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{{Infobox football club
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Madang FC
| clubname = Madang F.C
| image =
| image = Madang FC logo.png
| fullname = Madang Fox Football Club
| fullname = Madang Football Club
| nickname =
| nickname = Flying Fox
| founded =
| founded =
| ground = [[Laiwaden Oval]]<br/>[[Madang]], [[Papua New Guinea]]
| ground = [[Laiwaden Oval]]<br/>[[Madang]], [[Papua New Guinea]]
| capacity =
| capacity = 1,000
| chairman = [[Miok Komolong]]
| chairman = [[Miok Komolong]]
| manager = {{flagicon|PNG}} [[Amos Romo]]
| manager = [[Mauri Wasi]]
| league = [[Papua New Guinea National Soccer League|Telikom NSL Cup]]
| league = [[Papua New Guinea National Soccer League]]
| season = 2007/08
| season = 2023
| position = 7th
| position = 8th
}}
}}
'''Madang Football Club''', formerly known as '''Madang Flying Fox''', '''Madang Niupetro Fox''' or simply '''Madang Fox''', was a [[Papua New Guinea]] [[soccer]] club, based in [[Madang]].


The club was one of the founding members of the [[Papua New Guinea National Soccer League]] in 2006,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/png06.html|title=Papua New Guinea 2006|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref> alongside [[Hekari United]], [[Morobe FC]], [[Gelle Hills United|Gelle Hills]] and [[Welgris Highlanders]], and are the only founding member still participating in the division, due to clubs folding or defecting to the rival [[Papua New Guinea National Premier League]].
'''Madang Fox''' is a [[Papua New Guinea]] football club, based in [[Madang]].


Their most successful spell has come in recent years, since the NSL–NPL split, with the side having qualified for two consecutive [[OFC Champions League]] seasons, in 2017.<ref name="Oceania Football Confederation">{{Cite news|url=https://www.oceaniafootball.com/madang-fc-complete-lineup/|title=Madang FC complete lineup {{!}} Oceania Football Confederation|date=2017-02-08|work=Oceania Football Confederation|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref> and 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/madang-ready-ofc/|title=Madang ready for OFC - The National|date=2018-01-24|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref>
Formerly known as ''Madang Flying Fox'', they finished 4th in the inaugural 2006 season of the semi-professional [[Papua New Guinea National Soccer League]]<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/tablesp/png06.html Papua New Guinea 2006] - RSSSF</ref> and 7th and bottom in the 2007/2008 season.<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/tablesp/png07.html Papua New Guinea 2007] - RSSSF</ref>
Since 2019, they merged with [[Tusbab Stallions F.C.|Tusbab Stallions]].


== Achievements ==
== History ==
None{{cn|date=September 2016}}


=== Foundation and early years ===
⚫
==Current squad==
The club was founded sometime before the kick-off of the [[2006 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League|2006 National Soccer League]] season. They entered the inaugural competition and finished 4th out of five clubs in the regular season, qualifying for the playoffs as a result.<ref name=":0" /> The club were inches from making the Grand Final, holding eventual champions [[Hekari United|PRK Souths United]] 2–2 [[Overtime (sports)|after extra time]], but fell 4–2 on penalties, before being beaten 4–0 by [[Morobe FC|TL Blue Kumuls]] in the third-place playoff.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pngfootball.com.pg/News/PRK_souths_win_nsl_final.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818045440/http://www.pngfootball.com.pg/News/PRK_souths_win_nsl_final.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-08-18|title=Local Soccer News|date=2007-08-18|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref>
''2007/2008 season''

For the [[2007–08 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League|2007–08 season]], the side returned alongside six other teams, but their drop-off in form continued into the new season, winning just one match from twelve, conceding 50 goals, and finishing bottom of the league.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/png07.html|title=Papua New Guinea 2007|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref> The side decided not to return for the [[2008–09 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League|2008–09 season]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/png08.html|title=Papua New Guinea 2008|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref>

Ahead of the [[2009–10 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League|2009–10 season]], Welgris Fuel Distributors – under its sponsorship brand Niupetro Fuel – withdrew their sponsorship of [[Welgris Highlanders]] and moved their focus to Madang, allowing Madang FC to re-enter the league under the name of Madang Niupetro Fox.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/welgris-enters-team-in-nsl-niupetro-fox-fc/|title=Welgris enters team in NSL: Niupetro Fox FC - The National|date=2009-10-01|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref> Madang lined up against nine other sides,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/nsl-kicks-off/|title=NSL kicks off - The National|date=2009-11-12|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref> but fared no better than their last season, finishing in 8th place and again failing to qualify for the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/png09.html|title=Papua New Guinea 2009|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref> Following some confusion as to whether both Madang FC and [[Besta Madang Fighters|Besta Madang]] were eligible to enter the [[2010–11 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League|2010–11 season]], Madang FC were eventually accepted and competed again,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/madang-fox-given-thumbs-up/|title=Madang Fox given thumbs up - The National|date=2010-09-13|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref> but again finished second-bottom in what would be their last season for three years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/png2011.html|title=Papua New Guinea 2010/11|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref>

=== NSL absence and hiatus ===
In July 2011, it was reported that the side had failed to register their interest for the upcoming [[2011–12 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League|2011–12 season]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/hela-want-nsl-spot/|title=Hela want NSL spot - The National|date=2011-07-26|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref> In August, it was confirmed that the side were not part of the selected teams heading into the new season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/nsl-teams-picked/|title=NSL teams picked - The National|date=2011-08-22|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 2013, Papua New Guinean newspaper ''The National'' reported that the club was now defunct.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/kapi-natto-deserves-better-treatment-fan/|title=Kapi Natto deserves better treatment: Fan - The National|date=2013-02-12|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Return to NSL and OFC qualification ===
On 30 July 2014, it was confirmed that the club would be returning to National Soccer League action after a three-season absence.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/bidding-time-ends-for-franchises-in-nsl/|title=Bidding time ends for franchises in NSL - The National|date=2014-07-30|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref> The side finished 4th in the regular season table, reaching the playoffs.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/png2015.html|title=Papua New Guinea 2015|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref> The club were drawn against eight-time champions Hekari United in the second semi-final, whom they had lost to 8–1 during the regular season, but the club entered the history books by denying Hekari a ninth straight title, winning 3–2 thanks in part to a brace from [[Vanya Malagian]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/madang-cause-major-upset/|title=Madang cause major upset - The National|date=2015-05-17|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref> Malagian scored again in the Grand Final against [[Toti City Dwellers FC|Lae FC]], but it was merely a consolation, as their opponents won 5–1 to pick up their first title.<ref name=":1" />

Madang FC were one of twelve clubs entered ahead of the [[2015–16 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League|2015–16 season]], which was the first season to be split into conferences.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/four-new-sides/|title=Four new sides - The National|date=2015-10-23|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref> Madang were placed in the Northern Conference, alongside champions [[Toti City Dwellers FC|Lae City Dwellers]] and fellow founding members [[Morobe FC]], and finished the regular season behind the two clubs, missing out on the playoffs by two points, despite a 2–1 final-round victory against Lae City.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/png2016.html|title=Papua New Guinea 2015/16|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/madang-beat-lae-city-dwellers/|title=Madang beat Lae City Dwellers - The National|date=2016-02-08|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref>

Due to Hekari United's defection from the [[Papua New Guinea Football Association]] and the National Soccer League, and their subsequent ban from [[Oceania Football Confederation]] competitions, the OFC offered participation to the next best teams in the 2015–16 competition. With Lae City Dwellers already qualified, and [[Morobe FC]] and [[Rapatona F.C.|Rapatona FC]] both rejecting the offer, Madang took Hekari's spot and, as such, entered their first ever [[2017 OFC Champions League|OFC Champions League in 2017]].<ref name="Oceania Football Confederation"/> Despite picking up their maiden continental victory against [[Lupe o le Soaga|Lupe]] in a 4–3 thriller in [[New Caledonia]], the side finished third in Group A behind hosts [[AS Magenta]] and [[Tahiti]]an side [[A.S. Central Sport|AS Central Sport]] and filled to qualify for the knockout stages.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/madang-score-maiden-ofc-win/|title=Madang score maiden OFC win - The National|date=2017-03-01|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oceaniafootball.com/competition-list/ofc-champions-league-2017-group-a-401765/|title=Competition {{!}} Oceania Football Confederation|website=Oceania Football Confederation|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref>

Thanks to the league split, and Madang and Lae's participation in the Champions League, the [[2017 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League|2017 National Soccer League]] was delayed until May 2017. In the opening game of the six-team season, both OFC clubs played each other<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/nsl-opens-madang/|title=NSL opens in Madang - The National|date=2017-05-05|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref> with the sides fighting out a 1–1 draw.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/png2017.html|title=Papua New Guinea 2017|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref> Six wins, a draw and three defeats saw Madang finish second in the regular season, once again securing qualification for the [[2018 OFC Champions League]], as well as qualifying for the domestic playoffs.<ref name=":2" /> The side were due to play [[PS Huawei]] in the second semi-final, but their opponents withdrew after the match was postponed due to a late venue change, citing poor management of the competition.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/united-pull-nsl-finals-cancelled/|title=United pull out, NSL finals cancelled - The National|date=2017-08-16|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref> The NSL board proceeded to cancel the Grand Final, blaming 'the rainy season in Lae, the national elections and the failure of some clubs to pay their fees in full'.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/337520/sport-png-s-national-soccer-league-playoffs-cancelled|title=Sport: PNG's National Soccer League playoffs cancelled|date=2017-08-18|work=Radio New Zealand|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-nz}}</ref>

The [[2018 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League|2018 season]] was also turbulent, with only five out of seven sides completing all their fixtures. The season started in January 2018, and Madang made a decent start, winning their first two matches before being thrashed 7–2 by reigning champions [[Toti City Dwellers FC|Toti City Dwellers]]. Meanwhile, the club were struggling to raise finances for their second continental trip,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/madang-danger-missing/|title=Madang in danger of missing out - The National|date=2018-02-21|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref> having sent only half the side to [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]] by 15 February, ahead of matches set to begin ten days later. They appealed to help from the public to raise the required c.[[Papua New Guinean kina|K]]100,000 to fund the rest of the side to get to the tournament.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/appeal-help-madang-fc/|title=Appeal to help Madang FC - The National|date=2018-02-22|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref> By their first group game against [[Lautoka F.C.|Lautoka]] on 25 February, the squad only had 12 players at their disposal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/madang-rising-challenge/|title=Madang rising to challenge - The National|date=2018-02-28|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref> Although they were boosted by the arrival of additional players before their clash against title-holders [[Auckland City FC|Auckland City]] on 28 February, they lost 5–0. They also lost their third match against [[A.S. Vénus|AS Vénus]] and finished bottom of Group C.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oceaniafootball.com/competition-list/ofc-champions-league-2018-group-c-454125/|title=Competition {{!}} Oceania Football Confederation|website=Oceania Football Confederation|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref>

Domestically, the side finished 4th in the regular season table, missing out on a third straight continental campaign, before losing 5–4 on penalties to eventual champions Toti City Dwellers in the playoff semi-finals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/png2018.html|title=Papua New Guinea 2018|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref> Conrad Wadunah, executive member of the club's association, blamed poor refereeing for the defeat, after the side led 2–1 with two minutes of extra time remaining, before the officials awarded a penalty to Toti, which was duly converted.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/wadunah-blames-poor-refereeing-loss/|title=Wadunah blames poor refereeing for loss - The National|date=2018-05-25|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref> In the third-place playoff, the side went down to newcomers [[Morobe Wawens FC]], 2–0.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.com.pg/city-hammer-united-claim-3rd-title/|title=City hammer United to claim 3rd title - The National|date=2018-05-28|work=The National|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Withdrawal from NSL ===
Ahead of the [[2019 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League|2019 season]], Madang Soccer Association president Siegfried Beschel revealed that the Madang Provincial Government had withdrawn their sponsorship of the side after four years. This led to the side being forced to withdraw from the National Soccer League.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://postcourier.com.pg/madang-fc-clarifies-stand-2019-nsl-season/|title=Madang FC clarifies their stand for 2019 NSL season|date=2019-01-17|website=Post Courier|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-29}}</ref>

== Honours ==

* '''[[Papua New Guinea National Soccer League]]'''
**Runners-up: [[2015 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League|2015]], [[2017 Papua New Guinea National Soccer League|2017]]

⚫
==Final squad==
''Squad for the [[2018 OFC Champions League]]''
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Ludwig Bai]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=1|nat=PNG|name=[[Mikes Gewa]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Raymond Bailey (Papua New Guinea footballer)|Raymond Bailey]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=3|nat=PNG|name=[[Abel Redenut]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Gabriel Kambe]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=4|nat=PNG|name=[[Darren Polly]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Alan Lalos]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=5|nat=PNG|name=[[Langarap Samol]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Glen Mark]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=6|nat=PNG|name=[[Samuel Kini]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Eric Matawai]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=7|nat=PNG|name=[[Maximillion Sengum]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Stanis Gufino]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=8|nat=PNG|name=[[Michael Foster (footballer)|Michael Foster]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Adrian Komu]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=9|nat=PNG|name=[[Maskulan Pulung]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Billy Karitawol]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=10|nat=PNG|name=[[Emmanuel Airem]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Richard Lange (Papua New Guinea footballer)|Richard Lange]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=11|nat=PNG|name=[[Vanya Malagian]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=12|nat=PNG|name=[[Nigel Malagian]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Jonah Malus]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=13|nat=PNG|name=[[Jonel Kambual]]|pos=DF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Roman Bangko]]|pos=}}
{{Fs player|no=14|nat=PNG|name=[[Neil Hans]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Exie Frank]]|pos=}}
{{Fs player|no=15|nat=PNG|name=[[Hanson Topio]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Gordon Kata]]|pos=}}
{{Fs player|no=16|nat=PNG|name=[[Papalau Awele]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Colin Kell]]|pos=}}
{{Fs player|no=18|nat=PNG|name=[[Stahl Gubag]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Brendan Lucas]]|pos=}}
{{Fs player|no=19|nat=PNG|name=[[Romo Raymond]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Alfred Reu Jr.]]|pos=}}
{{Fs player|no=20|nat=PNG|name=[[Neville Manasseh]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Paul Wer]]|pos=}}
{{Fs player|no=21|nat=PNG|name=[[Charles Lepani]]|pos=GK}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=PNG|name=[[Notu Zake]]|pos=}}
{{Fs player|no=22|nat=PNG|name=[[Steven Inia]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs player|no=23|nat=PNG|name=[[Solomon Mapai]]|pos=FW}}
{{Fs player|no=25|nat=PNG|name=[[Darren Steven]]|pos=MF}}
{{Fs end}}
{{Fs end}}


== References ==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{Papua New Guinea National Soccer League}}
{{Papua New Guinea National Soccer League}}


[[Category:Football clubs in Papua New Guinea]]
[[Category:Soccer clubs in Papua New Guinea]]


{{PapuaNewGuinea-sport-stub}}
{{Oceania-footyclub-stub}}

Latest revision as of 12:38, 7 October 2024

Madang F.C
Full nameMadang Football Club
Nickname(s)Flying Fox
GroundLaiwaden Oval
Madang, Papua New Guinea
Capacity1,000
ChairmanMiok Komolong
ManagerMauri Wasi
LeaguePapua New Guinea National Soccer League
20238th

Madang Football Club, formerly known as Madang Flying Fox, Madang Niupetro Fox or simply Madang Fox, was a Papua New Guinea soccer club, based in Madang.

The club was one of the founding members of the Papua New Guinea National Soccer League in 2006,[1] alongside Hekari United, Morobe FC, Gelle Hills and Welgris Highlanders, and are the only founding member still participating in the division, due to clubs folding or defecting to the rival Papua New Guinea National Premier League.

Their most successful spell has come in recent years, since the NSL–NPL split, with the side having qualified for two consecutive OFC Champions League seasons, in 2017.[2] and 2018.[3] Since 2019, they merged with Tusbab Stallions.

History

[edit]

Foundation and early years

[edit]

The club was founded sometime before the kick-off of the 2006 National Soccer League season. They entered the inaugural competition and finished 4th out of five clubs in the regular season, qualifying for the playoffs as a result.[1] The club were inches from making the Grand Final, holding eventual champions PRK Souths United 2–2 after extra time, but fell 4–2 on penalties, before being beaten 4–0 by TL Blue Kumuls in the third-place playoff.[1][4]

For the 2007–08 season, the side returned alongside six other teams, but their drop-off in form continued into the new season, winning just one match from twelve, conceding 50 goals, and finishing bottom of the league.[5] The side decided not to return for the 2008–09 season.[6]

Ahead of the 2009–10 season, Welgris Fuel Distributors – under its sponsorship brand Niupetro Fuel – withdrew their sponsorship of Welgris Highlanders and moved their focus to Madang, allowing Madang FC to re-enter the league under the name of Madang Niupetro Fox.[7] Madang lined up against nine other sides,[8] but fared no better than their last season, finishing in 8th place and again failing to qualify for the playoffs.[9] Following some confusion as to whether both Madang FC and Besta Madang were eligible to enter the 2010–11 season, Madang FC were eventually accepted and competed again,[10] but again finished second-bottom in what would be their last season for three years.[11]

NSL absence and hiatus

[edit]

In July 2011, it was reported that the side had failed to register their interest for the upcoming 2011–12 season.[12] In August, it was confirmed that the side were not part of the selected teams heading into the new season.[13]

In February 2013, Papua New Guinean newspaper The National reported that the club was now defunct.[14]

Return to NSL and OFC qualification

[edit]

On 30 July 2014, it was confirmed that the club would be returning to National Soccer League action after a three-season absence.[15] The side finished 4th in the regular season table, reaching the playoffs.[16] The club were drawn against eight-time champions Hekari United in the second semi-final, whom they had lost to 8–1 during the regular season, but the club entered the history books by denying Hekari a ninth straight title, winning 3–2 thanks in part to a brace from Vanya Malagian.[17] Malagian scored again in the Grand Final against Lae FC, but it was merely a consolation, as their opponents won 5–1 to pick up their first title.[16]

Madang FC were one of twelve clubs entered ahead of the 2015–16 season, which was the first season to be split into conferences.[18] Madang were placed in the Northern Conference, alongside champions Lae City Dwellers and fellow founding members Morobe FC, and finished the regular season behind the two clubs, missing out on the playoffs by two points, despite a 2–1 final-round victory against Lae City.[19][20]

Due to Hekari United's defection from the Papua New Guinea Football Association and the National Soccer League, and their subsequent ban from Oceania Football Confederation competitions, the OFC offered participation to the next best teams in the 2015–16 competition. With Lae City Dwellers already qualified, and Morobe FC and Rapatona FC both rejecting the offer, Madang took Hekari's spot and, as such, entered their first ever OFC Champions League in 2017.[2] Despite picking up their maiden continental victory against Lupe in a 4–3 thriller in New Caledonia, the side finished third in Group A behind hosts AS Magenta and Tahitian side AS Central Sport and filled to qualify for the knockout stages.[21][22]

Thanks to the league split, and Madang and Lae's participation in the Champions League, the 2017 National Soccer League was delayed until May 2017. In the opening game of the six-team season, both OFC clubs played each other[23] with the sides fighting out a 1–1 draw.[24] Six wins, a draw and three defeats saw Madang finish second in the regular season, once again securing qualification for the 2018 OFC Champions League, as well as qualifying for the domestic playoffs.[24] The side were due to play PS Huawei in the second semi-final, but their opponents withdrew after the match was postponed due to a late venue change, citing poor management of the competition.[25] The NSL board proceeded to cancel the Grand Final, blaming 'the rainy season in Lae, the national elections and the failure of some clubs to pay their fees in full'.[24][26]

The 2018 season was also turbulent, with only five out of seven sides completing all their fixtures. The season started in January 2018, and Madang made a decent start, winning their first two matches before being thrashed 7–2 by reigning champions Toti City Dwellers. Meanwhile, the club were struggling to raise finances for their second continental trip,[27] having sent only half the side to Auckland, New Zealand by 15 February, ahead of matches set to begin ten days later. They appealed to help from the public to raise the required c.K100,000 to fund the rest of the side to get to the tournament.[28] By their first group game against Lautoka on 25 February, the squad only had 12 players at their disposal.[29] Although they were boosted by the arrival of additional players before their clash against title-holders Auckland City on 28 February, they lost 5–0. They also lost their third match against AS Vénus and finished bottom of Group C.[30]

Domestically, the side finished 4th in the regular season table, missing out on a third straight continental campaign, before losing 5–4 on penalties to eventual champions Toti City Dwellers in the playoff semi-finals.[31] Conrad Wadunah, executive member of the club's association, blamed poor refereeing for the defeat, after the side led 2–1 with two minutes of extra time remaining, before the officials awarded a penalty to Toti, which was duly converted.[32] In the third-place playoff, the side went down to newcomers Morobe Wawens FC, 2–0.[33]

Withdrawal from NSL

[edit]

Ahead of the 2019 season, Madang Soccer Association president Siegfried Beschel revealed that the Madang Provincial Government had withdrawn their sponsorship of the side after four years. This led to the side being forced to withdraw from the National Soccer League.[34]

Honours

[edit]

Final squad

[edit]

Squad for the 2018 OFC Champions League Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Papua New Guinea PNG Mikes Gewa
3 DF Papua New Guinea PNG Abel Redenut
4 DF Papua New Guinea PNG Darren Polly
5 DF Papua New Guinea PNG Langarap Samol
6 MF Papua New Guinea PNG Samuel Kini
7 DF Papua New Guinea PNG Maximillion Sengum
8 MF Papua New Guinea PNG Michael Foster
9 MF Papua New Guinea PNG Maskulan Pulung
10 MF Papua New Guinea PNG Emmanuel Airem
11 MF Papua New Guinea PNG Vanya Malagian
12 DF Papua New Guinea PNG Nigel Malagian
No. Pos. Nation Player
13 DF Papua New Guinea PNG Jonel Kambual
14 FW Papua New Guinea PNG Neil Hans
15 MF Papua New Guinea PNG Hanson Topio
16 MF Papua New Guinea PNG Papalau Awele
18 MF Papua New Guinea PNG Stahl Gubag
19 FW Papua New Guinea PNG Romo Raymond
20 GK Papua New Guinea PNG Neville Manasseh
21 GK Papua New Guinea PNG Charles Lepani
22 MF Papua New Guinea PNG Steven Inia
23 FW Papua New Guinea PNG Solomon Mapai
25 MF Papua New Guinea PNG Darren Steven

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Papua New Guinea 2006". RSSSF. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  2. ^ a b "Madang FC complete lineup | Oceania Football Confederation". Oceania Football Confederation. 2017-02-08. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  3. ^ "Madang ready for OFC - The National". The National. 2018-01-24. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  4. ^ "Local Soccer News". 2007-08-18. Archived from the original on 2007-08-18. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  5. ^ "Papua New Guinea 2007". RSSSF. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  6. ^ "Papua New Guinea 2008". RSSSF. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  7. ^ "Welgris enters team in NSL: Niupetro Fox FC - The National". The National. 2009-10-01. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  8. ^ "NSL kicks off - The National". The National. 2009-11-12. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  9. ^ "Papua New Guinea 2009". RSSSF. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  10. ^ "Madang Fox given thumbs up - The National". The National. 2010-09-13. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  11. ^ "Papua New Guinea 2010/11". RSSSF. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  12. ^ "Hela want NSL spot - The National". The National. 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  13. ^ "NSL teams picked - The National". The National. 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  14. ^ "Kapi Natto deserves better treatment: Fan - The National". The National. 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  15. ^ "Bidding time ends for franchises in NSL - The National". The National. 2014-07-30. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  16. ^ a b "Papua New Guinea 2015". RSSSF. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  17. ^ "Madang cause major upset - The National". The National. 2015-05-17. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  18. ^ "Four new sides - The National". The National. 2015-10-23. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  19. ^ "Papua New Guinea 2015/16". RSSSF. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  20. ^ "Madang beat Lae City Dwellers - The National". The National. 2016-02-08. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  21. ^ "Madang score maiden OFC win - The National". The National. 2017-03-01. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  22. ^ "Competition | Oceania Football Confederation". Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  23. ^ "NSL opens in Madang - The National". The National. 2017-05-05. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  24. ^ a b c "Papua New Guinea 2017". RSSSF. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  25. ^ "United pull out, NSL finals cancelled - The National". The National. 2017-08-16. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  26. ^ "Sport: PNG's National Soccer League playoffs cancelled". Radio New Zealand. 2017-08-18. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  27. ^ "Madang in danger of missing out - The National". The National. 2018-02-21. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  28. ^ "Appeal to help Madang FC - The National". The National. 2018-02-22. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  29. ^ "Madang rising to challenge - The National". The National. 2018-02-28. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  30. ^ "Competition | Oceania Football Confederation". Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  31. ^ "Papua New Guinea 2018". RSSSF. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  32. ^ "Wadunah blames poor refereeing for loss - The National". The National. 2018-05-25. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  33. ^ "City hammer United to claim 3rd title - The National". The National. 2018-05-28. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  34. ^ "Madang FC clarifies their stand for 2019 NSL season". Post Courier. 2019-01-17. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
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