HONIARA – Marist FC has reclaimed pole position in the DJ League following a 2-0 win over KOSSA.
The loss is a DJ League blow to KOSSA who are looking for a win to boost their flagging championship hopes with a core of players away with the
Solomon Islands Beach Soccer team at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Rio de Janeiro 2007.
KOSSA’s were without John Morgan, Gideon Omokirio Samson Takayama, Joe Luwi and James Naka, a clear blow to the club’s domestic and O-League
aspirations.
Marist FC could point to player losses of their own with Abraham Iniga and Jack Samani signing with Papua New Guinea NSL Telikom Cup defending
champions Hekari United.
Jacob Pekau has also signed on for a season in Papua New Guinea with Benjamin Mela and Gibson Hosea in Brazil with the Bilikiki Boys.
Despite the loss of personnel KOSSA started the match with enough energy and industry to suggest the key absences might not be noticed with
Sammy Wa’ahero and Papua New Guinea international Reg Davani wreaking havoc in the opening stages.
However, early dominance quickly turned into a spate of glaring misses that allowed Marist FC to bounce back thanks to two second half goals from speedy Marist FC
frontrunners Sebastian Misiga and substitute Bentley Nalangu.
Defeat for KOSSA comes as a significant blow to the Solomon Islands champions who continue to struggle in the DJ League and have dropped two
valuable points in their only match in the 2008 O-League against Vanuatu champions Tafea FC.
Meanwhile, in the battle between bottom placed Rangers and Hana ended in a 1-1 draw.
Hana opened the scoring in the first half only for newly promoted Rangers to clinch a last gasp equaliser.
Makuru looks set to top the DJ League’s premiership table again when they meet a struggling Sunbeam FC at Lawson Tama Stadium this
week.
The 2006 Honiara Football Association champions 2007/08 season has exploded into life they are considered strong favourites to defeat
Sunbeam FC.
Former international, Batram Suri’s return to the club after he had a brief stint in New Zealand has boosted Makuru’s DJ League hopes with a support
cast that features a host of talent and experience.
International midfielder George Lui has been in commanding form with former Youngheart Manawatu defender Nelson Sale having put his injury woes
firmly behind him to lead the Makuru defence with confidence.
Suri, Sale and Lui are joined by former Solomon Islands internationals in Paul Kakai Jr., Leslie Leo and goalkeeper Felix Ray Jr, who have all
turned in match-winning performances.
DJ LEAGUE – PREMIER DIVISION
Standings – 06.11.07
| PL. | W | D. | L. | GF. | GA. | PTS. | GD. | |
| Marist | 6 | 5 |
0 | 1 | 20 | 8 | 15 | +12 |
| Makuru | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 8 | 13 | +9 |
| Koloale | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 14 | 12 | +2 |
| Uncles | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 8 | 11 | +9 |
| KOSSA | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 7 | 10 | +7 |
| Sunbeam | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
9 | 4 | -4 |
| Zome | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 15 | 4 | -8 |
| Hana | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 4 | -6 |
| Laugu | 4 | 1 |
0 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 3 | -4 |
| Walas | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 14 | 3 | -5 |
| Rangers | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 1 | -6 |
| Naha | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 0 | -7 |
Latest results: Zome United 0, Uncles 3; KOSSA 0, Marist FC 2; Koloale vs. Naha – match postponed; Hana 1, Rangers 1.
Next DJ Premier League fixtures:
06.11.07
Sunbeam vs. Makuru
Lawson Tama Stadium
Kickoff: 1600hrs (local time)
07.11.07
Zome United vs. Naha
Lawson Tama Stadium
Kickoff: 1600hrs
08.11.07
Uncles vs.Laugu
Lawson Tama Stadium
Kickoff: 1600hrs
10.11.07
Walas vs. KOSSA
Lawson Tama Stadium
Kickoff: 1400hrs
Rangers vs. Marist FC
AE Oval
Kickoff: 1500hrs
Hana vs. Koloale
Lawson Tama Stadium
Kickoff: 1600hrs
– Story courtesy SIFF Media Officer Francis Pituvaka