KOSSA, TAFEA ACHIEVE O-LEAGUE STALEMATE

Solomon Islands champions Kossa FC drew 10,000 fans to their match with Vanuatu champions Tafea FC but had to settle for a 1-1 draw. 

Former Auckland City FC striker Reginald Davani now starring for Kossa FC set up the opening goal for his new club after 61 minutes when he beat two defenders before setting up Joe Luwi who smashed an unstoppable shot past Tafea FC’s Vanuatu international goalkeeper David Chilia. 

But Tafea FC were not out of the match and struck back through substitute Alphonse Welin Qorig on 71 minutes after Kossa FC defender Tome Faisi failed to cut out a through ball that allowed Qorig to round goalkeeper John Morgan to score the equaliser and shock the home crowd into stunned silence. 

Tafea FC will be satisfied with the point achieved away from home at one of Oceania’s most difficult venues but must now repeat the achievement on Wednesday 31^st October when Michel Kalo’s team travel to Govind Park, Ba, to face Yogendra Dutt’s all conquering Ba in Fiji. 

Kossa FC coach Jacob Moli was disappointed with a draw in front of an excellent sized crowd on home turf in a match the Solomon Islands champions always had the upper-hand in. 

But Moli will have to wait until February 24, 2008, to make amends when Ba visits Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara, as Kossa FC go into O-League cold storage.

Live updates... 

60' - YELLOW CARD - Geoffrey Lego GETE booked for a foul on Reginald Davani

61' - GOAL! Reginald DAVANI eludes several challenges before finding Samson WA'AHERO who lays off a nice pass for Joe LUWI. LUWI smashes a vicious shot at the Tafea FC goal to put Kossa FC ahead after his shot gives David CHILIA no chance!

71' - GOAL! Tafea FC draw level thanks to a strike from substitute Alphonse Welin QORIG after a defensive error from Tome FAISI after FAISI failed to clear allowing a through-ball for QORIG to round John MORGAN and make it 1-1!

80'- The match is swinging from end to end as Tafea FC and Kossa FC search out the next goal. So far, no luck for either team with MORGAN and CHILIA in top form.

90'- FULLTIME The referee blows his whistle for full-time and the match has finished in a 1-1 draw

2007/8 OFC Champion’s League

Match Day 1 – 1500 – 27 October 2007

Lawson Tama Stadium – Honiara – Solomon Islands   

KOSSA FC: 1. John MORGAN [gk]; 2. Ratu Inosi CAWA; 4. Tome FAISI; 5. Samson TAKAYAMA; 6. Marlon MAEMANIA; 9. Samson WA’AHERO (8. Philip ASHLEY 81’); 10. Franco NE’E (16. Paul WALE 73’); 11. Joe LUWI; 13. James NAKA; 14. Reginald DAVANI; 15. Gideon OMOKIRIO. 

Coach: Jacob MOLI 

Substitutes not used: 12. Severino AEFI; 13. Seni NGAVA; 14. Sam MAENA; 17. Willie NAMO; 18. Roy ENORI. 

Injured: 

Suspended:  

Not eligible: 

Cautions:  

Red cards: 

Goal scorers: 11. Joe LUWI (61’) 

TAFEA FC: 1. David CHILIA; 2. Samson OBED; 3. Jacques MAFIL NAWAN; 6. Fedy VAVA; 7. Moise POIDA; 9. Jean Nako NAPRAPOL (11. Etienne MERMER 90’+2’); 10. Richard IWAI; 12. Hubert NAKE; 13. Francois SAKAMA; 15. Geoffrey Lego GETE; 18. Silas NAMATAK (16. Alphonse Welin QORIG 40’). 

Coach: Michel KALO 

Substitutes not used: 4. Ephraim KALORIB; 5. Tom MANSES; 14. Silas ALI; 17. Shem SIPAI. 

Injured: 

Suspended:  

Not eligible: 

Cautions: 

Red cards: 

Goal scorers: 16. Alphonse Welin QORIG (71’). 

Referee: Salaiau SOSONGAN (PNG) 

Assistant Referee: Hilary ANI (PNG) 

Assistant Referee: Denis SILK (AUS) 

Fourth Official: Nelson SOGO (SOL) 

2008 O-LEAGUE - GROUP B