A place in the O-League final is still up for grabs in group B after Tafea FC and Kossa FC battled their way to a 1-1 draw at Port Vila Municipal Stadium in Vanuatu.
The result means Tafea cannot progress through to the final but gives a lifeline to Fijian champions Ba who will play Kossa in a must win final group match on Saturday.
Tafea dominated possession and created the better chances in the match but were wasteful in front of goal.
Kossa took the lead in the 40th minute against the run of play when Solomon Island international James Naka glided past two defenders before slotting a left footed shot into the far corner of the Tafea net.
The goal silenced the 5000 strong crowd who knew nothing less than a win tonight would be good enough.
Tafea equalised in the 60th minute when Substitute Francois Sakama scored after Kossa failed to effectively clear the ball in their goal box. Sakama was in the right place at the right time to tuck the ball home and create an exciting final 30 minutes.
But Kossa held on and now sit in the driver’s seat in the group with one game remaining.
Ba head into the final match one point behind Kossa but will have the support of the local crowd at Govind Park behind them.
Ba President Rishi Kumar was on his feet for the duration of the match and fisted the air in delight at the final whistle.
“We still have a chance.” Kumar said. “It is like someone has thrown us a lifeline.”
“Now we urge the fans to come out in numbers as we need their support on Saturday.”
O’League Group B Standings:
| P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
Pts |
GD |
|
| Kossa FC |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
5 |
+2 |
| Tafea FC |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
| Ba |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
-2 |
OFC O-LEAGUE
GROUP B
TAFEA FC (VAN) vs. KOSSA FC (SOL)
PORT VILA MUNICIPAL STADIUM
PORT VILA
VANUATU
KICK-OFF: 17H00HRS (NZT)
TAF: 1. David CHILIA (gk); 2. Samson OBED; 3. Jacques MAFIL NAWAN; 6. Fedy VAVA; 7. Moise POIDA (13. Francios SAKAMA 53’); 8. Pita David MAKI; 9. Jean NAKO NAPRAPOL (20. Alista KARLIP 80’); 10. Richard IWAI ( 18. Silas NAMATAK 70’); 11. Etienne MERMER; 12. Hubert NAKE; 16. Alphonse WELIN QORIG;
Subs: 4. Ephraim KALORIB; Jason AVOCK; 24
. Timothy JOB; 22. Shem SIPAI
Coach: Robert CALVO (VAN)
Cautions: 6. Fedy Vava 50’, 12. Hubert Nake 68’;
Red Cards: 6. Fedy Vava 90+3’
Goals: 13. Francois SAKAMA 61’;
KOS: 21. Severino AEFI (gk); 4. Tome FAISI; 5. Samson TAKAYAMA; 6. Mahlon MAEMANIA; 8. Philip ASHLEY (22. Willi SADE 65’); 10. Franco NEE; 11. Joe LUWI; 13. James NAKA; 15. Seni NGAVA; 16. Paul WALE (9. Samson WA’AHERO 75’); 17. Gideon OMOKIRIO;
Subs: Sam MAENA; Kenneth RUHANUA; John MORGAN;
Coach: Jacob MOLI (SOL)
Suspended: Reginald Devani
Cautions: 6. Mahlon MAEMANIA 18’; 10. Franco Ne’e;
Red Cards: None
Goals: 13. James Naka 41’;
Referee: Peter O’Leary (NZL)
Assistant Referee 1: Salesh CHAND (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew ACHARI (FIJ)
Fourth Official: Lencie FRED (VAN)