Photo Credit: OFC Media via SIFF

Despite drawing 1-1 in the second leg, the Solomon Warriors have progressed past Central Coast FC to qualify for the OFC Men’s Champions League 2024 by virtue of their first leg advantage in the National Playoffs in the Solomon Islands. 

A decisive goal from Gagame Feni had given the Solomon Warriors a 1-0 lead after the first leg, and it was he who scored again to secure a second leg draw and win the National Playoff tie 2-1 on aggregate. 

Central Coast FC came fast out of the blocks in fine conditions at the National Stadium in Honiara. In just the eighth minute of the match David Supa lofted a pinpoint pass over the top of the Warriors defence and into the box for Bobby Leslie, who made no mistake with a right-footed effort into the top of the net from close range. 

That levelled it up in the tie at 1-1, and Leslie almost added a quick-fire second with a long range effort that stung the hands of Timothy Maearasia from outside the box. 

The early goal stunned the Warriors and their defence was caught ball watching on multiple occasions as Leslie and Junior Fordney wreaked havoc. Leslie pounced on a defensive mistake near the edge of the box to put himself through on goal but his effort deflected off a last-ditch tackle and rolled inches wide of the bottom right corner. 

Warriors coach Franco Neé was forced to react, bringing Alvin Hou and Jayson Kofela into the action early off the bench in an attempt to shore things up. 

Fordney should have made it two for Central Coast just before the break, cutting inside off the left flank and bursting into the box with just the keeper to beat. The striker couldn’t maintain his composure however, firing narrowly wide of the bottom left corner in what would ultimately prove a costly miss. 

It was a far more even affair in the second half, with the Solomon Warriors upping the intensity after the half-time team talk. Substitute Alvin Hou powered a shot high over the bar after meeting a cross on the penalty spot off the right, before Gagame Feni flashed an effort wide of the bottom right corner from the top of the box. 

Just as he did in the first leg, Feni was the man to step up for the Warriors. In the 67th minute he fired his team back in front in the tie after lashing home from a cross off the right flank, straight past Phillip Mango. It would ultimately prove the crucial moment in the tie, sparking wild celebrations from Warriors fans in the stands.  

Central Coast rang the changes as their prior missed chances began to weigh heavily, but despite a couple of nervy moments the Warriors managed the final twenty minutes well. 

The Solomon Warriors will now join Rewa FC of Fiji, Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United, and the winner of the National Playoff from New Zealand in Group A of the OFC Men’s Champions League 2024 in Tahiti in May.

Solomon Warriors: 1 (Gagame FENI 67’)
Central Coast FC: 1  (Bobby LESLIE 8’)

HT: 0-1