KOSSA TRIUMPH OVER BA TO EARN SPOT IN OFC O-LEAGUE FINAL

Sunday, 30 March 08, 18:22 PM

LAUTOKA - Solomon Island champions Kossa FC have reached their first ever OFC O-League final after beating Ba today 4-2 at Churchill Park, Lautoka, in Fiji.

Kossa finish Group B on 8 points, three clear of Tafea FC and have earned a spot in a home and away final against either Waitakere United or Auckland City, depending on their Group A match this Wednesday.

It was the first time that Ba have ever been beaten on Fijian soil in an OFC O-League match and will create mass scenes of celebration throughout Honiara and the Solomon Islands.

Kossa got off to a flying start when Papua New Guinea International Reginald Davani slotted home in the twelfth minute to silence the 5,000 strong crowd. Ba pulled one back before half time through Avinesh Waran Suwamy and created and exciting and entertaining second half.

The joy for Ba was shortlived when Joe Luwi regained the lead for Kossa with a strike six minutes into the second half. Solomon Island international James Naka gave Kossa a two goal buffer in the 75th minute and effectively closed the door on Ba's lingering OFC O-League final ambitions.

The Churchill Park pitch was heavy through the middle and both sides looked to exploit the width of the field to create their chances.

Josaia Bukalidi made one last push for Ba with a goal in the 84th minute but it wasn't enough as Paul Wale made certain the result with a final goal in the 90th minute to make it 4-2.

Kossa will now closely monitor the final game of Group A between New Zealand clubs Auckland City and Waitakere United to determine who they will meet in the 2008 OFC O-League final.

Whoever they face their will be a strong Solomon Island presence in the final with Auckland City defender George Suri or Waitakere United duo Benjamin Totori and Commins Menapi likey to face their fellow countrymen.

2008 OFC O-LEAGUEGROUP BBA [FIJ] 2 (Suwamy, Bukalidi) vs. KOSSA FC [SOL] 4 (Davani, Luwi, Naka, Wale)Match Day 4 – 1200 (FIJ T) / 1100 (SOL T) – 30 March 2008Churchill Park – Lautoka – Fiji BA: 1. Jone SOROLO [gk]; 2. Avinesh Waran SUWAMY; 3. Shalen LAL; 4. Leone VURUKANIA; 5. Rinal PRASAD; 6. Jone VESIKULA; 7. Tuimasi MANUCA; 8. Keni DOIDOI; 9. Josaia BUKALIDI; 10. Ronald CHANDRA; 11. Krishna SAMY; 12. Niumaia TAGI; 13. Kiniviliame TURAGALAILAI; 14. Laisenia TUBA [gk]; 15. Manoa MASI; 16. Malakai TIWA; 17. Malakai KAINIHEWE.Coach: Yogendra DUTT (FIJ)Cautions:  Red cards:Goal scorers: 2. Avinesh Waran SUWAMY (43’); 9. Josaia BUKALIDI (84’).  KOSS: 1. John MORGAN [gk]; 3. Sam MAENA; 4. Tome FAISI; 5. Samson TAKAYAMA; 6. Mahlon MAEMANIA; 8. Philip ASHLEY; 9. Samson WAAHERO; 10. Franco NEE; 11. Joe LUWI; 12. Roy ENORI; 13. James NAKA; 14. Reginald DAVANI; 15. Seni NGAVA; 16. Paul WALE; 17. Gideon OMOKIRIO; 21. Severino AEFI [gk]; 22. Willie SADE; 23. Terry OIAKA.Coach: Jacob MOLI (SOL)Cautions: 14. Reginald DAVANI (60’); 11. Joe LUWI (73’); 16. Paul WALE (90’+2).  Red cards:Goal scorers: 14. Reginald DAVANI (12’); 11. Joe LUWI (51’); 13. James NAKA (75’); 16. Paul WALE (90’+2).   Referee: Peter O’LEARY (NZL)Assistant Referee 1: Jan Hendrik HINTZ (NZL)Assistant Referee 2: Glen LOCHRIE (NZL)Fourth Official: Rakesh VARMAN (FIJ) EXTRA INFORMATION:OFC O-LEAGUEGROUP B

P

W D L GF GA Pts GD
Kossa FC (SOL) 4 2 2 0 8 4 8 +4
Tafea FC (VAN) 4 1 2 1 4 4 5 0
Ba (FIJ) 4 1 0 3 4 8 3 -4
    ResultsKossa FC vs. Tafea FC 1-1Ba vs. Tafea FC 1-0Tafea FC vs. Ba 2-1Kossa FC vs. Ba 2-0Tafea FC vs. Kossa FC 1-1Ba vs. Kossa FC 2-4 The final match of Group A in the 2008 OFC O-League sees Waitakere United (NZL) host Auckland City FC (NZL) at Trusts Stadium, Henderson, Auckland. The match is scheduled for 1800hrs (NZL T) on Wednesday 30 March 2008.Kossa FC qualify for an OFC O-League Final berth against the winner of this fixture.For all the latest news and information on the OFC O-League please visit the official OFC website at www.oceaniafootball.com
Topics: OFC O-League 2008, OCEANIA, Fiji, Solomon Islands
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Posted by OFC | Comments (83)

83 Comments

vencensio
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vencensio Wrote: | 47 days ago

Congratulations to KOSSA for the sweet victory. My prediction is that Reginald Davani will make the difference!! His twelveth minute opener was the life booster. Congratulations for reaching the final... Sorry ba fans for breaking the Govind Park myth. GO KOSSA GO!!


Haunihuroaasi
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Haunihuroaasi Wrote: | 47 days ago

Kossa deserve to win the game given they also won in Honiara. Which ever New Zeland team will be Kossa's opponent should not expect a walkover in Hioniara. Kossa will be a formidable opponent given their win in their pool.


higalozi
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higalozi Wrote: | 47 days ago

YA GO KOSSA GO..thats da way to do it kossa..showm oketa moko an rarai ya hao to play real football. for BA AN FIJI FOOTBALL, SO SO SORRY GUYS, but looks like next year u guys will be out of the club championship..ya, u guys need a year to rest and polish up ur football skills..so sad that ur guys lost on ya home ground..bahaha...go kossa go..


zkerawem
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zkerawem Wrote: | 47 days ago

BaKid, u deserve a loose. What you said is what you are. U need some understanding kid. Did your parents teach u that?


zkerawem
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zkerawem Wrote: | 47 days ago

BaKid, sad to say u lost on your home ground...Go KOSSA Go!!


Tinonimane
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Tinonimane Wrote: | 47 days ago

GO KOSSA GO, hey you make us proud, told ya!!! ya got fans out here in Chicago.............. hurray!!!!!.... its not done yet, ya got another one coming, keep focusing on what you have to do, to gain another victory...ya got it guys cheers


ravneel
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ravneel Wrote: | 47 days ago

Congrats Kossa. its stil not over you got a long way 2 go. Dont wory BA would be back next year and they would take the revenge if you play them again. Churchill Park is not Ba's home ground but still they took defeat. Well done atlist they did score 2 goals. If Kossa and Waitakere play final and if Kossa wins they we could say Kossa is better then Ba as last year Ba gave Waitakere hard time in final.


vencensio
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vencensio Wrote: | 47 days ago

ravneel do you think the result would change if the game was played at Govind Park? No way ravneel u better think mature boy; venues dont play soccer, players do, a good soccer team with a bunch of focussed players will win where ever and whenever they play, unless its the whole spectators attending the match at a particular venue play against that team.. I dont think KOSSA will make an excuse about the venue if they lost the match at Churchill Park. Venues dont play revneel!!!! KOSSA keep focussing on the next game against any of our wantok's team, be it Waitakere United or Auckland United FC?


mataaku
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mataaku Wrote: | 47 days ago

Congratulations KOSSA. Bring it on, WAITAKERE OR CITY?


vencensio
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vencensio Wrote: | 47 days ago

Thank you Webmaster for the updated photos of Ba vs KOSSA!!!


solosoka
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solosoka Wrote: | 47 days ago

Oh boy, David had slained Goliath!!!!! Not a surprise anyway, its biblical....Goliath had boasted before their encounter that he will slaugter David,,, but in the end it was him who David slaugtered.. Can we say its same with KOSSA and Ba?


solosoka
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solosoka Wrote: | 47 days ago

I agree vencensio, good photos, especially the one showing their victory!!!! Keep it going KOSSA boys, we ex KG VI students are behind you... when is your next fundraising? And by the way when is KOSSA arriving from Fiji?


TEKEH
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TEKEH Wrote: | 47 days ago

Solo ........Kosa ...go


Sissoko
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Sissoko Wrote: | 47 days ago

Told you BA Kid, Solomon Islands soccer teams are unpredictable. Anyway body can be a champion - thats what made the Honiara League more interesting, compared to the Fiji and Vanuatu soccer league where the same teams BA and Tafea, have been representing this country since the O'league and its predecessor started. Some of the teams that once represented the Solomon Islands are, Malaita Eagles, Laugu FC, Makuru FC, Marist FC and Kossa FC. Maybe very soon we will see the return of Makuru FC in the O'league.


Marahare
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Marahare Wrote: | 47 days ago

congrats Kossa,Too gud..


solosoka
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solosoka Wrote: | 47 days ago

Yeah thats the way Marahare you should be proud. Thats the team you have groomed and shaped in the last decade!!!!!


6900phils
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6900phils Wrote: | 47 days ago

congradulation to Kossa, Kossa is the best in group B.


6900phils
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6900phils Wrote: | 47 days ago

the particiapation and victory of kossa fc show that solomon island soccer is developing successful. hopefully, Makuru fc is coming for the next o-league.


Soulsa
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Soulsa Wrote: | 47 days ago

Congrats KOSSA..you deserved that victory. Your mission however, is not over yet...beat Waitakere/ Auckland and represent Oceania at the World Clubs championship should be your ultimate goal and create history for Solomon Islands.


vencensio
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vencensio Wrote: | 47 days ago

KOSSA you are almost there!! Thanks every KOSSA supporters and other Solo soccer supporters, both at home and overseas for the great support... It seems everytime a team from Solo represents us in the OFC League, we all give them the support. This is good, keep it up guyz!!!!


Sissoko
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Sissoko Wrote: | 46 days ago

I would also like to thank the Solo fans and the bunch of old King George VI's students who turn up at Lautoka to support Kossa. Remember, the back-bone of KOSSA is KGVI school - keep supporting your team. I also long for the day teams like Walas FC, Zome Mars FC, Uncles FC, Naha FC, Sunbeam FC, Hana FC, and Koloale FC could showcase they style of play at the O'league level. The unique thing about the Solo teams is that each team has their own style of play.....not forgetting the teams from the provinces as well.....Teams such as Auki Kingz FC and Central Realas FC.....I remember when James Naka first appeared in the Solomon Cup for Malaita Eagles and coolly sidestepping Fred Hale to score...These are teams that will very soon light up the O'league if SIFF put more effort in developing the sport in the country than filling their own pocke


TEKEH
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TEKEH Wrote: | 46 days ago

How much more Makuru FC?


gele_ba
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gele_ba Wrote: | 46 days ago

congratulations guys you deserve it. Remember the journey has only just begun. Come the winner of pool A and with our heads and hearts together, we can beat them too. Heads up guys!! The sky's the limit.


Salesh
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Salesh Wrote: | 46 days ago

Thank God Kossa won. I hope BA had learnt their lesson not to "Butter" FFA and FFA likewise. They say God sends someone to teach lesson. Thank you Kossa. BA is big headache recent times. Full of complain and cry babies. They think they know everything. Kossa beat them in front of their mad crowd - what else - their big mouths are now completely shut. Please for God sake FFA stop favoring BA and make fair decision. BA grow up or else you will continue to bring embarassment onto yourself.


Soulsa
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Soulsa Wrote: | 46 days ago

Tekeh...you must be out of eh mind ya..We're not talking about Makuru here. They went to Tahiti about three years ago and got beaten by Tafea and New Caledonia's champion club. The team makeup that time was all star-studded yet their result did not reflect it. Now it's KOSSA's turn to have a go and so far so good. We should all throw our support behind them,, afterall they're representing Solomon Islands not KOSSA. They fly Solomon Islands flag,,, Sing Solomon Islands National anthemn not KOSSA anthemn. So we should all be proud of their fine achievement. Many people including yourself may have written them off before they even kicked the ball and see how wrong you're. KOSSA is only two-match away from representing Oceania at the World Clubs Championship later this year. GO KOSSA GO!!!!


Salesh
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Salesh Wrote: | 46 days ago

I hope Jaishiv, Bakid and KaiBa and all like minds big mouth is now completely shut. Our Soloman friends also now know your mentality. To Kossa, once again thank you - God bless you. These are bunch of idiots in Ba who can only protest and "butter" FFA. Grow up or we will request to Kossa to come and teach you few more lessons - lol


megorin
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megorin Wrote: | 46 days ago

yeah tell them salesh, just imagine that Kossa is in the 5th place in their solomon DJ league, how much would it be if the other top 4 teams were to play BA..that would be a major, major embarressment!!!


Salesh
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Salesh Wrote: | 46 days ago

meqorin, that rating is still better, if a secondary school would have come they would certainly beaten BA. You may have heard the saying "Pride leads to fall".


Salesh
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Salesh Wrote: | 46 days ago

BA thought this is some CvC or BOG or pathetic Hari Raj Naicker orgainsed Fiji IDC to favor BA. Learn, please learn and move on. The next to go is FFA officials. Even FIFA officials have a tenure of 5 years, here at FFA some have spent over 15years and had done nothing. They are only good at raking gate takings and organising poor qualty local tournament with Hari Raj Naicker walking up and down with cord less microphone - he thinks he is still a principal of Saint Giles High School.


Tinonimane
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Tinonimane Wrote: | 46 days ago

i found it really interesting when we put each other down on the web like this, i think we should just support each other seing that we are the pacific island bradas......you know....in soccer.. scoring goals is really important if you cant score goals to make you win... no matter how good you are or how you team plays you will still cant make it through.... so this leads u to Kossa FC, they play, they score the goals they need to make them qualify for the next phase and so they represent us!!!!!!!! Respect kossa and support them!! they are the champions this time!!!! for other clubs keep working.......may be you will get there some time if you could score goals.... ta!ta!


zaur45
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zaur45 Wrote: | 46 days ago

wwooohoooo!!!...KOSSA d best,,,!!!!...i watched d game...!!!..wonderful feeling to have beaten BA in their home crowd...hahahaha.....kp it up


zaur45
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zaur45 Wrote: | 46 days ago

d thing is....KOSSA still looked shaky...when they substituted some of their 1st eleven players for the reserves...the reserves missed alot of chances to score goals,,,missed communication....and were not that threatening...mas waka lo diswan na ya coach...!!!...coz ganga lo NZ distym r wan step higher ya...


zaur45
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zaur45 Wrote: | 46 days ago

oh and another thing....the support 4 district football here in fiji barava winim na tym national team blo oketa play man....even tym u23 blo ota play...hw na osem ya...???


solosoka
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