There were goals, glory and heartbreak at the XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007 as the finalists for both the Men’s and Women’s Football tournaments were discovered in a full day of
action at Toleafoa JS Blatter Football Field in Apia, Samoa.
 

With the United Nations, Samoa Football (Soccer) Federation and Oceania Football Confederation utilising the power of football in promoting the UN’s Millennium Development Goals of
raising awareness of poverty, disease, child mortality, maternal mortality in Oceania, there was a carnival atmosphere inside the ground for the semi-finals.
 

In the Men’s competition, New Caledonia ousted Solomon Islands in the match of the tournament so far thanks to goals from Iamel Kabeu, Poulidor Toto and Yohann Mercier.

Solomon Islands bounced back from 1-0 down to lead 2-1 thanks to goals from Henry Fa’arodo and Commins Menapi. But the roof caved in shortly after for the Airton Andrioli coached team as
Alick Maemae then Gideon Omokirio were sent off for their second yellow cards. Yohann Mercier’s winner came with the last touch of the game sending Solomon Islands into a do-or-die playoff against
Vanuatu for the bronze medal – and the final berth at Stage Two of the OFC/FIFA World Cup qualifying group featuring New Zealand.
 

In the other semi-final defending South Pacific Games gold medalists Fiji had to survive a torrid opening by Melanesian rivals Vanuatu. It took a sensational 40 yard shot from Pita Baleitoga
on 44 minutes to give Fiji control over matters. Osea Vakatalesau (66th minute) grabbed Fiji’s second from the penalty spot and substitute Roy Krishna (69th minute) completed
the victory as Juan Carlos Buzzetti’s team ran out 3-0 winners.
 

Tonga provided the day’s biggest shock when a Penateti Feke penalty ten minutes from time edged in-form Fiji out of the XIII South Pacific Games Women’s Football Tournament.
Tonga had earlier missed a penalty when captain and goalkeeper Mele Likiliki fired wide of the target. The 1-0 victory for Tonga was their fourth clean sheet in a row and their fifth in six matches
since the start of 2007.
 Tonga will meet Papua New Guinea who overcame Tahiti’s stubborn first half resistance to run out easy 5-0 winners.

Papua New Guinea made heavy weather of the first half missing a glut of gilt-edged chances. However, Francis Moiyap’s charges rectified their profligacy in front of goal with a five goal haul
that started with Ara Midi (55th minute). Lydia Banabas grabbed a brace (62nd and 65th minutes) as captain Julie Alau (80th minute) and Daisy Winas
(85th minute) sealed a straight forward victory that sets up an intriguing final against Tonga.

The bronze medal match features Fiji against Tahiti.