Seule Soromon was too hot to handle for plucky Tonga at Toleafoa JS Blatter Football Field today as the pacy striker reeled off a stunning first half hat-trick that formalised Vanuatu’s semi-final
spot.
But Vanuatu had to overcome a bright start by Tonga who showed some improvement at various stages of each fixture highlighting the value of playing matches regularly at this level of the game.
For ten minutes Tonga looked more than competitive as Vanuatu come off second best in contesting possession but the promising start ran into a hiccup when Soromon scored his first goal after 23
minutes when he turned Matana Paongo on the edge of the box and scored with a neat finish past Kavakava to make it 1-0.
Tonga never came to terms with this body blow as Papani received a yellow card moments before Soromon burst through Tonga’s ponderous back four before scoring his and Vanuatu’s second goal. Tonga’s
despondency at falling further behind was palpable and with their semi-final hopes already over and Vanuatu’s all but signed off the match entered a flat patch it didn’t quite recover from.
Soromon was the exception to this general theme when he pounced upon his hat-trick after Vanuatu skipper Moise Poida’s initial shot was parried by Manumua the rebound falling gratefully
into the number 10’s path.
Malakai Savieti pulled one back for Tonga after 49 minutes but the match was over as a contest long before substitute Victor Maleb scored with virtually his first touch of the match on 75 minutes
after Francois Sakama carved Tonga open and ripped a peach of a cross into Maleb’s line of vision.
LIVE UPDATES:
0′- A humid afternoon in Apia greets the national teams of Tonga and Vanuatu in this final match in Group B
1′- Tonga make early in-roads with Kamaliele PAPANI spraying a wonderful pass out wide to Mark UTATAHI whose header is cleared by Chikau MANSALE
3′- Vanuatu take control of possession but Tonga make for a physically formidable defensive unit
5′- Kavakava MANUMUA is called upon to make a sprawling save at the feet of Seule SOROMON
7′- Vanuatu take a corner that is palmed away by KAVAKAVA for Tonga
10′- Francois SAKAMA collects a nod down in the penalty area from Rexley TARIVUTI and shoots straight at Kavakava MANUMUA
12′- Ilalio LEAKONA tries to play a pass through for Kaisani UHATAHI but its cut out by Tom Philip TOMAKE
13′- Unaloto FEAO unleashes a powerful strike but Kavakava MANUMUA makes a good save
14′- TOMAKE gives away possession for Vanuatu in a dangerous area and Ilalio LEAKONA’s shot is saved by Chikau MANSALE
16′- This is developing into an intriguing battle – Tonga has improved with each match, looked at least the physical equal of any team in Samoa, it seems they are peaking
toward the end of the 1st round – what would Tonga be like with more preparation?
17′- Vanuatu keep the ball well but are rushing their final pass into the top third – SOROMON, Fenedy MASAUVAKALO and Moise POIDA look accomplished on the ball
18′- The singing from the SAMOA v SOLOMON ISLANDS drifts across Toleafoa JS Blatter Football Field reminding us of the host nation’s final match
21′- SOROMON fires a shot over the bar – no danger for Tonga but Vanuatu are getting into their stride now
23′- GOAL!
10. Seule SOROMON turns his marker on the edge of the box and shoots past Kavakava MANUMUA – it’s 1-0 to Vanuatu!
Solomon Islands has taken the lead against Samoa so its 1-0 in both Group B fixtures…
25′- Vanuatu look more comfortable now they have a 1-0 lead. The wind has been taken out of Tonga’s sails somewhat
30′- YELLOW CARD
8. Kamaliele PAPANI goes into referee Job Ponis MINAN’s book
31′- The goal has had a big effect on both teams with Vanuatu now looking very confident. POIDA shoots and forces a save from MANUMUA
32′- Kavakava punches away a cross from Andrew CHICHURA of Vanuatu
33′- GOAL!
10. Seule SOROMON puts Vanuatu firmly in control after the Tonga defence is caught square allowing SOROMON to place a tidy effort
35′- Andrew CHICHURA shoots but MANUMUA saves well
35′- SUBSTITUTION
5. Matana PAONGO is replaced by 19. Lisaniasi KAINGA for Tonga
36′- News filters through that Solomon Islands Benjamin TOTORI has put his country ahead 2-0 over Samoa
37′- Francois SAKAMA’s blistering pace takes him clear of Tonga’s Folio MOEAKI as he blazes a wild shot wide of the target
40′- GOAL!
10. Seule SOROMON completes a first-half hat-trick courtesy of Tonga goalkeeper MANUMUA’s parried stop from Moise POIDA and it’s 3-0 to Vanuatu!
42′- It’s almost 4-0 as MANUMUA juggles a POIDA corner in his hands and nearly loses the ball at SAKAMA’s feet
44′- SOROMON is put clear and is followed by Folio MOEAKI who fouls but SOROMON falls rather easily and wins a free kick
— 1 minute time added on —
45’+1 – The free kick is hungrily clutched by MANUMUA as referee MINAN blows for half time
HALF-TIME: TON 0 VAN 3
46′- The second half gets underway with Vanuatu in total control
46′- SUBSTITUTION
8. Tom Phillip TOMAKE is replaced by 19. Derek MALAS of Vanuatu
47′- Lisaniasi KAINGA announces his intentions with a long range shot from 26 yards that thuds into the gloves of MANUMUA
49′- Vanuatu win three corners on the trot as POIDA peppers the Tonga six yard box with dangerous inswinging deliveries – Tonga get the ball clear at last and the pressure eases
off
49′- GOAL!
11. Malakai SAVIETI scores for Tonga! Is this a comeback?!
53′- Tonga get a rare chance but Malakai SAVIETI gets the ball tangled in his feet as Vanuatu clear up any danger
60′- Vanuatu’s Fenedy MASAUVAKALO breaks through one-on-one with MANUMUA but the Tongan keeper blocks the attempt with his frame
63′- With Vanuatu and Solomon Islands in control of both matches an air of inevitability has descended on Toleafoa JS Blatter Football Field
63′- SUBSTITUTION
21. Maki HAITONG is replaced by 16. Richard IWAI for Vanuatu
64′- SUBSTITUTION
7. Sione Vea TAHITUA is replaced by 16. Sione TOVO for Tonga
65′- The rain is falling steadily here in Apia and looks like its h
ere to stay with the sky filled by dark grey cloud – both pitches are in desperate need of moisture and it
looks like they will get plenty of it in the coming days
68-‘ Seule SOROMON’s searing pace takes him clear of the Tonga defence but MANUMUA saves well
69′- Corner conceded by Tonga but it comes to nothing…
73′- SAKAMA races down the right squares the ball for POIDA whose shot goes just wide
74′- SUBSTITUTION
10. Seule SOROMON is replaced by 15. Victor MALEB
75′- GOAL!
15. Victor MALEB finishes a lovely cross by Francois SAKAMA and it’s a goal for Vanuatu – inspired substitution by coach Alwyn JOB
81′- Long range shot from MALEB is deflected out for a corner which is subsequently cleared by the Tonga defence
82′- Solomon Islands lead Samoa 3-0 so it looks certain that Vanuatu and Solomon Islands will qualify for the semi-finals as predicted
84′- The match has lost much of its sting as Vanuatu know they have bigger matches to come…Tonga realise that its the end of the road for their South Pacific Games/FIFA
World Cup qualifying campaign
87′- Tonga corner delivered by Pio PALU and finds Lafaele MOALA free but MOALA sends the ball searing inches over the crossbar when it looked easier to score!
90′- SUBSTITUTION
1. Kavakava MANUMUA replaced by 21. Kinikini KAU for Tonga
— 2 minutes time added on —
90’+2- Referee Job Ponis MINAN blows for fulltime and it is Vanuatu who progress to the semi-finals and Tonga who bid farewell to Apia, Samoa.
FULL TIME: TON 1 VAN 4
MATCH PHOTOS:
XIII SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES – SAMOA 2007
Men’s Group B
Match Day 5 – 1230 – 3 September 2007
Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Football Fields – Apia – Samoa
TONGA: 1. Kavakava MANUMEA (21. Kinikini KAU 90’+2); 4. Folio MOEAKI; 5. Matana PAONGO (19. Lisaniasi KAINGA 36′); 6. Pio PALU; 7.
Sione Vea TAHITUA (16. Sione TOVO 65′); 8. Kamaliele PAPANI; 9. Ilalio LEAKONA; 11. Malakai SAVIETI; 12. Lafaele MOALA; 14. Kaisani UHATAHI; 17. Semisi TUIFANGALAOKA.
Coach: Kilifi UELE
Substitutes not used: 3. Kava HUIHAHAU; 10. Unaloto FEAO; 13. Mark UTATAHI; 15. Tevita TAKAI; 18. Kaliopasi UELE; 20. Kaneti FELELA [gk].
Injured:
Suspended: None.
Not available: 2. Sione Ongoi UHATAHI.
Cautions: 8. Kamaliele PAPANI (30′).
Red cards:
Goal scorers: 11. Malakai SAVIETI (50′).
VANUATU: 20. Chikau MANSALE [gk]; 3. Ken MASAUVAKALO; 4. Rexley TARIVUTI; 5. Andrew CHICHIRUA; 6. Fedy VAVA; 7. Moise POIDA; 8. Tom
Philip TOMAKE (19. Derek MALAS 46′); 10. Seule SOROMON (15. Victor MALEB 75′); 12. Fenedy MASAUVAKALO; 13. Francois SAKAMA; 21. Maki HAITONG (16. Richard IWAI 62′).
Coach: Robert CALVO
Substitutes not used: 1. David CHILIA [gk]; 2. Samson OBED; 9. Jean Nako NAPRAPOL; 11. Etienne MERMER; 17. Geoffrey Lego GETE; 18. Jacques MAFIL NAWAN.
Injured: 14. Pita David MAKI.
Suspended:
Not available:
Cautions:
Red cards:
Goal scorers: 10. Seule SOROMON (24′, 34′, 41′); 15. Victor MALEB (76′).
Referee: Job Ponis MINAN (PNG)
Assistant Referee: Rohitesh DAYAL (FIJ)
Assistant Referee: Hilary ANI (PNG)
Fourth Official: Rodney ALLEN (AUS)