APIA: Papua New Guinea almost created the first upset of the Oceania World Cup/Nations Cup Stage 1 preliminaries but were denied a deserved victory when Vanuatu defender Lexa Bule Bibi headed in the equaliser from a corner in the dying seconds of injury time which ended the game in a 1-1 draw.
Earlier in the second half, PNG stunned Vanuatu, playing in their alternative green strip, when a long ball found Maurie Wasi who beat the Vanuatu defence calmly slotted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper and captain David Chilia.
PNG had dominated a lethargic looking Vanuatu side in the first half and created a number of shots on goal. PNG captain Richard Daniel ruled the midfield battle while Adrian Komu and striker Reginald Davani created havoc on the right side.
Vanuatu coach Juan Carlos Buzzetti injected his young maestro Jean Maleb in the second half replacing Richard Iwai up front. But the changes did not have the desired effect as the confident PNG coaches by Ludwig Peka, looked set for a famous victory.
But in injury time, Vanuatu showed good composure to earn themselves a last gasp corner which was to be their last chance to salvage a result. And the height of Bibi proved the difference as he rose above the packed penalty box to head in the goal which was deflected in by the right post.
In the other opening round 1 match in Group 2 of the Stage 1 Preliminaries, Samoa scored two goals in each half to record a lacklustre 4-0 win over neighbours American Samoa. The match as a spectacle lacked the pace and drama of the first match as both sides struggled to retain possession.
Samoa striker Tama Fasavalu scored a double before being taken off by coach David Brand while debutant Dennis Bryce scored the first goal from a corner heading in past goalkeeper Nicky Salapu. Veteran Junior Michael finished off the scoring converting a penalty in the second half after being brought down by Salapu in the penalty area.
The OFC Nations Cup/World Cup Stage 1 preliminaries continue tomorrow, Wednesday 12 May (local time in Honiara) with the focus returning to Group 1 over in the Solomon Islands. The hosts play Cook Islands in the first match with Tahiti playing New Caledonia in a crunch match which many predict will decide Group 1 final position.
The next matches for Group 2 are on Wednesday, 12 May (local time in Apia) following the official opening ceremony for Group 2 and FIFA Centennial Celebrations in Apia on tomorrow. Fiji will play their first match of the tournament when they take on PNG while American Samoa plays Vanuatu in the other round 2 match for Group 2.
Both stage 1 group tournaments will be completed on 19 May with the winners and runner ups from both groups advancing to Adelaide, Australia for Stage 1 of the preliminary competition.
2004 OFC Nations Cup/FIFA World Cup – Stage 1 (Group 2) Preliminaries
Apia, Samoa 10-19 May 2004
Round 1 Review
Match 1: Papua New Guinea vs Vanuatu
Full-time score: 1-1 draw
Half-time score: 0-0 draw
Goal-scorers:
PNG – (7) Maurie Wasi 73′
Van – (5) Wilkins Simon Lauru 92+’
Cautions:
PNG – (7) Maurie Wasi 39′
Van – (13) Richard Iwai 52′
Expulsions: none
Weather: Fine, hot, light easterly breeze
Crowd Attendance: 500
Match Officials
Referee: Matthew Breeze (Australia)
Assistant Referee 1: Michel Angot (Tahiti)
Assistant Referee 2: Teariki Goodwin (Cook Islands)
Fourth Official: Neil Fox (New Zealand)
Match Commissioner: Bob Patterson (New Zealand)
Referee Inspector: Barry Such (Australia)
Team Lists (& Substitutions)
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
1 Tapas Posman GK
3 Geoffrey Imang (-20′)
5 Selan Elizah
6 Hans Fred
7 Maurie Wasi
9 Richard Daniel (c)
10 Reginald Davani
13 Andrew Lepani (-64′)
14 Francis Moiyap
16 Yanding Tomda
19 Adrian Komu (-88′)
Subs:
2 Brian Tuhiana
4 Billy Tomou
8 Abraham Enoch (+88′)
11 Nathaniel Lepani (+64′)
12 Michael Lohai
15 Spencer Marnhi
17 Paul Komboi (+20′)
18 Ericson Komeng
20 Geoffrey Baniau
Coach: Ludwig Peka
VANUATU
1 David Chilia (c) GK
3 Manley Junior Tabe (-64′)
4 Lexa Bule Bibi
5 Wilkins Simon Lauru
6 Graham Demas
8 Turei Joe Iautu
9 Seimata Chillia
10 Etienne Mermer
13 Richard Iwai (-54′)
14 Pita David Maki
18 Maki Gerard Haitong (-60′)
Subs:
2 Geoffrey Lego Gete (+64′)
7 Fedy Vava
11 Moise Poida
12 Lorry Thompsen (+60′)
15 Daniel Koko Alick
16 Alphose Qorig
17 Jean Emmanuel Maleb (+54′)
19 Roger Joe
20 Charly Kalsanei
Coach: Juan Carlos Buzzetti
2004 OFC Nations Cup/FIFA World Cup – Stage 1 (Group 2) Preliminaries
Apia, Samoa 10-19 May 2004
Round 1 Review
Match 2: Samoa vs American Samoa
Full-time score: 4-0 Samoa
Half-time score: 2-0 Samoa
Goal-scorers:
Sam – (4) Dennis Bryce 12′; (6) Tama Fasavalu 30′, 53′; (7) Junior Michael pen 66′
Cautions: Sam – (6) Tama Fasavalu 38′; (19) Setefano Pesa 67′
Ams – (4) Pati Sinapati 47′
Expulsions: none
Weather: Fine, warm, light easterly breeze
Crowd Attendance: 300
Match Officials
Referee: Michael Afu (Solomon Islands)
Assistant Referee 1: Neil Poloso (Solomon Islands)
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel Tauaroa (Tahiti)
Fourth Official: Constantinos Diomis (Australia)
Match Commissioner: Bob Patterson (New Zealand)
Referee Inspector: Barry Such (Australia)
Team Lists (& Substitutions)
SAMOA
20 Fatuvalu Numia GK
4 Dennis Bryce (-60′)
6 Tama Fasavalu (-57′)
7 Junior Michael
8 Iosefa Maposua
12 Lionel Taylor
14 Pualele Lemana (C)
15 Sakaria Fuimaono
17 Tofi Tumua (-77′)
18 Peko Victor
19 Setefano Pesa
Subs:
1 Moresi Tokuma
2 Afasene Tusitala (+60′)
3 Amby Asafo
5 Edwin Tyrell (+57′)
9 Iosefo Ioane
10 Jerome Taua
11 Lene Epa (+77′)
13 Otto Hunt
16 Sio Togamoa
Coach: David Brand
AMERICAN SAMOA
22 Nicky Salapu (c) GK
2 Ben Segaiga
3 Maika Molesi
4 Pati Sinapati
5 Uasi Heleta
6 Ace Lepou (-45′)
7 Natia Natia (-65′)
8 Viliamu Vaofanua
9 Ramin Ott
17 Savaliga Afu (-82′)
18 Duane Atuelevao
Subs:
1 Tapesa Fanolua
10 Willie Fa’ataualofa
12 Filimaua Fatu (+82′)
13 Geoffrey Sua
14 Johnny Saelua
15 Sam Baby Mulipola (45′)
16 Tanu Junior Tanu (+65′)
19 Roy Ameperosa
Coach: Ian Crook