LAUTOKA – Waitakere United striker Benjamin Totori was once again the shining star for the Solomon Islands, en route to their 11-0 drubbing of the Cook Islands in Match Day Two of the OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifiers.
Totori looks to have the golden boot race all sewn up after scoring five times against the Cook’s taking his tally to eight goals from five games.
He was joined on the score sheet by Alick Maemae (2), Joachim Waroi (2), Joses Nawo and Franklyn Forau.
The Cook Island side made an encouraging opening to the game and took the game to the Solomon’s early on. However their endeavour was not rewarded with goals and Totori opened his account in the ninth minute and never looked back.
The goals kept coming at a constant rate and the Cook Island defence had little room to breath after classy link up play and finishing from Totori, Maemae and Waroi.
Things went from bad to worse for the Cook’s when Tom Le Mouton was sent for an early shower after picking up two yellow cards in the space of three minutes.
The score line didn’t reflect the tremendous determination and work ethic of the Cook Island side who ,despite the score, didn’t give in until the final whistle.
The Solomon side look a classy outfit and they will look forward to being tested against tougher opposition on Match Day Three.
Cook Island Coach Tim Jerks was humble in defeat.
“It’s great watching the Solomon’s play football. They have great support play around the ball, players make runs off the ball which are difficult to contain and my congratulations go out to their side.
“We have a very young squad and my guys will learn from this experience and our job now is to get the boys back recovered in time for the next game and work on our weaknesses.”
Solomon Island’s Coach Luke Eroi was very happy with his side’s performance and the result.
“It’s very pleasing to watch, everyone is on their game and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the tournament.”
SOL: 1. Shadrock RAMONI (22. Leon LEKEZOTO [rgk] 70’); 3. Stanton HILA; 4. Arnold KENI; 5. Haddis AENGARI; 6. Nelson SALE; 7. Alick MAEMAE; 10. Franklyn FORAU; 17. Joses NAWO (16. John WAYNE 77’); 19. Joachim RANDE (15. Joachim WAROI 60’); 20. Gibson HOSEA; 21. Benjamin TOTORI.
SUBS: 8. Nathan KERA; 11. Michael FIFI; 18. John ANTA; 23. Eddie RAMO [rgk].
Coach: Luke EROI (SOL)
Cautions: None
Red Cards: None
Goals: 21. Benjamin TOTORI 9’, 47’, 56’, 68’, 74’; 7. Alick MAEMAE 18’, 23’; 17. Joses NAWO 63’; 15. Joachim WAROI 77’, 79’;10. Franklin FORAU 80’;
COK: 1. Remi WEARING; 2. Mii JOSEPH; 3. Eddie BROGAN; 4. Steve WILLIS; 8. Grover HARMON (13. Roger MANUEL 72’); 10. Tom LE MOUTON; 11. John Michael QUIJANO (12. Branden TUREPU 67’); 14. John BATAILLARD; 15. Gichin FUHINIU; 17. Ngatamaine SILA; 19. Tuka TISAM (9. Paavo MUSTONEN 24’);
SUBS: 6. Joseph LE MOUTON; 7. Davey SILA; 18. Abraham JIM [rgk].
Coach: Tim JERKS (AUS)
Cautions: 3. Eddie BROGAN 36’; 4. Steven WILLIS 43’; 10. Tom LE MOUTON 86’; 10. Tom LE MOUTON 89’
Red Cards: 10. Tom LE MOUTON 89’
Goals: None
Referee: Fiti AIMAASU (SAM)
Assistant Referee 1: Hillary ANI (PNG)
Assistant Referee 2: Collins AUVELE (SAM)
Fourth Official: Job Ponis MINAN (PNG).
OFC Men’s Olympic Football Tournament
Standings – 03.03.08
|
PL |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
GD |
||
|
1. |
Solomon Islands |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
17 |
1 |
6 |
+16 |
|
2. |
New Zealand |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
+3 |
|
3. |
Fiji |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
3 |
3 |
+8 |
|
4. |
Vanuatu |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
+2 |
|
5. |
Papua New Guinea |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
14 |
0 |
-12 |
|
6. |
Cook Islands |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
15 |
0 |
-15 |
GOLDEN SHOE AWARD
|
No. |
Player |
Country |
Goals |
|
21. |
Benjamin TOTORI |
SOL |
8 |
|
16. |
Malakai TIWA |
FIJ |
4 |
|
17. |
Maciu DUNADAMU |
FIJ |
2 |
|
11. |
Jeffry NAMANIAN |
VAN |
2 |
|
7. |
Alick Maemae |
SOL |
2 |
|
15. |
Joachim WAROI |
SOL |
2 |
|
19. |
Joachim RANDE |
SOL |
2 |
|
17. |
Joses NAWO |
SOL |
2 |
|
8. |
Cole PEVERLEY |
NZL |
1 |
|
7. |
Steven OLD |
NZL |
1 |
|
14. |
Joseph NAMARIAU |
VAN |
1 |
|
19. |
Tonny CHILLIA |
VAN |
1 |
|
13. |
Mathias APO |
PNG |
1 |
|
6. |
Nelson SALE |
SOL |
1 |
|
3. |
Shameel RAO |
FIJ |
1 |
|
9. |
Tau WINNIE |
PNG |
1 |
|
18. |
Costa BARBAROUSES |
NZL |
1 |
|
10. |
Jeremy Brockie |
NZL |
1 |
|
10. |
Franklyn FORAU |
SOL |
1 |
CAUTIONS
|
No. |
Player |
Country |
Cautions |
|
19. |
Tuka TISAM |
COK |
1 |
|
3. |
Eddie BROGAN |
COK |
2 |
|
5. |
Samuel KALOROS |
VAN |
1 |
|
10. |
Fenedy MASAVAKAULO |
VAN |
1 |
|
15. |
Rodney TALAU |
PNG |
1 |
|
3. |
Shameel RAO |
FIJ |
1 |
|
10. |
Osea VAKATALESAU |
FIJ |
1 |
|
16. |
Koriak UPAIGA |
PNG |
1 |
|
4. |
Steven WILLIS |
COK |
1 |
|
10. |
Tom LE MOUTON |
COK |
2 |
|
9. |
Roger JOE |
VAN |
1
|
RED CARDS
|
No. |
Player |
Country |
|
7. |
Spencer NOAL |