Fiji beat Vanuatu 2-1 with the Oly Whites overcoming Tonga 10-0 to claim top spots in Group A and B respectively, while Solomon Islands wrote history with a 16-1 trouncing of American Samoa.
The results set up intriguing semi finals to be played on Friday 23 March – a day later than originally scheduled to cater for today’s postponed matches – with Fiji vs. Papua New Guinea at 1:00pm and New Zealand vs. Vanuatu at 4:00pm.
Vanuatu headed into a rainy day three in pole position needing only a draw against Fiji to top the group and ultimately avoid favourites New Zealand in the semi final.
In his first start of the tournament, 17-year-old Jean Kaltack should have put them ahead after 10 minutes but missed with a volley from close range. They were made to pay as the Fijians, looking lethal on set plays, headed home twice before half-time through captain Esava Naqeleca and Zibraaz Sahib.
Kaltack pulled one back on 62 minutes with cousin Brian going close to finding an equaliser along with Robert Tasso and Bernard Daniel in the latter stages. But it was missed opportunities that were the order of the day, much to the frustration of coach Richard Iwai.
“I think our main problem today was putting the ball in the net, that’s all that went wrong really,” said Iwai.
“The weather makes a big difference because we are used to playing in the sun back home. It’s hard for us to play in conditions like this.”
Fiji coach Imdad Ali was pleased with the way his side stepped up.
“It was very important for us to win today. The boys did everything I asked them to do which was pleasing,” said Ali.
“We won the game with two set pieces and that is largely because the players followed the instructions they were given. Every coach puts a lot of time into set pieces and it paid off today.”
There was also plenty riding on the Group B fixture between New Zealand and Tonga as both teams went in search of the last remaining semi-final spot.
Tonga, whose preparations had been influenced by the death of King Tupou V in their homeland, put in a spirited showing in the wake of their nation’s loss and kept the Oly Whites scoreless until the 23rd minute.
New Zealand targetman Greg Draper, captain for the day in place of the rested Adam McGeorge, led by example to open his Taupo account before further goals to Jason Hicks and Daniel Saric made it 3-0 at the break. It was in the second spell that the Oly Whites really got into their stride though, doubles from Louis Fenton, Ethan Galbraith and Sean Lovemore being added to by a James Musa header.
“The clean sheet is important because we’ve said we want to go through the tournament without conceding a goal,” coach Neil Emblen said.
“I didn’t think that looked a threat today which was good. We still weren’t quite there in the first half with the final ball and our attacking play in the final third. But as the game went on more and more chances became available and we did take most of them.”
The tournament is now over for Tonga coach Timote Moleni and his players and they will leave Taupo without earning a point. But Moleni is proud of his squad’s efforts and hopes they will have taken something from playing opposition of a higher quality.
“We knew it would be a very tough game but I thought we put our hearts into it,” he said.
“We can’t compare ourselves to New Zealand because they are a very good team and it’s hard for us to compete with them. The boys all knew our king had passed away and I think that gave them more motivation. I’m happy because I think we improved over the tournament.”
The earlier match on day three was even more lopsided as Solomon Islands found their scoring boots to devastating effect with a 16-1 victory over minnows American Samoa. It was one for the record books as the biggest win at an OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifier, surpassing the previous highest margin of 12 goals.
Luke Eroi’s men, who only had pride to play for after a disappointing campaign, got off to the worst possible start when American Samoa took a shock lead in the fifth minute.
Defender Shalom Luani – arguably American Samoa’s best player in Taupo – rose to head a Casper Kuresa corner towards goal and, despite the effort being cleared off the line, assistant referee Glen Lochrie ruled it had crossed and a goal was awarded.
An upset was always unlikely though and, stung into action by falling behind, the Solomons took control and completely dominated proceedings. Striker Ian Paia, who has picked up O-League experience this season with Koloale, led the way with a seven-goal haul – including two spot kicks – while futsal international Micah Lea’alafa notched a hat-trick and substitute Karol Kakate struck a double. Jerry Donga, Himson Teleda, Chris Tafoa and Johan Doiwale also got on the scoresheet as the American Samoan defence fell apart.
That defence wasn’t helped by the dismissal of captain and key figure JR Amisone, who conceded a penalty as last man in the 58th minute to receive his marching orders and leave his side a man down for the last half hour.
“That’s what we should’ve been doing earlier in the tournament but it came too late for us,” Solympics coach Eroi said of his charges’ goal rampage. “We expected to do better here but it’s good to finish with a win. There are some things our players need to go and work on.”
American Samoa vs. Solomon Islands Match Summary: Download Here
Tonga vs. New Zealand Match Summary: Download Here
Fiji vs. Vanuatu Match Summary: Download Here
Competition Summary: Download Here
Upcoming Matches:
Fiji vs. Papua New Guinea
Semi-Final
1:00pm Friday 23 March
Owen Delany Park
Taupo, New Zealand
New Zealand vs. Vanuatu
Semi-Final
4:00pm Friday 23 March
Owen Delany Park
Taupo, New Zealand
For the full schedule and results click here