There were goals, drama, red cards in a compelling afternoon of semi-final action at the XIII South Pacific Games Men’s Football Tournament as Didier Chambaron’s New Caledonia pipped Solomon
Islands 3-2 at Toleafoa JS Blatter Football Field in Apia, Samoa.
In the most thrilling match of the tournament, New Caledonia and Solomon Islands turned on a sumptuous spectacle for those watching via live television coverage courtesy of RFO. The
action began as early as the fifth minute when Pierre Wajoka rattled a stinging shot off the face of Fred Hale’s crossbar.
From then onwards both teams enjoyed a raft of chances with Commins Menapi, Alick Maemae, and Benjamin Totori all going close as Poulidor Toto, Wajoka and Iamel Kabeu enjoyed moments for New
Caledonia.
And it was New Caledonia who struck first after 34 minutes when Toto found himself in space on the Solomon Islands flank before crossing superbly for Kabeu to sweep an excellent finish past the
stranded Fred Hale to make it 1-0.
The ink had bearly dried on that goal before Solomon Islands had drawn level when a scintillating Judd Molea free-kick flew across New Caledonia’s six yard box where Henry Fa’arodo’s downward
header bounced over the head of Marc Ounemoa and into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
Solomon Islands were ahead just two minutes after the restart when another Molea free-kick sped across Ounemoa’s penalty area where Commins Menapi gave the speeding ball just enough of a touch to
deviate its path beyond Ounemoa. JS Blatter Football Field erupted with cheers of the hundreds of Solomon Islands athletes in attendance to give their team support on this their most crucial day in
Samoa to date.
Everything appeared to be going according to some pre-ordained script for Solomon Islands until Kabeu’s cross found Toto unmarked in Fred Hale’s penalty area as the speedy front man angled a low
finish for the leveller.
After 68 minutes the sky fell in on Solomon Islands hopes when Alick Maemae was sent off for a second bookable offence. Maemae was joined by team-mate Gideon Omokirio after 83 minutes when the
experienced international received a second yellow card and subsequent red card. Reduced to nine men, Solomon Islands defended deep in their own half, attempting to fill gaps as best they could
against a tide of white, red and grey.
Solomon Islands had just about clawed their way to extra time until New Caledonia scored their winner 4 minutes into time added on when a corner to the far post finally exposed the disparity in
numbers allowing Yohann Mercier to fire the winning goal past Fred Hale with the very last touch of the match.
Solomon Islands coach Airton Andrioli was livid at what he described as several key refereeing decisions that he felt cost his team a positive result.
“I have seen it time and again in this tournament where referees are under pressure and make the wrong decisions. It happens in games where there is no pressure, so of course in these more
important games what else can you expect?! I disagree with it and something has to be done.”
New Caledonia coach Didier Chambaron was delighted with the result and paid tribute to his squad’s work ethic, self-belief and organisation against a very good Solomon Islands team. Skipper Pierre
Wajoka was equally delighted but played down any talk of Stage Two FIFA World Cup qualifying possibilities preferring to focus on the final in two days time against the winners of Vanuatu v Fiji.
LIVE UPDATES:
0′ – the skies are clearing and clouds rising to allow a light breeze across the Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Playing Fields in Apia, as the teams champion the UN’s Millenium Goals
2′- Fred Hale is into action early with Poulidor Toto forcing a good save shooting across goal
2′ – aside of Toto’s attempt, Solomon Islands are keeping the ball well and stretching New Caledonia across the park in the opening minutes
3′ – Benjamin Totori is free on the right, but crosses too close to a grateful Marc Ounemoa
5′ – Toto squares for Pierre Wajoka, who rattles the crossbar from ten yards
7′ – Alick Maemae and Henry Fa’arodo exchange consecutive corners down the bye-line, with Ounemoa holding a Fa’arodo shot from the second
9′ – Toto is in space again on the right side of the Solomon Islands’ area, producing a spectacular jumping save from Hale
12′ – Maemae has a look from the D after some impressive interchanges between Totori and Commins Menapi, but shoots well over
15′ – Maemae finds Totori 25 yards out, who takes two touches and releases a low shot to the left of the New Caledonian goal
15′ – 7. Alick MAEMAE picks up a yellow card
17′ – Hale reacts late and must scramble to clear a Pierre Wajoka strike
19′ – Adolphe Boaoutho finds Jose Hmae at the far post, who connects with a side volley that travels wide
22′ – Menapi is through to draw Ounemoa, but Andre Naxue covers well to dispatch the ball into the large collection of Solomon Islands supporters on the far touchline
25′ – Maemae turns well to curl his shot perilously close to the top right corner
27′ – Ounemoa is out well to deny an onrushing Fa’arodo the chance to finish
31′ – Wajoka curls a free kick over the far post from wide on the left
32′ – Menapi surges to the bye-line, but Ounemoa rises well to claim his cross
33′ – Fa’arodo mirrors this movement, but cannot cut the cross to find his targets
34′ – GOAL!
Poulidor Toto squares to 17. Iamel KABEU, who is in enough space to thunder his finish past the shuffling Hale
40′ – GOAL!
Judd Molea finds 18. Henry FA’ARODO from a free kick near the left corner, who heads directly into the ground for the ball to bounce over Ounemoa and into the goal
41′ – Alick Maemae fires a bending strike fractionally wide of Ounemoa’s left post
45′ – Hmae fires an anglar drive wide of Hale’s left post
— 1 minute added time —
HALF TIME: SOL 1 NCL 1
46′ – 3. Wilson FOREST takes the place of 2. Andre NAXUE for the second half
47′ – GOAL!
11. Commins MENAPI meets a superb Judd Molea free kick from wide on the right with his head, hitting the net just inside the left upright
47′ – Ounemoa is down injured after striking the post with his head
48′ – Fa’arodo is the next to hit the post, this time with an angular drive from his right foot
51′ – 14. Benjamin TOTORI picks up a yellow card for a sliding challenge on Wilson Forest
54′ – GOAL!
Kabeu gets to the bye line to square for 18. Poulidor TOTO, who angles his finish past Sale’s right hand
55′ – 5. George SURI brings down Toto on the edge of the area, with Wajoka and Hmae on the ground following the ensuing altercation
55′ – Ne
w Caledonian captain 10. Pierre WAJOKA receives a yellow card for arguing his point
56′ – Wajoka’s free kick is bent around the wall, but not enough to trouble Hale this time
58′ – Fa’arodo has time to shoot on his right foot, but over-hits for the ball to sail above the crossbar
63′ – Hale intervenes well to claim the ball from between the battling Suri and Toto
OFC Media regrets to report the temporary loss of internet access, with the following key events occurring between the 64th minute and full time:
66′ – Solomon Islands replace 13. George LUI with 16. Stanley WAITA
68′ – 7. Alick MAEMAE receives another caution
68′ – RED CARD!
7. Alick MAEMAE is sent off for his second yellow card
78′ – 17. Gideon OMOKIRIO is booked for a challenge on Wilson Forest
83′ – 17. Gideon OMOKIRIO receives another yellow card
83′ – RED CARD!
17. Gideon OMOKIRIO leaves his team with nine players for the final stages of the match
89′ – Airton Andrioli withdraws his captain 11. Commins MENAPI for defender 3. Marlon HOUKARAWA
— 4 minutes added time —
90’+1 – New Caledonia replace 13. Jose HMAE with 11. Luther WAHNYAMALLA
90’+4 – GOAL!
an outnumbered Solomon Islands defence can not prevent 7. Yohann MERCIER from slamming home a winner with the final kick of the game
FULL TIME: SOL 2 NCL 3
MATCH PHOTOS:
XIII SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES – SAMOA 2007
Men’s Semi-Final 1
Match Day 6 – 1500 – 5 September 2007
Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Football Fields – Apia – Samoa
SOLOMON ISLANDS: 1. Fred HALE [gk]; 2. David TARO; 4. Samson TAKAYAMA; 5. George SURI; 7. Alick MAEMAE; 10. Judd MOLEA; 11. Commins MENAPI [c] (3. Marlon
HOUKARAWA 89′); 13. George LUI (16. Stanley WAITA 66′); 14. Benjamin TOTORI; 17. Gideon OMOKIRIO; 18. Henry FAARODO.
Coach: Airton ANDRIOLI
Substitutes not used: 6. Tome FAISI; 8. Jacob PEKAU; 9. Godwin BEBEU; 12. James NAKA; 15. Mostyn BEUI; 19. George ABA; 20. John MORGAN [gk]; 21. Arnold
KENI.
Injured:
Suspended:
Not available:
Cautions: 7. Alick MAEMAE (16′, 68′); 14. Benjamin TOTORI (51′); 5. George SURI (55′); 17. Gideon OMOKIRIO (78′, 83′).
Red cards: 7. Alick MAEMAE (68′); 17. Gideon OMOKIRIO (83′).
Goal scorers: 18. Henry FAARODO (40′); 11. Commins MENAPI (47′).
NEW CALEDONIA: 1. Marc OUNEMOA [gk]; 2. Andre NAXUE (3. Wilson FOREST 46′); 5. Robert WAYARIDI; 6. George WADENGES; 7. Yohann MERCIER; 9. Marius
MAPOU; 10. Pierre WAJOKA; 13. Jose HMAE (11. Luther WAHNYAMALLA 90’+1); 16. Adolphe BOAOUTHO; 17. Iamel KABEU; 18. Poulidor TOTO.
Coach: Didier CHAMBARON
Substitutes not used: 4. Andre SINEDO; 8. Jean Chrys XENIE; 12. Jean Louis TOTO; 14. Patrick DIAKE; 15. Jean Patrick WAKANUMUNE; 19. Patrick DRAWILO; 20. Jean
Yann DOUZENEK [gk].
Injured:
Suspended:
Not available:
Cautions: 10. Pierre WAJOKA (55′).
Red cards:
Goal scorers: 17. Iamel KABEU (37′); 18. Poulidor TOTO (54′); 7. Yohann MERCIER (90’+4)
Referee: Job Ponis MINAN (PNG)
Assistant Referee: Nick WALDRON (NZL)
Assistant Referee: Tevita MAKASINI (TON)
Fourth Official: Jacques AVERII (TAH)
Fifth Official: Rodney ALLEN (AUS)