Warriors confirmed they would finish top of the table in Solomon Islands’ national league with a 3-0 win over Malaita Kingz and collected a cash prize of SBD$150,000 in the process.
The S-League now moves into a championship series, the winner of which will play off against Warriors for a place in O-League, the Pacific’s premier club competition.
Warriors finished runners-up in the previous regular season of the S-League and went one better this time with a match to spare.
The name of Dennis Ifunaoa will now go down in the folklore of the club after he struck two goals in the win over Malaita Kingz, the first coming in the 18th minute when the striker ran onto a through ball from Micah Lea’alafa and tucked it away.
The advantage was doubled just after half-time with a stunning solo effort from midfielder Jerry Donga. The U-23 international picked up the ball 30 yards from goal and dribbled past two defenders before beating goalkeeper Leon Fox to put Warriors into a commanding position.
It was an advantage they did not relinquish and the result was made sure of when Ifunaoa found the net with an effort Fox could do little about.
The title triumph continues a run of success for Warriors, who followed their runners-up placing in the inaugural S-League with a win in the ensuing championship series. Prior to this season, former Kossa coach Moses Toata and ex-international Batram Suri, a hero in the Solomons, were recruited and the pair has helped instil a greater sense of on-field discipline throughout the team.
Warriors will now look to take their dominance into the championship series, the dates for which have not yet been determined as Lawson Tama Stadium has been temporarily closed in preparation for June’s OFC Nations Cup.
All eight S-League clubs will be involved and the first stage is a home-and-away play-off between two clubs paired in accordance to their league position. The format is such that the first-placed club will play the eighth-placed, the second will play the seventh and so forth. Hence, Solomon Warriors will meet Marist Fire, Western United will face Hana, Koloale and Kossa will do battle, and Real Kakamora and Malaita Kingz will also fight it out.
Should Warriors also win the championship series, they will automatically qualify for the O-League without having to play off against an opponent.
For more on Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb

Share