We have a restart to action in the Cook Islands, cup winners in Fiji and Vanuatu and continued action from across the region in this week’s Oceania competitions wrap.
Top-flight football returned to the Cook Islands over the weekend with the start of the Premier Men’s division and Senior Women’s division.
In the men’s category, Nikao Sokattak FC got their campaign off to a winning start with a thrilling 3-2 win over Matavera FC, Tupapa Maraerenga FC laid down an early marker, beating Titikaveka 7-0 while Avatiu FC defeated Puaikura FC 2-1.
In the women’s league, Matavera beat Nikao 6-0, Avatiu won 4-0 and Tupapa won a close contest against Titikaveka.
Labasa FC have won the 2022 Battle of the Giants tournament in Fiji. France Catarogo’s goal in extra-time earned the Babasiga Lions a 2-1 win over Rewa FC in the final, after Tevita Waranaivalu had cancelled out Ashnil Raju’s first-minute opener at Churchill Park.
Labasa beat Ba FC 2-0, also after extra-time in the semi-finals while Rewa advanced after beating Nadi FC 1-0 in the final four.
In the Digicel Women’s Super League, Ba won 12-0 over Tailevu Naitasiri FC while Rewa made up ground on Suva FC with a 2-0 win.
In Vanuatu, Tafea FC won the Port Vila Women’s Football League Super Cup final over the weekend. Leimata Simon scored three times to help Tafea beat Galaxy FC 5-1 in the final. Erakor Golden Star FC finished third after a 9-0 win over North Efate United FC.
Henderson Eels FC are now level on points with Solomon Warriors in the Solomon Islands’ Telekom S-League. A midweek 3-2 win over Central Coast FC was followed by a 2-0 win over Real Kakamora FC to move them onto 19 points, the same as Warriors who beat Kula FC 1-0.
Central Coast bounced back from their midweek defeat with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Honiara City FC.
Kossa FC moved level on points with third-place Laugu United FC with a 3-1 win while Southern United beat FC Isabel United 4-2. Marist FC and Waneagu FC played out a goalless draw.
The Solrais Women’s Premier League continued this weekend with Henderson Eels running rampant in a 10-1 triumph over West Honiara FC. In the pick of the weekend’s games, Koloale FC overcame Frigates United FC 3-2. RSIPF Royals also picked up a win while there were draws in the Naha FC v Marist FC and Geniagu FC v Ha’arosia FC matches.
Tiga Sport remain top of New Caledonia’s Super Ligue after a 5-1 win over Qanono Sport at the weekend. Hienghène Sport remain in hot pursuit following a narrow 1-0 victory against third-placed AS Magenta. SC Ne Drehu, AS Kunie and AS Wetr also enjoyed league wins.
In the Coupe de Calédonie, Hienghène booked their place in the quarter-finals with a win over Qanono in their rearranged fixture. They will now face AS Wetr in the quarters. Meanwhile, AS Lossi are already into the semi-finals, beating OC Hmeleck Noumea 2-1 after extra-time.
Kiwi FC remain top of Samoa’s FFS National Premier Women’s League after edging past Vaipuna SC 1-0. Lotopa SC scored sixteen goals in a one-sided affair against Vaivase-tai FC while Faatoia United FC remain in the hunt for top spot after beating Vaiusu SC 6-0.
In the men’s league, Lupe Ole Soaga SC earned the bragging rights over rivals Kiwi with a 4-2 victory while table toppers Vaipuna thrashed Lion of Judah 8-0. There were also wins for Vaivase-tai and USP FC while Moaula FC earned their first point of the season with a 2-2 draw with Faatoia United.