Papua New Guinea’s profligacy in front of goal during a first half in which they created more chances than many teams get in a single match was quickly forgotten after they produced
a dazzling second half performance that swept aside Tahiti.
Ara Midi broke the deadlock after 55 minutes as the resistance of Tahiti’s overworked defence was breached. Goals arrived at regular intervals thereafter – including another double for Lydia
Banabas in 62 and 65 minutes – as any hope of a Tahitian upset evaporated in the humidity of the balmy Apia evening.
The exclamation mark to the second half goal rout was finely brushed with further goals to Papua New Guinea’s unsung hero Julie Alau on 80′ minutes with star performer and winger Daisy Winas
completing the scoring with her team’s fifth strike in 85 minutes to set up a fascinating clash with Tonga on Friday.
The only previous meeting between Papua New Guinea and Tonga in recent times was at the OFC/FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Lae, a match Papua New Guinea won 1-0 thanks to an own goal.
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5′ – Papua New Guinea are dominating the early stages, with Lydia Banabas havign several shots on goal already – producing one special save from Poroni Turana in the Tahitian goal
6′ – Winas gets her first touches, beating three players before shooting narrowly wide off her left foot
11′ – Turana makes another brave intervention for Tahiti, this time denying Banabas one-on-one
12′ – the ensuing Winas corner curls towards the top corner at the near post, but Turana rises to palm it away
19′ – Papua New Guinea have Tahiti under unrelenting pressure, with Maruina Tom Sing Vein working overtime in Patricia Yakeula’s absence
25′ – Tahiti have their first opportunity of the game through a Gloria Hauata free kick, which Lydia Banabas holds easily
27′ – Tracy Kig breaks down the left and heads toward goal, with her shot wide of the goal but causing Turana to scramble
31′ – 5. Priscilla Konalalai leaves the field, to be replaced by 16. Ara Midi32′ – Hauata has another go from long range, but her shot fails to
hit the target
40′ – Papua New Guinea seem fixed on the idea of finishing moves as opposed to taking their chances, which they could well rue when Tahiti inject their higher-profile players
— 2 minutes added time —
HALF TIME: TAH 0 PNG 0
46′ – Tahiti have replaced 14. Sandrine TEAUNA with 17. Monique Tokorangi
49′ – Hauata has a go from the angle, causing Banabas to scramble in covering her near post
55′ – GOAL!
Winas crosses for 16. Ara MIDI, who finishes past a diving Turana to finally break the deadlock and translate Papaua New Guinea’s dominance
62′ – GOAL!
12. Lydia BANABAS finds space down the left, heads for goal and beats Turana with the finish from 15 yards
65′ – GOAL!
Turana has to tip a long range speculator, but fails to clear the crossbar and 12. Lydia BANABAS gleefully takes her second of the night
66′ – Tahiti make a double substitution, finally bringing 12. Maima MARMOUYET into the game for 6. Angelina THUNOT, and 7. Mimosa MARMOUYET for 11. Jeanne MAHIATAPU
72′ – the Marmouyets are starting to make their impact on the game, but it seems a little to late to turn the match
73′ – Papua New Guinea make a double substitution, with 13. Judith Michael replacing 3. Kathrina SALAIAU and 6. Cathy AGUNAM taking the field for 14. Tracey KIG
77′ – Winas fires a cross-shot at Turana, who parries to catch well
80′ – GOAL!
Papua New Guinea captain 7. Julie Alau gets in on the act with a looping strike from 20 yards
85′ – GOAL!
11. Daisy WINAS puts her stamp on the game with a powerful drive from outside the box hitting the net at the far post
— 3 minutes added time —
FULL TIME: TAH 0 PNG 5
MATCH PHOTOS:
XIII SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES – SAMOA 2007
Women’s Semi-Final
Match Day 6 – 2030 – 5 September 2007
Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Football Fields – Apia – Samoa
TAHITI: 1. Poroni TURANA [gk][c]; 3. Josaine TAURAA; 4. Maruina TOM SING VEIN; 5. Angela TAIRUI; 6. Angelina THUNOT (12. Maima MARMOUYET 66′); 8. Laverna
TARIHAA; 10. Gloria HAUATA; 11. Jeanne MAHIATAPU (7. Mimosa MARMOUYET 66′); 13. Felicite KAIHA; 14. Sandrine TEAUNA (17. Monique TOKORAGI 46′); 15. Gwendoline TEPEA.
Coach: Ralph APURII
Substitutes not used: 9. Tania BONNEFIN; 16. Juliana MAETA; 18. Nathalie TOPA; 20. Wilhermine MAIRAU [gk].
Injured:
Suspended: 2. Patricia YAKEULA.
Not available:
Cautions:
Red cards:
Goal scorers:
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 3. Kathrina SALAIAU (13. Judith MICHAEL 73′); 4. Helen BAKI; 5. Priscilla KONALALAI (16. Ara MIDI 31′); 7. Julie ALAU [c]; 9. Deslyn SINIU; 10.
Caroline MOEDER; 11. Daisy WINAS; 12. Lydia BANABAS; 14. Tracey KIG (6. Cathy AGUNAM 73′); 15. Miriam LANTA; 20. Linda BUNAGA [gk].
Coach: Francis MOIYAP
Substitutes not used: 1. Roxanne KOMENG [gk]; 2. Samantha PENINSA; 8. Margaret AKA.
Injured:
Suspended:
Not available:
Cautions:
Red cards:
Goal scorers: 16. Ara MIDI (55′); 12. Lydia BANABAS (62′, 65′); 7. Julie ALAU (80′); 11. Daisy WINAS
(85′).
Referee: Lencie FRED (VAN)
Assistant Referee: Michael JOSEPH (VAN)
Assistant Referee: Collin AUVELE (SAM)
Fourth Official: Chris LENGATA (SOL)
Fifth Official: Nawen HOPKEN (VAN)