The Honiara-based side confirmed they would be champions with a 1-0 victory over Hana at Lawson Tama Stadium and have now completed the first step towards qualifying for the O-League, a tournament they were involved in this year but last made an impact on in 2009 with a runners-up placing.
Koloale must now go on to also win knockout competition the S-League Championship to gain direct entry into the O-League or be forced into a play-off with the winner of the Championship.
On a dark and drizzly day that forced the Lawson Tama floodlights to be switched on, Hana put in a solid effort in the first half to keep Koloale scoreless at the break. But they could not maintain those standards in the second spell and, with so much firepower in their ranks, it was only a matter of time before Koloale struck.
Joses Nawo proved the match-winner when he tried his luck from the edge of the area and the shot found its way into the net with a bit of help from the slippery surface.
Koloale’s points haul now increases to 35 and they cannot be caught by any of their opponents.
Wrapping up the campaign with a win is a fitting way for Koloale to have ended a season they have dominated from start to finish. The Peter Eke-coached side have bagged a total of 11 wins and two draws from their 14 matches, losing just once against the Solomon Warriors.
Much of the reason for Koloale’s success can be put down to their recruitment drive prior to the season, a search which netted former Waitakere United striker Benjamin Totori, ex-Auckland City defender George Suri and Hekari United duo Henry Fa’arodo and Gideon Omokirio.
But a strong backbone of loyal players was already at the club in the form of Shadrock Ramoni, Mostyn Beui, Jeffery Bule and Francis Lafai, who have all been with the club for a number of years already.
The week-long S-League Championship will take place within the next few weeks after the remaining S-League catch-up matches have been played.
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