HONIARA: Two goals from Makuru FC striker Ezra Sale in each half was enough for Solympics Team to disappoint the visiting Vanuatu side 2-1 in the second match of the inaugural Telekom Wantok Cup in Honiara on Saturday.
Sale scored just before halftime to take Solympics 1-0 into the break but Jean Robert Yelou equalised for Vanuatu in the second half to make the match more exciting.
But the hosts made sure the Telekom Wantok Cup does not live Solomons’ shores and scored the winning goal late in the second half through a hardworking Sale.
When Fijian referee Leonie Rakoroi started the match, it seemed Solympics would find it hard to penetrate the western end of Lawson Tama field manned by Vanuatu national regulars Fedy Vava, Geoffrey Lego Gete and Ken Masauvakalo.
The only missing Vanuatu experienced player was Chikau Mansale in goal, but his team mate John Presley Garae took on the role.
Captain Moise Poida and Seimata Chilia were other notable Vanuatu players controlling the midfield.
Solympics made three amends from their 3-3 draw with Solomon Bonito with Stanton Hila coming in defence, Nathan Kera in attack and Mahlon Maemania in midfield.
The match started strongly with both sides creating scoring opportunities, and Vanuatu playing more technical football.
Solympics played a fast game, continually moving the ball ahead whenever they were in possession.
Kera had a lot of running in front alongside Sale and had two missed opportunities which he could have converted.
In defence, Hardis Aengari, Welchman Houkarawa, Timothy Joe and Hila were always alert to quell any attack by Vanuatu.
The pacy Michell Kaltak and Jean Nako Naprapol had few chances, but were either denied or saved by Solympics captain and keeper Shadrack Ramoni.
Sensing it was their final match, Solympics needed goals and Johan Doiwale came in for tiring Kera.
It made an impact as Doiwale created the goal for Sale on the stroke of halftime.
The move started from Joe at the eastern end of Lawson Tama, before Doiwale drilled a through ball for Sale to finish it off past Garae.
The lanky Vanuatu players stood tall than their opponents and the aerial balls and corner kicks were always going to be dangerous as the second stanza resumed with a goal down for the visitors.
Vanuatu pressurised the Solympics from the restart with Seimata sending a free kick high and Moida creating some chances for his forwards.
It paid off when Yelou squeezed a rebound past Ramoni to level the score 1-1.
Substitutions were made by both sides as they searched for the winning goal.
But Solympics coach Luke Eroi’s decision to send in Jeffrey Bule in his unusual right wing position was perhaps a gamble, but vital.
Bule eventually curled in the most important cross which Sale blasted home for his second and Solympics win of the inaugural Wantok Cup.
The final match of this competition will be between Vanuatu and Solomon Bonito at Lawson Tama.
VANUATU: John Presley Garae (22), Fedy Vava (6), Geoffrey Lego Gete (17), Ken Masauvakalo (3), Samson Obed (2), Robert Tom (18), Moise Poida (7), Seimata Chilia (12), Jean Robert Yelou (21), Michell Kaltak (15), Jean Nako Naprapol (9).
SUBSTITUTES: Chikau Mansale (1), Roger Joe (19), Iaka Tess (16), Peter Shem Toa (8), Selwyn Tari (10), Fernandez Terong (13), Jeffry Nimanian (14), Derek Malas (5), Rexley Tarivuti (4).
SOLYMPICS: Shadrack Ramoni (1), Hardis Aengari (17), Timothy Joe (6) Welchman Houkarawa (2), Joe Manu (13), Gibson Daudau (3), Presley Futa (9), Ezra Sale (10), Stanton Hila (5), Marlon Maemania (8), Nathan Kera (7).
SUBSTITUTES: Mark Constantine (20), , Richard Mama (12), Jeffery Bule (19), Andrew Waimora (16), Kluivert Dagi Jnr (15), Johan Doiwale (14).
Referee: Leonie Rakoroi
Asst 1: Matthew Taro
Asst 2: Jackson Akoeasi
4th Official: Nelson Sogo
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