HONIARA, 19 May 2004: Tahiti has qualified alongside Solomon Islands for Stage 2 in Adelaide, Australia after drawing 1-1 with the Group 1 hosts today in front of a full house at the Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara.
Tahiti needed at least a draw to push clear of New Caledonia who earlier improved their chances with a comprehensive 8-0 win over Tonga. A win would have seen Tahiti overtake the Solomons at the top of the Group 1 standings and a more favourable draw for Adelaide.
Tahiti came close to pulling of an upset over the Solomons after leading the home team 1-0 in the first half. Simon Vincent’s clinical finish against the run of play stunned the 23,000+ crowd. It was the first goal the Solomons had conceded in the entire tournament.
The Solomons continued to control possession and attack with vigour for the remainder of the match but the Tahiti defence was watertight and up to the task. With chances to score being squandered and time beginning to run out in the second half, it seemed more and more likely the visitors were on course to inflict the first loss of the tournament for the Solomons. The home team lacked the urgency from their previous games, perhaps a shade of complacency pervading within the ranks with qualification already realised.
But the local fans had something to cheer about when veteran Batram Suri stepped up to take a direct free kick from outside the penalty box in the 80th minute. His swerving shot beat the Tahitian goalkeeper and found the back of the net much to the delight of the spectators who found their voice again and urged their charges to score the late winner. But this was not to be and the Tahitians, who had struggled throughout the tournament by their usual standards, edged out New Caledonia for the runner up position and with that the second qualifying berth.
In the earlier match, New Caledonia did all that was required from them hammering Tonga 8-0. Four goals by Paul Poatinda boosted his side’s goal difference and more importantly the three points to temporarily overtake Tahiti. But this was in vain after Tahiti secured the vital point after its draw with Solomon Islands with put them on 8 points one ahead of New Caledonia.
The Stage 1 preliminaries come to an end with the final round of Group 2 in Apia, Samoa tomorrow (Thursday 20 May 2004 NZT/AEST). Fiji will play Vanuatu in a crunch match to decide the final standings while PNG will be out for a big win over hosts Samoa to give them an outside of chance of securing the runner up spot and second qualifying berth for Adelaide.
(Match Reports & Statistics attached)
GROUP 1 – Round 5 Results
Match 9: New Caledonia 8-0 Tonga (half-time 4-0 New Caledonia)
Match 10: Solomon Islands 1-1 Tahiti (half-time 0-1 Tahiti)
GROUP 1 Final Points Ladder
Teams P W D L F A D Pts
Solomon Is 4 3 1 0 14 1 +13 10 *
Tahiti 4 2 2 0 5 1 +4 8 *
New Caledonia 4 2 1 1 16 2 +14 7
Tonga 4 1 0 3 2 17 -15 3
Cook Islands 4 0 0 4 1 17 -16 0
* Solomon Islands and Tahiti now qualify as group winner and runner up respectively, for Stage 2 in Adelaide, Australia from 29 May – 6 June 2004.
Round 5 draw (final round):
Wednesday, 19 May 2004 (Group 2 Apia) – local time (tomorrow NZT/AEST)
Round 5:
Fiji vs Vanuatu 2:00pm
Samoa vs Papua New Guinea 4:00pm
American Samoa bye
Round 5 Review – 19 May 2004
Match 9: New Caledonia vs Tonga (2pm kickoff local time)
Full-time score: 8-0 New Caledonia
Half-time score: 4-0 New Caledonia
Goal-scorers:
New Caledonia – (18) Jose Hmae 4′; (17) Paul Poatinda 26′, 42′, 79′; (13) Michel Hmae 45+; (14) Pierre Wajoka 54′, 58′; (15) Robert Kauma 72′
Cautions: NCL – (12) Nicolas Ouka 55′; (23) Louis Samek 86′
Expulsions: none
Venue: Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara
Weather: fine
Crowd attendance: 17,000+
Match Officials
Referee: Lencie Fred (Vanuatu)
Assistant Referee 1: Dhirendra Kewal (Fiji)
Assistant Referee 2: Ben Lemana (Samoa)
Fourth Official: Salaiau Sosongan (PNG)
Match Commissioner: Mohammed Yusuf (Fiji)
Referee Inspector: Hari Naicker (Fiji)
Team lineups (& substitutions)
NEW CALEDONIA
4 Andre Sinedo
5 Alain Kecine
11 Jules Wea (46′)
12 Nicolas Ouka
13 Michel Hmae (-46′)
14 Pierre Wajoka
15 Robert Kauma
17 Paul Poatinda
18 Jose Hmae (-46′)
22 Steevens Longue
23 Louis Samek
Subs:
1 Michel Hne
2 Jacques Hapelama
3 Thedore Pian (+46′)
7 Jacques Dahote (+46′)
9 Frank Oiremoin (+46′)
20 Fabrice Dremond
Coach: Martinengo Serge De Novak
TONGA
1. Heneli Saafi (-66′)
2. Kava Huihahau
3. Makatuu Moeaki
5. Siosuia Maamaloa
8. Kilifi Uele
10. Kamaliele Papani
11. Maamaloa Tevi
12. Mekilani Fotu (+46′)
13. Lafaele Moala
17. Solomone Moa
18. Alalaite Tuakalau (-39′)
Subs:
4. Sitenilesili Mafi (+46′)
14. Folio Moeaki
15. Suliasi Finau (+39′)
16. Feao Finau
19. Viliami Vaitaki
20. Sitiveni Tafolo (+66′)
Coach: Milan Jankovic
Round 5 Review – 19 May 2004
Match 10: Solomon Islands vs Tahiti
Full-time score: 1-1 draw
Half-time score: 0-1 Tahiti
Goal-scorers: Tah – (13) Vincent Simon 30′; Sol – (10) Batram Suri 80′
Cautions:
Sol – (7) Alick Maemae 17′; Tah – (11) Taufa Neuffer 37′; Tah – (7) Samuel Garcia 52′
Expulsions: none
Venue: Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara
Weather: fine, humid
Crowd attendance: 23,000+
Match Officials
Referee: Leone Rakaroi (Fiji)
Assistant Referee 1: David Crichton (American Samoa)
Assistant Referee 2: Elise Doriri (Vanuatu)
Fourth Official: Harry Attison (Vanuatu)
Match Commissioner: Mohammed Yusuf (Fiji)
Referee Inspector: Hari Naicker (Fiji)
Team lineups (& substitutions)
SOLOMON ISLANDS
2. Leslie Leo
6. Nelson Sale
7. Alick Maemae
8. Joel Konofilia (-60′)
9. Commins Menapi
10. Batram Suri
14. Jack Samani (-60′)
17. Gideon Omokirio
18. Henry Fa’arodo Jr
21. George Suri
22. Francis Aruwafu
Subs:
4 Martin Ruhasia
5. Phillip Kaukui
11. Kidson Billy
12. Francis Wasi
13. George Lui
16. Stanley Waita (+60′)
19. Paul Kakai Jr (+60′)
20 Severino Aefi
23. George Abba
Coach: Alan Gillett
TAHITI
1. Stanley Tien Wah
2. Angelo Tchen
3. Pierre Kugogne
5. Jean Yves Li Waut
7. Samuel Garcia
8. Billy Maitai
10. Axel Temataua
11. Taufa Neuffer (-81′)
12. Farahia Teuira
13. Vincent Simon
16. Felix Tagawa
Subs:
4. Iotua Kautai
6. Harry Tong Sang
9. Gabriel Wajoka
14. Rino Moretta (81′)
15. Larry Marmouyet
19. Daniel Tapeta
20. Xavier Samin
Coach: Gerard Kautai