Solomon Warriors face fellow Western Province team Rendova Devon late this morning while Kossa meet Koloale in the other semi-final straight after.
The chance to make the 2011 O-League is on offer for whoever makes it through to Saturday’s grand final.
Rendova, who posted a huge upset win over Makuru in the quarter-finals, and Koloale both booked their places on Wednesday but the other two teams had to wait another day to do likewise.
Warriors were known as Uncles in past championships and a change of name, coach and sponsor appears to have done the trick. They were strong favourites going into their quarter-final clash with Soloso and justified that tag by notching a 3-1 win.
The Honiara club took the lead in the 14th minute when new import George Abba headed in a pinpoint cross from Gibson Daudau.
Soloso’s striking partnership of the Tanavoqa twins, Robert and Robson, were getting little of the ball but their team managed to draw level just seven minutes after falling behind. David Sako swung a cross in for David Taro to get his head on the end of and make it 1-1.
But the parity didn’t last long and Warriors were ahead again within eight minutes. Again it was Abba who got his name on the scoresheet as he followed up a Kidstone Billy shot after Dida Qwaina had blocked the initial attempt.
The final act of the game took place in stoppage time when substitute Abraham Misitomu hammered home the final nail in Soloso’s national championship coffin. His strike from outside the penalty box is likely to be a contender for goal of the competition.
Despite failing to make the final four, Soloso were heroic in their efforts and can take pride in how far they have come since their debut campaign last year.
The other quarter-final played yesterday between KOSSA and Northern United proved to be one of the most exciting matches of the tournament so far.
There was plenty of action in the first half but both sides somehow went into the break without having troubled the scorers.
KOSSA put that right in the opening moments of the second spell when Joe Luwi put his side in front with a powerful shot that fizzed past Northern goalkeeper Phillip Seda.
At the other end of the park, YoungHeart Manawatu striker Alick Maemae took the ball into the KOSSA box on a number of occasions but last-gasp defending stopped him from scoring.
KOSSA all but wrapped up the game eight minutes from fulltime when Luwi made up for a couple of earlier misses to grab his second.
The hard-working Maemae finally did find the net soon after to give his side a consolation goal. The 24-year-old’s strike had a touch of the fortuitous – it was clearly intended to be a cross but the ball evaded everyone and thumped into the inside of the far post before going in.
The grand final will be played tomorrow at 1pm, just after the third and fourth play-off.
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Solomon sides fight for final
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