Lydia Banabas double strike and further goals from Ara Midi and Margaret Aka were enough to overcome a brave but ultimately futile Cook Islands performance as Papua New Guinea women’s team
regained some semblance of form to clinch a semi-final berth at the XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007.
Cook Islands had earlier taken a shock lead after just 1 minute of play when Regina Mustonen hit a speculative looping shot over the head of Linda Bunaga’s head in a moment that rocked Papua
New Guinea.
Things didn’t get any better for Papua New Guinea when after 30 minutes Kathrina Sinaiau saw her penalty dramatically saved by Heimata Heather in Cook Islands goal. The miss galvanised Papua
New Guinea and Daisy Winas helped create the equaliser when her corner found Banabas spare at the back post and she looped a header over Heather into the net.
Cook Islands bearly had time to think and they were 2-1 down when Banabas squared for Ara Midi to finish with Heather left exposed. Papua New Guinea faced more Cook Islands resistance in the
second half as Mii Piri lead her defence bravely but the game was up for Cooks when Banabas added a third goal on 80 minutes and then laid another one on 3 minutes later for Margaret Ada to seal a
semi-final slot for her country.
LIVE UPDATES:
1′ – GOAL!
Cook Islands are off to a flying start when 10. Regina MUSTONEN gets a looping touch on a drifting cross which had innocently meandered over Linda Bunaga’s head in
the Papua New Guinea goal
1′ – an incredibly humid, overcast day follows an overnight deluge in Apia
6′ – Papua New Guinea have been stung into action from the incredibly early opening goal, with the Cooks under pressure despite holding the lead
11′ – the Cook Islands defence is up to the task as it stands, clearing several Papua New Guinea crosses and corners with authority
13′ – Miriam Lanta hits a dipping strike that Heimana Heather parries over the crossbar for a corner
16′ – Heather tips a Daisy Winas cross for a corner, as Papua New Guinea remain on seemingly constant attack
22′ – in a rare Cook Islands foray, Teremoana Hewett beats three players on a dribble, but is stopped on the edge of the area by Helen Baki and Priscilla Konalalao
24′ – Winas and Deslyn Siniu are looking threatening, interchanging wings and providing the bulk of Papua New Guinea’s attacking opportunities
26′ – Mii Piri is courageous in defence for the Cook Islands, denying Lydia Banabas’ shot from anothe Winas cross, with Ara Midi heading over from the rebound
27′ – Heather has another nervous moment when a Daisy Winas shot from the right edge of the box doesn’t quite curl enouhgh to find the target
30′ – PENALTY!
Tupou Patia brings down Siniu as she breaks into the area, and the referee points to the spot
31′ – Heather correctly dives to her left to save from Kathrina Salaiu and clears the rebound for a corner, to keep Cook Islands in the lead
34′ – regardless of the unfortunate penalty miss, Papua New Guinea is unrelenting in their pressure on the Cook Islands goal
36′ – Helen Baki goes down with an injury to her right knee, giving the players an opportunity to take on water
39′ – Heather is off her line well to meet an onrushing Banabas and claim the ball
40′ – Banabas is clean through again, this time shooting over with only the ‘keeper to beat
41′ – Cook Islands have deployed Mustonen as a lone striker, with ten behind the ball at all times on defence
42′ – Winas finds space in the area, turns to beat two players on her left foot and releases a curling strike which Linda Matangaro bravely stoops to head for a corner
42′ – GOAL!
a Daisy Winas corner is met above the pack by 12. Lydia BANABAS, whose header loops over Heimata Heather and into the net
43′ – Banabas has space on the left to shoot from near the bye line, but Heather saves well with her feet
— 1 minute added time —
45′ – GOAL!
Banabas unselfishly squares for a well-timed run from 16. Ara MIDI, who has a simple finish from six yards
HALF TIME: COK 1 PNG 2
46′ – Cook Islands make a double substitution at half time, with 4. Helen PATIA coming off for 3. Opokotea MANUELA, and 17. Teremoana HEWETT making way for 12. Elizabeth HARMON
46′ – Heimata Heather is straight into action, with Banabas through but shooting wide as Heather comes out to narrow the angle
49′ – play is a little more open in the second term, with Cook Islands actively looking to level terms
51′ – Papua New Guinea’s second goalscorer 16. Ara MIDI is substituted for 8. Margaret AKA
53′ – Banabas is through yet again, this time firing her shot directly at Heather, who holds well
54′ – Heather comes to the top of her area again, this time to stop Aka and receiving a free kick
56′ – Aka attempts to volley a bouncing Winas cross from the right, but Heather closes the angle well for her attempt to strike the left post and away for a goal kick
60′ – Cook Islands are enjoying a little more possession, with some impressive passing in the top third
65′ – both midfields are working overtime in the humid conditions, preventing each other from any progressive movement
66′ – 2 Samantha PENINSA makes way for 14. Tracey KIG as Francis Moiyap attempts to take control of the fixture
71′ – Bunaga is out well to clear a through ball from the oncoming Mustonen
77′ – Heather comes out to clear another Papua New Guinea through ball, catching her foot awkwardly in the process and requiring treatment
80′ – GOAL!
12. Lydia BANABAS finds space on the right, and cooly slots her finish past Heimata Heather
80′ – 9. Isabel URIRAU is replaced by 16. Vaine NAPA
83′ – GOAL!
Banabas crosses well from the left to find 8. Margaret AKA in space, to hammer her finish across the face of goal and in at the far post
86′ – Papua New Guinea switch 9. Deslyn SINIU for 6. Cathy AGUNAM
— 2 minutes added time —
90’+1 – Napa is injured in a collision on the edge of the Cook Islands area, but manages to continue following treatment at the sideline
90’+1 – an angular Tracey Kig drive strikes the base of the left post, and Cook Islands scramble well to clear the danger
FULL TIME: COK 1 PNG 4
MATCH PHOTOS:
XIII SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES – SAMOA 2007
Women’s Group A
Match Day 5 – 1000 – 3 September 2007
Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Football Fields – Apia – Samoa
COOK ISLANDS: 1. Heimata HEATHER [gk]; 2. Linda MATANGARO; 4. Helen PATIA (3. Opokotea MANUELA (46′); 6. Teariivahine HENRY; 7. Mii PIRI; 8. Edwina MATENGA; 9.
Isabel URIRAU (16. Vaine NAPA 80′); 10. Regina MUSTONEN; 13. Tekura KAUKURA; 14. Tupou PATIA; 17. Teremoana HEWETT (12. Elizabeth HARMON (46′).
Coach: Tim JERKS
Substitutes not used: 11. Melanie RAKEI; 15. Ana TUAKEU; 20. Mareta ANGENE [gk].
Injured: 5. Edwina TUTU.
Suspended:
Not available:
Cautions:
Red cards:
Goal scorers: 10. Regina MUSTONEN (1′).
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 2. Samantha PENINSA (14. Tracey KIG 66′); 3. Kathrina SALAIAU; 4. Helen BAKI; 7. Julie ALAU; 9. Deslyn SINIU (6. Cathy AGUNAM 86′); 10.
Caroline MOEDER; 11. Daisy WINAS; 12. Lydia BANABAS; 15. Miriam LANTA; 16. Ara MIDI (16. Ara MIDI 51′); 20 Linda BUNAGA [gk].
Coach: Francis MOIYAP
Substitutes not used: 1. Roxanne KOMENG [gk]; 5. Priscilla KONALALAI; 13. Judith MICHAEL.
Injured:
Suspended:
Not available:
Cautions:
Red cards:
Goal scorers: 12. Lydia BANABAS (42′, 80′); 16. Ara MIDI (45′); 8. Margaret AKA (83′).
Referee: Neil FOX (NZL)
Assistant Referee: Alison FLYNN (AUS)
Assistant Referee: Collin AUVELE (SAM)
Fourth Official: Kaleti MATAIPULE (SAM)