HONIARA: Kossa won their final Top 8 Match 3-1 against Makuru but it was not enough to secure a place in the semi finals of the competition.
Fresh from their disappointing loss in the O’league final – Kossa were determined to save some face in front of their home crowd.
Kossa were forced to come from behind to beat their archrivals after trailing Makuru 1-0 for much of the first half.
Veteran international Batram Suri caught Kossa defenders napping when he ghosted his way past them to slot home their only goal in the 15th minute of play.
The goal came from some creative footwork by midfielder Paul Kakai Jr. who drilled a through ball for Suri to blast home inside the nearpost as the Kossa goalkeeper gasped the thin air in vain.
Despite going a goal down, Kossa held on by applying pressure on Makuru with James Naka, Joe Luwi and Reginald Davani combining well upfront and giving hope to diehard supporters who were silenced by Makuru’s early goal.
The trio kept up the rythmn as they searched for goals. Their moment came just before halftime when Davani was brought down heavily inside the 18 yards box. Match referee, Nelson Sogo awarded Kossa the penalty which Naka successfully converted to lock the scoreline 1-1 at the halftime break.
Makuru returned after the break more determined as Suri and his generals pushed forward but to no avail.
Kossa’s determination was rewarded in the second half when Luwi cleverly lob the ball into Naka’s path who found no difficulty in slotting the ball home for his second.
Ten minutes later, substitute and guest player David Faisi drove the final nail into Makuru’s coffin when he got onto the end of a Naka shot to slot home in clinical fashion Kossa’s third goal.
Naka proved a thorn for his marker, Makuru’s Berry Qalokale who chased his shadows in the second half resulting in the two goals.
Makuru fought back but simply could not match the prowess of the Kossa side who obviously benefitted from their O-League experience.
Makuru will play Koloale and Marist meets Uncles in the semis to decide the two finalists.