Oceania Football Center

Auckland City ready for FIFA Club World Cup battle against African powerhouse

Auckland City is set to have one the most important matches of its football history; the OFC Champions League ten-time champions is going for its 10th appearance in a FIFA Club World Cup, this time, once again, in Morocco. The North African nation was the host for one of the most important achievements of Oceania football history as Auckland City in 2014 FIFA Club World Cup edition surpassed the local champions Tétouan, the African champions ES Sétif and almost reached the final match, but they were stopped by South American champions’ San Lorenzo – losing by 2-1 in the extra-time. The Navy Blues still claimed the bronze medal after beating in the penalty shootout the Mexican outfit Cruz Azul, then the North American champions.

Once again Auckland City is back to Morocco; after not taking part in the last three editions of the competition – in 2019 the New Caledonians of Hienghène Sport won the OFC Champions League, in 2020 Auckland City was awarded the right to take part of the tournament as the regional tournament was forced to an early end due COVID-19 pandemics, but they declined the proposal in order to fulfil New Zealand’s actions against the pandemics, thus OFC did not have a representant in 2020. The last edition of the tournament, the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup held last year, counted on the Tahitian champions AS Piraé – they were also invited to the tournament as Auckland City declined the invitation also due COVID-19 restrictions. The Tahitians were knocked-out in their first game after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Al Jazira, from United Arab Emirates.

The FIFA Club World Cup will be once again held in Morocco – *ACFC Media*

After beating AS Vénus last year in the OFC Champions League, Auckland City booked their place for the FIFA Clubs World Cup once again – the New Zealand representant is the team that most participated in the tournament. But, this time, the club might have their biggest opponent ever in their opening match: the African powerhouse Al-Ahly.

Al-Ahly won already ten times the CAF Champions League, being the runners-up in the last edition; as Wydad Casablanca won the continental tournament and also will be hosting the tournament, a spot was awarded to Al Ahly in the FIFA Clubs World Cup. The Egyptians collected three bronze medals in the tournament, being the last of them in the 2021 edition of the competition.

“In that regard we’re going to encounter a game where Al Ahly are the favourites. I like that on paper. The fact they’ve played 15 games gives them an advantage. That’s the reality, we know that. We come from New Zealand where we are normally the favourites and that means we are the underdogs here and that can be in our favour, we can utilise that in our favour“, said Albert Riera, the Spanish coach of Auckland City – but the despite the fact of the clear favouritism of the African side, Riera believes in his team: “A one-off game everyone knows anything is possible. My main concern is the players must believe they can do it and I believe they can do it. We believe we have a chance for a positive result“, added the coach in talks with Auckland City media.

Al-Ahly counts on a number of players on the Egypt football team, such as its main goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and the industrious midfielder Amr El Solia. The strong midfielder from Mali national team Aliou Dieng might be also a standout player for his club, alongside the Tunisian Ali Maaloul, that played the last FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year for his country.

Auckland City enters the pitch today in Tangers, Morocco (01st Feb) at 8am New Zealand time to play a very important match in their history, looking forward to make history once again where they achieved one of the most important milestones for Oceania football.

Lautoka: Antonio Tuivuna to stay with the Blues

During the last week a lot of rumours were linking the Fijian international Antonio Tuivuna to return to his former club Labasa. The defender achieved many success in the club and was voted in 2019 the best player in the country.

But the possible deal with the Babasiga Lions is not going to happen; it was confirmed to Oceania Football Center the player is going to stay in Lautoka according to sources in the club.

Tuivuna played nine times for Fiji national team and scored once – he played the OFC FIFA World Cup Qualifying Tournament last year. The defender is one of the best of his position and the country and his stay in Lautoka is certainly very important for the club goals this season.

All White’s Matthew Garbett moves to Dutch football

An All Whites’s member has a new team in Europe: the 20-year-old player Matthew Garbett joined NAC Breda on loan from Italian outfit Torino FC. Garbett’s new club currently plays the Erste Divisie, the second-tier of football in the Netherlands – the club currently sits 9th in the table this season.

“Garbett played in New Zealand in his younger years, including at Wellington. In 2020, he was transferred to Sweden’s Falkenbergs FF. After a year and a half in Sweden, he transferred to Torino, where he was part of the Under 19 team. Last October he made his official debut in the first team of Torino FC. He came on nine minutes before time in the Coppa Italia match against Cittadella“, said NAC in an official statement presenting the player – “With Matthew Garbett, NAC has a young midfielder who is comfortable on the ball. Matthew likes to look for the attack, but does not shy away from defensive work either; a so-called box-to-box player“, added in the statement.

It is also known there is an option-to-buy clause in the loan from Torino to NAC – the Dutch club can activate the clause at the end of the loan if they decide to make Garbett stay permanently at the club.

‘The Brick Wall of Gosford’: Kaltak continues to impress in A-League

The most important football player of Vanuatu continues to play a key role for his club in Australian’s professional A-League; the central-back Brian Kaltak is proving his quality in his first full-pro experience – and already received a contract extension at Central Coast Mariners.

Kaltak was voted two games in-a-row as the best player of the Mariners in the pitch; according to the app Sofascore Kaltak’s the best-rated player of his team in the season so far – rating 7.24 of 10. Despite not winning the both last matches, Central Coast Mariners continue to impress in the season as they are playing very attractive football according to Australian media. They are ranked 2nd in the league, five points behind the top-placed Melbourne City.

Due his very good performance so far in the season, the Ni-Vanuatu international was nicknamed by the fans and club media as ‘The Brick Wall of Gosford” – especially after saving a shot in the goaline few weeks ago – see video.

Brian Kaltak and Central Coast Mariners next duty is againt Sydney FC this Saturday (04th Feb) away from home.

Solomon Islands’ international joins Galaxy FC in Vanuatu

It was announced by Port Vila Football Association that the former Henderson Eels wing-back and Solomon Islands national team member Prince Tahanipue is set to join local giants Galaxy FC. The player, that represented his country at the FIFA World Cup Qualifying tournament last year in Qatar, last played for Wynnum Wolves FC in Australia and is set to join the former Vanuatu’s national champion.

Tahanipue in Solomon Islands colours – *Brian POV*

The 28-year-old player was in Australia alongside other Solomon Islands that were playing for Wolves, notably Micah Lea’alafa and Atkin Kaua. The players were succesful in trials in Australia as the Solomon Islands national team prepared for the FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament in Queensland. After reaching the final but losing to New Zealand the spot in the FIFA World Cup Continental Playoffs, Prince alongside his compatriots returned Australia and joined Wolves.

It is known Galaxy already requested the wing-back’s ITC (International Transfer Certificate) to Football Australia in order to complete the deal. The transfer window in Vanuatu is set to finish on 12th February.

Labasa rep Ratu Anare to join Ba for upcoming season

One of the most outstanding players of Labasa in the last season is going to join then Men in Black in the 2023 season of football in Fiji: Ratu Anare is going to reinforce the attack of Ba. It was today disclosed by Fijian FA that Anare applied to join Ba alongisde three other players: Mohammed Raheem, Gulam Rasool and Samuela Navoce.

Anare talked to Oceania Football Center about his transfer: “I just got transfered to Ba police station. It is going to be easier to me play here because I will be working already here“, said the player explaining the situation – “It is confirmed I will play for Ba“, added the player.

Anare (left) as Labasa player – *Fiji FA Media*

The 30-year-old player known due his pace played 15 matches last season for Labasa in the Fijian Premier League scoring three goals. The player also represented Suva in his carrer, already played 70 national league games in career.

Fiji: Bruce Hughes returns to Suva

There are good news for the Capital City Boys supporters! It has been confirmed by Suva FC’s Media today that the striker Bruce Hughes is going to return to play for Suva after a number of seaons represent Rewa. The striker achieved success in Rewa and can be an important addition for the team from the Fijian capital: “Suva FA welcomes Bruce Hughes back to the Whites camp. He joins us for 2023 and has gotten his release. The Suva FC family welcomes Bruce back to the Whites for another stint. He will be available for selection for the CVC this weekend“, said Suva in official statement.

This weekend Suva will be playing the first leg of the Champion vs Champion series in Fiji; and, of course, Hughes will be playing against his former club in the series. The OFC 2023 Champions League national playoff will also be played between Rewa and Suva, meaning Hughes will need once again to face his former teammates in a decisive series to determine which of the two teams will proceed to the O-League group stage.

Tahiti: a great football generation to come

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The year 2013 was special for Tahiti and for the people of French Polynesia, the Tahiti team came to Brazil to compete at the FIFA Confederations Cup. For that, Toa Aito made history by winning the 2012 OFC Nations Cup by surpassing Solomon Islands’ hosts at the semifinal and beating rivals New Caledonia in the grand final.

That generation led by Eddy Etaeta had names like brothers Lorenzo Tehau, Jonathan Tehau and Alvin Tehau, – and also Teaonui Tehau, Nicolas Vallar, Mickael Roche, Steevy Chong Hue etc. That is surely one of the best generations of the history of Tahiti football.

After the OFC U-17 championship came to an end Tahiti failed to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, but in compensation can get a glimpse of what may be the future of the national team. Names like Titouan Guillemant, Keanan Faure, Argan Clodic-Boucher and Vaitea Seguy have made their mark in Fiji.

Guillemant, Faure, Cloudic-Boucher and Seguy – *OFC Media/Colomiers Media*

Vaitea Seguy showed himself to be a true organizer in the midfield, always dictating the rhythm of the team and being tough on the opponent in the defensive half. His goal against Fiji at the third-place match was certainly one of the most beautiful of the championship.

Titouan Guillemant will surely be in the Tahitian football news for the next years; the AS Tefana striker finished the OFC U-17 Championship as one of the top-scorers, scoring in every match. His runs from the right into the back of the defense surprised all defenses during the competition.

Argan Clodic-Boucher stopped everything he could, conceding only two goals, Tahiti had the best defense of the championship, much due to the performance of the Paris 13 Atletico goalkeeper who is another product of the excellent school of Tahitian goalkeepers that has names like Anapa Debruyne, Teave Teamotuaitau, Keahinui Heinis, Moana Pito and also Camile Giselle goalkeeper of the Tahitian women’s national team who plays professionally in France.

Keanan Faure dropped a bit in performance from the start to the end of tournament but that did not stop him from being elected by OFC best XI of the championship. A very good player on 1v1 situations and with passes that break defensive lines.

Other names also deserve to be highlighted such as the right-back Kanoa Barsinas – who showed to have excellent passing skills – and the midfielder Tiahiti Colombani who is only 14 years-old and already scored in two matches in the tournament.

We will probably see a lot of these youngsters in action next year at the OFC U-19 Championship and later in the national team. Those compose a group of very good young players – diamonds that Tahitian football need to cut.

Fijian international has a new club in Australia

Former Rewa rep and Fijian international Savenaca Baledrokadroka has a new team in Australia; the player recently signed for NPL3 side Beaumeris Soccer Club in Melbourne. This is the third club for Savenaca in Australia as the player already represented Frankston Pines and Doveton.

Baledrodroka, that represented Fiji national team seven times and also played for its U-23 team, moved to Australia in 2019 to join Frankston Pines. The player had a rapid rise in the local football as he is currently playing three-tiers higher than he arrived in Australia.

Savenaca Baledrokadroka – *Beaumeris SC Media*

Kevin Taylor, that coached Savenaca at Frankston Pines and is now currently in the technical staff of his new team Beaumeris SC, talked to Oceania Football Center about the current situation of the player in Australia: “Savenaca is doing very well. He’s definitely taking a big step in fitness” said Taylor.

The player might be in the radar of Fiji national team head coach Flemming Serritslev for the next duties of the Bula Boys as he is certainly improving his status in local football in Australia.

OFFICIAL: Raphael Lea’i signs professional contract in Europe

It is now official, Raphael Lea’i is now a professional player! The Solomon Islands attacker has signed a deal with FK Velež Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina first-tier division, making him the first senior player ever from Solomon Islands to sign a contract in European football.

“Football club Velež Mostar informs all its members, fans and friends of the club that Raphael Ohanua Lea’i Jr. has officially became a new player of our Club. In the presence of the director of the Velež Football Club, Sanjin Alagić, on Friday, in the official premises of the Club, and after a successful trial in which he met the criteria of Velež’s professional staff“, said the club in its official statement.

Raphael Lea’i signing his new deal in Europe – *FK Velež Mostar Media*

It is known the player signed a contract until May, 2024 with an option to extend the deal for another year, as stated also in press release by the Bosnian club. Lea’i had player previously friendly matches for the club and also started the last of them against FK Igman Konjic, also a first-tier team in the country.