A round-up of some of the recent action across the region including new champions in Fiji, men’s national football kicking off in New Zealand and upcoming cup finals in New Caledonia.
The tail-end of last month saw the conclusion of Fiji’s Digicel Women’s Super League with Labasa FC creating history and winning the competition for the first time.
A draw with second-placed Ba FC secured the title for the Lionesses before they finished their season in style the following day, thrashing bottom side Tailevu Naitasiri FC 20-0.
Labasa ended the season unbeaten, with 12 wins and three draws from their 15 games. They scored an impressive 93 goals across those games, conceding just nine.
Cema Nasau, the star player at the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2022 in July, ended the season as top-scorer.
Also in Fiji, the 2022 Inter District Championship kicked off this week and OFC will round-up the results in next week’s wrap.
The men’s division of New Zealand’s National League began last weekend, with Cashmere Technical taking an early lead at the top of the table after sweeping aside 2021 Chatham Cup final opponents Miramar Rangers AFC 4-0.
OFC Champions League 2022 winners Auckland City FC also got off to a winning start at Wellington Olympic AFC while Birkenhead United AFC, Auckland United FC and Napier City Rovers AFC all picked up opening weekend wins.
Eastern Suburbs AFC and Western Springs AFC continue to lead the way in the Women’s league.
They both won by three clear goals over Canterbury United Pride and Auckland United FC to maintain a 100 per cent start to the season so far.
Northern Rovers FC are just behind in third, also with an unbeaten record, after a 9-0 victory over Central Football.
Southern United won their first game of the season at the weekend with a 2-0 triumph over Capital Football.
In New Caledonia, this weekend will see Tiga Sport and Hienghène Sport face off in the men’s Coupe de Calédonie final after a dramatic weekend of semi-final action.
Tiga booked their place in the men’s showpiece with a last-gasp 2-1 win over AS Lössi. Lues Waya had given Tiga an early lead, but recent OFC U-19 Championship standout Willy Read levelled the scoring on the half hour mark. Waya then secured his brace in second-half stoppage time to book Tiga a place in the cup final for the first time in their history.
Hienghène also left it late to win their semi-final fixture, Joseph Athale’s 90th minute penalty securing a 2-1 victory over AS Kunié.
The final takes place on Saturday and will be preceded by the women’s Coupe de Calédonie final between FCF Académie and ASAF, after they won their semi-finals 3-0 and 10-0 over SC Ne Drehu and ASC Boulouparis respectively last month.
Men’s football action returned in the Solomon Islands after the recent international break with three games taking place. Gagame Feni scored four as Kossa FC beat Kula FC 6-0 to continue their bright start to the season. However, Henderson Eels FC remain top after an Adrian Mara double saw them overcome Laugu United FC 2-1. Elsewhere, FC Isabel United beat Marist FC 2-1.
Henderson Eels continue to dominate the Solrais Women’s Premier League with a 2-0 win over Haura FC continuing their 100 per cent start to the 2022/23 campaign. Frigates United FC, Ha’arosia FC, RSIPF Royals and Koloale FC also picked up three points over the weekend.