A stellar performance from James Naka was the highlight of the day for hosts Solomon Warriors but his club almost lost the plot to a resurgence from Erakor Golden Star, led by Brian Kaltack, in the second half.
However, the home side cruised to the finish line with ease in the dying minutes as the visitors dropped focus allowing the Warriors to regain control.
Naka, who finished the match with a hat-trick, was philosophical about his contribution to the win.
“It was a good game for me because I found myself in a good rhythm and with confidence. This was missing on Monday and I hope I can build upon this for the season,” the former KOSSA front man says.
Futsal international Micah Lea’alafa also had a memorable day and it was he who set up Naka for the first goal in the ninth minute. However, the joy from the local fans was short lived as Brian Kaltack orchestrated the reply from a set-piece and Nemany Roqara finished with a header.
The Warriors kept the pressure on Erakor and within four minutes of the equaliser had regained the lead.
Naka beat the offside trap with a well-timed run and chipped the ball over Ernest Bong and into the net. Jean Kaltack almost levelled the scores again in the 34th minute but his header from point-blank range grazed over the cross bar. Lea’alafa, however, did not make the same mistake when he took the score to 3-1 in the Warriors’ favour with a shot six minutes from the break.
The second half started with a bang when Brian Kaltack scored Erakor’s second goal just two minutes after the restart. His shot was taken from outside the 18-yard box and took the Warriors goalkeeper Silas Seda completely by surprise.
That momentum led to Erakor being awarded a controversial penalty and the chance to draw level. Jackson Tasso took the kick and sent Seda the wrong way to get his side back on equal footing.
With the Warriors now under pressure to produce something and the local fans starting to voice their displeasure, nerves were quickly settled when Naka found the back of the net for his third of the day with a trademark left-foot shot from around 25 yards out.
Lea’alafa then sealed Erakor’s fate with a brilliant individual goal that saw him dance around Bong before sending the ball into the empty goal.
The final friendly match will take place at 4.30pm on Friday at Lawson Tama Stadium before Erakor Golden Star return to Vanuatu on Saturday.
For more on Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb

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