LAUTOKA – Two red cards, two goals and no shortage of drama brought Match Day 2 to a close as New Zealand claimed a bruising 2-0 win over Vanuatu.

Vanuatu made a frenetic start to the match with Jeffry Nimanian and Joseph Namariau combining to cause the New Zealand defence problems.

But Costa Barbarouses settled the nerves for Stu Jacobs team with a composed finish after 15 minutes that left Charley Kalnasei with no chance.

The match was played at a fast pace but erupted in the 38th minute when Vanuatu’s Spencer Noal and New Zealand’s Dan Keat were both shown the red card after an ugly incident near half way.

Francois Sakama made one or two inspirational passes for Vanuatu but the hero of the XIII South Pacific Games was unable to find a way through a New Zealand midfield patrolled by the once again impressive Cole Peverley.

New Zealand made it 2-0 after Costa Barbarouses went on a mazy run, outpaced the Vanuatu defence before setting up substitute Jeremy Brockie whose stunning right foot shot on the turn from the edge of the penalty area gave Kalnasei no chance.

Vanuatu had claims for a penalty turned down after 73 minutes but New Zealand always looked dangerous with Barbarouses a class act. Daniel Ellensohn worked tirelessly up front and substitute Sam Messam created chaos in the Vanuatu defence in the dying minutes.

This was an accomplished performance by New Zealand with the match against Solomon Islands looming as a potential cup final.

“We thought Vanuatu would be tough with eleven on the park. There’s a lot at stake now. We had a couple of good goals and I thought Jeremy took his goal really well.

We competed well; we dropped off a wee bit at times. We defended pretty well. Just need to get players fresh now and look forward to the Solomons,” Jacobs said.

Vanuatu team spokesman John Napua was disappointed by the defeat.

“We’re very disappointed. The send off was possibly a big error.

But I thought that worked in our favour at that stage. We lost it towards the end but all in all we’re trying to look forward.

Michel Kaltak ran all day, picks himself up, keeps going – he’s bounced back well; Rexley Tarivuti and Geoffrey Lego Gete were all stand out performers,” Napua said.

Oceania Football Confederation Men’s Olympic Football Tournament

Match Day 2

Churchill Park

Lautoka

Fiji

3 March 2008

Vanuatu Vs. New Zealand

VAN: 1. Charley KALANASEI; 3. Bula CHILLIA; 4, Rexley TARIVUTI; 7. Spencer NOAL; 9. Roger JOE; 10. Fenedy MASAVAKAULO; 11. Jeffry NIMANIAN (19. Tonny CHILLIA 65’); 13. Francois SAKAMA (2. Andrew CHICHIRUA  80’) ; 14. Joseph NAMARIAU; 16. Tchamaco MAHE (12. Michel KALTACK); 17. Geoffrey Lego GETE.

SUBS: 5. Samuel KALAROS; 6. Wilson KAILO; 8. Brian MELAR;; 15. Manu PETER; 18. Apete KARA;; 20. Yannick MERKA [rgk].

Coach: Philemon JOHN (VAN)

Cautions: 9. Roger JOE 23’;

Red Cards: 7. Spencer Noal 39’;

Goals: None

NZL: 1. Jacob SPOONLEY; 2. Aaron SCOTT; 5. Michael BOXALL; 7. Steven OLD (15. Cole TINKLER 62’); 8. Cole PEVERLEY; 9. Craig HENDERSON (10. Jeremy BROCKIE 20’); 11. Dan KEAT; 12. Hone FOWLER; 14. Shaun VAN ROOYEN; 17. Daniel ELLENSOHN; 18. Costa BARBAROUSES (6. Sam MESSAM 85’)

SUBS: 3. Phil EDGINTON; 4. Jason HAYNE; 13. Joel MATHEWS; 16. Greg DRAPER; 20. Liam LITTLE [rgk]; 21. Roy BELL [rgk].

Coach: Stu JACOBS (NZL)

Cautions: None

Red Cards: 11. Dan KEAT 39’

Goals: 18. Cosat BARBAROUSES 15’; 10. Jeremy BROCKIE 40’;

Referee: Norbert HAUATU (TAH)

Assistant Referee 1: Salesh CHAND (FIJ)

Assistant Referee 2: Phillipe REVEL (TAH)

Fourth Official: Rakesh VARMAN (FIJ)

OFC Men’s Olympic Football Tournament

Standings – 03.03.08

PL

W

D

L

GF

GA

PTS

GD

1.

Solomon Islands

2

2

0

0

17

1

6

+16

2.

New Zealand

2

2

0

0

4

1

6

+3

3.

Fiji

2

1

0

1

8

3

3

+8

4.

Vanuatu

2

1

0

1

4

2

3

+2

5.

Papua New Guinea

2

0

0

2

2

14

0

-12

6.

Cook Islands

2

0

0

2

0

15

0

-15

GOLDEN SHOE AWARD

No.

Player

Country

Goals

21.

Benjamin TOTORI

SOL

8

16.

Malakai TIWA

FIJ

4

17.

Maciu DUNADAMU

FIJ

2

11.

Jeffry NAMANIAN

VAN

2

7.

Alick Maemae

SOL

2

15.

Joachim WAROI

SOL

2

19.

Joachim RANDE

SOL

2

17.

Joses NAWO

SOL

2

8.

Cole PEVERLEY

NZL

1

7.

Steven OLD

NZL

1

14.

Joseph NAMARIAU

VAN

1

19.

Tonny CHILLIA

VAN

1

13.

Mathias APO

PNG

1

6.

Nelson SALE

SOL

1

3.

Shameel RAO

FIJ

1

9.

Tau WINNIE

P
NG

1

18.

Costa BARBAROUSES

NZL

1

10.

Jeremy Brockie

NZL

1

10.

Franklyn FORAU

SOL

1

CAUTIONS

No.

Player

Country

Cautions

19.

Tuka TISAM

COK

1

3.

Eddie BROGAN

COK

2

5.

Samuel KALOROS

VAN

1

10.

Fenedy MASAVAKAULO

VAN

1

15.

Rodney TALAU

PNG

1

3.

Shameel RAO

FIJ

1

10.

Osea VAKATALESAU

FIJ

1

16.

Koriak UPAIGA

PNG

1

4.

Steven WILLIS

COK

1

10.

Tom LE MOUTON

COK

2

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