In the first semi-final of the 2012 CIFA knockout competition on Friday, Sokattak’s side disposed of the Takuvaine Red Devils by a 3-0 scoreline.
Sokattak’s first goal came mid-way through the first half from winger Conrad Piri when the goalkeeper tried to keep out Piri’s shot, which deflected off his gloves and into the goal.
The side’s second goal was struck beautifully by Teariki Mateariki into the far left upper corner after some fancy footwork to get past two of the Takuvaine defenders.
In the second half, Sokattak went on to score one more goal with a beautiful header by young Irangi Mauri finding the back of the net.
Although Takuvaine had two goal scoring opportunities, their strikers failed to make the most of these.
Nikao Sokattak booked their knockout final spot against Lotto Premiership holders Tupapa Maraerenga.
In the second semi-final of the Premier Men’s competition, Tupapa eliminated the young side from west Arorangi 6-0.
Central defender Delaney Yaqona scored for Tupapa after only ten minutes of play with a well-timed header from a corner kick.
Ten minutes later, after Arorangi created two unconverted scoring opportunities of their own, a loose ball from almost 30 yards out saw Grover Harmon score the second goal.
The low but powerful strike from Harmon left Arorangi goalkeeper John Vano with no chance of blocking the shot.
The young Arorangi outfit put pressure on Tupapa in the second half and upset their momentum but didn’t have the final touch to convert their opportunities into goals.
Tupapa added four more goals – a free kick from Harmon for his brace, two penalties converted by Rhys Ruka and Aminesh Prasad and a final goal from substitute Campbell Best.
In the first of the senior women’s semi-finals last Thursday, Titikaveka and Nikao Sokattak were scoreless after full-time.
A penalty shootout took place to decide the winner with Titikaveka coming out on top to advance to the finals, converting three penalties while Nikao Sokattak remained on zero.
In the second of the women’s semi-final matches, Tupapa Maraerenga comfortably eliminated Arorangi 7-0.
Kim Tare, an import from Vaipae, Aitutaki, scored five goals in the win – a record for a woman in a single match.
Knockout Cup semi-final results:
Premier Men
Nikao Sokattak 3-0 Takuvaine
Tupapa 6-0 Arorangi
Senior Women
Titikaveka 0-0 Nikao Sokattak, (penalty shootout Titikaveka 3-0 Nikao Sokattak)
Tupapa 7-1 Arorangi
U-17 Men
Titikaveka 1-1 Tupapa (penalty shootout Titikaveka 2-4 Tupapa)
Nikao Sokattak 5-2 Avatiu
U-14 Boys
Arorangi 2-0 Avatiu
Tupapa 0-4 Nikao Sokattak
U-14 Girls
Arorangi 0-0 Nikao Sokattak (penalty shootout Arorangi 2-1 Nikao Sokattak)
Tupapa 2-0 Avatiu
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