Seiloni Iaruel is not playing football anymore. The 26-year-old goalkeeper from Vanuatu decided to stop playing last year and he now holds a managerial position at Galaxy FC, the team he had been playing for since 2018.
According to Iaruel, ankle and knee injuries were the triggers for decision: “I thank football and fans for the good times. I stopped playing football but I am still helping the sport,” he stated. With his retirement, youngster Joshua Willie became Galaxy’s main goalkeeper.
New Caledonia’s Jekob Jeno made his first ever appearance as starter in a French Ligue 2 match. The 21-year-old midfielder played 86 minutes in Grenoble’s 1-0 win over Chamois Niortais last Tuesday and his performance was praised by fans and coach Vicente Hognon.
“Jekob Jeno? I’ve been eager to make him a starter since I arrived, but we have to go slowly and gradually. In any case, the staff likes him, I like him, he’s a good kid,” revealed Hognon after the match. You can check his game stats by clicking here.
Jekob Jeno playing for Grenoble – Grenoble
Jeno joined Grenoble Foot 38 at the beginning of the season to be part of “Grenoble B”, but this year he got a bigger role in the team, as he became part of the main squad. Unfortunately, he was not called-up to represent New Caledonia at FIFA World Cup qualifiers to be held in Qatar next month.
The first round of OFC qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup was initially set to be contested by four nations. However, American Samoa and Samoa withdrew due to COVID-19 pandemics, while Tonga dropped out of the tournament following a volcanic disaster that caused severe flooding across the country. With this, Cook Islands automatically qualified for the group stage.
Despite getting a direct place in the group stage, the lack of information about the Cook Islands National Team has brought a bit of darkness about whether or not they would play in the tournament. The doubts finally came to an end as 23-year-old defender Ben Mata confirmed he is going to Qatar to represent the Cook Islands for the first time ever. He also stated that the National Team will rely on a bunch of New Zealand-based players for the tournament.
Currently playing for Wellington Olympic, Benjamin helped his side to clinch the Central League’s title last year, after being part of Team Wellington’s squad that won New Zealand Premiership in 2020-21.
Ben Mata playing for Wellington Olympic – Instagram
Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Mata represented his country of birth at youth level, being part of the squad that played 2015 U-17 FIFA World Cup. He is the brother of fellow player Max Mata, who also represented New Zealand internationally.
The Cook Islands are going to debut at 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on 17th March against the Solomon Islands. They will also play Tahiti and Vanuatu in the Group A of tournament.
Vanuatu National Team’s starting eleven against Galaxy FC – PVFA Media
The Vanuatu National Team faced Galaxy FC in a friendly match at Korman Stadium in Port Vila as part of their preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, to be held in Qatar next month.
Three more players are expected to add more quality to the National Team for FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Brian Kaltak, Jared Clark and Mitch Cooper. Vanuatu’s debut in the tournament will be on March 17 against Tahiti.
Moffat Kiriau, Joe Moses and Dondy Kileteir are some of Galaxy’s newcomers – PVFA Media
The mid-season transfer window is still open in Vanuatu, but it has already brought many changes, especially for two teams: Galaxy and Yatel. Both sides added a great amount of players to shake local football.
Despite losing four key players, Erakor Golden Star added only two new names to their squad, showing that they still rely on their strong youth system to keep pushing in the Premier League. Ifira Black Bird and North Efate United are two other teams that have added quality to their squads. You can check all confirmed transfers by clicking here.
Alex Chin is a professional footballer who plays for South China, in the second tier of Hong Kong football league system. Despite being born in the Asian nation, the 22-year-old goalkeeper has the possibility to represent Tonga internationally, since his mother was born there.
Chin began his career at Tai Po and played there until 2020 when he moved to his current club, South China, a giant club in Hong Kong, having won a record 41 First Division titles.
Alex Chin playing for South China
Chin has never represented Hong Kong internationally so he could be a great addition to Tonga, just like AJ Inia who also plays professionally in Asia.
For the first time in history, a Women’s National Football Team from the Pacific Islands will play in Europe. The Vahine Ura – how Tahiti Women’s National Team is known – will play three friendly matches in France. Two against Luxembourg and one against Andorra. These friendly matches are part of Tahiti’s preparation for Nations Cup, which will take place in July of this year, and will give a place to an intercontinental playoff for 2023 World Cup.
Coach Stephanie Spielmann said it will be an excellent opportunity to get all the players together and test themselves against opponents other than the Pacific. Seventeen players embarked with the Polynesian delegation to Strasbourg, France, where they will meet nine more players – eight playing in France and one playing in the USA.
Tahiti’s squad for the European journey
There are only five players remaining from the 2019 Pacific Games campaign: Gwendoline Fournier, Kiani Wong, Mariko Izal, Merehau Iotua, Tahia Tamarii. At that time, they finished third in group B with four points.
Suva players celebrating a goal against Lautoka – Fiji FA Media
Football is back in Fiji as Digicel Premier League kicked-off this weekend. Ten teams are fighting for the national title this year, which means an increase of two teams in the league compared to last year.
The first match of the season was contested between Nasinu and Labasa – the first game of the triple header held at ANZ Stadium. With two late goals scored by Taniela Rakariva and Michael Chan, the Giant Killers defeated Labasa by 2-0.
The second clash of the day at ANZ Stadium was a 1-0 victory for Rewa against Ba, with a goal scored by Rusiate Matarerega. In the third and final meeting of the triple header Suva defeated current league champions Lautoka by 2-1.
Two other matches were contested in the same day in different stadiums. Newcomers Tailevu Naitasiri thrashed Nadi by 3-0 at Prince Charles Park while Navua came from behind to defeat Nadroga by 3-1 at Uprising Resort Ground.
There were thirty-six goals scored across six matches in the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League this weekend, as Lae City put eleven past Northern Youth FC, Morobe Wawens and Sepik enjoyed a ding-dong battle, sharing thirteen goals between them, while Hekari United put four past Southern Youth without reply.
Hekari United extended their 100% record with a 4–0 win over Southern Youth this weekend. Photo: PNGFA
There were goals in all three of the other games too in an entertaining afternoon in Lae and Port Moresby, but it is becoming increasingly clear that Lae City and Hekari United are the teams to beat in this year’s competition, with both teams sitting on a 100% record from their opening three fixtures.
In the two opening fixtures, the experienced core of Lae City Dwellers took on the youthful exuberance of Tusbab Stallions, and the two sides emerged with a share of the spoils after scoring a goal apiece. The result is the first draw of this year’s competition, but it’s difficult to gauge which side will be happier with the single point.
Dwellers, who claim up to four of the previous NSL titles, will be happy with the point after their 4–1 defeat to rivals Lae City last weekend, but may feel they ought to be doing better against far less experienced opposition. Freddy Steven scored for the Dwellers, while Alex Joel’s goal was enough to secure a point for Stallions, who are desperate to reach the playoffs after two seasons in which they have faded badly towards the end of the season.
Central Dabari and Tavur players tussle for the ball during Central’s 2-1 victory on Saturday. Source: PNGFA
Meanwhile, in Port Moresby, islanders Tavur FC took the lead through Francis Wibewa against the returning Central Dabari, but Iga Kala’s second goal of the season and super-sub Kawai Vakona dragged Dabari to victory, their second of the season.
Iga Kala is a relatively new face to the NSL, but has impressed in the opening three games for Dabari, only failing to score in their opening fixture against Gulf Komara, and the side will need him to remain on fire if they’re to push for their desired playoff spot alongside the likes of Komara and Hekari United.
In the 1pm kick-offs, the major action was to be found in Lae as Morobe Wawens and Sepik FC shared thirteen goals between them, with Wawens attacker Joshua Panget scoring five goals as he led his side to an incredible 9–4 victory over the Wewak-based side.
Wawens also scored through Bernard Purari, who has scored in every single game so far this season, as well as Giwi Simon, Brendan Ben, and Emmanuel Simongi. Wawens have shown skill and maturity that they haven’t demonstrated in several seasons, thanks partly to players they have brought in from other clubs in the off season.
Three of their scorers this week were playing for other sides last season, with Giwi Simon having been recruited from Morobe United, and Bernard Purari and Emmanuel Simongi coming from defunct sides FC Kutubu and FC Bougainville respectively.
Sepik’s goals came from Sadeth Nere, Ezekiel Yanum, Henry Salle, and Junior Moike, all of whom appear to have little to no experience of NSL football. That said, scoring four goals against a former OFC Champions League competitor is no mean feat, so congratulations must go to Sepik for doing so, and perhaps also some advice to work on their defensive structure ahead of their fixture next week.
Recruited players also led the way for POM Strikers as they picked up their first points of the season after coming from behind to beat Star Mountain. Riggie Togubai and Pettyshen Elizah came back to haunt their former club with a goal apiece, which cancelled out David Mosim’s opener for the Tabubil-based side.
A POM Strikers attacker is sent flying following a tackle from a Star Mountain defender in their clash on Saturday. Photo: PNGFA
Star Mountain have now lost three on the trot, and look to be struggling to find their feet in the division, despite having recruited well during the off-season themselves. The side brought in four players from the withdrawing FC Bougainville – goalscorer Mosim, Eaka Philemon – who scored their solitary goal against Hekari United on the opening day – Basil Jofari and Steven Inia, as well as Joel Tiampo and Russell Kambaka from Vitiaz United. But so far the signings have failed to gel, and the side look bereft of ideas.
The final two fixtures of the day saw both development sides offered up as sacrificial lambs to the biggest sides in the league. Northern Youth FC were slaughtered by reigning champions Lae City, who pummelled eleven goals past the poor youngsters, with Jonathan Allen scoring four, Stahl Gubag and Emmanuel Simon scoring a brace each, and Jibola Afonji, Junior Morgan and Felix Komolong all getting in on the action.
The results sees Lae City maintain their three-point lead ahead of Morobe Wawens, with their major rivals Lae City Dwellers a further five point back in fourth place.
Kolu Kepo jumps for the ball against Southern Youth FC in their 4–0 victory on Saturday. Photo: PNGFA
Meanwhile, Hekari United also demonstrated their continued dominance of the Southern Conference with a comfortable 4–0 victory over Southern Youth FC. Nigel Dabinyaba scored a hat-trick to put himself on seven goals for the season after just three games, clear of Wawens’ Panget in second place.
Despite being three points clear at the top of the table, though, Hekari should still be wary of Gulf Komara behind them, who were on a bye this week and have won two out of two so far.
Lae City FC defeated breakaway rivals Lae City Dwellers by four goals to one in a wet clash in Lae earlier today, stamping their authority on the 2021 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League Northern Conference by becoming the only side with two wins from two, while Hekari United once again won by five goals in a 5–0 thrashing of returning side Tavur FC.
Raymond Gunemba (right) battles for the ball against Lae City FC on a rainy afternoon in Lae. Photo: PNGFA
However, there were matters to be settled before arguably the two title favourites took to the field on Saturday in Lae and in Port Moresby. In Lae, Morobe Wawens recovered from their opening-day defeat with a 3–1 victory over Tusbab Stallions. Wawens, who relied heavily on recruits from now-defunct sides, showed some fight and resilience in their narrow defeat to Lae City last weekend, and this proved to be too much for the young Stallions team, who went behind in the first half and showed no real signs of being able to recover.
Wawens, who are now managed by Percy Mataio, opened the scoring through former Morobe United attacker Giwi Simon, before long-time Wawens striker Joshua Panget scored their second to give them a more comfortable lead. Stallions rallied somewhat in the second half, scoring through new recruit Charlie Kamah, but former Bougainville striker Bernard Purari put the game beyond doubt with his second of the season for Wawens late on.
Meanwhile, in Port Moresby, Star Mountain took on Central Dabari in the opening match at the PNG Football Stadium. Star Mountain opened the scoring after a mazy run was finished by Joel Tiampo in the first half, but two second-half goals from Kila Tau and super-sub Karo Iga secured Dabari’s first win since their return to NSL action. Vice-captain and striker Ryan Gerega won the man of the match for the side after his skilful creative play helped to set up Dabari’s two second-half goals.
Central Dabari’s graphic depicting Iga Kala scoring the winner against Star Mountain. Photo: Central Dabari Facebook Page
Then came the big boys – Lae City took on Lae City Dwellers in Lae at the same time as Hekari United lined up against newcomers Tavur FC in Port Moresby, with most eyes fixed upon the huge rival clash between the two Lae-based teams. Would Lae City stamp their authority on their breakaway cousins, or would Peter Gunemba and his new side prove their point with a victory?
It was a strong start for Bob Morris’ Lae City side, with former Tusbab Stallions forward Stahl Gubag scoring a brace before half-time to put Lae City two goals up. With the rain then starting to pour, both sides had to adjust to a rather waterlogged pitch, and it was Dwellers who adjusted first, with none other than Raymond Gunemba pulling a goal back for his father’s side.
But Morris reshuffled and made good use of the attacking options in his squad, punting the ball long for pacy forwards Jibola Afonji and Jonathan Allen to chase, and both attackers scored one each as Lae emerged 4–1 victors over their fierce rivals.
Meanwhile, in Port Moresby, it was less of a competition. Following their defeat last week to Southern Youth, not much was expected of Tavur against eight-time champions Hekari, and it was to prove exactly so as Hekari romped to a 5–0 victory over the returners. It was the veterans who led the line for Hekari this week, with two goals each for Koriak Upaiga and Nigel Dabinyaba – the latter of whom now has four in two games – and a clincher for 35-year-old Michael Foster.
The final two clashes of the week saw Sepik FC and Port Moresby Strikers take part in semi-professional competition for the first time this season, after both having byes on the opening weekend. However, neither side got off to a winning start, with Sepik losing 5–0 to Morobe United, who picked up their first victory of the season, and Port Moresby Strikers suffered a 2–1 defeat to Gulf Komara, who have picked up where they left off last season with two wins in their opening two games.
Sepik FC lined up in the PNG NSL for the first time in 12 years on Saturday. Photo: Sepik FC Facebook Group
Sepik kept Morobe United at bay for the majority of the first half, with just a solitary goal from central midfielder Henry Ronny separating the two sides on half time, but Morobe piled on the pressure in the second half, scoring four more goals through Russell Nirik, former Hekari midfielder Vincent Tai, and a brace from Nalau Peter.
Meanwhile, all three goals between Gulf Komara and POM Strikers were scored in the first half, with Jordan Kaven hitting his second goal in two games in the 9th minute before Ilagi Geno doubling their advantage in the 25th minute. Riggie Togubai pulled one back for POM Strikers on the brink of half-time, but the returning side were unable to press for an equaliser and opened their campaign with a defeat.
Port Moresby Strikers have recruited from far and wide ahead of the new season, having brought in Gregory Togubai, Ishmael Pole and Patrick Aisa from Hekari United, Mathias Oyabua and Randall Passam from Vitiaz United, Pettyshen Elizah, Riggie Togubai and William Yumb from Star Mountain, and Dinniget Luaine and Oberth Simon from FC Kutubu. The side looks, on paper, fairly strong, but it will surely take time for the players to gel together in the team. They could certainly be expected to get stronger as the season progresses into the latter stages.
So three sides have two wins from two – Lae City lead the way alone in the Northern Conference, while both Hekari United and Gulf Komara have a 100% record going into week 3. It’s shaping up to be an interesting season.
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