Oceania Football Center

Can Ilisoni Lolaivalu shine again for Labasa?

Ilisoni Lolaivalu is the man of the moment in Labasa – *Fiji FA Media*

Ilisoni Lolaivalu is living the best season of his career. The 27-year-old forward is now a key player in Labasa and he just cannot stop impressing people with his quality in Fiji, specially when he helped his side to win the Inter-District Championship earlier this year.

With eleven goals scored so far in the season, Labasa fans put their hopes on him for today’s clash against Suva in Fiji FACT semifinals. It is not going to be an easy challenge, but Lolaivalu counts on the crowd support to face the current league champions.

This match will put the two ‘men of the moment’ face-to-face: Ilisoni Lolaivalu and Sairusi Nalaubu. The success of both teams passes through these players’ feet, and it will probably be no different in Fiji FACT semifinals.

The clash between Labasa and Suva is scheduled to kick-off at 1pm (local time) at Subrail Park in Labasa. You can check more details about 2020 Fiji FACT by clicking here.

Suva ready to go all out against Labasa in Fiji FACT

Suva will face Labasa in FIji FACT semifinals – *Fiji FA Media*

After finishing second in the group stage, Suva’s next challenge in 2020 Fiji FACT will be against tournament hosts Labasa this Saturday. The Capital City Boys had an extra week to get ready for this important match.

This clash was scheduled for last Saturday, but it was postponed by Fiji Football Association due to Subrail Park’s pitch conditions. It was a good thing for Suva, as Beniaminio Mateinaqara and Christopher Wasasala – two players who would not have played if the match had been contested last week – must be available for this game.

On the other hand, it was reported by Suva’s president Ritesh Pratap that Kelvin Naidu and Simione Nabenu are expected to lose this clash due to major injuries. Besides the injuries, Pratap is also worried with pitch conditions: “I think the players did not show their full potential in the group stage because of the ground condition. Hopefully, the weather holds, and the ground condition improves so that the players can show their real capabilities and fans can enjoy a good level of football on Saturday,” he revealed.

The bad news is that more rain is expected to come this weekend, what could force another postponement in Fiji FACT semifinals. However, it was reported by Fiji FA that they have a ‘Plan B’ if this happens. The clash between Suva and Labasa is scheduled to kick-off at 1pm (local time). You can check more details about the tournament by clicking here.

Lavenstar Puia makes history for Renbel Ibis at Solomon Cup

One of the most magic moments of the current Solomon Cup took place this Thursday at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, when Lavenstar Puia gave Renbel Ibis their first victory in the tournament.

Puia, who is well known for being a Rugby Sevens player, was in the starting eleven in the team coach by legendary Batram Suri, and he headed the ball into net in the 93rd minute to seal Ibis’ 1-0 victory over Central Shields. You can check his goal by clicking here.

Puia celebrating his goal – *The Island Sun/Peter Zoleveke II*

Renbel Ibis are currently in the third position in Group B with four points in three matches. Lavenstar and his teammates still have one match, against Honiara Warriors, to fight for a spot in the semi-finals. You can check more information about 2020 Solomon Cup by clicking here.

Kiwis shine in crucial win of Melbourne Victory at Asian Champions League

The COVID-19 pandemics forced a different lifestyle for everyone; football was no different. One good example of this is the 2020 AFC Champions League, the most important club football tournament of Asia, that was forced to be played in just one venue – Doha, Qatar. All the remaining matches of the group stage and knock-out stage are being played at the next FIFA World Cup venue. The final match is set to be played at 19th November.

One of the teams represeting Australia in the tournament is Melbourne Victory; the team needed a win against South Korean side FC Seoul – and they did so, with many difficulties, with the help of three New Zealand international.

Three Kiwis started the match for Victory – the goalkeeper Max Crocombe, the right-back Storm Roux and the winger Marco Rojas. The game started well for Victory when Rojas opened the scoreline at the 5th minute of play and still in the first half, Jake Brimmer doubled the lead through a penalty-kick. Seoul was able just to pull one back thans to Hwang Hyun-Soo.

Rojas (right) celebrates his goal – *AFC Media*

The South Koreans finished 24 times while Victory had only 5 shots to the goal – the Australians had 30% of ball possession, while FC Seoul had 70%. Efficiency and a solid defensive work were key for the important victory of Melbourne.

The three Kiwis and Victory are the only side of Australia to qualify for the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League; both Perth Glory and Sydney FC were knocked-out in the group stage. The next opponents of Victory will be also from South Korea: the Austalians and Ulsan Hyundai will be deciding one spot at the quarter-finals of the continental tournament.

‘Hail Lord Krishna’: Fijian star scores in stoppage time at Indian Super League

The question is: who can stop Roy Krishna? The Fijian just cannot stop scoring – and this comes from a long period! The striker headed it home once again for ATK-Mohun Bagan in the third round of Indian Super League. After a very contested match, the difference between both sides was the strike of the Fijian international: at the 95th minute of the game, Sandesh Jhingan flicked the ball into the middle of the area and Krishna with a smart header found the back of the nets to confirm the third win in three games played for the current Indian Super League title holders. Watch Krishna’s goal here.

Roy Krishna celebrates his goal – *SportsLounge*

“I’m extremely glad that we got the full three points. But it wasn’t easy. Odisha FC was coming out at us all guns blazing. We struggled a bit in the middle. However, this is our third clean sheet of the season. Our defenders have been proving themselves time and again. I’m happy to continue my scoring form. Three wins from three and we are a confident bunch. It’s the victory that matters at the end of the day“, said the Fijian after the match to SportStar.

Krishna’s ATK-MB is the only team in the league to win all three starting matches of the 2020/21 season. The Fijian is now tied with three other players in the golden boot race of the ISL season so far. Krishna had scored once each in the previous two matches of ATK-Mohun Bagan, that is also the only team still to concede a goal in the league.

Lexa Bibi: legendary defender coaches Sia-Raga in PVFA Vodafone Premier League

Retired from football, Lexa Bibi is now a head coach. The legendary defender has now an important mission: to lead Sia-Raga in 2020-21 PVFA Vodafone Premier League, the most important regional football league in Vanuatu.

With three losses in three matches, Sia-Raga are ninth in the league table. New head coach Lexa Bibi is going to have a great challenge with his new club, but he is used to big challenges: he was part of one of the greatest moments of Vanuatu Football’s history: the 4-2 victory over New Zealand in 2004 OFC Nations Cup. Bibi was in Vanuatu’s starting eleven and scored one goal in this historic clash.

Sia-Raga’s next challenge is going to be against Yatel this Saturday in the fourth matchweek of 2020-21 PVFA Vodafone Premier League. You can check the current league standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Fijian forward Leroy Jennings selected for ‘All Star’ match in Australia

National Premier Leagues’ season is coming to an end in Australia, as the regional finals are being contested over the country. However, a few regional leagues, like New South Wales and Queensland, have already finished.

These two regions will meet in a kind of ‘All Star Game’ on Saturday 12th December at Perry Park. Sixteen players are going to represent New South Wales (NSW) in this match, including Fijian forward Leroy Jennings: “I am very grateful and honoured to be given the opportunity to represent our state and play with a great group of top players in our competition. I cannot wait to go up there and get stuck into our rivals,” revealed Jennings to Football NSW.

Jennings had a major role at Blacktown City. The 22-year-old forward scored four goals in eleven matches and helped his side to finish the season in the sixth position. That is why he was called to the NSW team that will face the Queensland team in this match.

He represented Fiji at U-20 OFC Championship in 2016, when he scored one goal in three matches. Oceania Football Center team congratulates Leroy Jennings for this accomplishment.

Solomon Warriors continue hard work during Telekom S-League break

The current national champions of Solomon Islands continue their training sessions even during the break of Telekom S-League; the Solomon Warriors are currently nine points away from the top of the national league – Henderson Eels have 34 points while Warriors have 25 points, but they still have one match to be played in comparison with Eels.

Recent pictures posted by players and staff of the team prove their hard work during the break; important names such as Alvin Hou and Dennis Ifunaoa are attending the training alongnside the rest of the squad.

The league that is set to resume next month in Honiara as it is having a break due the traditional tournament Solomon Cup that is being held at national stadium Lawson Tama. But, even during this absence of competitive football, Warriors continue their training expecting to improve and defend their crown in Solomon Islands.

Solomon Warriors during training – *Theodore Inomae*

Warriors are preparing for their next match in the national league that is going to be played against the bottom-ranked side Malaita Kingz at Lawson Tama Stadium.

Solomon Cup: Makira Ulawa collects another victory as Renbel Ibis celebrate late winner

The traditional Solomon Cup continued this Thursday with two thrilling games at Lawson Tama Stadium; the first match of the day saw the Kakamorans of Makira Ulawa to collect their second victory in a row in the tournament against Isabel Frigates.

After a goalless first half, at the 59th minute of the game Philip Polancos opened the scoreline in favour of the team in black. The match proved to be very constested by both sides; the team coached by George Fafale could only confirm their three points in the clasg in the late stages of the game: George Andrew Hanua scored his third goal in the tournament and doubled the lead for Makira. Just one minute later Climson Wari Mauto confirmed their win with one more goal scored. The final scoreline was in favour of Makira Ulawa: 3-0.

Makira Ulawa collected their second victory in two games played – *SIFF Media*

The second match of the day was even more contested; the Batram Suri coached side Renbel Ibis had to battle until the last minute of the game to confirm their first win in the competition against Central Shields.

Only at the 93th minute of the game Renbel Ibis took the lead with a header of Lavenstar Puia – you can watch the goal here. The first win of Ibis in the tournament put them in position to contest for one spot in the decisive phase of the 2020 Solomon Cup.

You can check the current table, top scorers and recent results of the competition by visiting the tournament’s session in our site!

Port Vila: Galaxy smashes Seveners United

The round of football started this Thursday at Port Vila Municipal Stadium with the clash of the current national champions Galaxy FC against the newcomers at PVFA Vodafone Premier League Seveners United.

The match was totally under control of the team captained by Bong Kalo. The powerful striker Kensi Tangis opened the scoreline in favour of Galaxy and still in the first half the recent signing Andre Batick added another for the team coached by the Brazilian Diego Máximo.

In the second half the party continued for Galaxy: the defender Joseph Iaruel came as attacker to add another for Galaxy and minutes later Galaxy’s star the Brazilian Roberson Felipe scored the fourth for his team.

Tangis still had time to score his second goal of the day and Yvong August finished the game giving it final numbers: a strong performance for Galaxy that ended up with a convincing 6-0 win over Seveners United. The newcomers did not have a chance against the top side.

You can check the recent results, update table and top scorers of the league in Port Vila so far by visiting our session of the competition!