A buoyant home crowd of 10,000 has helped Koloale FC hold onto a 1-0 lead over Ba in Honiara this afternoon to finish top of Group B and book a place in the 2009 O-League final.
Nicholas Muri played hero for the Solomon Island club champions heading home in the 34th minute in a game dominated by physical play and aerial balls due to the wet conditions.
Rain had been heavy leading up to Match Day Six and it continued throughout the afternoon leaving both teams little chance of playing attractive football. Nevertheless, Koloale prevailed with a solid team effort boosted by strong performances from Muri, Joses Nawo and goalkeeper Shadrack Ramoni.
There were no clear cut chances in the opening exchanges as both teams adjusted to the conditions but Koloale went close after 20 minutes when Nawo’s strike sailed across the face of goal.
Ba then had a chance in the 25th minute when Osea Vakatalesau sent a penetrating pass through to Josaia Bukalidi whose powerful shot was tipped over the bar by Ramoni.
The breakthrough came after Koloale’s Henry Koto was fouled just outside the penalty box in the 34th minute and the resulting free kick by Henry Fa’arodo was parried away by teh Ba goalkeeper only as far as Nicholas Muri who headed in the rebound.
Fiji champions Ba came out fighting after halftime with Shameel Rao going close but Ramoni, who was outstanding all game, thwarted the challenge.
The only booking of the match came at the hour mark when Ba’s Josaia Bukalidi received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle.
Joshua Wilson, Tuimasi Manuca and Mvileko Nakama all entered the match in the second period but could not help Ba claw their way back into the game. Peni Finau had a late chance in what was a tense climax but again Ba couldn’t find the target.
The win leaves Koloale with 7 points at the top of Group B with Papua New Guinea’s Hekari Souths United FC on six points and Ba with four points. Another goal would have sent Hekari through to the O-League home and away final but it was not to be. This year’s final will again feature the Solomon Islands representative after Kossa FC made it through in 2008. Koloale will be joined by either Auckland City FC or Waitakere United who play on Sunday 5 April in the Group A decider.
2009 O-LEAGUE GROUP B – MATCH DAY SIX
Match: Koloale FC [SOL] vs. Ba [FIJ]
Date: Saturday, 28 March 2009
Venue: Honiara, Solomon Islands
Stadium: Lawson Tama Stadium
Kick Off: 15h00 (Local time)
Referee: Lencie FRED [VAN]
Assistant Referee: Michael JOSEPH [VAN]
Assistant Referee: Mahit CHILIA [VAN]
Fourth Official: John SAOHU [SOL]
Koloale FC: 1 (Goal Scorer: 14. Nicholas MURI 34)
Ba: 0
Halftime: 1-0
Cautions: 9. Josaia BUKALIDI
Estimated crowd: 10,000
Koloale FC: 1. Zantas KABINI [GK], 2. Welshman HOUKARAWA, 3. Jeffrey BULE, 4. Cecil BURU, 5. Richard ANISUA, 6. Timothy JOE, 8. Peter TALOGA, 10. Ezra SALE, 13. Lency SAENI, 14. Nicholas MURI, 15. Mostyn BEUI, 16. Joses NAWO, 18. Henry KOTO, 19. Henry FAARODO, 20. Shadrack RAMONI [GK], 26. Kluivert DAGI, 27. Leonard OLEA, 30. Tony OTINI
Coach: Luke EROI
Ba: 2. Avinesh SUWAMY, 4. Manueli KALOU, 5. Ronil KUMAR, 6. Jone VESIKULA, 7. Tuimasi MANUCA, 9. Josaia BUKALIDI, 11. Alvin SINGH, 15. Mavileko NAKAMA, 16. Malakai TIWA, 17. Malakai KAINIHEWE, 19. Shameel RAO, 21. Jone RALULU [GK], 24. Rinal PRASAD, 26. Joshua WILSON, 29. Peni FINAU, 30. Osea VAKATALESAU
Coach: Yogendra DUTT
Group B Standings
| PL |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
PTS |
|
| Koloale FC |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
+2 |
7 |
| Hekari Souths United FC |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
| Ba |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
-2 |
4 |
Group B Results
02.11.08 Ba vs. Koloale FC 0-0
22.11.08 Koloale FC vs. Hekari Souths United FC 3-1
13.12.08 Hekari Souths United FC vs. Ba 1-2
14.02.09 Ba vs. Hekari Souths United FC 1-3
07.03.09 Hekari Souths United FC vs. Koloale FC 1-0
28.03.09 Koloale FC vs. Ba 1-0
2009 O-LEAGUE GROUP A – MATCH DAY SIX (still to be played)
Match: Waitakere United [NZL] vs. Auckland City FC [NZL]
Date: Sunday, 5 April 2009
Venue: Auckland, New Zealand
Stadium: Douglas Field
Kick Off: 15h00 (Local time)
Match officials and team lists TBC.
Group A Standings
| PL |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
PTS |
|
| Auckland City FC |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
12 |
3 |
+9 |
7 |
| Waitakere United |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
4 |
+4 |
7 |
| Port Vila Sharks |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
16 |
-13 |
0 |
Group A Results
02.11.08 Auckland City FC vs. Waitakere United 2-2
22.11.08 Waitakere United vs. Port Vila Sharks 3-0
13.12.08 Port Vila Sharks vs. Auckland City FC 0-2
14.02.09 Auckland City FC vs. Port Vila Sharks 8-1
07.03.09 Port Vila Sharks vs. Waitakere United 3-2
28.03.09 Waitakere United vs. Auckland City FC
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Priscilla Duncan
Oceania Football Confederation
Media and Communications
T: +649-526-5651
F: +649-525-8164
M: +64 (0)21 884 018