Oceania Football Center

Azariah Soromon: “It is a great start for the season to win ‘CVC’ title”

The Ni-Vanuatu striker Azariah Soromon, one of the highlight players of Suva. expressed his happiness with the Champion vs Champion series win of his team Suva against Rewa last weekend in Fiji. In an interview with Oceania Football Center, Soromon mentioned that it was a great experience to play in such an important tournament and sees the title as great start for the upcoming season in Fiji: “I felt very happy and after winning it. It’s my first time playing the CVC series and we won it and also for Suva Football for winning it for the first time. Lastly, a good start for our season“, said Azariah.

Soromon is in his second season with Suva and has already made a significant impact for the team. He was part of the Suva team that won the Inter-District Championship in 2022, and he also scored ten goals in the Fijian Premier League for Suva. His performances have been impressive, and he has quickly become a fan favorite at the club.

“I’m expecting a tough season“, said the Vanuatu international when asked about his expecations for the upcoming challenges – “also for the OFC Champions League play-offs the preparation is going well, since we are playing Rewa FC again they will be back stronger since their lost the title“, completed Soromon.

Soromon also talked about the chance he is going to have partner with his fellow compatriot Alex Saniel upfront as the striker will join Suva for the OFC Champions League play-offs: “playing alongisde again with another Ni-Vanuatu Alex Saniel it is another boost for me” said the player.

Before joining Suva, Soromon had played in New Zealand and his home country of Vanuatu. He has proven to be a versatile striker, capable of scoring goals in different leagues and competitions. The player has the experience of playing the OFC Champions League for Ni-Vanuatu teams Nalkutan and Malampa Revivors previously. The striker represented his country 15 times scoring seven goals.

Roy Krishna: “Form is temporary, but class is permanent”

Roy Krishna, the Fijian football star, has been in great form for his team in the Indian Super League (ISL). Despite a difficult start to the season, Krishna has been instrumental in his team’s recent recovery, scoring important goals and providing assists. Currently, Bengaluru is on the play-off qualifying zone, but they need to keep their form to keep battling for a spot in the postseason.

At 35-years-old, Krishna is the all-time top scorer of the Fiji national team, and his experience has been invaluable for his club. In the last five matches, he has scored four goals and provided one assist, helping his team’s push for a spot in the play-offs. It is also good to note that Krishna went on a 10-match goal drought through this season – but now, after recovering his form, he already scored five in the league.

In their last match against Kerala Blasters, Krishna scored a stunning goal, demonstrating his skill and ability as a forward. With Mumbai City, the leader of the league, up next on February 15th, Krishna and his teammates will need to be at their best to get a positive result and stay in contention for a play-off spot.

The Indian Super League is the top professional football league in India and features some of high quality players. With Roy Krishna in great form Bengaluru will be hoping to secure a spot in the play-offs and compete for the championship title.

Papua New Guinea ready for historic match

The Papua New Guinean football is ready to witness one of its most important footballing moments; the Lakatois, Papua New Guinea women’s national football team, is ready to face Panama as they battle for a spot in the next edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Papua New Guinea side – that won the OFC Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament – wil have a chance to play against stronger opponents hoping to achieve even more history for its football.

Papua New Guinea women’s team – *OFC Media*

The FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying play-offs will take place in New Zealand; on 19th February they will take on Panama at North Harbour Stadium in New Zealand and, if they proceed, they will decide a spot in the World Cup on 23th February against the winner of Chinese Taipei and Paraguay encounter at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton.

National team coach, the Englishman Spencer Prior has named star midfielder Rayleen Bauelua as captain: “I was nervous but very honored and proud to lead my team. It’s a big role, but I am happy to lead,” said the midfielder to PNGFA Media.

The team has been based in New Zealand in the last month in order to prepare for this historic moment; the team had played against Wellington Phoenix men’s age-group team and also against Auckland women’s local teams.

Papua New Guinea Squad:

GOALKEEPERS
🇵🇬 Faith Kasiray – Port Moresby FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Betty Sam – Poro FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Leah Loi – Port Moresby FC (PNG)

DEFENDERS
🇵🇬 Lavina Hola – Port Moresby FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Margaret Joseph – Bara FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Lucy Maino – Port Moresby FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Olivia Upaupa – Tusbab Laidamon FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Anastasia Gunemba – Poro FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Michaelyn Butubu – NCD Hekari United FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Shalom Waida – NCD Hekari United FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Gloria Laeli – Port Moresby FC (PNG)

MIDFIELDERS
🇵🇬 Yvonne Gabong – Port Moresby FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Rumona Morris – NCD Hekari United FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Ramona Padio – Port Moresby FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Rayleen Bauelua – Port Moresby FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Kesai Kotome – Bara FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Phillis Pala – NCD Hekari United FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Daisy Winas – PNG Power FC (PNG)

FORWARDS
🇵🇬 Calista Maneo – NCD Hekari United FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Charlie Yanding – Bara FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Georgina Kaikas – NCD Souths FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Nenny Elipas – Bara FC (PNG)
🇵🇬 Asaiso Gossie – Tusbab Laidamon FC (PNG)

Ifira Black Bird celebrates national glory in Vanuatu

Ifira Black Bird is the new national champions of Vanuatu as they managed to beat Luganville’s champion Siaraga in Freshwater Stadium in Port Vila. The team coached by Robert Yelou had to made their best to score a late goal to confirm their favouritism and clinch the VFF Champions League title.

As the match headed towards the end of regulation time, it looked like the match would end in a draw and be decided by penalties. But in the 91st minute, Godine Tenene delivered a pin-point cross into the penalty area; Tonly Kalotang, the Ifira Black Bird striker, pushed the ball past the Siaraga goalkeeper, sending the Ifira Black Bird supporters into a frenzy. Siaraga had no time to react and Ifira Black Bird held the 1-0 victory. You can watch Kalotang’s goal by clicking here.

Ifira Black Bird celebrates title – *PVFA Media*

The Ifira Black Bird players celebrated their victory with their fans, while the Siaraga players looked dejected after coming so close to winning the championship. Tonly Kalotang was named the Man of the Match for his match-winning goal, and Ifira Black Bird was crowned champions of the 2023 VFF Champions League.

Both teams will still meet in a two-leg series to determine which of them will represent Vanuatu at the next edition of the OFC Champions League – as the regional tournament regulations demand.

Worworbu back to Vanuatu after succesful stint in Fiji

Rewa is going to miss one of their midfielders in the upcoming 2023 season in Fiji; Alick Worworbu, a midfielder from Vanuatu, left the Fijian team Rewa to join Yatel in the Port Vila Premier League. He played 12 matches for Rewa in the Fijian Premier League and five in the OFC Champions League last year, scoring one goal against Lautoka at the OFC Champions League national play-offs. Worworbu’s return to Vanuatu makes him an important signing for Yatel.

Worworbu playing against Auckland City at OFC Champions League – *OFC Media*

According to Rewa Chairman Nazeel Buksh, Worworbu had to move back to Vanuatu as his visa was linked to his study commitments, and he had completed his studies at the University of the South Pacific campus in Fiji.

Worworbu helped the Delta Tigers to win the Fijian top-tier league last season; the midfielder was already spotted at training sessions with Yatel squad that is preparing towards the 2023 PVFA Premier League season in Port Vila.

Raphael Lea’i impresses with his hard-working mentality as he adapts to European football

Since Raphael Lea’i joined FK Velež Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina top-tier league, the S olomon Islands star got a lot of recognition worldwide. His development in his first pro-contract is being followed closely by a lot fans not only in his home country.

Lea’i took part of his team camp in Antalya, Turkey where he participated in friendly matches in order to prepare for the restart of the season in Bosnia. Oceania Football Center talked to Adnan Dizdarević, staff member of Velež Mostar, and he spoke about the views of the staff team on the development of Raphael in Europe: “Raphael is adapting to the way of training and matches with us, it is quite different from what he used to do, I hope that he will improve in the future and become a quality striker“, said Dizdarević.

Raphael Lea’i in action for his new club – *FK Velež Mostar*

Previously, Lea’i played a friendly match in Mostar where he assisted and scored one goal. Later, he joined the training camp in Turkey where his team played several friendly matches against clubs from countries such as Ukraine and Romania. “He is hard-working, diligent, wants to learn and progress“, added the Velež coach.

The first competitive match of 2023 and potentially the professional debut of Raphael Lea’i is scheduled to be played on Saturday (18th Feb) for the Bosnian Cup; Velež will be play against the also first-tier team HSK Posusje.

Komolong express his interest on Serritslev return to Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea national team defender and Lae City FC player Alwin Komolong – one of the most respected figures of Papua New Guinean football currently – has expressed his interest in having former Danish coach Flemming Serritslev back as the head coach of the national team. Serritslev recently left his role as the coach of the Fiji national team and had previously coached Papua New Guinea, helping them achieve one of their best results at the OFC Nations Cup in 2016, where they finished runners-up. Komolong and his brother Felix partnered as central defenders for that team. Alwin Komolong expressed his desire to work with Serritslev again, stating on social media, “Flemming is on the market again. Would love to work with him again. Can we make it happen?”

In the 2016 OFC Nations Cup held in Port Moresby, coach Flemming Serritslev had important players like Raymond Gunemba and David Muta on his team. Although the team did not win the competition, Serritslev is considered one of the best coaches to ever coach the Papua New Guinea national team, and he is highly respected by the players and local fans.

The Kapuls currently do not have a head coach as the PNG Football Association might be in action to fill this blank in order to prepare the team for the upcoming Pacific Games to be held this year in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

John Alick to the rescue: Vanuatu’s midfielder has instant impact as Warriors celebrate S-League title

Vanuatu national team midfielder, John Alic k, played a crucial role in Solomon Warriors’ victory in the Telekom S-League this past weekend. In the championship-deciding match against Wanegu United, Alick impressed with a fantastic free-kick goal, helping his team to a hard-fought 3-3 draw and clinching the league title.

Alick’s return to the team for this match was significant, as he had been away from the country and had not played a match this year prior to this game. Nevertheless, he was able to make an immediate impact, scoring a goal and helping his team to overturn a two-goal deficit. In the 90th minute, veteran Emmanuel Poila scored from a penalty kick to seal the title for the Solomon Warriors – as they needed only a draw to confirm their title. You can watch the highlights of the match by clicking here.

Perhaps the most intriguing detail of the match is that Alick, a former Malampa Revivors player, arrived in Honiara just two hours before kick-off, yet he was able to get ready and play a significant part in his team’s rescue. His powerful midfield play was crucial to the team’s success, confirming their favouritism and securing their seventh Telekom S-League title.

Alick’s performance in this match is a testament to his skill and determination as a player. His free-kick goal and overall contribution to the team’s victory will be remembered by fans and teammates alike, and he will be hoping to continue his success in future matches with the Solomon Warriors as they now hope to confirm a spot in the 2023 edition of the OFC Champions League.

Solomon Islands Kiriau joins Mauwia for PVFA Premier League season

Moffat Kiriau, the Solomon Islands’ attacker, has signed for Mauwia in the Port Vila Premier League in Vanuatu. Kiriau was previously playing for North Efate United in Port Vila’s top-tier league and has also played for local powerhouse Galaxy FC. Additionally, Kiriau has experience playing futsal in Vanuatu, having represented the D’York Stret team in an OFC Futsal Champions League edition.

Mauwia’s president announces Kiriau’s signing – *PVFA Media*

Kiriau is known for his skills and pace on the field, and is a key signing for Mauwia as they look to have a successful season in 2023. His addition to the team is expected to give them an attacking edge, and he will be hoping to make a significant impact in his new role.

Kiriau’s move to Mauwia is a positive development for both the player and the team. Mauwia will be looking to Kiriau to help them achieve their goals in the upcoming season, and the talented Solomon Islands’ player will be hoping to make a name for himself in the competitive Vanuatu football scene.

Fiji: Vanuatu international to boost Suva’s squad

Alex Saniel, the Vanuatu national team striker, is set to rejoin Suva in Fiji on February 23rd. Saniel has previously played for Suva and has also played for a number of other clubs in Australia, Vanuatu, New Zealand, and Fiji, including Yatel and Tupuji Imere in his home country. He has a proven track record as a skilled striker with an eye for goal.

Saniel’s signing is expected to improve Suva’s chances in the upcoming OFC Champions League play-offs against Rewa. He has previous experience playing in the competition, having represented Lautoka in 2020. His experience and ability on the field are expected to give Suva FC a significant boost as they aim to progress through the play-offs and into the group stages of the competition.

Suva’s Chairman, Ritesh Pratap, has confirmed Saniel’s return to the club and has also revealed that Saniel will be taking the spot of his countryman, Ronaldo Wilkins, in the team. According to Pratap, Wilkins has returned to Vanuatu.

Overall, Saniel’s return to the Capital City Boys is a significant development for the club and its fans. With Saniel in the team, Suva will be hoping to progress through the play-offs and into the group stages of the OFC Champions League, and potentially compete for the title.