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WAITAKERE RETAIN O-LEAGUE TITLE
Sunday, 11 May 08, 07:44 PM
Waitakere United will once again represent Oceania at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan after beating Kossa FC 5-0 in the second leg of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) O-League final today at Trusts Stadium in Henderson.
Waitakere turned around a 3-1 deficit from the first leg in Honiara to win the final 6-3 on aggregate and can now look forward to another lucrative pay day and chance to rub shoulders with the world’s elite.
A powerful shower prior to kick off didn’t deter the 3,000 fans who packed the grandstand at Douglas Field though looked to have an effect on Kossa with players losing their footing on the slippery surface on a number of occasions.
After losing the first leg in Honiara Waitakere knew that a good start was imperative and they got just that when Benjamin Totori fired home a left footed drive into the Kossa net in the 8th minute.
Waitakere dominated the early stages of the match with Jason Hayne, Danijel Koprivcic and Benjamin Totori all testing the Kossa goalkeeper.
But it was the set plays where Waitakere looked the most dangerous and in the 25th minute Chris Bale rewarded a series of dangerous crosses when he got the last touch from a Neil Sykes corner to make it 2-0.
Kossa looked the livelier side at the beginning of the second half and their individual flair was evident even on the wet slippery surface.
They nearly silenced the Auckland faithful in the 68th minute when Paul Wale created some room for himself in the Waitakere box before firing a half volley into the top corner, only for Richard Gillespie to make a great sprawling save and maintain his sides lead on the away goals rule.
Waitakere made it 3-0 from another set play in the 72nd minute when Allen Pearce headed home a Neil Sykes corner. The goal looked to suck some life out of Kossa and they were made to pay again five minutes later when Pearce added his second with a well timed volley.
Jake Butler completed the rout with a low side footed drive from outside the box in the 85th minute and sent the Waitakere players and fans into celebration mode.
Kossa can look back on an inspirational O-League journey which has exceeded expectations and has provided invaluable experience for the many young members of the squad.
Waitakere will be looking forward to Japan in December and Coach Chris Milicich is excited about being able to prepare for another World Club Cup campaign.
“We did what we planned to do,” Milicich said, “our shape, structure and strategy were all designed to put pressure on Kossa across the board and that’s what we did.”
“We knew that if we just played the goals would come. We were always pretty confident we would get two goals, I didn’t think we’d get five.”
“Now our focus turns to Japan and we’re going to turn up and be as well prepared as we can with the best team we can find and try and do the job.”
Kossa coach Jacob Moli was disappointed with the result but proud of his team for the journey they have taken him on.
“We knew they were going to be very dangerous from set pieces and that proved to be a big problem for us.”
“Now we have to re-group and focus on our domestic competition. To our fans I would like to thank you for all your support, it was a great ride for Solomon Island football.”
Extra Information:
WAI: 1. Richard GILLESPIE; 2. Jonathan PERRY; 5. Danny HAY; 7. Jason HAYNE; 9. Benjamin TOTORI; 10. Allen PEARCE; 11.Neil SYKES; 13. Danijel KOPRIVCIC; 15. Christopher BALE; 16. Neil EMBLEN; 17. Jake BUTLER;
COACH: Chris MILICICH (NZL)
SUBS: 6. Darren BAZELEY; 8. Commins MENAPI; 20. Jason ROWLEY; 21. Graham PEARCE; 22. Simon EADDY (RGK); 24. Tim MYERS;
Absent: 14. Hoani Edwards;
Yellow Cards: 5. Danny Hay 21’;
Red Cards: None
Goals: Benjamin Totori 8’; Chris Bale 25’; Allen Pearce 72’, 78’;Jake Butler 85’;
KOSS: 4. Tome FAISI; 5. Samson TAKAYAMA; 6. Mahlon MAEMANIA; 10. Franco NEE; 11. Joe LUWI; 13. James NAKA; 15. Seni NGAVA; 16. Paul WALE; 17. Gideon OMOKIRIO; 19. Reginald DAVANI; 21. Severino AEFI (GK)
COACH: Jacob MOLI (SOL)
SUBS: 3. Sam MAENA; 8. Phillip ASHLEY; 9. Samson WAAHERO; 12. Roy ENORI; 14. Terry OIAKA; 20. Willie SADE;
Yellow Cards: none
Red Cards: none
Referee: Benjamin WILLIAMS (AUS)
Assistant Referee 1: Tevita MAKASINI (TON)
Assistant Referee 2: Michael JOSEPH (VAN)
Fourth Official: Norbert HAUATA (TAH)
Dayveedspikes, no offense mate but you have to remember that "club loyalty and club rivalry" exist. And please don't say "WE" will give 110% because other DIE-HARD fans (be KOSSA's or
Marist's
etc.) won't do the same for another rival club. Remember Arsenal fans don't support ManUtd, infact they are dying to have Chelsea beat ManU in the CL final. Sorry bro this is not
jealousy,
this
is club loyalty and club rivalry.
Marist's
etc.) won't do the same for another rival club. Remember Arsenal fans don't support ManUtd, infact they are dying to have Chelsea beat ManU in the CL final. Sorry bro this is not
jealousy,
this
is club loyalty and club rivalry.
During the game on Sunday I observed certain areas that showed the difference between our level of soccer and the level of soccer in New Zealand (and maybe BA of Fiji).
I observed that the
Waitakere United players played with inteligence. They have a game plan and they stick with. They capitalise on the set pieces knowing very well that it is a weakness for Kossa FC.
Kossa
FC on the other hand have a lot of skillful players, but they lack the intelegence to coordinate those skills to accomodate the others, therefore resulting in our attacking opportunities never
materialise. Similarly we lack a game plan.
Compared BA FC with Kossa FC, I can say that BA played with some inteligence. They know where to find their palyers and when. This again is
lacking in Solomon Football. I guess we need to educate our players on combining skills with technique.
I observed that the
Waitakere United players played with inteligence. They have a game plan and they stick with. They capitalise on the set pieces knowing very well that it is a weakness for Kossa FC.
Kossa
FC on the other hand have a lot of skillful players, but they lack the intelegence to coordinate those skills to accomodate the others, therefore resulting in our attacking opportunities never
materialise. Similarly we lack a game plan.
Compared BA FC with Kossa FC, I can say that BA played with some inteligence. They know where to find their palyers and when. This again is
lacking in Solomon Football. I guess we need to educate our players on combining skills with technique.
I was at Henderson Ariport when kossa team leave for NZ, to my suprise Willie Lai loaded
cartons of Solbrew Beer (I pressume for celebration) to be flown to NZ with the team. Now I guess no celebration; Kossa come back and concertrate on your domestic league, you have a do or die
game against Makuru. Congratulation anyway, Kossa!
You have gallantly represented the happy
isle and we have all reasons to be grateful.
As for Kinaz08 we shall await your turn to represent the the happy isle and we will support like hell. Mark my word, we will give you 110% if you
are man enough to prove that you can do better than KOSSA.
As for us the real happy Isle soccer supporters, we don't mind who represent the SI but as long as its a Solo team.
From what
you've shown in forum so far, you are better off migrating to Mars or somewhere else. No sense of patriotism, only hate n jealiousy.
to you as you have made your historical way up there. Forward ever.. backward never.