The friendly clash was part of Koloale’s preparations for the O-League, which begins in October, and they well be pleased to have been given a worthwhile run out by their opponents.
Indeed, the scoreline probably flattered Koloale and the match was not as easy as the 4-0 result would suggest.
The Honiara select squad had only one training session together before the game but each member plays regularly in the Honiara Football Association DJ League and appeared to be in confident mood.
But Koloale have been training hard for the O-League and looked a bit sharper. They were given a boost when key defender Samson Takayama returned to the line-up after a no show in the draw against the Solomon Islands national team a week earlier.
Like in their previous two friendlies, Koloale were slow to start and the Honiara select side threatened to earn themselves the lead. But this early control was soon wrestled away as the Koloale midfield stirred into action.
The first goal came from a free kick in the 20th minute. A dangerous tackle by Honiara defender Silas Samo on Ian Paia earned him a yellow card and gave Koloale a chance to score.
Waitakere United striker Benjamin Totori took the kick and, instead of having a crack at goal, he slipped through a pass to the unmarked Ezra Sale, who picked the ball up behind the defence and slotted it home.
Koloale jumped further ahead five minutes later with a goal on the counter attack from Joses Nawo.
The second half was dominated by Koloale and it was almost inevitable that they would strike again. That happened when Paia embarked on a brilliant individual run before stroking the ball into the net.
Paia’s goal was followed by one from Totori in the 68th minute. Totori received a long pass from another counter attack and rounded the goalkeeper with a sidestep to make it 4-0 and put the game beyond Honiara’s reach.
The national mens’ U-20 trial match between the probables and possibles played earlier in the day was won 4-3 by the probables.
Story and photo courtesy of SIFF Media.
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