Tafea FC has increased their lead atop the PVFA Super 5 Series after trashed Tupuji Imere FC 5-1 last Saturday at the Port-Vila Stadium.
It only took Francois Sakama seven minutes to grab the lead for Tafea when he collected a corner from Moise Poida and opened the score with a perfect diving header.
Tafea put the pressure on Tupuji early and added to their lead after 23 minutes when Moise Poida added a second goal , running through the defense after a good one-two- with Samson Obed and slotted the ball inside the net.
Four minutes later, Sakama scored his second goal of the day when his Free-kick was diverted by an opponent in the wall and gave no chance to Goalkeeper Mansale.
Jean Nako added a fourth goal at the 38 minutes in this first half and put Tafea FC in a comfortable position at the break.
Tupuji were reduced to 10 players in the second half after Kalsuru Matautava was sent-off for receiving his second yellow card.
Kalpy Serveux reduced the deficit in the 75th minute when he smashed a powerful shot past substitute keeper Chris Song.
But within minutes, Jacques Yaput replied, smashing a shot inside the penalty box that went straight to the back of the net and put the score at 5-1.
Tafea FC’s win has ensured the team to finish at the top position of the Super 5 Series Round Robin and has qualified for the final.
Despite Tupuji’s heavy loss, it still has a remote mathematical chance of making it to the Super 5 series Final if it beats Erakor GS FC and Westtan Verts FC and Yatel FC lose against Tafea FC.
All of these predictions are yet to be decided as the games gets more interesting and tougher.
In other action Westtan Verts FC and Yatel FC fought out a 1-1 draw which has killed off Westtan’s chances in the Super 5 series.
Yatel FC started the game sharply with Brian Melar and Ricky Tari determined to gain an extra three points out of the game to push for a position at the top.
Westtan opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Noel Stephen headed a rebound under the Yatel Keeper and into the back of the net.
Yatel’s Midfield – led by national midfielders Kaison Maki and Sitty Thompson managed to adjust to the early deificit and delivered some good balls to Brian Melar who did not make good use of the opportunities given.
Jeffrey Tess had a golden opportunity to increase the lead for Westtan in the second half but hit his shot straight at the keeper in a one on one situation.
Yatel equalized in the 75th minute when Remy Kency slotted an easy rebound past the advancing Westtan keeper.
Yatel pushed hard in the last 15 minutes through Remy Kency and Victor Malep but could not add to the score and the match finished 1-1.
With the result Westtan is now out of the Super 5 Series while Yatel still maintains the second place behind Tafea FC in the current standings.
The result makes things difficult for Yatel as they must now overcome Tafea FC to win the lucrative 200,000 cash price for the tournament.
Tupuji and Erakor FC also still have a chance to qualify for the finals as they both have outstanding games yet to play.
As the tournaments draws towards the final matches, it will be very interesting to see which of the three teams, Yatel FC, Erakor FC and Tupuji Imere FC, will qualify to join Tafea in the Final. Tafea currently enjoy a 9 points lead at the top of the table.