HONIARA – Solomon Islands Katukatu and Koloale celebrated a unique Junior Cup success as visiting Port Moresby U-14 formed a warm bond with Solomon Islands football fans at the weekend.
Port Moresby U-14 – in Honiara to compete in the Zome Cup and Junior Wantok Cup – turned in some heartening displays during the weekend finishing third and second in the respective competitions.
Katukatu’s victory in the Junior Wantok Cup goes alongside the Solomon Islands U-23 victory in the Wantok Cup held back in July.
Koloale – winners of the six team Zome Cup competition – emphasised the current strength of the Koloale School of Excellence.
Port Moresby U-14 competed in the six team Zome Cup and then in the one-off Junior Wantok Cup against Katukatu.
Port Moresby U-14 coach Wayne Taylor was complimentary in defeat describing both the tournament and one-off match as a success.
“The Zome Cup and Junior Wantok Cup were both well organised competitions and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Solomon Islands,” Taylor said.
The Zome Cup competition included six teams from around Solomon Islands and the visitors from Port Moresby.
Koloale School of Excellence won the Zome Cup.
Marist was the runner up with Port Moresby U-14 finishing third.
Mbua Valley, Florence Young and Kossa finished behind the front runners.
With the Zome Cup finished by Saturday, Port Moresby U-14 met Solomon Islands Katukatu in the Junior Wantok Cup Final at Lawson Tama Stadium.
The first half belonged to the Port Moresby U-14 but it was Katukatu who took a 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
Katukatu scored two second-half goals to take out the match and the tournament.
Two goals to Ben Akao and a goal straight from a Watson Mamai corner sealed the win.
Despite this, chances went begging for the Port Moresby U-14.
They produced at least three decent half chances which they failed to utilize but coach Wayne Taylor was happy the team had won the hearts of local fans.
A Papua New Guinea youngster on the ball at the OFC U-12 Festival of Football last year
ZOME CUP – FINAL PLACINGS
1. Koloale
2. Marist FC
3. Port Moresby U-14
4. Mbua Valley
5. Florence Young
6. Kossa FC
JUNIOR WANTOK CUP FINAL
Solomon Islands Katukatu vs. Port Moresby U-14 3-0