Solomon Islands’ Prince Tahunipue scores in his debut for Galaxy FC in Vanuatu

Prince Tahunipue made a sparkling competitive debut for Galaxy FC in the Port Vila Premier League, scoring a crucial goal in his team’s win over Shepherds United last weekend. The 28-year-old full-back, who had previously played in Australia and represented the Solomon Islands national team, was the most significant signing of the season for the Vanuatu football powerhouse.

Tahunipue’s arrival had generated a lot of buzz among Galaxy FC fans, and he did not disappoint in his first outing. The defender showcased his skill and experience on the field, helping his team keep a clean sheet while also venturing forward to score the opening goal of the game.

Galaxy FC’s victory was a much-needed boost for the team, which is currently sitting in second place in the Port Vila Premier League table, behind the defending champions Ifira Black Bird. With Tahunipue in their ranks, Galaxy FC will be hoping to reclaim the league title this season.

Prince Tahunipue celebrates his goal – PVFA Media

Before joining Galaxy FC, Tahunipue had played for the Henderson Eels in the Solomon Islands, where he had established himself as one of the most promising full-backs in the country. He had also represented the Solomon Islands national team in the OFC FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament last year, where his team narrowly missed out on qualification after losing to New Zealand in the decisive match.

With his talent and experience, Tahunipue is likely to be a key player for Galaxy FC this season as they try to overcome their rivals and clinch the Port Vila Premier League title. His impressive debut performance will have given fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the team’s prospects for the rest of the season.

Jaiyah Saelua: The first ever transgender to play OFC Champions League

Jaiyah Saelua is a trailblazing footballer from American Samoa who has made history as the first openly non-binary and trans woman to play in a FIFA World Cup qualifier and now in the OFC Champions League. Born in the US territory of American Samoa, Saelua identifies as a fa’afafine, a third gender that is widely accepted in Polynesian cultures.

In 2011, Saelua made headlines when she played in the FIFA World Cup qualifier for American Samoa, becoming the first openly transgender player to participate in a men’s international football match. She went on to represent the team in 15 matches, cementing her place as a key player in the squad.

In 2023, Saelua made history once again by playing in her first ever OFC Champions League match for her team, Ilaoa & To’omata, the FFAS National League Men’s Competition 2022 Champions in the country. As a center-back, Saelua played a crucial role in her team’s performance, showcasing her skills and determination on the pitch. “The Leone Whites were the undefeated champions of the 2022 FFAS National League! In the almost 25 years that I’ve played football, this will be my first time at this tournament“, said Saelua before the starting match of the tournament in a social media post.

The defender made history in the OFC Champions League in her team’s defeat to Samoan champions Lupe o le Soaga in the opening match of the OFC Champions League qualifying stage: “Extremely tough game today with such a horrible result, but with such a young team, we can’t expect anything except for them to do their best & to gain the experience from matching up against high level teams“, said Saelua in another social media post.

Jaiyah Saelua in action (no.5) – Trina Gago

Saelua’s achievements have paved the way for greater inclusion and acceptance of non-binary and transgender athletes in the world of football. She has become a role model for many aspiring footballers, showing that with hard work, dedication, and perseverance, anything is possible.

Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles throughout her career, Saelua has remained steadfast in her commitment to the sport she loves. Her story serves as an inspiration to people all over the world, reminding us of the power of sports to break down barriers and unite us all.

A-League: Brian Kaltak returns to action as Mariners fight to draw against Glory

The return of Brian Kaltak, the 29-year-old Vanuatu national team captain, to action in Australia for Central Coast Mariners was highly anticipated by both the team and the fans. After being controversially sent off in the previous match against Sydney FC, Kaltak was eager to prove himself on the field.

In the match against Perth Glory last Saturday (18th Feb), Kaltak had an impressive game overall, continuing to be praised by the local fans. However, it was the Tunisian Selim Khelifi who scored two goals upfront for Glory, putting Central Coast Mariners in a difficult position.

But with two late penalties scored by Socceroos member Jason Cummings, the Mariners managed to make a remarkable recovery and salvage a point from the game, ending it in a 2-2 draw.

Central Coast Mariners are currently sitting at the 2nd position in the A-League table, the most important football league of Australia. However, they are now seven points away from the top-placed Melbourne City, and every game counts towards their bid for the championship.

Kaltak (left) against Perth Glory – CCM Media

Kaltak’s return to action is a positive sign for the Mariners, as he adds depth and quality to the team’s defense. His leadership and experience will be crucial for the team’s success in the upcoming matches. With his authomatic addition to the as soon as he was available shows the coach Nick Montgomery really believes in Kaltak’s capabilities.

Solomon Islands international Ian Kalu moves to New Zealand’s league

Ian Kalu, the talented Solomon Islands international, has been signed by Napier City Rovers, a Central League club in New Zealand. The young defender played his last season for Waneagu United in the Telekom S-League, and he also has experience in Australian football.

Kalu was a key player for Solomon Islands in the OFC FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament, where his team lost a spot in the Intercontinental Play-off to New Zealand in the decisive match of the qualifiers. Despite the disappointment, Kalu’s impressive performances caught the attention of former Solomon Islands international Andrew Abba, who recommended him to Napier City Rovers.

Ian Kalu (right) playing against New Zealand in 2022

Napier City Rovers, coached by Englishman Bill Robertson, ended up in 8th position last season in the New Zealand National League after qualifying from the Central League to final national league stage. Napier will be looking to improve upon that result with the addition of Kalu. The 23-year-old defender has already touched down in New Zealand and is ready to start preparations for the upcoming season in the Central League.

Kalu’s arrival will undoubtedly bolster Napier City Rovers’ defense, and his experience at the international level will be valuable for the team’s success. With Robertson at the helm and a talented roster, Napier City Rovers will be hoping to make a strong push for promotion to the New Zealand National League in the upcoming season.

Overall, the signing of Ian Kalu to Napier City Rovers is a promising move for both the club and the young defender. It will be exciting to see how Kalu adapts to the Central League and contributes to the team’s success in the upcoming season.

Junior All Whites records win over Indonesia in Jakarta

The New Zealand U-20 side showed resilience and determination as they secured a 2-1 win against the Indonesian U-20 team in a warm-up match held in Jakarta for the upcoming U-20 World Cup to be hosted by Indonesia this May.

This victory came after a defeat in their first match against Guatemala by 3-1, showing their ability to bounce back and recover from a loss. The team coach, Darren Bazeley, must have been pleased with the team’s performance, which displayed their potential to compete in the tournament.

The Junior All Whites took the lead at the 58th minute through a goal scored by the powerful striker, Oliver Colloty, who proved to be a threat for the Indonesian defense throughout the match. In the 70th minute, Jay Herdman, a Vancouver Whitecaps’ player, doubled the lead for New Zealand, putting them in a comfortable position.

New Zealand celebrates their second goal – Friend of Football NZ

Despite the deficit, Indonesia did not give up and continued to push for a comeback. However, their efforts were too little too late as Ferrari managed to pull one back for Indonesia in the stoppage time with a header, but it was not enough to change the outcome of the match.

The New Zealand team will now face Fiji in their final match of the invitational tournament, hoping to continue their winning momentum and gain confidence for the U-20 World Cup. The team’s ability to recover from the first loss and secure a victory against Indonesia bodes well for their chances in the upcoming tournament.

Fiji U-20 allows comeback and loses to Guatemala in U-20 World Cup warm up tournament

This Sunday, Feb 19th, Fiji’s U-20 football team suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Guatemala’s U-20 side in Jakarta, Indonesia. This was the second match for Fiji in the invitational tournament, following their previous loss to the host nation, Indonesia. Despite the defeat, Fiji displayed a better performance, especially in the first half, where they managed to take the lead with a goal from Gulam Razool, a Ba player, assisted by Peniasi Rotidara. You can watch the goals of the match by clicking here.

Fiji’s U-20 team, coached by Rodolfo Zapata, is currently preparing for the U-20 World Cup, which will also be held in Indonesia. The invitational tournament is a crucial opportunity for the Fijians to hone their skills and test themselves against tough opposition before the World Cup.

Fiji vs Guatemala entering the field of play – Vidio

Fiji’s early lead in the match against Guatemala was a promising sign, but they seemed to tire quickly in the second half, which affected their performance on the field. They eventually conceded three goals, allowing Guatemala to take control of the game and secure a comfortable victory. Fiji’s defense was breached for the first time in the 69th minute of the game, which proved to be the turning point of the match.

Despite the defeat, Fiji’s U-20 team still has one more game to play in the invitational tournament, against New Zealand’s U-20 side later in the week. They will need to regroup quickly and work on their fitness levels to avoid a similar outcome against the Kiwis. The U-20 World Cup is fast approaching, and Fiji will need to be in top form if they hope to compete against the best youth football teams from around the world.

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, was 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.

Singh aggresion – Vidio

“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. This 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.

Ronil Kumar

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.