PORT VILA: The visiting Solomon Islands national team came back from a 0-1 half-time deficit to upset Vanuatu 2-1, in a friendly international in Port Vila. The two sides face off again today with Vanuatu determined to redress last Saturday’s result which clearly exposed their lack of fitness compared to the slick Solomons outfit prepared by English coach Alan Gillett.

Both teams are using the two match series as preparation for the upcoming Stage 1 OFC Nations Cup-World Cup qualifying tournaments next month. Vanuatu is pooled in group 2 hosted in Samoa while Solomon Islands hosts a tough pool containing New Caledonia and Tahiti.

In front of a healthy crowd of just over 4,000 at Port Vila’s Korman Stadium, the attacking prowess of the Solomon Islands team stunned the under strength home team missing their experienced star forwards Richard Iwai and Etienne Mermer, now based in Australia. While rising star Jean Maleb was forced to sit out the match to carry out a suspension from the Olympic qualifiers in January.

Maleb returns to the side today and will no doubt bolster the Vanuatu scoring potential with the Lorry Thompsen-Pita Maki combination not effective against the Solomons on Saturday. Tall central defender Geoffrey Gete is also set for a call up after appearing for Vanuatu at the Olympic qualifiers.

Despite the result, the Vanuatu fans were appreciative of the skill and entertainment Melanesian style, put on by both sides. The four pronged strike force of Commins Menapi, Batram Suri, youngster Alick Maemae and Henry Fa’arodo playing behind them in an attacking midfield role gave the Vanuatu defence nightmares in the opening half creating four clear chances that went begging. Only the heroics of Vanuatu captain and goalkeeper David Chilia and sweeper Bibi Lexa Bule kept the Vanuatu goal from being breached.

Surprisingly, it was Vanuatu who got the early lead in the 41st minute. Midfield dynamo Seimata Chilia, who had a superb all round game containing Fa’arodo, caught Solomon Islands keeper Severino Aefi off his line blasting in a long range shot from in front of the centre circle to score past the flat footed Aefi.

But after the break Solomon Islands superior fitness and preparation began to tell as the tiring Vanuatu side were further exposed by the jinking runs from Solomons outstanding attacking quartet with Maemae dazzling the crowd and showing at only 17 years of age, he is definitely a player to watch in the future and almost certain to attract overseas clubs in due time.

Former Sydney United striker Commins Menapi struck the equalizer in the 52nd minute connecting with a excellent cross into the box which he duly deflected into the goal past Chilia who had no chance at that close range. Menapi’s strength created his second goal twenty minutes later when he brushed off experienced Vanuatu defender Graham Demas to slot in Solomons second goal.

Vanuatu tried to peg back the lead but clearly missed their experienced strikers. Of the game’s standout players Maemae, Suri and right back Nelson Saie had sensational games, while for Vanuatu, David Chilia was commanding in goal with Bibi in front of him which kept the score respectable after thwarting wave after wave of Solomons attacks. Seimata Chilia was also a standout commanding the midfield with his distribution and vision. – VFF Media Officer, Moses Stevens

MATCH STATISTICS

Scorers:-

Full Time:

Vanuatu 1 (Seimata Chillia 41′)

Solomon Islands 2 (Commins Menapi 52′, 71′).

Teams:

Vanuatu;

Chilia David

Tabe Manley Junior

Bibi Lexa Bule

Lauru Wilkins Simon

Demas Graham

Chilia Seimata

Haitong Maki Gerard

Thompsen Lorry

Maki Pita David

Alick Daniel Koko

Qorig Alphonse Welin

Substitutes:

Vava Fedy

Silas Ali Silas

Waiwai Warren Roger

Tom Tomake Philip

Mahe Rick Tchamako

Lini Samson Frederech

Cautions: Alick Daniel Koko (yellow)

Solomons:

Leslie Leo

Mahlon Houkaraua

Nelson Saie

Alick Maemae

Paul Kakai Jnr

Batram Suri

Commins Menapi

Stanley Waita

Gideon Omokirio

Henry Fa’arodo

Severino Aefi

Substitutes:

Lucian Sikua’ae

Philip Kaukui

Joel Konofilia

Robert Firigeni

George Lui

Moses Toata

Martin Ruhasia

Cautions: none

OFFICIALS:

Referee – Lencie Fred

1st Assistant – Mahit Chillia

2nd Assistant – Atanas Rakrak

4th Official – Ron Wilbur

Referee Inspector – Yves Taga