SOLOMON OLYMPIC DREAM ON TRACK

LAUTOKA – Alick Maemae and Benjamin Totori produced an attacking master-class in pace and skill as Solomon Islands defeated Vanuatu 5-0 at Churchill Park, Lautoka, tonight.

Maemae and Totori were in unstoppable form with both Maemae and Totori getting doubles and Joses Nawo and Joachim Rande utilising their pace to give Vanuatu’s defence a torrid 90 minutes.

A red card for Geoffrey Lego Gete for a second yellow card left Vanuatu with everything to do; without the experienced Gete, Vanuatu were left in disarray at the back and with opponents like Maemae and Totori in top class form, Solomon Islands took full advantage.

Francois Sakama – unusually quiet in this tournament to date – was full of running and managed to get beyond the Solomon Islands defence but too often Vanuatu lacked accuracy in the top third of the pitch when it came to deliver a penetrating pass.

It was Vanuatu who created the best chances early on including one effort that cracked into Shadrock Ramoni’s crossbar before being cleared by Sale. Jeffry Nimanian and Joseph Namariau kept Solomon Islands defenders under close examination but just lacked the necessary sharpness in front of goal required to punish their opponents.

Solomon Islands though were only 1-0 up at halftime thanks to a fine strike from Alick Maemae who ghosted into the Vanuatu penalty area with a turn of pace before firing home a stinging shot past Yannick Merka on 39 minutes.

The goal settled Solomon Islands but Vanuatu were still in the match and Namariau nearly put Vanuatu level when he whipped in a clever shot with the outside of his right boot to Shedrock Ramoni’s near post forcing Ramoni to make an awkward forward lunge to block the shot.

Totori made it 2-0 in the 55th minute after striking home a wonderful shot past substitute goalkeeper Charley Kalnasei. Only moments later Gete was sent off and Totori had added Solomon Islands third goal after a neat one-two with Maemae left Vanuatu’s reconfigured defence in tatters before Totori added a neat finish to make it 3-0 on 62 minutes.

Joses Nawo – who had been wasteful in front of goal throughout the first half – made amends with the fourth goal in the 73rd minute and Maemae completed the scoring from a free-kick after 75 minutes.

One talking point will be why Solomon islands coach Luke Eroi did not choose to rest Maemae and Totori prior to the match with New Zealand. Eroi, however, will be delighted with the performance and the goals that place Solomon Islands in a good position ahead of Match Day 4.

Nelson Sale marshalled the Solomon Islands defence competently and looked far more assured than he did in the opening match. Speculation about whether Solomon Islands will cope with the mercurial Costa Barbarouses on Friday’s exciting showdown with New Zealand suggests Solomon Islands will manage.

Where Solomon Islands could face issues is if they are up against the powerful figure of Sam Messam. Messam’s height, power, and technique – not too mention his never-say-die attitude – could pose Nelson Sale and his defence plenty of problems.

New Zealand meet Solomon Islands on Match Day 4 with the team that wins all but sealing qualification for the Beijing Olympics. A draw would take qualification to Match Day 5 with New Zealand scheduled to face Cook Islands and Solomon Islands up against host nation Fiji.

INTERVIEW – SOLOMON ISLANDS COACH:

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO SOLOMON ISLANDS COACH – LUKE EROI

OFC Men’s Olympic Football Tournament

Match Number 9

Solomon Islands vs. Vanuatu

Churchill Park

Lautoka

Fiji

Kick Off: 19H30

SOL: 1. Shadrock RAMONI; 4. Arnold KENI; 5. Haddis AENGARI; 6. Nelson SALE (c) 7. Alick MAEMAE; 10. Franklyn FORAU; 13. Eddie NGAITINI; 17. Jases NAWO (8. Nathan KERA 83’); 19. Joachim RANDE (11. Michael FIFII 67’); 20. Gibson HOSEA (12. Charles MAEBULE 84’); 21. Benjamin TOTORI;

SUBS: 3. Stanton HILA;15. Joachim WAROI; 16. John WAYNE; 18. John ANTA; 22. Leon LEKEZOTO (RGK); 23. Eddie RAMO (RGK);

Coach: Luke EROI (SOL)

Cautions: 20. Gibson HOSEA 21’; 6. Nelson SALE 29’

Red Cards: None

Goals: 7. Alick MAEMAE 39’, 76’; 21. Benjamin TOTORI 55’, 62’; Jases NAWO 74’; 7.

VAN: 2. Andrew CHICHIRUA (5. Samuel KALOROS 77’); 3. Bula CHILLIA; 4. Rexley TARIVUTI; 9. Roger JOE; 10. Fenedy MASAUVAKALO (c); 11. Jeffry NIMINIAN; 13. Francois SAKAMA; 14. Joseph NAMARIAU; 17.Geoffrey Lego GETE; 19. Tonny CHILLIA (8. Apete KARA 53’); 20. Yannick MERKA (GK) (1. Charley KALNASEI 35’)

SUBS: 6. Wilson KAILO; 12. Michell KALTACK;15. Manu PETER; 16. Tchamaco MAHE; 18. Brian MELAR;

Coach: Philemon JOHN (VAN)

Cautions: 17. Geoffrey Lego GETE 23’, 57’; 10. Fenedy MASAUVAKALO 83’; 5. Samuel KALOROS 84’, 9. Roger JOE 89’;

Red Cards: 17. Geoffrey Lego GETE 57’,

Goals: None

Referee: Michael HESTER (NZL)

Assistant Referee 1: Tevita MAKASINI (SAM)

Assistant Referee 2: Collins AUVELE (SAM)

Fourth Official: Peter O’LEARY (NZL)

OFC MENS OLYMPIC FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

STANDINGS

GOLDEN SHOE AWARD

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