As the football competition of the South Pacific Games comes to a close with the medal matches all that remain, an intriguing match within the matches encapsulates both fixtures.
The title of tournament ‘golden boot’ is still well up for grabs.
Not only will the title more than likely secure the right colour medal for the final recipient’s team, rather open up an Oceanic circle of demand amongst top clubs for the services of the man
who has put the ball in the back of the net the most over the past two weeks.
Through no coincidence, the top 5 goalscorers at the tournament – including joint placings – are from each if the sides remaining, and in the following order:
(10) Osea VAKETALESAU – FIJI
The words power, strength, skill and pace are nothing but personified in this one-man Fijian wrecking ball. Vakatalesau not only has the ability to beat a defender one-on-one, but
also for pace, to out-muscle, or to simply shoot from long range.
(9) Seule SOROMON – VANUATU
At this tournament Soromon has scored four goals in ten minutes and 5 in total as a second-half substitute against American Samoa, beat Tonga with a first-half hat-trick in 30
minutes, and finished off Samoa. Arguably Vanuatu’s finest footballing export.
(7) Commins MENAPI – SOLOMON ISLANDS
The experienced Menapi was golden boot in the 2007 O-League, and has been consistently banging in goals for the Bonito for over ten years. Still possesses impressive pace and strength, but has
developed a cunning football intelligence that sees him uses the slightest of opportunities to punish opposition defences.
(4) Iamel KABEU – NEW CALEDONIA
Kabeu uses his electric pace to get into positions most other players could only dream of. Seems to play a very wide right wing but can frequently be found on the end of crosses
and through balls, or simply beat a man for pace and make his own chances.
XIII SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES – SAMOA 2007
Friday 7 September
Gold Medal Match
1800hrs (GMT-13) Fiji v New Caledonia
Bronze Medal Match
1430hrs (GMT-13) Solomon Islands v Vanuatu