Honiara: Group 1 hosts Solomon Islands easily accounted for Tonga 6-0 in the opening Group 1 match of the Stage 1 OFC Nations Cup/World Cup preliminaries at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara yesterday.
In front of well over 12,000 spectators, the Tongan team held their more fancied opponents to 2-0 at the break, but the floodgates opened up in the second stanza as the oppressive heat and humidity started to have its effect on the visitors.
Australian based star Henry Fa’arodo thrived on the home advantage scoring a hat-trick of goals, two in the first half to clearly stamp his mark on the Group 1 preliminaries. With Commins Menapi well marked and veteran Batram Suri ruled out of the match, Fa’arodo seized the scoring responsibility.
Young strike partner Alick Maemae also chipped in with two goals in the second half with replacement Jack Samani completing the scoring after he followed up a rebounded shot off the crossbar.
In the other round 1 match in Stage 1 (Group 1), Tahiti overcame a gutsy Cook Islands outfit which competed from opening to final whistle. The 2-0 winning margin flattered the higher ranked Tahitians who were missing several stars including Felix Tagawa.
Samuel Garcia made a welcome return to the Tahitian team with a sensationally taken free kick in only the second minute which beat Cooks goalkeeper Tony Jamieson who otherwise had a superb game.
Tahiti did not score again until the dying minutes when replacement Rino Moretta connected with a brilliant cross from Vincent Simon.
Round 2 matches for Group 1 continues this Wednesday, 12 May (local time) with the hosts Solomon Islands playing the Cook Islands at 2pm while Tahiti face off with New Caledonia in the following match at 4pm.
Group 2 kicks off today at the Toleafoa JS Blatter Complex in Apia, Samoa with Papua New Guinea playing Vanuatu in the opening game at 2pm (local time) while hosts Samoa plays neighbours American Samoa in the following match at 4pm.
2004 OFC Nations Cup/FIFA World Cup – Stage 1 (Group 1) Preliminaries
Round 1 Review
Match 1: Solomon Islands vs Tonga
Full-time score: 6-0 Solomon Islands
Half-time score: 2-0 Solomon Islands
Goal-scorers: Sol – (18) Henry Fa’arodo 12′, 30′, 77′; Alick Maemae 62′, 76′; Jack Samani 79′
Cautions: (9) Commins Menapi
Expulsions: none
Venue: Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara
Weather: fine, humid
Crowd attendance: 12,385
Match Officials
Referee: Harry Attison (Vanuatu),
Assistant Referee 1: Elisi Doriri (Vanuatu), Assistant Referee 2: Ben Lemana (Samoa)
Fourth Official: Leone Rakaroi (Fiji)
Match Commissioner: Mohammed Yusuf (Fiji)
Referee Inspector: Hari Naicker (Fiji)
Team lineups (& substitutions)
SOLOMON ISLANDS
1. Felix Ray Jr
2. Leslie Leo
3. Mahlon Houkarawa (-69′)
7. Alick Maemae
9. Commins Menapi
13. George Lui (-55′)
16. Stanley Waita (-56′)
17. Gideon Omokiria
18. Henry Fa’arodo Jr
19. Paul Kakai Jr
21. George Suri
Subs:
4. Martin Ruhasia (+69′)
5. Phillip Kaukui
6. Nelson Sale
8. Joel Konofilia (+55′)
11. Kidson Billy
12. Francis Wasi
14. Jack Samani (+56′)
15. Moses Toata
22. Francis Aruwafu
Coach: Alan Gillett
TONGA
1. Heneli Saafi
2. Kava Huihahau (-82′)
3. Makatuu Moeaki
4. Sitenilesili Mafi
5. Siosuia Maamaloa
7. Mark Uhutai (-75′)
8. Kilifi Uele
10. Kamaliele Papani
11. Maamaloa Tevi
13. Lafaele Moala
17. Solomone Moa (-67′)
Subs:
6. Ipeni Fonua (+75′)
12. Mekilani Fotu (+67′)
14. Folio Moeaki (+82′)
15. Suliasi Fotu
16. Feao Finau
18. Alalaite Tuakalau
19. Viliami Vaitaki
20. Sitiveni Tafolo
Coach: Milan Jankovic
Round 1 Review
Match 2: Tahiti vs Cook Islands
Full-time score: 2-0 Tahiti
Half-time score: 1-0 Tahiti
Goal-scorers: (7) Samuel Garcia 2′; (14) Rino Moretta 85′
Cautions: none
Expulsions: none
Venue: Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara
Weather: fine, humid
Crowd attendance: 12,385
Match Officials
Referee: Rajendra Singh (Fiji)
Assistant Referee 1: Bobby Memelong (PNG), Assistant Referee 2: Athanse Rakrak (Vanuatu)
Fourth Official: Lencie Fred (Vanuatu)
Match Commissioner: Mohammed Yusuf (Fiji)
Referee Inspector: Hari Naicker (Fiji)
Team lineups (& substitutions)
TAHITI
20. Xavier Samin (GK)
2. Angelo Tchen
3. Pierre Kugogne
4. Iotua Kautai (-79′)
5. Jean Yves Li Waut
7. Samuel Garcia
8. Billy Maitai
10. Axel Temataua (-17′)
11. Taufa Neuffer (-34′)
12. Farahia Teuira
15. Larry Marmouyet
Subs:
1. Stanley Tien Wah
6. Harry Tong Sang
9. Gabriel Wajoka (+17′)
13. Vincent Simon (+34′)
14. Rino Moretta (+79′)
19. Daniel Tapeta
Coach: Gerard Kautai
COOK ISLANDS
1. Tony Jamieson (GK)
3. Mark Jamieson
4. John Pareanga
5. Eugenie Tatuava
6. Victor Samuel (-35′)
7. Christian Tauira (-79′)
9. Joseph Chambers (-46′)
11. Daniel Shephard
12. Tuka Tisam
15. Albert Fariurangi Oti
16. Adrian Shephard
Subs:
2. Paul Luiz Van Eijk
8. Roururoaroa Une
10. Teariki Mateariki (+46′)
13. Teatu Rangi Putere (+79′)
14. David Angene
17. Geoffrey Strickland (+35′)
20. Taranivao Tekeu
Coach: Tim Jerks