Semi-Finalists found

As expected Micronesia will be heading home after allowing Vanuatu to set yet another Pacific Games record of 46-0 in the day’s opening match on Bisini Field 3. Kicking of simultaneously was the Solomon Islands’ match against Papua New Guinea, which the hosts held on to win 2-1.
The afternoon’s matches had Tahiti and Fiji battling it out for Group A domination, but neither side could break the deadlock and the match finished 0-0. New Caledonia were comfortably through to the Pacific Games semi-final already, so took the foot off the pedal allowing New Zealand to earn themselves a 5-0 victory and the full nine points from three matches.
With Tahiti and Fiji having set the benchmark in the two earlier matches against Micronesia, Vanuatu were always going to be chasing a score that would give them the best goal average should qualification come down to it.
Tony Kaltack was the opening goal scorer, the first coming in the second minute, but by the end of it all eyes were on Tafea FC striker Jean Kaltack who top scored with 16 goals against the tournament debutants Micronesia. Tony Kaltack, Bill Nicholls and Barry Mansale scored six, ten and six goals respectively while Dalong Damalip’s three, Abraham Roqara’s two and one each for Brian Kaltack, Nemani Nikiau, Zicka Manuhi and Chris Andrews rounded out the scoring.
Over on Field 1 were Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, facing off in a match that would see one side eliminated from the competition. There was clearly a bigger local contingent in the stands but some die-hard Solomons’ football fans were equally as vocal in support of their side.
With so much on the line neither team wanted to give their opponent even an inch of room to breathe so high pressure, strong tackles and rapid counter attacks were the order. The more threatening shots on goal came from Papua New Guinea in the first half but that wasn’t to say that the host keeper Ismael Pole was without anything to do. The relentless pressure eventually saw Solomon Islands carefully constructed defence crack as local favourite Tommy Semmy finally opened his Pacific Games account with a powerful volley from inside the box.
In the last minutes of the first half Ismael Pole put his body on the line to twice prevent a Solomon Islands equaliser, and while the effort paid off it also meant the end of the day as an injury meant he had to be replaced with Charles Lepani. Ten minutes after the restart Papua New Guinea extended their lead when Jacob Sabua capitalised on a goalkeeping error. Solomon Islands looked like they might be making a late comeback into the match when a stunning strike from Davidson Tome zoomed into the back of Lepani’s net.
The win saw Papua New Guinea lift themselves into third place in the group, securing a spot in the semi-finals for both the Olympic Qualifier and the Pacific Games due to the ineligibility of New Caledonia and New Zealand respectively in each competition. It’s Papua New Guinea’s first appearance in the Pacific Games semi-finals since 1987. Solomon Islands had appeared in four of the last five semi-finals at the Pacific Games with the side finishing silver medallists in New Caledonia four years ago.
Ahead of kick-off Fiji and Vanuatu were already assured of a spot in the Olympic Qualifier due to Tahiti not being an Olympic nation. However pride and a place in the Pacific Games semi-finals was still up for grabs as the Fijians took on Tahiti.
With Tahiti assured of the top spot in the group, Fiji were competing with Vanuatu for the coveted Pacific Games semi-final berth. Having finished fourth in 2011 after losing the Third Place Play-off to Tahiti 2-1. Determined to turn their fortunes around Carlos Buzzetti’s side opened with a fast, physical style with a 1-1-6-2 formation that saw the midfield loaded with players making sure they were winning every ball first.
The high-pace, high-pressure circumstances turned it into a scrappy match at times with the first caution coming just eight minutes to Tahiti captain Manuarii Hauata. He got a second yellow in the 62nd minute and had to head to the changing rooms early, leaving his team a man down with well over 25 minutes remaining. A second caution for Tahiti’s Thibaut Pito left Tahiti with just nine players on the part in the last five minutes, effectively ending their hopes of a victory.
The 0-0 draw means Fiji go through to the Pacific Games semi-final ahead of Vanuatu, who needed a Tahiti victory in order to progress.
The final Group B match had New Caledonia, who have already qualified top of the group for the Pacific Games semi-finals, take on New Zealand, who were equally comfortable in the top spot for the Olympic semi-finals.
With both sides either choosing, or forced to due to suspensions, to rest players for this encounter it was a chance for some fresh legs to see some action. Probably most pleased to get a start was substitute Logan Rogerson whose hat-trick of goals was one way of showing his gratitude.
Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi helped get New Zealand’s scoring underway with just 13 minutes gone as New Zealand put their best foot forward. New Caledonia were awarded a penalty early on in the game with Johan Idrele stepping up, but goalkeeper Max Crocombe was up to the challenge denying the Francophones an equaliser. Rogerson opened his account for the afternoon just ahead of the half hour mark before finding the net twice in the second half, Luka Prelevic also went on the score sheet.
The XV Pacific Games/OFC Olympic Qualifier continues on Wednesday 8 July with Match Day 2 of the Women’s Football Tournament before the Men’s Football resumes at Bisini Sports Complex on Friday 10 July with the OFC Olympic Qualifier Semi-Finals between Fiji and Papua New Guinea and New Zealand and Vanuatu.