HONIARA: Kossa’s two match winning streak came to an abrupt end this afternoon when they fall prey to Uncles FC in their Pool A match of the Telikom National Club Championships.
Goals to Brian Feni and Steve Sikou for Uncles cancelled out a Joe Luwi equalizer for Kossa as Uncles were rewarded for their domination of the match.
Played under the strong afternoon heat, the match started off with slow intensity that gradually builds up as the match wore on.
Both teams obviously are aware of what one can do and have been very cautious.
The first half passed on rather quietly as both teams were unable to create decent goal scoring chances.
In the second half Kossa increased its tempo and began creating inroads. Their workaholic Willie Sade threatened early when he ran down the right flanks and blasted a right foot shot straight into Uncles goalie Paul Huia who fumbled the ball back to Willie but his second attempt was saved.
The match seasawed from one end of the pitch to the other until Sade made another burst again down the right corridor and set up Luwi who managed to squeeze his way between to Uncles defenders and slip the ball under Huia who came off his line in an attempt to close him down. Uncles’ players appealed for an offside but to no avail.
A number of replacements were made by both sides as the match wore on to strengthen their teams. The afternoon heat and fatigue had got the better of some players so the need for replacement was noticeable.
Uncles stepped up their raids and in one such move won themselves a free kick on the edge of the 18 yards box. Judd Molea took the free-kick chipping a perfectly weighted ball over Kossa defense line for Brian Feni to nod home past a hapless John Morgan.
The goal sent Uncles fans into wild celebrations and breathed life into their players as they pressed on.
Just as Kossa thought the match was destined for a draw, Steve Sikou who came in as substititute in the 69th minute for Alfred Ali scored Uncles second in a procative manner.
Kossa defenders were caught napping as Sikou easily stole the ball and with Morgan well beaten had an empty goal to head the ball home to the delight of their fans.
There was a brief moment of heated exchanges between Sogo and some Kossa players who protested the goal but the match referee stood firm in his decision.
Despite trailing by a goal, Kossa kept on pressing and Paul Wale scored what looked like a genuine goal only to be denied by the assistant referee.
Despite, their loss Kossa officials are confident of making the last semis.
Meanwhile, in the other matches played in the afternoon, Marist beat Landowners of Malaita by 7-0 and Lagoon Brothers registered their first win beating Banika Bulls 2-0