LAUTOKA – David Muta has fast established himself as one of this tournament’s star performers with a string of captivating displays. Affable off the pitch as he is gifted upon it, Muta, who has played with distinction in a team that has otherwise been beaten heavily, nevertheless stamped his trademark all over this match against the Cook Islands.

A wonder strike on 16 minutes set the tone for the next 90 minutes as Muta pulled the strings against a Cook Islands side ravaged by the loss of three players – John Bataillard, Gichin Fuhiniu, Steve Willis and the rested Remi Wearing.

New goalkeeper Abraham Jim could not have made an international debut under more trying circumstances as this Cook Islands team bravely tries to punch something above its weight in an environment where little mercy is shown. But the youngster gave a good account of himself and was afforded as much protection as the hard-working Mii Joseph and Adrian Shepherd could give him.

Inevitably, even that cover wasn’t ever going to be enough and Tau Winnie helped himself to the first of two goals for the evening when he stooped low to slam home a header on 19 minutes. Winnie added a second on 51 minutes.

Cook Islands were not without goal chances – twice they broke through Papua new Guinea’s porous defence only to see Gabina beaten but a covering defender clearing off the line. Joseph Le Mouton’s header on 40 minutes the closest the team has come to registering a goal all tournament.

One man who will take fond memories away from this tournament is Raymond Gunemba. Two goals against New Zealand and another impressive strike here, Gunemba alongside Muta and Samuel Kini, has shown that Papua New Guinea has plenty of exciting talent.

Koriak Upaiga (64’), William Mobbs (64’) and substitute striker Niel Hans ( 76’) – one of the Papua New guinea National Soccer League Telikom Cup’s top scorers – rounded off the scoring.

Cook Islands coach Tim Jerks was philosophical in defeat.

“It’s difficult to be harsh with these players and it does no good to have a go at them when they lose – you have to try and be positive all the time.

They are a very young side and you can see the difference in experience.”

OFC MEN’S OLYMPIC FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

MATCH NO.11

CHURCHILL PARK

LAUTOKA

FIJI

KICK-OFF: 17H00 (FIJI TIME)

COK: 20. Jim ABRAHAM; 2. Mii JOSEPH; 3. Eddie BROGAN; 5. Adrian SHEPERD; 8. Grover HARMON; 9. Paavo MUSTONEN; 10. Tom LE MOUTON; 11. John Michael QUIJANO (13. Roger MANUEL 65’); 12. Branden TUREPU; 17. Ngatamaine SILA; 19. Tuka TISAM (6. Joseph LE MOUTON 34’).

SUBS: 1. Remi WEARING [rgk];; 7. Davey SILA; 16. Ngatungane TANGIMETUA.

Coach: Tim JERKS (AUS)

CAUTIONS: None

RED CARDS: None

GOALS: None

SUSPENSIONS: 14. John BATAILLARD; 15. Gichin FUHINIU.

ABSENT: 4. Steve WILLIS.

PNG: 3. Mathew YANG; 4. Cyril MUTA; 6. Samuel KINI (10. Jason WESLEY 67’); 7. Fabian BAGI; 9. Tau WINNIE (19. Niel HANS 63’) 12. David MUTA; 13. Mathias APO (11. William MOBBS 45’); 14. Raymond GUNEMBA; 15. Rodney TALAU; 16. Koriak UPAIGA; 20. Gure GABINA.

SUBS: 1. Anthony PIPI [rgk]; 2. Lawrence MOSES; 5. Tarcicus MANDARIP; 17. Roniel IGENS; 18. Charles PARANDA;.

Coach: George COWIE (SCO)

CAUTIONS: 3. Mathew YANG.

RED CARDS: None

GOALS: 12. David MUTA 16’; 9. Tau WINNIE 19’, 51’; 14. Raymond GUNEMBA 29’; 16. Koriak UPAIGA 54’; 11. William MOBBS 64’; 19. Niel HANS 76’.

Referee: Norbert HUATA (TAH)

Assistant Referee 1: Brent BEST (NZL)

Assistant Referee 2: Phillipe REVEL (TAH)

Fourth Official: Andrew MOLI (SOL)

 

OFC MENS OLYMPIC FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

 

STANDINGS

 


 

PL.

W.

D.

L.

GF.

GA.

PTS.

GD.

1.

New Zealand

4

4

0

0

11

3

12

+8

2.

Solomon Islands

4

3

0

1

22

3

9

+19

3.

Fiji

4

3

0

1

19

3

9

+16

4.

Vanuatu

4

1

0

3

4

9

3

-5

5.

Papua New Guinea

4

1

0

3

10

18

3

-8

6.

Cook Islands

4

0

0

4

0

30

0

-30

 

GOLDEN SHOE AWARD

 

<

No.

Player

Country

Goals

21.

Benjamin TOTORI

SOL

10

16.

Malakai TIWA

FIJ

8

7.

Alick MAEMAE

SOL

4

8.

Alvin SINGH

FIJ

3

18.

Costa BARBAROUSES

NZL

3

14.

Raymond GUNEMBA

PNG

3

17.

Joses NAWO

SOL

3

10.

Tau WINNIE

PNG

3

14.

Roy KRISHNA

FIJ

3

3.

Shameel RAO

FIJ

2

10.

Jeremy BROCKIE

NZL

2

17.

Daniel ELLENSOHN

NZL

2

7.

Steven OLD

NZL