Oceania Football Center

Mobil Super Ligue’s final four set to kick-off in New Caledonia

Hienghène Sport and AS Magenta are two of the four teams that will contest the final stage of 2020 Mobil Super Ligue

The final stage of 2020 Mobil Super Ligue kicks-off this weekend in New Caledonia. Four teams are going to fight for the national title and two spots in the next OFC Champions League: AS Magenta, Hienghène Sport, Horizon Patho and Tiga Sport.

These four teams will face each other in three matchdays, starting this Sunday at Stade Numa Daly. After finishing the regular season on top of the table, Tiga Sport will face current league champions Hienghène Sport in the opening match of this stage: “We have made progress in recent years, and the arrival this season of the new coach (Pierre Wajoka) has really been a plus,” stated Tiga’s player Joël Wakanumune.

The second match of the day is set to be contested between AS Magenta and Horizon Patho, and winning this match is very important for both sides on their road to 2021 OFC Champions League: “It is important to start this stage well, we are aware of what is at stake. Horizon Patho is a team that has nothing to lose,” stated AS Magenta’s Jean Brice Wadriako.

Both matches are going to be livestreamed on Facebook. You can check more details about the current Mobil Super Ligue season by clicking here.

Fiji FACT: ‘District Pride’ set to make injured Suva’s players to sacrifice

As recently mentioned, Wasasala and Mateinaqara were ruled out of Fiji FACT’s semi-final with other three players of Suva’s squad. The semi-finals were postponed from this Saturday (28th Nov) to today (29th Nov) as the due bad weather and pitch conditions – Fiji FA is still to confirm the matches will go on today as the pitch might still be in not playable conditions.

But, when preparing for the match yesterday before the postpomenents, it was confirmed by media and fans both Christopher Wasasala and Beniaminio Mateinaqara were warming up for Suva. The info regarding the players were not available was given by FBC News as Suva’s coach Babs Khan informed in video names of the players that were not going to play against Labasa in the semi-final.

Suva players before their first match at Fiji FACT – *Fiji FA Media*

Questions arised regarding if or not Suva had lied regarding the avaibility of the players to media. After the publishing the article, Suva staff got in touch with Oceania Football Center to give more details about the case. They say the coach Khan did not lie as per the time he affirmed the players were not available because they were really ruled out by doctors.

The info given is that Christopher Wasasala and Beniamino Mateinaqara insisted on playing based on ‘District Pride’ matters – both players do not originally come from Suva. Kelvin Naidu and Laisenia Raura were confirmed out by Suva staff. Both Wasasala and Mateinaqara were warming up before the match and they were going to be revalueted by doctors before the kick-off, that did not happen due the postponement of Suva’s match against the home side Labasa.

Whether the matches go on today or not, Suva has more time to treat its key players that are injured in order to play their full force against a motivated Labasa side contesting for a spot in the grand final of the last major tournament of the year in Fiji.

Fiji FACT: Rewa want to play 90 minutes in semifinals’ rematch

Rewa want to play 90 minutes in semifinals’ rematch – *Fiji FA*

The 2020 Fiji FACT semifinals were scheduled to take place at Subrail Park in Labasa this Saturday. However, the matches were postponed due to bad pitch conditions after the first half of the clash between Nadi and Rewa.

The score was 1-0 in favour of Nadi when match officials decided to postpone the semifinals. After this, it was reported by Fiji Football Association that the second half would be contested this Sunday, which is not in accordance with FIFA rules.

According to FIFA rules, an abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules or organisers determine otherwise. Also, it was reported by Rewa’s president Nazeel Buksh that Fiji FACT regulations are silent on this matter.

Fiji Football Association’s CEO Mohammed Yusuf revealed to Fiji Village that a final decision would be taken in the next hours. Oceania Football Center team is keeping up with the news to bring the outcome of this case.

Solomon Cup kicks-off at Lawson Tama Stadium

Malaita Eagles smashed their opponents to grab three important points – *SIFF Me*dia

The 2020 edition of the traditional Solomon Cup kicked-off this Saturday at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. Ten teams – one from each local football association – are battling for this important title.

The opening game was a marvelous clash, consistent with the magnitude of this tournament. Western Tomoko were beating their opponents by 4-2, but Guadalcanal Hornets scored two goals in the last ten minutes of the contest to throw cold water in Tomoko’s dream to grab three points in the opening match of the tournament. In the second match of the day, Malaita Eagles claimed three important points, as they smashed Choiseul Kukuvojo by 5-1.

With these games, the first matchday of Group A is over. Two more matches will be played this Sunday, on the opening day of Group B. You can check more information about 2020 Solomon Cup by clicking here.

Azariah Soromon strikes again to give Tupuji Imere key victory against Ifira BB

The third matchweek of 2020-21 PVFA Vodafone Premier League was fantastic for three teams: Galaxy, Tafea and Tupuji Imere. These three teams defeated their respective opponents and they are now sharing the top of the table with nine points each.

Tupuji Imere defeated current league champions Ifira Black Bird by 1-0 with a goal scored by Azariah Soromon, who is one of the top scorers of the season with four goals in three matches. He is sharing the top of the Golden Boot Race with Galaxy’s star Roberson.

Azariah Soromon (number 9) celebrating his goal with teammates – *PVFA Media*

Roberson also scored this weekend, as the Brazilian opened the scoreboard for Galaxy FC against Erakor Golden Star in the fifth minute of the game. Nemani Roqara equalized a few minutes later while Yvong August came from the bench and scored a late goal to give the 2-1 victory to Galaxy.

Two other matches were contested this weekend: Malakai Andrew and Waiwo Kalmet scored once each to give Tafea a 2-1 victory against North Efate United, while Mauwia defeated Sia-Raga by 2-0 to get out of the relegation zone. You can check more 2020-21 PVFA Vodafone Premier League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.

Subrail Park pitch conditios cannot improve in only 24h

As recently mentioned by Oceania Football Center, Fiji FACT semi-finals were postponed due bad weather and pitch conditions in Labasa’s Subrail Park. After 45 minutes of football between Rewa and Nadi it was clear football could not be played under those circumstances.

Fiji FA’s CEO Mohammed Yusuf determined the matches are going to be played this Sunday – only 24h later of the previously scheduled. The question is: can Subrail Park’s pitch be good enough for a football match just 24h of being in these conditions? (see pictures below):

As mentioned by Fiji FA in social media, “the decision will be reviewed should the weather and ground condition remain unfavourable tomorrow” – it means the entity knows the real possibility of not being able to keep the matches as rescheduled for tomorrow.

Previously, Oceania Football Center stated that the third matchday of Fiji FACT should have been postponed, as well as the second matchday, due the terrible conditions at Subrail Park. The players’ integrity and the quality of the game displayed might come first in any condition, if not the development of the sport will also be in serious risks.

Did Suva FC lie to media?

Recently, Oceania Football Center stated that five important players of Suva were not available for the semi-final clash of Fiji FACT against Labasa. The info was firstly published by FBC News – stated as a source of the news posted – signed by Senior Multimedia Sports Journalist of the journal, Akuila Cama; an important figure of the local sports’ journalism. “Players like top goalkeeper Beniamino Mateinaqara, Christopher Wasasala, Kalisito Veikoka, Laisenia Raura and Kelvin Naidu have been ruled out“, said in the article and also assured by head coach Babs Khan in video.

In fact the info was not accurate: the players were listed as available for today’s match as it was live reported by TV station Fiji ONE that was telecasting the games. Today’s matches were postponed due bad weather and pitch conditions.

Suva FC before the match against Lautoka – *Suva FC Media*

The suspicions that Suva lied to media increased as Labasa’s fans saw the players mentioned in the news warming up before the match. When the news were released, many fans questioned the possibility of being a gamble to fool Labasa’s staff.

See more:
Fiji FACT: ‘District Pride’ set to make injured Suva’s players to sacrifice;
Fiji FACT postponed to next weekend.

Football fans that were today at Subrail Park were surprised to see the likes of Christopher Wasasala warming up for the match and got intrigued how the players miracously got cured from their injuries.

It is not understandable which type of advantage it would give to Suva; but misleading media will also mislead the passionated fans of football in Fiji – something that is really not going to help the development of football in the country if the suspicions are confirmed.

Suva will now have one more day to ‘heal’ its players to take on Labasa this Sunday as the matches were postponed due the bad weather and pitch conditions.

Fiji FACT semi-finals postponed due bad weather and pitch conditions

Finally, the Fiji Football Association made the obvious: they understood the terrible conditions of the pitch at Subrail Park and decided to postpone the matches of this Saturday to tomorrow. The match that was interrupted in the half-time between Nadi and Rewa will restart from the second half.

The muddy Subrail Park just turned even worse with the rain in Labasa. Fiji FA was determined to continue the games that’s why Rewa and Nadi started their game, but it lasted only 45 minutes. Nadi will restart tomorrow with their 1-0 safe thanks to an early goal scored by Vuniuci Tikomaimereke.

Fiji FA’s CEO Mohammed Yusuf will review the decision tomorrow; if the pitch conditions continue as it is – unplayable – the match might get postponed again. The tickets used today will also serve for tomorrow – good news for the supporters.

Apart of the second half of Nadi and Rewa, the another semi-final between Suva and Labasa is set to start just after the completion of the final part of Nadi-Rewa’s clash.

Wasasala and Mateinaqara ruled out of Fiji FACT’s semi-final

There are no good news for the Suva fans heading for the semi-final clash against Labasa of the 2020 Fiji FACT: two key players will be missing the game according to local sources – Christopher Wasasala and Beniaminio Mateinaqara. Another three players are also confirmed of the decisive match: Laisenia Raura, Kalisito Veikoka and Kelvin Naidu. It is also known the defender Simione Nabenu is on doubts for the clash.

Wasasala and Mateinaqara are out of the semi-finals – *Fiji FA Media*

Suva will be expecting players such as Sairusi Nalaubu to step up this Saturday at Subrail Park in order to take on the home side Labasa; the Babasiga Lions might come at its full force against the current national champions as no news regarding players’ absence were informed by the team.

Roy Krishna delighted for scoring in Kolkata Derby

ATK Mohun Bagan defeated SC East Bengal by 2-0 in the second matchweek of 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL), the major football league from India. It was the first ever Kolkata Derby in the league, as SC East Bengal joined ISL this year.

See more:
Roy Krishna makes history as ATK Mohun Bagan defeat SC East Bengal in India.

Fijian star Roy Krishna scored the opening goal to become the first scorer of the Kolkata Derby in Indian Super League’s history: “Another historic moment and another three points. Our debut derby win is dedicated to all our fans,” he stated on social media. You can check his great goal against SC East Bengal by clicking here.

Roy Krishna celebrating his goal – *ISL Media*

With two goals in two matches, Krishna is now focused on ATK Mohun Bagan’s next league match against Odisha FC. You can check the current Indian Super League standings, results and top scorers by clicking here.