PORT VILA – Tafea FC, Amical, Yatel and Seveners United are poised to progress to the semi-finals of the Telecom Vanuatu Limited (TVL) Cup after recording wins in their quarter-final 1st leg clashes in Port Vila.
The race for a berth in the final of the first TVL Cup is getting serious as fans enjoyed a goal feast as no less than eighteen goals were scored during the first leg of the PVFA Premier Division quarters finals.
Tafea FC, Yatel FC and Amical FC secured first victories in their first leg of the TVL Cup quarter-finals by the narrowest margins, and left doors open for the return legs.
Tupuji Imere FC, Ifira BB FC, and Erakor GS are all on course for a place in the semis but will have to overturn a one-goal deficit. Seveners Utd walloped Westtan Broncos 5-2 last Thursday and probably booked a place to the semi-final.
TAFEA FC BOUNCE BACK
Tafea FC 2-1 Tupuji Imere FC
Vanuatu international Fenethy Masavaukalo put Tupuji Imere FC in front with a goal in the 22mns, when he slowly slided the ball inside Sike Malas’ net after a corner kick but Tafea FC responded within a minute with a quick equalizer when Etienne Mermer perfectly picked up Sakama center, and slotted the ball into the left corner of the Tupuji goal.
It took until 61 minutes for the young Silas Manasse to give Tafea FC the lead and a first victory in the first leg of the TVL Cup, when he fired a powerful goal from long range that gave no chance to David Chilia of Tupuji Imere.
TEN MAN YATEL EDGE IFIRA
Yatel FC 2-1 Ifira Black Birds FC
The second match of the day enjoyed an open start and both sides had early chances. But things started better for the Ifira Side when Kalmutaku Kalpukai put Ifira BB into the lead in the 11th minute, when he got in between two Yatel FC defenders and perfectly headed a cross inside the net.
But Robert Tasso cancelled out Ifira’s lead just 4mns later when he unleashed an amazing 20 meters drive through Ifira BB defence and finished with a perfect left shoot that stunned Ifira Keeper Len Merka.
The second and decisive goal came in the 35th minute when Robert Tasso made another run through the Ifira Defence to finally score his second strike of the day with a superb right shoot.
Yatel FC ended the match with ten players as Harrison Veruman was sent off with a second yellow card in the game.
AMICAL PREVAIL IN FIVE GOAL FEAST
Amical FC 3-2 Erakor Golden Star FC
Erakor GS took the lead with a goal from Peter Manuel, following a critical error from Amical FC goalkeeper Taravaki taky who missed an attempted clearance to allow Peter Manuel to tap the first goal in after 11 minutes.
However, Amical FC battled back and levelled the score when Ken Masavaukalo equalised at the 32 minute mark by converting a penalty.
But one minute later, Karl Tasaruru gave back Erakor Golden Star another lead, when he lobbed Amical’s keeper from 30 meters. Amical with its attacking game , equalized 1 minute before half-time the goal coming from Iakar Tess.
With Amical FC dominating ball possession in the second period, Selwyn Tari whom spectators pointed out to be the man of the match, fired the winning goal in the 71st minute after a beautiful set piece which saw the Erakor defence helpless.