Oceania Football Center

Rewa: Solomon Islands’ football stars ready for ‘CVC’ final

The Champion vs Champion series will be played this Sunday (Feb 11th) in Fiji; Suva and Rewa will face-off to decide the first team to lift a trophy in Fiji this new season. Rewa recently announced the signing of two key players of Solomon Islands national team, they are the midifelders Alvin Hou and Atkin Kaua, the players are a very intersting boost to the already very strong squad of the Delta Tigers.

The duo could not play the first match of the series, the game was forced to an early end due the heavy rains that hit Nausori. The Fiji FA decided to not restart the match, awarding a 0-0 result – the result the game had when it was interrupted. It means the real final of the series will be this Sunday – the winner is going to start the season on a high and Rewa will be able to count on the quality of Hou and Kaua.

Alvin Hou and Atkin Kaua playing for Solomon Islands

The info was confirmed by Rewa’s chairman Nazeel Buksh to Oceania Football Center: “Both of them are eligible and available for the game” said Buksh. Both of the Solomon Islanders were in the team that played the decisive match and lost against New Zealand last year for a spot in the FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off – where New Zealand got beaten by Costa Rica who earned themselves a spot in the last edition of the World Cup.

The match will be held at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva at 3 pm along with the women’s inaugural CVC match between Ba and Labasa which will be played at 1 pm.

New Caledonia’s Jekob Jeno back in action in France

🇫🇷 Français

Like the legend Georges Gope-Fenepej who plays for Concarneau in the National (third tier), Jekob Jeno is one of two neo-Caledonians who play in the top-three divisions of French football.

The last time Jeno had played for Grenoble had been in the Ligue 2 defeat to Metz on December 30th, he had started the season as a starter, but some injuries hindered his progress.

Now last January 8th he played for the first time in 2023 after being on the bench for a few matches – Jeno joined in the 79th minute in Grenoble’s 1-0 win against Vierzon FC in the French Cup round of 16. With the qualification Grenoble will face giants Lyon in the next knockout round.

This season Jekob Jeno has played 11 matches; 560 minutes in total for Grenoble. Jeno’s side is doing well this season as they are battling for promotion to French top-tier league; Grenoble is currently ranked 4th in the process, just two points behind Bordeaux that is ranked 3rd.

VFF Champions League grand final is postponed; players unhappy with the decision

Recently, Oceania Football Center reported that the VFF Champions League final is set for its grand final match – at first, the decisive encounter between Luganville’s Sia Raga and Port Vila’s Ifira Black Bird was scheduled to be played this Saturday (11th Feb) at the new VFF Freshwater Stadium, but the most important football tournament of the country will need to wait a bit more to know its champion.

But this Friday (10th Feb) – at the eleventh hour – VFF issued a statement postponing the grand final due bad conditions on the surface of the new stadium: “The Local Organising Committee of the VFF Champions League 2023 has decided to postpone the final matches to Tuesday 14 February 2023, due to the impact of the current rainy weather“, said the entity, “VFF General Secretary and Chairman of the LOC Albert Manaroto explains that with the ongoing recovery and maintenance work at the Korman Stadium, and the need to allow Freshwater VFF Stadium to dry up, it is for the best interest for the finalists and football fans that the finals are played on dry football grounds. At the same time Mr. Manaroto says they have approached the Sports Commission, and have understood the explanations from the Commission to give time for preparing the Korman Stadium“, added the Vanuatu Football Federation.

A semifinal match of the tournament played at VFF Freshwater Stadium – *VFF Media*

Surprisingly, VFF stated the third-place match contest between Arato FC and Wings FC will be played at Korman Stadium – the biggest stadium in Vanuatu – and the final at Freshwater: “Manaroto says the finals will still be played at Korman and at the VFF Stadium at Fresh Water. He says the Third Place final between Aratoro FC of Penama FA and Wings FC of Tafea FA, will be played at Korman Stadium starting at 12pm. And the grand final between Sia Raga FC of LFA and Ifira Black Birds of PVFA, will be played at the Fresh Water VFF Stadium starting at 5pm.

Some players of the participating teams complained about the late change of the tournament organisation: “We were focused to the game, changing the time it is going to affect our focus and preparation“, said one player that is set to play the grand final match. “The pitch at Freshwater is too bad after the rain. It would be certainly better if we play the final at Korman Stadium”, said another key player of one of the finalists – “We did not want the games to be postponed, VFF organisation did not have a Plan B, they did not talk to the teams, they made things by their own“, added the player.

Despite the reactions, no new facts were added to the case as the both matches are now scheduled for the next Tuesday (14th Feb), to be played in separated venues but still in the national capital.

Veitongo celebrates national title in Tonga

Veitongo continues its dominance in Tongan football; recently the most succesful football club from the Kingdom of Tonga celebrated once again a national title in Nuku’alofa. The team will once again represent the country at the OFC Champions League as they hammered Navutoka in the final match of the national league – a comprehensive 9-1 victory.

Veitongo was dominant throughout the entire season of football in Tonga and celebrated a well deserved title after an impressive win over Navutoka.

After the final game of the season. the team coached by Timote Moleni not received only the national league trophy, but as well some of its players were highlighted and received individual prizes. Hemaloto Polovili was the top-scorer of the league and as well earned himself the prize of the best player of the season; Semisi Otukolo was awarded the best goalkeeper of the season.

Both Polovili and Otukolo are senior members of Tonga national team; Veitongo counts on many players on the age groups and senior national teams of Tonga, reaffirming its dominance in the Tongan football scenario.

OFC Champions League: National Play-offs are coming!

The national stage of the upcoming 2023 edition of the most important club football tournament of Oceania is very close – the national play-offs of the OFC Champions League are going to be played throught this February and March. The next Saturday (11th Feb) mark the start of the competition as the national play-offs are going to be played in Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia.

Lae City and Hekari United will meet in Lae – *SokaPNG*

After a thrilling grand final match of the PNG National Soccer League last weekend, both Hekari United and Lae City FC will play each other again. This time the first leg will be played at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium and in the following weekend the decisive match at Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby – the winner will guarantee an entry in the group stage of the regional tournament.

Also this Saturday the former OFC Champions League winners Hienghène Sport will start their local battle against current Super Ligue champions Tiga Sport. Both matches of the contest will be played in New Caledonia’s capital city Nouméa, despite the protests of Hienghène that wanted to host a match in Koné at Stade Yoshida.

On 17th Feb the Tahitians of AS Piraé and AS Vénus will kick-off the national play-off at Stade Pater, Papeete. In the following weekend the two sides meet again, again at Stade Pater, to decide the Tahitian’s representative. The contest for the spot in Fiji will between Rewa and Suva – starting on 23th Feb. On 22th Feb Sia Raga FC and Ifira Black Bird from Vanuatu will start their contest at VFF Freshwater Stadium, in the same day it is expected the play-offs in Solomon Islands also start – but the two teams to take part are still to be confirmed. New Zealand will be the last nation to confirm its representative in the tournament as the title holders Auckland City will kick-off the two-legged play-off against Wellington Olympic on 11th March.

The seven winners of the play-offs will join the winner of the OFC Champions League Qualifying tournament, that is also to be held this February in Apia, Samoa. Teams from American Samoa, Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga will take part in the competition. The centralised tournament will count on eight teams separated in two groups, the top-two teams of each group proceed to the semifinals and then the grand final.

“I am born and raised in Vanuatu”; Brian Kaltak features on ABC Australia show

he Vanuatu national team captain Brian Kaltak is definitely making his mark in Australian football; one of the best performers of the brilliant campaign so far of the Central Coast Mariners, Kaltak earned himself another milestone as he appeared on Australian Broadcasting Corporation show ‘That Pacific Sports Show‘. The defender was interview and talked about his long journey to turn into a professional football player – since his days on Erakor Golden Star back in his homecountry. The 29-year-old also explained his feelings when he returned to Vanuatu this january when Central Coast Mariners made a tour in his country, training, visiting communities and also having friendly matches.

New Caledonia’s top-talent Lues Waya signs pro-contract in France

🇫🇷 Français

One of the most talented players from New Caledonia spent the last months in France seeking for an opportunity to sign a pro-deal; the striker Lues Waya was under trials with Ligue 1 side FC Nantes for a number of weeks, then recently started trials with Stade Lavallois.

The Cagous striker has now finally signed a pro-contract – he will integrate the second team of Stade Lavallois, as reported by New Caledonia Football Federation. “Lues has joined the Laval Training Centre, joining eleven other members of the pro reserve team“, explained Christophe Coursimault, former New Caledonia coach, winner of the Pacific Games in 2011 and now the relay of the New Caledonian Football Federation in mainland France, as part of a federal project to support, strengthen and structure the elite of New Caledonian football.

“Former striker of AS Wetr – club where Waya started his career – and then of Tiga Sport, with whom the Tokanod-born player revealed himself as the rising star of Cagou football, Lues Waya joins the National 3 group of STADE LAVALLOIS MAYENNE FOOTBALL CLUB, a historical club of French football“, endorsed the FCF.

The National 3, the 5th-tier of football in France, can be the start of a rapid rise for the 21-year-old striker that won the golden boot of the last New Caledonian Super Ligue and also earned himself the prize of the best player of the national league. Depending on the performances of the striker in the second team he can surely rise to Laval’s first team that is currently playing in the second-tier of French football.

Vanuatu: VFF Champions League final is set

The most important club football tournament of Vanuatu is set to an end this Saturday (11th Feb) in Port Vila. The champions of each the eight member associations that made up the Vanuatu Football Federation – all six provinces of the country plus Port Vila and Luganville MA’s – are taking part of the tournament that started last 1st Feb having the brand-new Freswota Stadium in the national capital as its venue.

The Port Vila FA champions Ifira Black Bird and Luganville FA champions Sia Raga dominated both groups; Wings FC from Tafea FA and and Arato FC from Penama FA also managed to qualify for the semifinal matches of the tournamet. The other four teams that were knocked-out of the competition in the first stage were Patvuti from Sanma FA, Rainbow FC from Torba FA, Eraniao FC from Shefa FA and Police FC from Malampa FA.

Ifira Black Bird (up) and Sia Raga FC (down) will decide the winner of the tournament – *VFF Media*

Sia Raga FC was the first side to confirm their spot in the grand final after an emphatic 8-2 victory over Arato FC; later it was Ifira BB that surpassed Wings FC, bu they needed to fight hard in order to confirm their presence in the final as they won the Tafea FA representatives by 2-1.

The representatives of the two biggest cities in the country will face-off this weekend to determine which of the two sides will celebrate national glory. Still this month both teams will need to play again, this time for the OFC Champions League Qualifying play-offs, to decide which of those will represent Vanuatu in the regional tournament.

Serritslev departs; Fiji FA starts process to hire new head coach for the Bula Boys

The Fiji Football Association starts once again its process to find a new head coach for the men’s national team; the experienced coach from Denmark Flemming Serritslev – that conceded an exclusive interview to Oceania Football Center – is set to depart from the coaching position as the Fiji FA advertised the spot Flemming was occupying. The contract of the 75-year-old coach experienced last 31st January.

“We did negotiate for an extension but I think he needed to go and consult his family and rest. As for the Immigration requirements, we need to advertise again and hopefully, we get someone very quick“, said Fiji FA CEO Mohammed Yusuf to local media – the Fiji FA’s CEO also stated that if the Danish coach wants to return to the spot he will need to re-apply and go through all selection process. Yusuf also stated that it is expected a new coach is hired before March as the Bula Boys have two friendly matches scheduled against Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in the next March’s FIFA window.

Serritslev was the head coach for Fiji in the last FIFA World Cup Qualifying tournament, where Fiji failled to progress from the group stage – after being beaten by New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Although, the Fijians managed to beat New Caledonia, not enough to make them grant a spot in the semifinal stage.

The coach is very well-known in Oceania especially for guiding Papua New Guinea to the 2016 OFC Nations Cup grand final match; the then team coached by Serritslev ended up losing for New Zealand on the penalty shootout after a thrilling 0-0 draw after 120 minutes of football.

Tahiti: AS Dragon continues as at the top of Ligue 1 as first round of the season comes to an end

🇫🇷 Français

AS Dragon’s 8-1 win over AS Pueu on Saturday – January 28th – concluded the Dragons’ perfect first-half of the season in Ligue 1 in Tahiti with a record of 11 wins from 11 matches, with a powerful attack that scored incredible 64 goals – including results such as 17-0 against AS Jeunes Tahitiens and 11-0 against Excelsior. Diego Arañeda coached-side team has 44 points on the table.

AS Dragon celebrating the victory against AS Tefana – *Christophe Fotozz*

The second-ranked side is AS Vénus with 38 points, coached by the man who is in charge of the national team and the current OFC Champions League finalists – Samuel Garcia -, having lost the title to Auckland City. Defending champions AS Piraé stands third in the table followed by AS Tefana.

The scoring table reflects well the scenario of the competition, Roonui Tiniarauarii is the leader of the goalscoring list with 35 goals scored followed by Teaonui Tehau who scored 27.

Tahiti’s Ligue 1 standings after the first 11 rounds:

1. AS Dragon – 44 points
2. AS Vénus – 38 points
3. AS Pirae – 36 points
4. AS Tefana – 34 points
5. AS Temanava – 29 points
6. AS Punaruu – 28 points
7. AS Central – 24 points
8. AS Pueu – 22 points
9. AS Tairapu – 21 points
10. AS Jeunes Tahitiens – 17 points
11. AS Excelsior – 14 points
12. AS Olympic Mahina – 13 points

It is important to mention that the league system of the national league in Tahiti is different from the one normally adopted in the rest of the world – the winner of the match gets four points while the loser gets one, the tie is two points for each team.

The champions and the runner-up will guarantee a spot in the 2024 OFC Champions League qualifying play-off.