RANGERS, K1 UNITED AND NAHA FC ALL WINNERS

HONIARA – Kossa FC’s form slump continued after it was downed 1-0 by Rangers at AE Oval in the DJ League action from the weekend. Other winners from the three matches played included newly renamed K1 United who beat Laugu by the odd goal in five and Naha FC who bounced back from a goal down against bitter rivals Hana FC to record an inspiring 3-1 win.

Jacob Moli’s Kossa FC continues to suffer from an OFC O-League hangover in the second half of 2008. The loss of Papua New Guinea international striker Reginald Davani and the talismanic Beach Soccer and O-League hero James Naka (transferred to Zome Mars) has so far proved too big a loss to match. 

With only Joe Luwi left from the Kossa FC strikeforce that went all the way to the 2008 O-League Final against Waitakere United, the diminutive attacker has himself experienced a similar loss of form in front of goal.

KOSSA SLUMP CONTINUES

Venue: AE Oval (Ranadi)

Playing on a much smaller field was always going to be difficult for a team like Kossa, which loves to exploit the wide open space of Lawson Tama Stadium to their advantage. That was exactly what happened to Kossa at the Abraham Eke Oval (AE Oval).  As the more experienced of the two teams, Kossa settled down early and had good scoring opportunities which they squandered in similar fashion against Koloale last week.

Rangers were banking on their international striker Godwin Bebeu to hit top form but unfortunately he seemed to have a bad day – epitomized when he was unable to a gilt-edged one on one chance in the second half. Kossa has missed the influence of James Naka, now with Zome Mars, and in the end had to accept the loss with dignity.

Rangers, coached by former national team skipper, Matai Vave was delighted with the win over former international team-mate and Kossa coach Jacob Moli.  Moli refused to use the size of AE Oval pitch as a reason for the defeat but said the dimensions of the pitch were vastly different to Lawson Tama Stadium. Moli said the team did not adapt and had to accept defeat.

Lawson Tama Stadium

K1 United (formerly Walas FC) got into the score sheet first when Lency Sai scored in the 38th minute. That early goal did little to dampen the spirit of the Lauans who fought on and were rewarded in the 44th minute through a David Pairata goal. Duddley Natei – at one time considered as one of Solomon Islands most respected strikers – has improved Laugu’s form markedly since taking the reins as coach.

Mark Wate’s 58th minute goal helped Laugu to take the lead for the first time. But poor discipline in the Laugu defence cost them a win and three vital match points when the referee spotted an infringement inside the box and awarded a penalty to K1 United deep into injury time.

K1 United’s Simon Sau stepped up and made no mistake with his spot kick bringing the match to equal terms in the 90th minute.

Laugu defenders were still pondering over the goal when K1 scored their 3rd goal in the 93rd minute to seal an unlikely and dramatic victory

For Laugu, the loss was their third since the league started and condemns them to the bottom of the table.

NO LOVE LOST AS NAHA DOWN HANA

Venue: Lawson Tama

Both teams came into this match equally determined to gain maximum points and that was reflected in the scoreless and dour first half.

As anticipated as this match was always going to be between two teams for whom no love is lost,  there was little expectation of top quality football, if not drama.

Hana FC coach Rex Masuaku, originally of Congo Democratic Republic in Africa who now resides in Honiara, was the former Naha coach before he decided to pull out part of the team to form Hana FC.

The controversial split occured just over two years ago and has played a clear role in the teams’ rivalry since then.

Up until the 70th minute, goalscoring chances were created at both ends of the field aplenty but some wayward finishing, great defending and palpable nerves meant the match remained deadlocked.

That deadlock was broken by former international striker, Coleman Maniadalo, who struck first for Hana FC in the 70th minute.

Maniadalo’s goal was the catalyst for a goal frenzy as Naha’s Divine Kabau (Stanley Waita’s younger brother) scored from a freekick on the edge of the box for the equalizer on 72 minutes.

That goal breathed life into Naha who began pushing forward in search for a winner as the match opened up with both teams committing to attack.

More drama was to come when speedster Lore Foanaota scored Naha’s second goal on 79 minutes before team-mate Timson Telende wrapped up the victory in the 86th minute to complete a remarkable final 20 minutes of the match.

The victory is Naha’s second while this was Hana’s first defeat after they had ealier registered a draw and win in their previous two matches.