Fiji secured the bronze medal after a 1-0 win over Tahiti at Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Football Fields in Apia today. Unaisi Vatulili scored the only goal of a dour struggle in
which Fiji will not quibble over the quality of the performance but rather just appreciate the result, after the heartbreak of Wednesday night’s 0-1 loss to Tonga in the
semi-final.

Fiji skipper Asena Reba Ratu was rested by coach Farouk Janeman and her quality was sorely missed in a match begging for a composed touch. Tahiti’s quality was also missing, Mimosa Marmouyet
left on the bench as both coaches reshuffled their squads for this match.

The winning goal came just 3 minutes into the second half when Vatulili turned inside her marker and hit a right foot curling shot that left Tahiti goalkeeper Turana stranded, the ball
nestling in the back of the net queueing scenes of emotion from the Fiji bench as the squad broke ranks onto the pitch to help celebrate a medal victory that went some way to making up for
disappointment at missing out a final.

For Tahiti fourth place is an honourable finish after their first taste of international football at this level for some time. 

LIVE UPDATES:

0′ – the match is underway under lingering high cloud, with a stiff breeze blowing from the east

4′ – Tahiti seem to have the run of play, with Fiji clearly missing the talents of Asena Reba Ratu, who has an injured foot

5′ – the presence of Patricia Yakeula has instantly allowed Tahiti to attack with more confidence

7′ – Fiji have their first shot on goal, through Mereani Galo 

9′ – Fiji are coming back into the game, with a sliced drive from Unaisi Vatulili narrowly missing to the left of the goal

11′ – Laverna Tarihaa has an ambitious hit on the volley, from 35 yards out

17′ – Poroni Turana is out well to prevent Galo’s angled cross from meeting the onrushing Adiela Kurikaba

17′ – Vatulili’s high cross from the left meets a similar fate

19′ – after a period of scrappy play across the top of the box, Kinisimere Vanua has a go with her left, narrow missing the top corner at the near post

20′ – a deceptive Kinisimere Ravai free kick from half way forces Yakeula to shield for Turana, who collects the ball at full stretch with her right hand 

24′ – Yakeula is caught high, leaving the Tahitian defence exposed of the left hand side for Galo to carry and shoot from 20 yards on the angle, rattling the crossbar

30′ – Gloria Hauata has a go from a free kick on the left edge of the box, but does not curl her attempt enough to trouble Mereoni Yabakidrau

37′ – Vatulili turns to shoot from the left, but her shot dips only slightly beyond the crossbar and hits the stanchion

44′ – Yakeula jumps well in traffic to head a dangerous Galo corner clear

— 1 minute added time —

 

HALF TIME: TAH 0 FIJ 0 

 

46′ – 11. Jeane MAHIATAPU has taken the spot of 12. Maima MARMOUYET for the second half

47′ – Yabakidrau leaves her line well to claim a bouncing ball into the Fijian penalty box

49′ – GOAL!

13. Unaisi VATULILI cuts inside a releases a dipping, curling shot with leaves Turana and nestles in the bottom right corner

52′ – Turana is called upon again, this time coming to collect a through ball under close attention from Kurikaba

55′ – Tahiti replace 3. Josaine TAURAA with 15. Gwendoline TEPEA

55′ – Fiji are well on top of the game now, with concerted pressure in and around the Tahitian area

60′ – Angela Tairui is down in the Fijian area causing a stoppage in play after Yabakidrau scythes in well to claim the ball  

71′ – 7. Mimosa MARMOUYET is injected into the game, in place of 10. Gloria HAUATA

74′ – Jijilia Dugucanavanua can’t get a large enough touch on a squared ball from Galo, and Tahiti have a goal kick

77′ – stand-in Fijian captain Lynette Pearce leaves the field for treatment of an injury

78′ – Fiji replace 11. Kinisimere VANUA with 5. Sera TALANAVULA

82′ – Fiji withdraw 6. Adiela KURIKABA for 18. Naomi REGU

83′ – Mahiatapu clatters into Yabakidrau, who to her credit holds her feet

— 3 minutes added time —

 

FULL TIME: TAH 0 FIJ 1 

 

MATCH PHOTOS: 

image courtesy of Geoff Dickinson Photography

image courtesy of Geoff Dickinson Photography

image courtesy of Geoff Dickinson Photography 

XIII SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES – SAMOA 2007

Women’s Bronze Medal Match

Match Day 7 – 1230 – 7 September 2007

Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Football Fields – Apia – Samoa   

TAHITI: 1. Poroni TURANA [gk]; 2. Patricia YAKEULA [c]; 3. Josaine TAURAA (15. Gwendoline TEPEA 55′); 4. Maruina TOM SING VEIN; 5. Angela TAIRUI; 6. Angelina
THUNOT; 8. Laverna TARIHAA; 9. Tania BONNEFIN; 10. Gloria HAUATA (7. Mimosa MARMOUYET 71′); 12. Maima MARMOUYET (11. Jeanne MAHIATAPU 46′); 13. Felicite KAIHA.

Coach: Ralph APURII

Substitutes not used: 14. Sandrine TEAUNA; 16. Juliana MAETA; 17. Monique TOKORAGI; 18. Nathalie TOPA; Wilhermine MAIRAU [gk].

Injured:

Suspended:

Not available: 

Cautions:

Red cards:

Goal scorers:    

FIJI: 2. Mereoni YABAKIDRAU [gk]; 4. Alisi MEREDANI; 6. Adiela KURIKABA (18. Naomi REGU 82′); 7. Vulolo Anaisi TORA; 11. Kinis
imere VANUA (5. Sera TALANAVULA
77′); 12. Lynnette PEARCE [c]; 13. Unaisi VATULILI; 14. Mereani GALO; 15. Jijilia DUGUCANAVANUA; 17. Unaisi MOCE; 19. Kinisimere RAVAI.

Coach: Farouk JANEMAN

Substitutes not used: 1. Lice WAQAILITI [gk]; 3. Vika SADRAU; 8. Radilaite MARAMA; 9. Laisana MATAELE; 10. Asena Reba RATU; 16. Margaret MORRIS; 20.
Ana Maria KARIKARI [gk].

Injured:  

Suspended:

Not available:  

 

Cautions:

Red cards:

Goal scorers: 13. Unaisi VATULILI (49′).    

 

 

Referee: Job Ponis MINAN (PNG)

Assistant Referee: Hilary ANI (PNG)

Assistant Referee: Jackson NAMO (SOL)

Fourth Official: Salaiau SOSONOGAN (PNG)

Fifth Official: Nawen HOPKEN (VAN)