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LUWI AND NAKA EARN KOSSA O-LEAGUE GLORY

Saturday, 26 April 08, 11:33 PM

HONIARA – Twenty thousand fans packed into Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara today to see Solomon Islands champions Kossa FC upset Waitakere United in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) O-League First Leg Final.

Joe Luwi and James Naka were the heroes for the home side as their goals propelled Kossa to a 3-1 win and puts a trip to Japan for the FIFA Club World Cup in December firmly in their sights.

Centre back Jonathon Perry scored the only goal for the visitors in very hot and humid conditions and will provide some comfort for the Waitakere party, knowing now that a 2-0 win in the return leg in Auckland on May 11th will see them regain their crown as OFC O-League champions.

Kossa drew energy from the loud vivacious Honiara support and took the game to Waitakere with Reginald Davani and James Naka causing problems early on.

Waitakere looked like they were struggling with the heat and were made to pay in the 21st minute when James Naka found some space outside the Waitakere box and fired a 30 yard missile into the underside of the crossbar. Joe Luwi was the quickest player to react and swiftly tucked the rebound home to give the hosts the perfects start.

The visitors struggled to get out of first gear for much of the half and but for a few dazzling runs by Solomon Island star Benjamin Totori, failed to trouble the Kossa defense.

It was Joe Luwi who struck again for Kossa in the 42nd minute and again it was his predatory instincts that made the goal. Davani’s left footed shot was spilled by Richard Gillespie and Luwi was there to tuck it home in clinical fashion.

Waitakere obviously benefitted from a much needed water break at halftime and came out the more invigorated side in the second half.

Jonathan Perry rose highest from a Neil Sykes corner in the 48th minute to pull one back for Waitakere and it looked like the halftime water had woken them from their daze.

But the relentless attack we have come to expect from Waitakere never came and Kossa slowly started to gain the edge back.

As the heat began to take its toll the speed of the game slowed and it looked like Waitakere’s best chances would come from set plays. Neil Emblen went close when he arrived unannounced at the far post from a free kick only to square his header across the six yard box to a spot where a striker should have been.

Kossa gained in confidence as the half wore on and Naka was instrumental in all their attacking play. He let fly with a series of long range efforts which whistled just wide of the Waitakere post.

Kossa grabbed a crucial third goal in the 89th minute when Naka jinxed his way through the Waitakere box before deftly clipping the ball over the on rushing Gillespie to produce screams of joy from the local faithful.

After the final whistle Waitakere Coach Chris Milicich acknowledged that heat had played a major factor in the match and was confident his side could turn the final around in the second leg.

“We’ll go back home and win 2-0, end of story. Kossa played well today and managed the heat well but now they have to come down to our place and play and it will be a completely different proposition down there.

“I thought it was our flattest performance in 28 games this year, we’ve never conceded 3 goals all year and it was just very sloppy. No one stood out for us everyone was poor.”

Kossa playmaker Naka was filled with emotion after the game and was enjoying the moment.

“I am very excited at this moment. We all knew that Waitakere are very experienced and it is a great result for us. When we went 2-0 up I was so happy and the thought went through my mind for the first time that we could be representing Oceania.”

Davani was also excited by the result but vary wary that the side still has a long way to go before they are crowned champions.

“It’s not over, its only one game. We’re just halfway there. They are a very good side, they are going to be playing at home and it will be a lot harder. But I am still very happy.”

Squads:

Kossa:; 4. Tome FAISI; 5. Samson TAKAYAMA; 6. Mahlon MAEMANIA;; 10. Francis NEE; 11. Joe LUWI; 13. James NAKA; 15.Seni NGAVA; 16. Paul WALE (20. Willie SADE 89’); 17. Gideon OMOKIRIO; 19. Reginald DAVANI; 21. Severino AEFI;

Subs: 1. John MORGAN; 3. Sam MAENA; 8. Philip ASHLEY; 9. Samson WAAHERO; 12. Roy ENORI; 14. Terry Oiaka;

Coach: Jacob MOLI (SOL)

Cautions: 19. Reginald Davani 47’;

Red Cards: none

Waitakere: 1. Richard Gillispie; 2. Jonathan PERRY; 6. Darren BAZELY;; 8. Commins MENAPI (14. Hoani EDWARDS 78’); 9. Benjamin TOTORI; 10. Allen PEARCE (21. Graham PEARCE 87’); 11. Neil SYKES; 13. Danijel KOPRIVCIC (7. Jason HAYNE 43’); 15. Christopher BALE; 16. Neil EMBLEN; 17. Jake BUTLER;

Subs: 5. Danny HAY; 20. Jason ROWLEY; 22. Simon EADDY;

Coach: Chris Milicich (NZL)

Cautions: 7. Jason Hayne 47’; 8. Commins Menapi 77’; 14. Hoani Edwards 77’;

Red Cards: none

Referee: Rakesh VARMAN (FIJ)

Assistant Referee 1: Andrew ACHARI

Assistant Referee 2: Mahit CHILIA (VAN)

Fourth Official: Lencie FRED (VAN)

Posted by OFC · Comments (31)

Topics: OFC O-League 2008 Solomon Islands OCEANIA
Tags: OFC O-League 2008 Solomon Islands OCEANIA

31 Comments

Duffmzz wrote: | 3 months ago

Well done Kossa. Literally, Kossa is a regional beater. They did not perform well domestically but regionally they are awesome. Unlike Makuru, they are good domestically but regionally they are

not that good. So Kossa thanks for depicting a good image for Solomon Islands Football. Once again you are AWESOME!!!..go solo go

Christianoronaldo wrote: | 3 months ago

Some how u are right Mr Duffmazz, maybe we can describe Kossa as Liverpool in Oceania. They are not that good domestically usually at the forth place in Premier league but when it comes to

Championship they always endup in the final or semi.

kinaz08 wrote: | 3 months ago

How do you know guys, Makuru have not been given the chance to perform in O-league?

kinaz08 wrote: | 3 months ago

How do you know guys, Makuru have not been given the chance to perform in O-league?

slinsolz wrote: | 3 months ago

Congratulations to KOSSA. You are still a long way to go yet but keep focus and have a positive mentality for your next game in May 11. Moreover I think KOSSA are doing very well I in this

competition, because out of every Solomon Islands teams that represented the country KOSSA is a bit more disciplined than the rest. YOU ROCK KOSSA!!!!!

4EVER FORWARD, BACKWARD NEVER.

go

KOSSA go.

We are proud of you for representing Solomon Islands.

Christianoronaldo wrote: | 3 months ago

Plizzzz Read through this article " HISTORY FAVOURS KIWI CHAMPIONS " which is posted on the OFC website, you will find the answer to ur posting My friend Mr Kinaz08. I guess if you read between

the lines you will see that Makuru was once played in the OFC Championship but unfortunately eliminated at the group stage. Thanks

kakamora2008 wrote: | 3 months ago

CONGRADZ!!! Kossa FC we proud of you guyz, its not over yet so pull up ya socks and put more into training and Discipline. You guyz are awsome!! Go! Kossa Go!, we are proud of you.

kinaz08 wrote: | 3 months ago

Christianoronaldo, did SIFF really backed Makuru then? Nope, it banned players from taking the field etc. No home and away play-off, the situation then was different from now. I think if Makuru

was given the chance now the story would be different. Makuru can dominate O-league as well!!!

Dayveedspikes wrote: | 3 months ago

Sorry Kinaz08, it's KOSSA's time now. Makuru had their chance then, and made a mess of it. Who told them to get extra players than required by OFC to Fiji, Tahiti and Vanuatu thereby rendering

them loaded with extra bills. They brought the problem unto themselves. SIFF barning players from taking the field? Ha thats the problem with ignorance isn't it? Could you just go back to

proper

research and find out the truth rather than making a fool of yourself making unfounded allegations. Check with OFC why Menapi wasn't allowed to take the field then and only then will

you start to

talk some sense.

Makuru FC indeed is club of immense talent with the ability to take the O League by storm but unless their management start to take matters with sporting

intents and not as

logging cases taken to the high court for determinations.

diehardkossa wrote: | 3 months ago

GO KOSSA GO, WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT MAKURU, KOSSA IS HEADING FOR JAPAN NOT MAKURU SO SOCCER GO, GO SOCCER GO

TRY FOR CHANGE LELEBET KINA08.

IF YOU WANT TO HELP INSTEAD OF BEING A

COMMENTATOR AND HELP MAKURU CLEAR THEIR DEBTS.

LONG LIVE SOCCER, GO KOSSA GO

kinaz08 wrote: | 3 months ago

Of course Dayveedspikes, give Makuru a chance and they'll take the O-league by storm.

diehardkossa, did you help paying kossa's bill during their current campaign? I don't think so!!!

KossaKrazy wrote: | 3 months ago

does anyone know if any video of the match has been uploaded anywhere?

Haunihuroaasi wrote: | 3 months ago

The author of this article seems to be insinuating that Waitakere now has the advantage because of their away goal and all they need is 2-0 scoreline Auckland. What he seems to (or ist?) to

forgotten is that Kossa has a greater advantage and all they need is a draw. Is it because he is a one-eyed Waitakere supporter that he is not been fair in his reporting. Common man, be fair in

your articles and let the two teams play and if the best team wins, so be it. We don't need biased reporting in Oceania.

Duffmzz wrote: | 3 months ago

Yup!!! christianoronaldo, i agree with ur liverpool Saga. of course KOSSA was like that. But who do u think gonna win the champions league this season in Europe??? But wait if KOSSA thru to the

championship in Japan....M praying that MAN UTD will be there aswell as the european CHAMPION..!!!!..go solo og....go KOSSA go....go MAN UTD go....

Christianoronaldo wrote: | 3 months ago

Well my friend, I will not elaborate on the differences between SIFF and Makuru cos i dont wanna dig into their their problems which needs to be sorted out by the two parties them selves. The

point here is makuru got the chance already in the Oceania club championships despite the changes with home and away games. You cannot rely entirely on the home crowd to cheer you up. If a time

has great disciple and play with determination like KOSSA then they can course upsets like what KOSSA did to Ba and Tafea in front of their home crowd. I support any club that represent Solomon

Islands. It is the pride of the country. Maybe Makuru's turn will be next who knows.But if they still perform like their previous outing, then nothing can be achieve. Lets all put our hands

together as a nation and support KOSSA. Their Victory will bring Joy to the nation. Thx bro

Christianoronaldo wrote: | 3 months ago

Sorry for the above post,,,there is a typing error.

TIME === should be TEAM

kinaz08 wrote: | 3 months ago

Thanks Christianoronaldo, like you Iam a Solo soccer fan and in all my post I have not condemned Kossa. I was just emphasising the chance Makuru should have for playing in O-league. In that I

mean, let them play every SI Club Championship (when they deserve that), the entry point to O-league.

No offence Kossa fans! Thanks

Salesh wrote: | 3 months ago

cheero cheero ....

well done.

regards,

Dayveedspikes wrote: | 3 months ago

Kinaz08 I salute you for being very honest, like yourself I'm an avid Makuru fan aswell but for now I'm for our very own KOSSA. Just as well I do apologise if I was a bit sacastic earlier, no

offence intended really but merely trying to put the records right. Fingers crossed and who knows may be it will Makuru again on the sportlight.

Cheer!

Coldrine wrote: | 3 months ago

There has been some on going debate about the favourites Makuru and KOSSA.. yes the winner is always the winner..congrats to KOSSA you deserve to be..The Makuru have gone through the same chance

to play but not as that of Now KOSSA did. I would rather call on the members to continue to support KOSSA. To you all KOSSA players you have shown yourselves professionally..descipline and

concentration. Why not continue to uphold your MOTO.. Forward ever backward never.. KOSSA congratulations.

Mascherano wrote: | 3 months ago

Folks, just some things we need to consider before its too late.

(1) Can OFC award two O'League spaces for a country that perform well in the O'League. We have seen NZ enjoying two seats in

the O'League for the past two seasons. Can SIFF get an extra space in O'league if Kossa wins the league?

(2) The second question is, if Kossa FC wins the O'league title this year, can

Kossa

be given the opportunity to defend it next year? At the moment, domestically things are looking bleak for Kossa.

Regarding Issue No.2, OFC should seek help on UEFA on this, i remember in 2005

Liverpool FC won the Champions League, but they were 5th in the Premier league - meaning they will not Qualify. UEFA amend their rules to allow the Champion of the Champions league to defend

their title.

Should OFC follow that ruling here? Its your guess? Something worth looking.

Sissoko wrote: | 3 months ago

Thanks Mascherano for raising this. This should be something SIFF should seriously consider. If KOSSA FC wins, Alufurai and his cohorts should demand that KOSSA FC defend its title alongside the

local champion of the Solomon Islands Club Championships. If KOSSA FC also wins the Solomon Islands Club Championships, then the runner-up should enter alongsigde KOSSA FC.

Anyway, thanks

Mascherano for raising this....i guess Alufurai and Cohorts havent thought of this yet - can someone make sure they read this and fight for it instead of celebrating mediocrity in the country's

devvelopment in soccer.

Cheers mate!

diehardkossa wrote: | 3 months ago

kossa is already 1 foot in so lets all cheer together for the other foot. long live solomon soccer, long live kossa

garciason wrote: | 3 months ago

Congradulation to Kossa for winning the first leg match...Anyway it was really very hot humid condition for Waitakere players. Waitakere faced very two strong opponents the hot sunning sun and

the kossa players. The game is not over.. may the best team win. Im humbly go for waitakere.. Go Waitakere Go.

garciason wrote: | 3 months ago

I want to response to DAYVEEDSPIKES on Makuru. Firstly, Iam Makuru player and represent SIFF and Makuru in 2005 O league.

It seems, what you say has no reality. You just heard it around with

no evidence.

Just Two facts

1. Huge amount of money is given by OFC to any association that has a O league participant. This money mainly for helping particular team meeting expenses

incurred.

Not even 1 or 2 cents is given to Makuru..What a shame on SIFF?

2. The player you mentioned should participate but the problem is SIFF did not help Makuru sign him in time

required.

Is this what SIFF do for the betterment of soccer, by denying a team and player to participate in a tournament. This shows that SIFF is not developing soccer but instead using people

for its own interest.

thks ..DAYVEEDSPIKES..

Sissoko wrote: | 3 months ago

Hi Garciason,

I'd love to see Waitakere Win, but as a former Georgian (KGVI), I my heart is with the Georgies (KOSSA FC) to win.

I wish I am in New Zealand so that I can dress up as

King George and attend the game, carrying King Goerges Cross. All the best to the Georgies!

Salesh wrote: | 3 months ago

I had given thumps up before the match.

Kossa all the way.

well done and best wishes from Fiji.

regards,

abs.

Soulsa wrote: | 3 months ago

Salesh..thanx for ur support. Kossa is a club that causes upsets. Before that we had other clubs representing Solomon Islands but never made it to the playoff stage.

Ballboy wrote: | 3 months ago

good work so far Kossa FC, you now have to step up in your performance for the last final lap in Auckland. There will only be a handful (not 20000) but very vocal supporters, cheering for you at

the Trust Stadium and hopefully bae hem not too cold and windy for Solomon boys. You have to keep scoring goals..hem nomoa

As for comparing Makuru and Kossa (as to which team did what), please

do not go there, the situation and process for qualifying at the time was not the same, as they do not play home and away games, so results could be different...Finis play.

Salesh wrote: | 3 months ago

Thanks Soula, well I believe most Soloman club teams play good football and any one whom had chosen to represent Soloman had qualified on merit and the result speaks for itself.

I had

watched Soloman under 20 at Churchil Park, Lautoka, Fiji and I told this media they would won the cup, they just fell short by a bit.

I had watched Kossa in Lautoka again and they were

very impressive. Again I told this media that Kossa all the way - they beat Waitakare.

If team Kossa is focused, they will succed. Be aware Waitakere would try to spoil your game by

inciting your temper. Again I am saying and had said this earlier. The team management need to focus on anger management and dirty tactics that teams ploy these days. Kossa needs to keep it cool

and the result will come their way.

Kossa all the way.

Dayveedspikes wrote: | 3 months ago

Oh Oh!!!

Sorry Garciason but I think you are now jumping over board. This is not a media trial but I can confidently furnish you with facts that in law would be termed as beyond reasonable

doubt at a time and place of your liking if you are man enough.

It would seem to me that you are mourning over your dismal performance at the O league some years back but tell you what, I

want you to tell all others in this forum how many times did the High Court of SI threw out Makuru's intended proceedings againts SIFF.

Had your team management thought of a more pro-active

method of resolving matters as specified under the SIFF status in conjunction with FIFA regulations it would have been a lot easier for Makuru. Its rather ironical that you do possess this

rebellious Makuru syndrome. Get rid of it mate!

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