The good start of the season of the Vanuatu international Brian Kaltak had a major blow as he was red carded in a very important match against Auckland City’s rivals Team Wellington this Sunday at David Farrington Park, Wellington. The Ni-Vanuatu defender saw a second yellow at the 21th minute of play when his team was already winning the match.
Logan Rogerson had scored early for Auckland City then at the 21th minute Kaltak was cautioned for the second time after foulling TW‘s striker Hamish Watson. Minutes later Rogerson managed to spark some magic to score his second goal in the clash to double the Navy Blues lead, but unfortunately in the second half with two quick goals of João Moreira and Watson, Team Wellington managed to level the game at the 54th minute.
Brian Kaltak – NZF Media
Despite missing Kaltak and with only ten men in the pitch, the current New Zealand national champions were able to hold the pressure of the home and secure a point from this important match. Kaltak was recently praised by his very good performances in the start of the season, but this time unfortunately for him and his side he could not provide one of the best performances.
The Fiji Football Association announced the inidividual awards of the final major tournament of the year – the Fiji FACT. Suva clinched the title after hard fought win over Nadi thanks to an own goal of Serevi Waqa. This was the second title of the year for the Capital City Boys as they also earned the Vodafone Premier League.
Suva players with their prizes of Fiji FACT – Suva FA Media
The best goalkeeper of the tournament was Beniaminio Mateinaqara – the top-goalscorer of the Fiji FACT was also from Suva, Sairusi Nalaubu, with five goals scored. The MVP of the competition was the midfielder Shahil Dave.
It is a fantastic Sunday to be a Suva FC fan; the Capital City Boys had clinched for the 3rd time in their history the Fiji FACT tournamet after a battle against Nadi that ended up in hard fought 1-0 win in favour of the coached by Babs Khan.
Nadi was dangerous in the first half, especially thanks to Avinesh Suwamy that with a fantastic free-kick saw a goal denied by a superb save of Suva’s Beniamino Mateinaqara. Minutes later the same Suwamy finished from outside the box and was once again denied by Mateinaqara – Sakaraia Naisua was also a danger for Suva’s defense, but they managed to hold the pressure.
The star Sairusi Nalaubu did not have impact in the first half, while Christopher Wasasala was a constant threat for Nadi’s defense – but the central defender Serevi Waqa made a good job to control Wasasala’s pace.
Unfortunately for the Jetsetters, the game was decided in an inidividual mistake: Shahil Dave crossed the ball to the box, Vereti Dickson and his defenders in a lapse of concentration saw the ball in front of the goal mouth, Afraz Ali tried to clear the ball, but he headed the ball in the back of Serevi Waqa – the ball went to Nadi’s nets to open the account for Suva -, a tragedy for the Green Machine.
Suva FC players before the final match – Fiji FA Media
Suva had another chance minutes later – a finish from Wasasala – that was denied by the goalkeeper Vereti Dickson. Nadi went ahead pursuing an equaliser, they pressed high and controled most of the ball possesion, but Suva was dangerous in the counter-attack and in one of those opportunites almost Nalaubu sealed the win for his side.
Rusiate Matarerega had the best chance to score for Nadi – he reveiced a cross from William Valentine, but he headed the ball off target. In the final minutes of the game, an appeal for handball inside the box thrilled the game – it appeared that Joeli Ranitu down in the ground had the ball deflecting in his arm after a clearance of Suva’s defense. Nadi players went furious, but the decision was upheld by the referee.
The final result saw Suva to finish a perfect season: two titles in the year and also being runners-up of Battle of Giants. The team, now the national champions and qualified for OFC Champions League, have the right to celebrate this glory of Fiji FACT and glimpse another titles in the horizon.
It is also important to credit Nadi for the hard battle and for a very interesting season for the Jetsetters that had the experienced Avinesh Suwamy as a major source of entertainment for the fans throughout the season with this impressive performances.
Nalaubu (with the ball) is one of the best players in the current Fijian football season – Fiji FA
With five goals in four matches, Sairusi Nalaubu is the current top scorer of 2020 Fiji FACT. The 23-year-old forward is living the best moment of his career and now he has an important mission: to lead Suva against Nadi in Fiji FACT’s final.
Last year, Nadi defeated Suva in the Fiji FACT final by 2-1. Now, led by Nalaubu, who was also the top scorer of Vodafone Premier League in 2020, the Capital City Boys have a chance to take revenge and lift their second trophy this year.
The final clash between Suva and Nadi is scheduled to kick-off at 1pm (local time) at Subrail Park in Labasa. You can check more details about the current edition of Fiji FACT by clicking here.
The Fiji Football Association decided not to go on as scheduled for the final day of football in season; as normally happens, this time no 3rd/4th playoff match will be played for the 2020 Fiji FACT. The entity said they were advised by the referees and the groundsman to not continue with the match, much probrably the bad conditions of the pitch at Subrail Park.
Rewa and Labasa were going to play to decide the 3rd placed side, but the game was called off – Fiji FA Media
“Both teams will receive $2,000 each as prize money“, said Fiji FA in their official social media account. The decision might help the show for the grand final match between Suva and Nadi, as the pitch conditons will not get even worse as the curtain raiser game is not going to be played anymore.
For the second straight year, Nadi and Suva are going to meet in Fiji FACT’s final. Last year, Nadi lifted the trophy after beating their opponents by 2-1 at Churchill Park in Lautoka. Now, both teams will be face to face again, this time at Subrail Park in Labasa.
This year, Nadi are even stronger. The team coached by Kamal Swamy now counts on Avinesh Suwamy, one of the most talented players in the country, in the squad. The 34-year-old midfielder played a major role in the semi-finals’ clash against Rewa by delivering two assists and helping Nadi to secure a spot in the final clash.
Avinesh Suwamy shone against Rewa – Fiji FA Media
Suwamy is already used to lifting trophies, as he helped Ba win dozens of tournaments during the fifteen years he played for the Men in Black. However, winning the 2020 Fiji FACT would be special, as it would be his first title playing for Nadi.
The final clash between Nadi and Suva is scheduled to kick-off at 1pm (local time). You can check more details about the current edition of Fiji FACT by clicking here.
One of the top goalkeepers of Fiji continues to prove his capabilities; Labasa’s shot-stopper Akuila Mateisuva could not prevent his team defeat against national champions Suva this Saturday at Subrail Park – but the problems were not in defense, but yes the lack of quality in the finishing for Labasa’s attack, they did not take their chances, while Mateisuva saved the Babasiga Lions in several occasions.
Akuila Mateisuva – Fiji FA Media
Mateisuva was the key factor that made the first half went with no goals scored to the half time break. Unfortunately for him, a defensive mistake allowed Suva to take the lead early in the second half; despite Labasa finding minutes later an equaliser, Suva was still able to bounce back the pressure and score two more goals – both unstoppable finishes for the tall goalkeeper.
The 3-1 defeat for Labasa was the final match of the year for the team that ended up 2020 with one major trophy won – Inter-District Championship -, but once again out of the OFC Champions League.
Arguably the most important football player from Vanuatu currently is Auckland City’s defender Brian Kaltak – and he’s proving it every single match. This weekend he will be lining up for the Navy Blues in a key clash against Team Wellington, but he had shown his quality in the previous match of his against Hawke’s Bay setting up the winner in the final minute of the game.
The central defender is being the leader of Auckland City defense in the first matches of the ISPS Handa Premiership this season. The quality and importance of the player is proven as he was selected among the best players of the month – the ‘Team of the Month‘ award of the New Zealand’s premiership.
Brian Kaltak – ACFC Media
Currently, Auckland City won two of their three matches of the season – against Eastern Suburbs and Hawke’s Bay – and they are ranked 4th in the process. You can check the full standings of the season so far by clicking here.
Kaltak is set to turn the first Ni-Vanuatu to play at FIFA Clubs World Cup as Auckland City will represent Oceania Football Confederation in 2021 at the competition.
‘Hail Lord Krishna’! The fantastic start of season of the Fijian wonderman Roy Krishna was recognised recently by Indian Super League. The League awarded the former Wellington Phoenix star the ‘Hero of the Month’ award – the prize given to the best player of the month in the Indian Super League.
ATK-Mohun Bagan striker receives his award – ISL Media
The Fijian scored three of the four goals of his team in the process – he’s also the team captain. The striker recently gave the win for ATK-MB against Odisha with a late goal and also turned into the first player ever to score in the clash East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan played at Indian Super League – this is one of the most decorated football rivalries of Asia.
Tafea and Tupuji Imere clashed at PV Stadium – Port Vila Football Association
The fourth matchweek of 2020-21 PVFA Vodafone Premier League finished this Saturday as four matches were contested in Port Vila, the capital of the Vanuatu. Tafea and Tupuji are still unbeaten in the league, while Erakor Golden Star and Yatel defeated their opponents this weekend.
Tafea and Tupuji Imere shared the spoils in the most important match of the day. Micah Tommy opened the scoreboard for Tafea, but Azariah Soromon equalized for Tupuji. With the 1-1 draw, both teams remain unbeaten in the league, as they are sharing the second position with ten points each. Ifira Black Bird and Mauwia also shared the spoils in a nil-nil draw.
After a bad start in the season, Yatel won their second straight match, as they beat Sia-Raga by 2-0. They now have six points, the same number of points as Erakor Golden Star, that defeated North Efate United dby 1-0 with a goal scored by Dodon Wanemut. You can check the current PVFA Vodafone Premier League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.
Oceania Football Center 