OFC News

The Super 8 has proven to be a great success for fans across Honiara with goals-a-plenty throughout the first series of matches

In just 9 matches a total of 40 goals have been scored at Lawson Tama Stadium many of which were scored by players recruited from the lower division clubs in the DJ League.

This was evident last Thursday when Molis Gagame of Jr Flamingo FC and Ian Naghu of Kukum Bombers FC both in the second division helped Uncles FC in a dazzling display of football skills as they stunned Rangers FC with a 5 – 1 victory.

Uncles first choice striker Junior Billy notched two goals to add to his first against Koloale FC making it three in total which puts him second in the goals tally behind Makuru’s midfield maestro, Alick Maemae, whose 6 goals put him in a seemingly unreachable position. Ian, Molis and Judd added one each to complete the scoring.

Rangers started off very well and looked comfortable on the ball but were unable to deliver a decisive final pass. For Rangers, Godwin Bebeu, fresh from the Western Province Club Championship slotted in a consolation goal from a free-kick late in the second half.

The competition is bringing out the best in the clubs amidst high-skill performances with a marked improvement in ball possession and pace. Players have been more tactical with their passing which created more opportunities for goals.

The injection of guest players has brought urgency into the competition and it looks like some of the lower division clubs will be losing these players permanently when the 2008 DJ League season commences sometime in July this year.

Table standing as at 9th May, 2008.
Pool A

Pool B

*Completed all pool matches.

HONIARA: The Honiara Football Association has given Kossa a week off from the DJ League’s Top 8 challenge to ensure they are 100 percent fit and injury free ahead of their crucial away match against Waitakere FC at Trusts Stadium in Auckland on May 11.

Kossa was schedule to play Makuru this afternoon but the Honiara Football Association Normalisation Committee has rescheduled the match for another date.

In accepting Kossa’s request, HFA Normalisation Committee spokesman Aloysio Ma’ahanoa said Kossa will be flying Solomon Islands flag therefore it is only proper that they be given assistance every possible way to ensure they achieve their goal.

The National Clubs Champion lost its opening match against Marist 0-3 but bounced back to win their second against Walas 4-2 on Saturday and was due to play its final match this afternoon.

But the committee in their meeting on Saturday decided to rest Kossa and set a new date for their much awaited showdown with the minor premiers, Makuru FC.

Meanwhile Koloale FC bounced back from their narrow 1-0 defeat in the hands of Uncles FC in their midweek clash to thrash Naha 5-1 when the two teams met on Saturday at Lawson Tama.

Naha played without their key striker Lawrence Fonaota and were outplayed by a well-drilled Koloale outfit who knocked the ball around with precision passes.

Veteran Henry Koto commanded well their midfield with some telling passes which caught Naha flatfooted on many occasions.

Naha has vowed to step their game up a gear when they play Uncles tomorrow at Lawson Tama.

Meanwhile, Makuru maintained its winning form when it thrashed Walas 7-0 last week to lead pool A and also confirm its place in the semifinals. The runner up position is between Marist and Kossa.

In Pool B, Uncles and Koloale share equal match points but the former looks set to lead their pool if they win their match tomorrow against Naha. 

HONIARA - Makuru FC has clinched the DJ League premiership title after they drew 2-2 with Sunbeam FC Lawson Tama last night.

The result puts them even with Uncles on points but with a one goal advantage in goal difference - enough to capture the title.

It was a below par performance for the star-studded Makuru outfit who could only score two goals from numerous chances they created infront of the large Honiara crowd.

But they got off to the perfect start when Solomon Islands international Alick Maemae opened the scoring for Makuru inside 22 seconds when a swift move caught Sunbeam defenders off guard from the kick off.

Midfielder Leslie Kakai found an opening downt he right channel to break down deep into Sunbeam's territory before sending a timely cross to a waiting Maemae for an easy tap-in.

The goal came as surprise for Sunbeam who regrouped quickly and responded almost instantly by finding the equalizer inside five minutes.

Kennedy Unga slotted home the spot kick after match referee Nelson Sogo judged an infringement inside the penalty box.

It was an equal contest from then on with Sunbeam throwing-everything at Makuru in search of an upset victory.

It took Makuru until the 74th minute to break the deadlock when George Lui the target after he beat Sunbeam's influential defender Bata Furai and managed to find the back of the net.

The Makuru fans celebration’s were short-lived as Sunbeam equalized six minutes later through former Nelson Suburbs Wesley Olea in the 84th minutes.

Makuru team official Patteson Bekala admitted after the match that his boys had played below par missing a couple of good chances including a penalty.

Maemae took the spot kick but his shot was stopped by the Sunbeam keeper who stood out for his side.

Makuru also had the ball in the back of the net in second half but that goal was disallowed for an offside offence.

Meanwhile, Sunbeam’s hope of making the ‘Top 8’ appears over following the draw. They will play their final game against Rangers on Tuesday.

DJ League Standings

HONIARA – Five teams have cemented their spot in the DJ league ‘Top Eight’ competition while the other three are still up for grabs heading into the final week of the league competition.

Uncles, Makuru, Marist, Koloale and Kossa have secured their spots in the playoff competition while Walas, Hana, Rangers, Naha and Sunbeam will battle it out for the remaining three.

Results of catch up matches later this week will determine the final three clubs who will make the top 8 competition.

It has created a very exciting final week of matches in Honiara with teams desperate to make the final cut.

Naha’s dream of reaching the Top Eight suffered a major setback when they lost 3-1 to Walas on Saturday.

Naha have one game to play – against Sunbeam -  which will prove crucial in determining their final standing in the league. Regardless of the result Naha will have to wait on other results to decide their fate.

Rangers have two games remaining while Sunbeam have three and a series of wins for either side would spoil Naha’s dream.

Naha conceded three quick goals in Saturdays defeat to Walas which killed the match of instantly. Their second half performance was improved with strike duo Lawrence Foanoata and George Laukeni creating many half chances but unable to capitalize on any.

Match referee Matthew Taro had to suspend the match for 20 minutes in the second half because of heavy rain. The match resumed after rain subsided and was an evenly contested affair.

Laukeni’s persistence paid dividends for the Naha striker when he scored a consolation goal in the second half to lift his sides moral.

But it was too little too late as Walas defended their lead, throwing everything in to ensure they went away with all three match points. Two Walas players were shown red cards for dangerous play in the latter stages of the match.

Meanwhile, Koloale beat Laugu 3-0 in the earlier match to secure their place in the ‘top eight’.

Honiara Football Association administrator Barnabas Loloito is confident the remaining outstanding matches will be completed this week so that the top 8 competition can start on April 17, 2008.

Fixtures

Tue 8th April  Sunbeam vs Naha  4p.m   Lawson Tama
Wed 9th April    Rangers vs Laugu 4p.m   Lawson Tama
Thur 10th April  Sunbeam vs Makuru  4p.m  Lawson Tama
 (To be confirmed) Rangers vs Sunbeam  

DJ League Standings as of 7.4.08