22 May 2023

Sports news in brief for May 22

11:27 am on 22 May 2023

Moana Pasifika coach Mauger quits - media

Aaron Mauger has reportedly resigned as head coach of Moana Pasifika after two years in the job.

Aaron Mauger.

Aaron Mauger. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Mauger had signed a contract in October 2021 to coach Moana Pasifika for three years, but Stuff understands Mauger informed the Moana Pasifika board late last week that he wouldn't be continuing in the role next season.

However, the media outlet adds, Mauger will stay on as the team's head coach for the final two games of the season, away to Fijian Drua and the Waratahs and then depart his role.

It has been a tough season for Moana Pasifika as they have failed to win any games, despite pushing the Blues recently in the 31-30 defeat at Eden Park.

Vanuatu football side's historic victory

Home side Ifira Black Bird have beaten Tiga Sport 1-0 in Port Vila to reach the semi-finals of the Oceania Champions League.

Godine Tenene scored the crucial goal with 19 minutes played.

In their first Champions League campaign Ifira rebounded from a first-up loss and a draw to record their first-ever win at the elite club level in the Pacific, ensuring home town interest will continue into the second week.

In Sunday's other group match, Tahiti's AS Pirae also booked a semi-final berth with a 2-1 win over Hekari United.

AS Pirae now face Fiji's Suva FC in the last four on Wednesday; Ifira Black Bird have the daunting task of facing multi-times champion Auckland City in their semi-final.

Kaltak's team into A-League final

Vanuatu captain Brian Kaltak could appear in the A-League final after his side Central Coast Mariners emerged victorious in the second leg of the league semi-final, defeating Adelaide United 2-0.

The win secured their place in the grand final of the A-League.

Kaltak, known by the fans as 'The Brick Wall of Gosford', was again played a significant role in the game, ensuring the team's backline remained resolute and effectively shutting down Adelaide's attacking threats.

The achievement comes in Kaltak's debut season as a professional footballer.

Fiji lose at U-20s World Cup

In their debut match at the U-20 World Cup, the Fiji national team lost 4-0 to a strong Slovakia side.

The Junior Bula Boys displayed resolute defending in the early stages of the game.

Despite Fiji's efforts, the European team created numerous chances throughout the match and effectively finished several of them.

Oceania's other representatives, New Zealand, beat Guatemala 1-0 in their opening match.

Fiji also play the United States and Ecuador in their group.

Surfing - Olympic Games

French Polynesia's hosting of next year's Olympic surfing competitions appears to be assured, despite recent flooding in Tahiti.

The site manager of the 2024 Paris Olympics organising committee, Barbara Martins-Nio, gave her assessment after French Polynesia's sports minister Nahema Temarii cast doubt on Tahiti being able to go ahead with the competition.

Three weeks ago, torrential rain destroyed about 50 homes and washed cars out to sea at Teahupoo, which is a venue on surfing's world circuit every year.

Martins-Nio said the centre chosen for the event was not affected by the storm and outstanding work is progressing according to plan.

French Polynesia's new president Moetai Brotherson has also confirmed his government's commitment for the event to be going ahead.

Marianas swimmers heading to world champs

The Northern Marianas will be sending seven swimmers to the 20th FINA World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan in July and the FINA Junior World Championships in Netanya, Israel.

The Northern Marianas Islands Swimming Federation director Richard Sikkel said World Aquatics is sponsoring swimmers and they got wildcards to attend.

For the World Champs in July the Marianas got four spots, and for the Juniors they got three.

Sikkel said all swimmers went through selection trials where candidates swam eight events in the 50m and 100m distances.

Papuan athletes succeed at SEA Games

Thirteen athletes from West Papua claimed 15 medals for Indonesia at the 32nd South East Asia Games in Cambodia.

The Papuan athletes who won gold medals included Priska Madelyn Nugroho in women's individual and team tennis, Maria Corazon Konjep Wombaki and Sang Ayu Nyoman in women's cricket, and Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo in men's team badminton.

There was also a Papuan player in the Indonesian football team which won gold.

Indonesia placed third in the final medal standings at the 32nd SEA Games, after Vietnam and Thailand.