Raphael Lea’i is having another very good chance – maybe the best of all he had – to sign professional deal – as recently explained by Oceania Football Center. The young striker from Solomon Islands already landed in Bosnia and Herzegovina and joined 1st-tier club FK Velež Mostar for a period of trainings – Lea’i will use the facilities of the Mostar-based team in order to prepare for his trial in the Turkey’s top-tier club Alanyaspor.
Lea’i wearing FK Velež Mostar colours
Oceania Football Center talked to Henderson Eels representantive Wakio Tareina’a that kindly provided more information regarding the situation of Lea’i stay in Europe. Tareina’a confirmed that the 19 year-old striker will only stay in Mostar to prepare for the trial: “The initial aim is to train in Bosnia before trial in Turkey” he said, but he also mentioned a ‘Plan B’ in case of the things do not go as planed in Turkey: “In that case if any club in Bosnia get interest in him then he can sign with them”, completed Tareina’a.
It is expected that Lea’i train around to one or two months in Mostar before heading to his trial – that has not a fixed date as confirmed by Henderson Eels’ Tareina’a. The fans might get intrigued on why Lea’i is training exactly in Bosnia and Herzegovina not somewhere else, the situation is also explained by Eels’ chairman: “A member of the coaching staff of FK Velež Mostar is the responsible for arranging the trials for Raphael in Turkey“. It is also known the agent wanted Raphael Lea’i to be fully prepared for the trials, that’s why he is using the facilities of the club to get ready.
Oceania Football Center will continue following the development of the Lea’i’s trials.
No National Soccer League football will be played this Wednesday (18th Jan) in Papua New Guinea. The semifinals stage are postponed and they are expected to be played next Saturday (21th Jan) in different venues than announced before by the PNG Football Association and stated by Oceania Football Center.
According to sources inside the governing body, the matches were rescheduled to cut expenses; as before stated by PNGFA in social media the both semifinal matches would take place in Port Moresby at PNG Football Stadium.
Match of the quarterfinals of NSL between Paguna Metals and Hekari United – PNGFA Media
Now, in order to cut expenses, the matches will take place in two venues – one in Lae and another in Port Moresby. As two teams based in Lae (Lae Natives and Lae City) were draw in one of the semifinal matches, both sides will play in Lae. The same happened in the other semifinal – two Port Moresby (Gulf Komara and Hekari United) teams were draw and then they will play this decisive match in the capital city.
This is not the first time the governing body of football in Papua New Guinea postpones the decisive matches of the National Soccer League. The quarterfinals were twice postponed last year, forcing the decisive games of the national league to played in 2023 – meaning the 2022 edition of the most important football competition of the country will finish in the following year.
A product of Royals Football Academy in Solomon Islands is currently based in the Middle East; the Solomon Islands’ international striker Ali Mekawir is currently playing in United Arab Emirates after a spell in Australia’s National Premier League side Adelaide City – where he played a total of nine games. The striker, who represented the Solomon Islands in age group tournaments as well in the OFC 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Tournament, is currently attached to TFA Dubai – an academy that presents itself as ”specialized pathways for athletes to go professional” in its social media account.
TFA Dubai is not just only a football academy – as its name says “The Football Academy” – they also have a team that is currently playing in the 4th-tier of football in UAE. Mekawir is being active throught the season since he arrived in the country last October.
Ali Mekawir with his new team colours – UAE FA
The striker that represented his country already twice, played a total of 280 minutes across five matches for TFA Dubai team – he is still to score a goal for his new club. The 22-year-old already recorded some special moments in his carrer, as scoring in the English FA Cup for Langley Wanderers in the 2020/21 season.
The New Caledonians expected to bounce back from the 3-2 defeat they had against New Zealand in their first match in the competition. American Samoa knew they would have all the odds against them. As expected, New Caledonia started up on top, the impressive Hienghène’s young-star Nolhann Alebate had the first clear chance of the game – he missed an one-on-one situation against American Samoa’s goalkeeper Alex Mae’e putting the ball sideways the goal. But still at the 4th minute, Alebate opened the scoreline in favour of his side after a smart cross from the wing-back Ronald Ngayane.
Nolhann Alebate was a constant threat for American Samoa – OFC Media
American Samoa was unable to create goalscoring chances through passing combinations, then so their set pieces proved to be dangerous to the New Caledonians. First, the team captain Johnica Collins crossed the ball to the area, after a defensive blunder Ben Tofaeono took the ball already in the penalty box, but his finish went side-netting. Minutes later, the same Collins tried a long-range free-kick shot, the ball went past the goalkeeper but it ended up hitting the crossbar.
Alex Mae’e kept his nets clean for a long period, making a number good stops. But at the 27th minute Anthony Levy scored from the penalty spot after an unfortunate handball inside the penalty area – offence commited by Robert Coulter.
The team coached by Leonardo Lopez could only score twice in the first half – but their final 45 minutes proved to be much better. At the 58th minute Simon Ue counted on the mistake of Alex Mae’e to score the third for his country – the goalkeeper went to easy to catch the ball. Eight minutes later David Cahma added another for his country, the fourth, and just five minutes later it was the turn of Jean-Yves Saïko to score. To finish the game for New Caledonia, Lopez added the pacy striker Sipane Qaeze – adding more two goals, one at the 68th minute and another at the 70th minute. The final score: New Caledonia 7-0 American Samoa.
With this impressive win, the New Caledonia youngsters booked their flights to Suva to the quarterfinals while American Samoa still have very little chances to proceed – but for this Tonga will need to concede at least 12 goals to Fiji this Wednesday (18th Jan).
VANUATU vs COOK ISLANDS
If the team coached by the Brazilian Emerson Alcantara expected an easy match against Cook Islands, they proved to be very wrong. The Ni-Vanuatu side needed to fight hard to confirm their spot in the quarterfinals.
Despite the hard match it was, the first minute of the game seemed that Vanuatu would have an easy match: Augustine Chilia scored into the the first minute of the game – exactly at the 36′ seconds. The talented Jimmy Moso got the ball and found the No. 10 Chilia free in the box to just chip it over the goalkeeper Teina Ngametua.
The Ni-Vanuatu side continued to create a number of scoring chances – even hitting the post in one situation. As they failed to add another, it was the Cook Islands who had the chance – and they took it: after goalkeeper Jospeh Nakiou left his goal to prevent Tione Nand from picking the ball up and letting it slip away, the ball offered itself to Jeremiah Williams, the Auckland United midfielder flicked it over the goalkeeper to tie the game.
The half-time scoreline ended-up tied – but just after both teams returned to the pitch Vanuatu took the lead again. This time it was Jimmy Moso, the attacker controlled the ball with one foot and finished with the other – the ball still touched the post and went in to the nets of goalkeeper Ngametua.
As Vanuatu took the lead the team took control of the game; a lot of fifty-fifty battles in the midfield marked the rest of the second half. Vanuatu created good chances, but the best remaining chance of the game was in favour of the Cook Islands: Juleo Tauu had a close-range free-kick to take, but it ended up hitting the wall.
Vanuatu players celebrate the win – Vanuatu Sport
Vanuatu confirmed their 2-1 win and a spot in the quarterfinals; and the same can be said for the Cook Islands. Despite two losses, the team might qualify as one of the two-best third places in the tournament. Just one team of the nine taking part in the tournament will leave in the group stage – Cook Islands conceded less goals than American Samoa in the Group A, it means at leas the second-best 3rd placed-side they will take. Both teams await the final of the group stage to know which side they will play in the quarterfinals stage.
Fiji has a new wonderkid; he hails from Ba and represents the most victorious district of Fijian football. The 18 year-old striker Nabill Begg is already a regular striker for the Men in Black and already scored a number of important goals for his team.
Certainly, the most important goal of the young talented player was last year when he helped the U-20 Fiji team to qualify for the 2023 U-20 FIFA World Cup – he scored the winning goal for Fiji in the semifinal march against New Caledonia, sealing the spot for Fiji to play their second-ever U-20 World Cup edition.
Nabill Begg
In interview to Oceania Football Center, the talented striker mentioned important news to Ba and Fijian football fans: as the Fijian football transfer window goes on, Begg stated for the local fans: “I am planning to stay in Ba, it is my hometown“, said the youngster – “there were some local teams that approached me, I can not disclose its names, but I decided to stay in my hometown“, completed Begg.
Although Begg is staying this season in Ba, the striker mentioned he plans to leave Fijian football to play overseas: “I received an offer from New Zealand. There’s a verbal agreement and I am just waiting the final or World Cup to move abroad“, stated the young player.
Begg will be one of the key players for Fiji in the U-20 World Cup to be played in Indonesia from May to June. After participating in the tournament, Begg may join an overseas-based club as stated.
As a final message for his fans, Begg mentioned: “I ask the fans to have trust in us, the young boys. We will give everything we have thus upcoming season“, said the 18 year-old.
The National Soccer League 2022 edition in Papua New Guinea is at its decision time: last weekend eight teams took the pitch in Lae, Goroka and in the capital city Port Moresby. The quarterfinals stage were twice postponed and the completion of the 2022 is going to take place at the starting of 2023.
In Port Moresby the national powerhouse Hekari United did not have any trouble to surpasses the Islands’ Conference representatives Panguna Metals FC, from Bougainville. The team coached by former national team captain David Muta put six past Metals to confirm their favouritism and clinch a 6-0 win to confirm a spot in the semifinals.
The second match in the capital city, Gulf Komara had the favouritism against Kimbe Eagles – and they proved it: Michael Foster, Nigel Dabinyaba and Jordan Kaven scored the three goals of the 3-0 against the Eagles to confirm their spot in the semifinals.
Hekari United – PNGFA Media
In Lae another important team in the national scenario of Papua New Guinea took the field of play: Lae City had to overcome Kuri FC – and it was a very entertaining match. The challengers scored twice in the first half and the team coached by Bob Morris knew they needed to improve a lot to prevent an unexpected loss. Still in the first half Bruce Tiampo reduced the margin as the first half finished with still Kuri ahead.
But in the second half, Eliud Fugre, Jonathan Allen and Emmanuel Simon from the penalty spot scored for Lae City. Thus, confirming a 4-2 win and securing a spot in the semifinals.
In the Highlands, Ape Aporo hosted Lae Natives in the final match of the quarterfinals. The Lae Natives had to fight, but they confirmed their spot by winning Ape Aporo by 3-1.
As the draw held by PNGFA this Monday (16th Jan) decided the semifinals’ opponents: Gulf Komara will play Hekari United at 12pm and Lae City will play Lae Natives at 3pm – both matches will be played this Wednesday (18th Jan) in the same venue: PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
Raphael Lea’i is on his way to Europe. It has been reported that the 19-year-old Solomon Islands’ rising star will spend two months training with FK Velež Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina before going on trial with top flight club in Turkey, Alanyaspor. If successful, he will sign his first professional contract.
This is the second time Raphael has travelled to Europe to get a chance as a professional footballer. The first, in August last year, had a negative outcome as he was not allowed to enter Turkey due to a visa problem. Now, five months later, he returns to Europe to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
Raphael Lea’i
Lea’i is the current top scorer in the 2022-23 Telekom S-League with 21 goals in ten games for Henderson Eels. So far in his career, he has scored 91 goals in 59 games, including his homeland’s domestic league, OFC Champions League and senior appearances for the Solomon Islands National Team.
AJ Inia is one of the few Tongan players playing outside Oceania, and one of the greatest prospects Tonga has ever had at its disposal. Cases like Laveni Vaka and her sister Daviana playing college soccer in the United States are very rare; as it is for Inia.
Since leaving Thailand’s Trang FC, Inia has been a free agent – having previously played for Cambodia’s Angkor Tiger and National Premier League’s side Melbourne Knights in Australia semi-pro football. As confirmed by AJ Inia in his social media account, he will be playing for Navy FC also from Thailand who play in the third tier of domestic football.
AJ Inia being introduced to his new club
The Oceania Football Center wishes Inia the best in his new journey in Thai football and expects to witness his international debut for Tonga national team at this year’s Pacific Games held in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Samoa had a very good first half against Tonga in the most recent match of the U-17 OFC Championship; enough to secure them a spot at the quarterfinals. The Samoans scored a total of four goals in the first 45 minutes – confirming their 6-0 win in the second half with more two goals.
The Samoans were always a threat to the Tongan defense: the team captain Pharrell Trainor and the No. 10 Ethlbert Edward were the key players in attack for the team coached by the legend Desmond Richmond Fa’aiuaso. The Tongans were able to cope with the danger, but at the 20th minute the deadlock was open: Trainor had a fantastic individual play and found Edward at the middle of the box to chip it over the goalkeeper to score the first for the Samoans.
Just three minutes later it was Trainor’s turn to the find nets with a fantastic solo effort. Trainor, once again, two minutes later, scored another for his team – he dribbled past the goalkeeper and placed it calmly into the nets. Still in the first half Edward was found free at the edge of the penalty area to put one more past Tongan goalkeeper Siosuia Moimoi. The fourth goal was already scored close to the final minutes of the first half.
Pharrell Trainor celebrates – OFC Media
The final 45 minutes saw the Samoans slow down the tempo of the game – the Tongans were able to create some goalscoring chances especially through the pace of the striker Alexander Hola, but not enough to secure a consolation goal for the team coached by Lui Muavesi.
At the 70th minute the tall striker Trainor added another to his tally after a very good assist from Lepea’s Ethlbert Edward. The striker controlled the ball between two defenders and placed it well at the bottom corner of goalkeeper Moimoi.
The skipper had time to add one more to the scoreline at the 85th minute; Olé Academy’s talent Malakye Paterson found Trainor with a brilliant pass, letting him in a one-on-one situation and with a strong shot put it another for Samoa. His fourth in the game.
Samoa could had scored even more goals in the match if they were able to capitalise all chances they created. The final scoreline shows the dominance of the Samoan team over Tonga: 6-0.
The Tongans still have one more match to be played in the group stage; they will the hosts Fiji in Suva, while the Samoans will wait the completion of the matches to confirm which side they will take in the quarterfinals.
Roy Krishna is back, finally we can say! For the joy of Bengaluru and Fijian fans, the all-time scorer of the Bula Boys found the way back to the nets as his team surpassed by 3-1 Odisha.
The striker scored the second goal of the three for his side in the 3-1 and also got involved in the third goal of the team. The striker was a 10-game drought without a goal, being this only the second of the Indian Super League campaign.
Oceania Football Center 