Football

Liverpool Maintains lead

Despite this defeat, the Nottingham Forest escaped relegation.

As the game drifted past the eight added minutes, Darwin Nunez, playing his first game since suffering a muscle injury at Brentford on 17 February, found the bottom corner with a glancing header from Alexis Mac Allister's cross, sending Liverpool to Victory.

It was Liverpool's first league win at the City Ground since 1984 and ensures that they will be top of the table heading into next Sunday's crucial match against champions Manchester City.

HEKARI SECURES O LEAGUE

After securing a 2-nil victory in the first leg of the national playoff, Hekari United carried the winning form into the second leg putting a stunning display, holding off its opposition, Port Moresby Strikers 3-nil to secure a spot in the Men’s OFC Champions League.

Both teams had a chance to score, Hekari United through Rex Naime and Yagi Yasasa and Strikers through Matthew David; but couldn’t nail it until the 24 minutes when Karo Kila broke the deadlock open following a nice delivery from Yasasa.   

PNGWNST Prepares for OFC Qualifier Opener

The National Women's Soccer team takes the field under new head coach Eric Komeng.

With the new coach come the new ways of doing things. As such, Komeng has emphasized team effort to get the job done.

“It’s a team effort. We just need to put the team together because our team effort is more important than anything,” said Komeng ahead of their first match.

He added that without the former Coach Sakete and one of the most valuable players, Romano Padio in the tournament, things would look different but he remains confident with the talent he has assembled.

Kaipu leads PNG Women’s team

The tournament kicks off on Wednesday, February 7th, and ends on the 19th.

Former captain Ramona Padio is missing the tournament for personal reasons. Replacing her is veteran Marie Kaipu.

Barcelona manager Xavi to stand down

Barcelona are third in the table on 44 points, 10 behind leaders Real Madrid and eight adrift of second-placed Girona.

"I'd like to announce that as of June 30 I will not continue as Barca coach," he told a press conference after meeting with club president Joan Laporta for over half an hour.

"It is a situation of common sense and I have decided that on June 30th I will not continue as Barca coach.

Klopp to leave Liverpool at Season's End

The German announced on Friday he would leave Anfield at the end of the season.

Klopp, 56, said he realised his "resources are not endless" as his side continue to compete for four trophies this campaign.

"With all the responsibility you have in this job, you have to be top of your game," Klopp said.

"I've been doing this 24 years now. When you have the career I had it's almost impossible to start where I did and arrive at Liverpool.

Hekari United Readies for Champions League

Hekari United, alongside Fijian side Labasa FC, are among six confirmed teams, with representatives from New Caledonia and Vanuatu yet to finalize their participation. The expansion of the tournament to eight teams this year reflects the burgeoning interest and growth of women’s football across Oceania.

The competition will feature two groups of four teams each, engaging in a round-robin stage. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals, setting the stage for intense matchups.

Wawens Cup finals fever

The senior men and women, under 17 and under 12s are well underway for the final placing. 

Following the quarter-finals will be the semi and grand final coming up on Monday of 1st January 2024.

As well as bringing an end to the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Wawens Cup, the biggest off-season soccer tournament in Lae, Morobe Province.

England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham wins 2023 Kopa Trophy

The 20-year-old has made a stunning start to life at Real Madrid having scored 13 goals in 13 games; Bellingham becomes first English player to win Kopa Trophy

England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has won the 2023 Kopa Trophy, given to the best young player under the age of 21, after a stunning start to life at Real Madrid.

Bellingham scored twice in Saturday's 2-1 El Clasico win at Barcelona, which included an incredible equaliser and a stoppage-time winner, to give him a goal-a-game record in his first 13 matches.

Kapi Natto urges WCSL to improve

PNGFA president John Kapi Natto wants to help improve the situation and is urging participating teams to take ownership of the Women’s Soccer League initiative, so the Women’s Football can grow.

Although the WNSL concluded its second year since its inception in 2022, the Soccer League is yet to attract followers to the event. This was evident in the grand final match yesterday at the PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby.