HONIARA – The National Clubs Championship (NCC) grand final match between Makuru and Koloale ended in controversy yesterday as the penalty shoot-out to decide Solomon Islands representatives in next season’s Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) O-League ended amid scenes of acrimony at Lawson Tama Stadium.
Makuru players and officials protested after match referee Andrew Moli awarded a goal he disallowed earlier and gave the win to Koloale.
The day began brightly enough with the match played under perfect conditions before a good sized crowd.
The opening exchange was evenly fought between the two teams and chances went begging in regulation time and extra time.
Koloale and Makuru had met twice before this final, in the grand final of the Super 8 Challenge and in the Telekom National Clubs pool match.
Koloale won the penalty shootout in the Super 8 Challenge and drew the pool match to set them up for this grand final match.
Both teams would be disappointed that they had not been able to score in regulation time which saw the match going into extra time.
National Under 23 and Koloale goalkeeper Shadrack Ramoni pulled off a couple of fine saves denying super striker Commins Menapi and Batram Suri from finding the back of the net.
On the other side of the pitch, Ramoni’s number two at the recent OFC Under 23 championship Leon Lekezoto was also in his top form.
He had to stand in for his number one, Felix Ray who was suspended following an after-match incident last Friday when Makuru played Kossa in the semifinals.
Menapi and Suri combined well to test Koloale defence unit who are defiant and fought on till the end of the match.
But, as the match headed into extra time, it became apparent that it would end a goal less draw and require a penalty to separate the two teams.
With tensions already high the potential for trouble was ever present.
Against this background the penalty shoot out ended amid scenes of acrimony after a protest by Makuru players and supporters after referee Andrew Moli awarded a goal he had earlier disallowed.
However, the assistant referee who officiated the penalty shoot out did not raise his flag to indicate that the goal was scored.
Koloale players complained bitterly to the match referee who dished out a yellow card to Bule who persistently complained why the goal was disallowed.
The match referee then consulted his assistant and reversed his earlier decision and gave the win to Koloale after a Makuru’s final penalty flew wide of the target.
The referees actions incensed Makuru players who along with their officials fronted up at the VIP lounge at Lawson Tama to remonstrate with match officials.
However, the tense situation was brought under control when SIFF president Martin Alufurai intervened and calmed Makuru players and officials.
Alufurai said the matter would be brought before the SIFF disciplinary committee to decide the fate of the two clubs.
Meanwhile, earlier Uncles defeated Kossa 2-1 in the play off for third place and secured the third prize and bronze medals.