Oceania Football Center

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.

After 10 months Sarpreet Singh returns at a high level in Germany

Sarpreet Singh, the talented New Zealand international footballer, has made a triumphant return to football after a 10-month absence. Singh’s last match was in April 2022, when he suffered an injury to his osteitis pubis, a painful condition that affects the pelvic bone. After recovering from his injury, Singh was set to return to action for Jahn Regensburg, the 2. Bundesliga side where he was on loan from FC Bayern Munich. However, an administrative error by the club meant that Singh was unable to play for the first part of the season.

Despite these setbacks, Singh made a strong comeback in January 2023, playing a total of 258 minutes across four matches. He recorded one assist, one goal, and 10 key passes, demonstrating his skill and creativity on the pitch. Singh’s form is particularly impressive given his long layoff from the game, and it bodes well for his future prospects.

Singh is attached to FC Bayern Munich, one of the biggest and most successful football clubs in the world. However, he is currently on loan to Jahn Regensburg for the second season in a row. The 24-year-old midfielder has already made a name for himself in New Zealand when playing for the Wellington Phoenix he is looking to cement his place in European football.

Singh has also represented the New Zealand national team, the All Whites, on nine occasions, scoring one goal. He missed the team’s recent friendly matches against Australia, but his strong performances in club football suggest that he may soon be back in the international fold.

All White Bill Tuiloma is traded in Major League Soccer

Bill Tuiloma, the New Zealand international footballer, has a new team in United States. The defender has left Portland Timbers, where he spent six years, to join Charlotte FC, that is preparing for the start of the 2023 season.

Tuiloma’s move to Charlotte FC was completed last 16th February and it is reported that Portland Timbers will receive around 1.27 million NZD for the transfer, with potential add-ons of up to 160k NZD.

Tuiloma’s time with Portland Timbers was successful, as he helped the team win the Western Conference Championship in 2018 and reach the MLS Cup Final that same year. He also made over 100 appearances for the club in all competitions, establishing himself as a key member of the team. Prior to his time in the United States, Tuiloma played in French football for Marseille and Strasbourg.

Bill Tuiloma celebrates his goal against Solomon Islands for New Zealand last year – *Photosport*

Tuiloma has also been a regular member of the New Zealand national team, known as the All Whites. He has represented his country on 36 occasions, scoring four goals in the process.

At 27 years old, Tuiloma still has plenty of time to make an impact in Major League Soccer with his new club. His experience in French football and success with Portland Timbers will make him a valuable addition to the Charlotte FC squad, and fans of the club will be excited to see what he can bring to the team.

Alick Worworbu has instant impact for iCount Yatel FC

Alick Worworbu’s debut for iCount Yatel in the return of the PVFA Premier League was nothing short of spectacular. The 25-year-old midfielder, who joined the team from Fiji’s national league champions Rewa FC, made an instant impact as his team secured a 3-0 victory over Penama FC.

Worworbu’s goal in his debut for his new team was a testament to his skill and determination on the field. It was clear that he was eager to prove his worth to his new teammates and fans alike. His performance showed that he was ready to be a key player for iCount Yatel in the reimander of the season.

The midfielder’s experience playing in the OFC Champions League with Rewa FC has undoubtedly helped him develop his skills and hone his craft. It is clear that he is an upcoming star for football in Vanuatu and has the potential to make a significant impact in the PVFA Premier League.

iCount Yatel currently sits in third place in the PVFA Premier League table, and Worworbu’s arrival is expected to give the team a boost as they look to climb up the standings. With his skills and experience, he is poised to help his team achieve success in the league.

Vanuatu: Jason Thomas is back for Erakor Golden Star

The tall-defender Jason Thomas has a new team, or not that new to him: the Vanuatu international defender left iCount Yatel and returned to his boyhood club, Erakor Golden Star, where he has already achieved success.

Thomas has had a varied career in football so far, having played in Fiji and even spent some time in Cambodia. He has also represented Vanuatu at the U-20 World Cup in 2017, where he showcased his skills on the international stage.

Since returning to Erakor Golden Star, Thomas has wasted no time in making an impact. He made his debut in the team’s most recent 1-0 win over Tupuji Imere in the PVFA Premier League, and his experience and skills on the field were evident.

Thomas’s decision to return to his boyhood club has clearly paid off, as he has been able to find success and fulfillment in his football career. However, it has not always been smooth sailing for him. He recently had to take a break from football due to work commitments that took him to Australia, but he was able to come back and resume his career with Erakor Golden Star.