guatemala highlights the challenges faced by the New Zealand U-20 side as they prepare for the upcoming U-20 World Cup. It is clear that the team will need to work hard and iron out any weaknesses if they hope to compete against the best teams in the world. Nonetheless, with the talent and dedication of the players, there is still hope that New Zealand will be able to put up a strong performance in the tournament.

Fiji U-20 side suffers heavy loss to Indonesia as three players are sent-off

In their first match of the invitational tournament in Jakarta, the Fiji U-20 side suffered a heavy defeat against Indonesia U-20. Despite managing to keep the scoreline at 1-0 in the first half, thanks to a goal scored by Arkham at the 35th minute, Fiji was totally dominated by the local team. In the second half, Indonesia added three more goals to seal a 4-0 victory – Kakang at the 50th, Resa at the 60th and Hokky at the 86th minute of play.

Fiji, coached by Argentinian Rodolfo Zapata, struggled to create any clear-cut chances and Nabil Begg of Ba was the only player who managed to pose some threat to the Indonesian side with a few shots on goal. However, none of his attempts really troubled the local team.

To make matters worse, Fiji had three players sent off during the match. Melvin Mani received two yellow cards for two reckless challenges, Thomas Dunn was also sent off, and Pawan Singh was shown a red card at the 88th minute after an aggression against an Indonesian player. Singh hit the opposing player with a punch to the neck, which led to a lot of confusion in the game. An Indonesian player was also sent off after the altercation.

Indonesia and Fiji in action – *PSSI Media*

The loss against Indonesia highlights the challenges facing Fiji as they prepare for the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia – watch the highlights of the match by clicking here. Fiji will now have to regroup quickly as they have two more matches to play in Indonesia against the U-20 sides of Guatemala and New Zealand, both of whom have qualified for the U-20 World Cup, which will also be held in Indonesia. The Fijian side will need to improve their performance and discipline if they hope to compete against these strong opponents.

Tahiti: AS Pirae beats AS Dragon in the first leg of the OFC Champions League national play-off

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AS Dragon and AS Pirae took the field yesterday – 18th February – at the Stade Pater for the first game of the OFC Champions League national qualifier in Tahiti. Dragon was undefeated this season and had finished the first half of the Tahitian Ligue 1 with a 100% record. In their last meeting beforehand the Dragons beat AS Pirae by 2-1 which had been held in the sixth round of the domestic league – currently AS Dragon have an eight-point lead over Pirae who sits third in the table.

The Pirae side had two major losses for this match – the brothers Alvin and Jonathan Tehau – and suffered the consequences early in the match when Dragon had their first chance of the match in a counter attack with Roonui Tiniarauarii in the 13th minute, coming out in front of the goalkeeper but shooting over the bar.

The game in the first half continued to be very disputed with both teams fighting for the ball, but failing to create chances to score. The last good chance was with Dragon attacking the right side of the Pirae defense, François Mu crossed and Roonui Tiniarauarii wasted another chance to score – not a good day for the Ligue 1 top-scorer.

In the second half, Pirae had more possession than Dragon and in the 48th minute they took the lead. Ariiura Labaste played to Jacques Tetauira, who made a beautiful throw to Yohann Tihoni, who slipped the ball into the box for Labaste himself to open the scoring.

As Pirae players celebrate their goal – *AS Pirae Media*

Dragon’s big chance to tie the game came in the 60th minute when Tevaihau Tehuritaua’s free-kick hit the crossbar. In the 78th minute Pirae had the chance to increase the score of the match with Tevaitini Teumere who shot from outside the box to a great save by Anapa Debruyne. But just after, the corner-kick conceded made Dragon to pay: Matatia Paama headed into the back of the net to extend the lead for AS Pirae. Watch the highlights of the match by clicking here.

The AS Dragon were dealt a further blow when Heimano Bourebare tackled hard the captain Raimana Li Fung Kuee a he had to be replaced. After suffering their first loss of the season AS Dragon will have a tough mission to reverse the score next week if they want to keep dreaming with the OFC Champions League.

Chris Wood scores against Manchester City; his first as Forest player

Chris Wood scored his first goal for Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League – a key moment for the New Zealand international that received some critics from his past performances from the local fans. The game against the reigning English champions Manchester City was a tough one, but Wood was determined to make an impact.

Wood was subbed in at the 79th minute, with Forest trailing 1-0 to City. The tall-striker had been brought in to give his team a more attacking presence up front, and he did not disappoint. Just five minutes after coming on, Wood found himself on the end of a cross from Gibbs-White, with City’s defense caught off-guard, Wood was able to tap the ball into the net to equalize the match at 1-1. It was a crucial goal for Forest, who were desperate for points in their battle to stay clear of the relegation zone.

The New Zealand striker’s goal was met with wild celebrations from the Forest fans, who were delighted to see their team hold on for a point against one of the best teams in the league. The result moved Forest up to 13th in the table, a solid position as they looked to build on their recent form.

For Wood, it was a special moment in his career. Having worked hard to establish himself as a key player in English football, he was pleased to have scored his first goal in the Premier League for he striker was also keen to credit his teammates for their hard work in the match, particularly Gibbs-White, whose cross had set up the goal.

Raphael Lea’i still unavailable for FK Velež Mostar’s competitive debut in 2023

Raphael Lea’i, the star player from the Solomon Islands, has yet to make his debut for his new team, Velež Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to a team staff member, Adnan Dizdarević, Lea’i is still not fully registered to play in the Bosnia Cup match against HSK Posušje, which is scheduled to be played today (18th Feb) – “There were some difficulties with the registration and I hope that next week it will be completed, and that Raphael will have the right to perform in the first round“, said Dizdarević.

Lea’i made history as the first player from the Solomon Islands to sign a professional contract with a European football club. He joined Velež Mostar in January 2023, after impressing during a trial with the team. The 19-year-old striker is considered a rising star in his home country and has already made a name for himself in the international football scene. “Raphael is very popular in Mostar, everyone is waiting to see him on the field in an official match“, added Velež’s coach.

However, despite his impressive track record, Lea’i has encountered some administrative issues that have delayed his debut for Velež Mostar. It is unclear what specific registration requirements he has yet to fulfill, but it is likely that the process will be complete within the next few days and he will be available for the first national league match in Bosnia and Herzegovina against Tuzla City (26th Feb).

Lea’i’s fans in the Solomon Islands are eagerly anticipating his debut for Velež Mostar and are hoping that he will continue to make waves in the international football scene. With his talent and drive, it seems only a matter of time before he makes his mark in European football.

New Caledonia: Tiga Sport proceeds to OFC Champions League group stage for the first time

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Tiga Sport secured an impressive 2-0 win over former OFC Champions League winners Hienghène Sport at Stade Numa Daly in Nouméa. This victory was all the more remarkable as it allowed Tiga Sport to progress to the OFC Champions League group stage tournament for the first time in their history.

The game started off with both teams looking to take control of the match and assert their dominance. However, it was Tiga Sport who took the lead in the 15th minute through Morgan Mathelon. The goal was a result of some excellent build-up play from Tiga’s midfield, and Mathelon showed great composure to finish clinically from the edge of the box.

Hienghène Sport tried to respond and get back into the game, but Tiga’s defence stood strong and kept them at bay. Tiga’s captain, Shene Welepane, then doubled their lead in the 25th minute after a communication mistake from Hienghène’s defence. Welepane seized on the opportunity, dribbled past the keeper, and slotted the ball home to put Tiga in a commanding position.

Tiga players celebrate their first goal – *Eleven Sports*

Despite some late pressure from Hienghène Sport, Tiga held on to secure a memorable 2-0 victory. The victory was well deserved for Tiga Sport, who had also won the first leg of the tie 3-1. The aggregate score of 5-1 meant that Tiga progressed to the group stage of the OFC Champions League, where they will represent New Caledonia. You can watch the highlights of the match by clicking here.

For Tiga Sport, this was a significant achievement and a momentous occasion in their history. It was a historic moment for Tiga Sport, who won the 2022 national league of New Caledonia to earn their place in the play-offs. The victory over Hienghène Sport, a team with a rich history in the OFC Champions League, is a testament to the quality of football being played by the team coached by Léonardo Lopez.

Tiga Sport will now look forward to testing themselves against some of the best teams in the Oceania region, and they will hope to make a strong impression in their debut campaign in the OFC Champions League.