HONIARA: The Solomons Islands comprehensive 2-0 shutout over Melanesian neighbours New Caledonia in round 3 action last weekend secured the Group 1 hosts their third consecutive win and a guaranteed berth in the Stage 2 OFC Nations Cup/FIFA World Cup preliminaries in Adelaide, Australia from 29 May – 6 June 2004.
Buoyed on by some tremendous crowds since the opening match on 10 May, the local side has risen to the occasion each time to become the first OFC qualifier for Stage 2. The resurgence of the yellow and blues has been a revelation in a little under three months with the introduction of new coach Alan Gillett of England, and the combination of freakish talents such as Henry Fa’arodo and youngster Alick Maemae with seasoned campaigners Batram Suri and Commins Menapi.
In front of a record crowd of well over 20,000 at the magnificent Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara, the Solomon Islanders quickly opened up a 2-0 advantage at the break. But the tough New Caledonians, runners up in last year’s South Pacific Games, were able to sustain the multi-pronged attack of the Solomons to hold them scoreless in the second half. The vocal supporters were in full voice and brought scenes of joy that Honiara has never witnessed before.
“We have waited a long time for international football to return to our islands and what we witnessed today was a piece of history which has proven the Solomon Islanders are true lovers of the beautiful game,” said emotional Solomon Islands Football Federation CEO, Matthew Kausimae.
“It is something we have never seen before; we had to close the gates because we could not fit in any more people. You could not see a blade of grass on the embankments – it was unbelievable.”
Gideon Omokirio and New Zealand based defender George Suri scored the goals for the Solomons taking the scoring load of their potent forwards who were heavily marked by the New Caledonians.
There was just as much drama in the earlier game as Tonga and Cook Islands fought it out in front of a huge crowd of around 15,000 which was quickly swelling in anticipation of the following match. Tonga stunned the Cook Islands with the winning goal in the second half after both sides went into the break nil all. Tonga broke the deadlock through Mark Uhatahi not long after the resumption of play after half-time. But John Pareanga replied ten minutes later with an opportunist goal to put the sides on even terms again. Viliami Vaitaki’s 61st minute strike proved the winner for Tonga who finished the stronger team.
Round 3 Review – 15 May 2004
Match 5: Tonga vs Cook Islands
Full-time score: 2-1 Tonga
Half-time score: 0-0
Goal-scorers:
Ton – (7) Mark Uhatahi 48′; (19) Viliami Vaitaki 61′
Cooks – (4) John Pareanga 59′
Cautions: Cooks – (13) Teatu Rangi Putere 33′; (16) Adrian Joseph 72′
Expulsions: none
Venue: Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara
Weather: fine
Crowd attendance: 15,000+
Match Officials
Referee: Salaiau Sosongan (PNG)
Assistant Referee 1: Athanse Rakrak (Vanuatu)
Assistant Referee 2: Dhirendra Kewal (Fiji)
Fourth Official: Lencie Fred (Vanuatu)
Match Commissioner: Mohammed Yusuf (Fiji)
Referee Inspector: Hari Naicker (Fiji)
Team lineups (& substitutions)
TONGA
1. Heneli Saafi
2. Kava Huihahau
3. Makatuu Moeaki
4. Sitenilesili Mafi
5. Siosuia Maamaloa
6. Ipeni Fonua (-57′)
7. Mark Uhutai (-53′)
8. Kilifi Uele
10. Kamaliele Papani
13. Lafaele Moala
19. Viliami Vaitaki (-68′)
Subs:
11. Maamaloa Tevi
12. Mekilani Fotu (+57′)
14. Folio Moeaki (+53′)
15. Suliasi Fotu
16. Feao Finau
17. Solomone Moa (+68′)
18. Alalaite Tuakalau
20. Sitiveni Tafolo
Coach: Milan Jankovic
COOK ISLANDS
1. Tony Jamieson (GK)
3. Mark Jamieson
4. John Pareanga
5. Eugenie Tatuava
6. Victor Samuel
7. Christian Tauira
9. Joseph Chambers (-68′)
10. Teariki Mateariki (-53′)
13. Teatu Rangi Putere
15. Albert Fariurangi Oti (-46′)
17. Geoffrey Strickland
Subs:
2. Paul Luiz Van Eijk
8. Roururoaroa Une (+46′)
12. Tuka Tisam (+53′)
14. David Angene
16. Adrian Joseph (+68′)
20. Taranivao Tekeu
Coach: Tim Jerks
Round 3 Review – 15 May 2004
Match 6: Solomon Islands vs New Caledonia
Full-time score: 2-0 Solomon Islands
Half-time score: 2-0 Solomon Islands
Goal-scorers: (17) Gideon Omokirio 10′; (21) George Suri 42′
Cautions:
Sol – (17) Gideon Omokirio 46′; (6) Nelson Sale 55′; (16) Stanley Waita 56′
New Caledonia – (13) Michel Hmae 19′; (5) Alain Kecine 43′; (4) Andre Sinedo 48′;
Expulsions: none
Venue: Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara
Weather: fine, humid
Crowd attendance: 20,000+
Match Officials
Referee: Harry Attison (Vanuatu)
Assistant Referee 1: Ben Lemana (Samoa)
Assistant Referee 2: David Crichton (Am Samoa)
Fourth Official: Rajendra Singh (Fiji)
Match Commissioner: Mohammed Yusuf (Fiji)
Referee Inspector: Hari Naicker (Fiji)
Team lineups (& substitutions)
SOLOMON ISLANDS
1. Felix Ray Jr
3. Mahlon Houkarawa (-26′)
6. Nelson Sale
7. Alick Maemae
9. Commins Menapi
10. Batram Suri
16. Stanley Waita (-73′)
17. Gideon Omokiria
18. Henry Fa’arodo Jr
19. Paul Kakai Jr
21. George Suri
Subs:
2. Leslie Leo (+26′)
5. Phillip Kaukui
8. Joel Konofilia
12. Francis Wasi
13. George Lui
14. Jack Samani (+73′)
15. Moses Toata
Coach: Alan Gillett
NEW CALEDONIA
1 Michel Hne GK
4 Andre Sinedo
6 Jacky Wiako (-72′)
8 Gil Elmour
9 Frank Oiremoin (-48′)
11 Jules Wea
13 Michel Hmae
14 Pierre Wajoka
16 Ramon Djamali (-42)
18 Jose Hmae
19 Iamel Kabe
Subs:
3 Thedore Pian
5 Alain Kecine (+48′)
7 Jacques Dahote (+72′)
10 Robert Wadriako
12 Nicolas Ouka
15 Robert Kauma
17 Paul Poatinda (+42′)
20 Fabrice Dremond
22 Steevens Longue
Coach: Martinengo Serge De Novak