WAITA GIVES NAHA VICTORY

HONIARA – Koloale’s DJ League and O-League hopes received a major confidence boost with a win and a draw against Makuru and Kossa last week. Koloale had to survive a barrage of attacks from Kossa before snatching a solid 1-1 draw and then just days later delivered a near knock-out blow to Makuru’s season with a vital 1-0 win.

Former Waikato FC midfielder Stanley Waita was the hero for Naha in its showdown with Rangers FC. Waita – who has been in New Zealand for the past two-and-a-half-years – was in great form for his new club and turned in a match-winning performance.

The other winning teams in a busy week of football included Hana and Uncles FC.

www.oceaniafootball.com and Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Media bring you all the action from the DJ League.

WAITA GOAL GIVES NAHA DRAMATIC VICTORY

Naha vs Rangers (3-2)

Saturday 6th September 2008

This was perhaps the most entertaining of the matches played at the weekend.

 Naha FC came into the match determined. The presence of former Waikato and Solomon Islands international midfielder Stanley Waita gave them that extra boost as they went on an all out attack from the opening whistle. But it was Rangers that drew first blood when Charlie Moli (younger brother of Solomon Bonito coach Jacob Moli and FIFA Referee Andrew Moli) scored in the 5th minute.

However, Naha’s George Laukeni threw his team a lifeline in the 19th minute when he scored the equalizer to send his team off for the recess on equal footings with Rangers. Naha increased its lead when match resumed. Former sprinter, Lore Foanaota scored in the 48th minute. Rangers replied in the 64th minute through David Taro’s boot. But Naha applied pressure and Waita managed to find the winner in the 85th minute to seal victory for his club.

MURI GRABS LATE EQUALISER FOR KOLOALE

Saturday 6th September 2008

The match between these two teams was always going to be tough. As expected Kossa settled the quickest and dominated– pushing forward more often against Koloale. Danger man Joe Luwi worked tirelessly upfront creating scoring opportunities but Kossa FC squandered plenty of chances. The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and OFC O-League hero went on a mazy run and managed to evade several Koloale defenders before unleashing a tame shot which hit the foot of the far post and rolled away much to the delight and relief of Koloale fans and players. It took Kossa until the injury time in the first half to score. It was Franco Ne’es 30 meter shot that gave them that lead as they went out for half-time.

However, Koloale and Bilikiki beach soccer player, Nicholas Muri who came in as substitute saved what would have been an embarrassment for the new O-League representatives when he beat an advancing Kossa goalkeeper John Morgan for the late equalizer.

Saturday 6th September 2008

This match was played at the Abraham Eke pitch (AE Oval). As expected, in-form Hana overcame a stubborn Laugu outfit beating them by just a single goal and earning three important points.

NAKA SCORES FOR ZOME MARS

Tuesday 9th September 2008  

Marist’s two match winning streak came to an end when they met Zome Mars. They could only manage a draw against the side that received a massive boost with the inclusion of former Kossa and beach soccer’s goal poacher James Naka. Marist appeared to have struggled to contain Zome Mars with Naka dictating the flow of play.

Zome Mars players however, were still unable to find Naka’s rhythm and always miscalculated their passes to him.

They were fortunate to have gone ahead before Marist equalized. It was Naka precision and power that helped the ball found its way into the goal mouth. Marist had to bring in replacements and that helped them in the second half to find the equalizer.

Wednesday 10th September 2008

This match promised entertainment as the two rival clubs are heavyweights of the Honiara Premier league. Makuru had won the minor premiership title of the Honiara’s premier league for a number of years now while Koloale recently won the National Clubs Championship by beating Makuru in the penalties. As anticipated, there was no shortage of drama with Makuru taking a more physical approach. It took Koloale until the second half to find a winner. It needed Ezra Sale – whom Koloale loaned from Makuru – to separate the two teams with an easy tap in. Makuru had other chances but Koloale’s stubborn defence held up well until the end of the match. The loss was Makuru’s first in the new season and provided a boost for Solomon Islands 2009 OFC O-League representatives.

Thursday 11th September 2008

Sunbeam and Uncles FC both originate from two islands in Lau island group in the Malaita Province, but both rivals came into this match sporting very different form with Sunbeam having lost two matches and Uncles FC a win and a draw.

However, Sunbeam raised a few eye brows in this match by storming ahead with a goal early in the first half.

However, Uncles FC star Gibson Daudau threw his team a lifeline when he blasted a shot at the Sunbeam keeper who let the ball slip through his gloves and into the net.

Judd Molea increased Uncles lead with a trademark free-kick. Sunbeam were awarded penalty but former Kossa defender, Tome Faisi, could only watch in disbelief as his spot-kick sailed high over the cross bar.