LAUTOKA – Its wet and humid for match two of the OFC Men’s Olympic Football Tournament as Cook Islands prepare to meet dark horses Vanuatu in front of a crowd of approximately 5000 fans at Churchill Park.
Earlier New Zealand edged hosts Fiji by 2-1 thanks to a late Steven Old goal in the final moments of an enthralling match. Vanuatu coach John Philemon will be looking for maximum points as his team chase OFC’s Olympic Games berth.
Can Cook Islands well organised team of minnows spring a surpise in its first up match against one of the favourites?
LIVE TEXT UPDATES
0′- Steady rain continues to fall at the stadium as we prepare for match two
2′ Vanuatu midfielder Jeffry Nimanian shoots with his left foot but Remi Wearing makes a good solid save
4′ Free-kick for Vanuatu and it looks like Francois Sakama will take it but he curls it over the wall and crossbar
5′ Joseph Le Mouton wins the header but there is nobody running off the burly Cook Islands striker and Vanuatu have possession
6′ Great save by Remi Wearing from a Roger Joe shot
7′ Eddie Brogan throws his body in front of a gollow-up shot by Spencer Noal – brave defending by Cook Islands
8′ Cook Islands have a good shape and Vanuatu will have to entice their opponents out of their half if they want to create clear chances
9′ Sakama’s deflected shot earns Vanuatu a corner but Cook Islands defend it successfully
12′ Acrobatic shot on goal from Spencer Noal from the next corner but this time its wide of Remi Wearing’s goal
16′ GOAL! Its 1-0 to Vanuatu Joseph NAMARIAU crosses for Jeffry NIMANIAN and Wearing has no chance
17′ Neat interplay between Roger Joe and Fenedy Masavakaulo opens up Cook Islands on the right but some more good defending clears the danger for now
21′ Cook Islands has its first shot on goal as John Bataillard hits a shot at Charley Kalanasei
21′ YELLOW CARD 19. Tuka Tisam Cook Islands
24′ Fenedy Masavakaulo shoots wide for Vanuatu
25′ Jeffry Nimanian unleashes a wild shot over the Cook Islands crossbar
28′ Andrew Chichirua is in on the act as he shoots at goal but its a corner
30′ Joseph Le Mouton is in the clear one on one with Charley Kalanasei but his powerful shot is straight at the goalkeeper!
32′ Francois Sakama gets his free-kick on target and Remi Wearing parries and regathers the rebound.
32′ YELLOW CARD 3. Eddie Brogan Cook Islands
33′ Cook Islands are playing bravely but it looks as if Vanuatu may have better fitness the longer this match goes
35′ Jeffry Namariau shoots and scores! But the flag is up on the far side and the goal is disallowed
36′ Agony for Cook Islands – Tisam’s free-kick takes a deflection and Paavo Mustonen’s shot is saved at close range by Charley Kalanasei – so close!
37′ Paavo Mustonen shoots from long range but its wide
40′ GOAL! Mii Joseph denies Vanuatu with some good defending but Sakama’s shot hits the bar and Jeffry Niminian makes it 2-0 to Vanuatu!
42′ YELLOW CARD 5. Samuel Kalaros Vanuatu for a dangerous challenge
44′ Remi Wearing pulls off a great save from Jeffry Nimanian
45′ Nimanian fires over from close range
Time added on: 2 minutes
45+1′ Sakama fires in a lacklustre shot that Bataillard clears
HALFTIME: COK 0 VAN 2
46′ The match restarts with conditions at Churchill Park deteriorating as the rain continues to pour steadily and a penalty is awarded to Vanuatu!
47′ GOAL! Francois Sakama makes no mistake from the penalty spot and Vanuatu takes a commanding 3-0 lead
50′ SUBSTITUTION 12. Michel Kaltak replaces 2. Andrew Chichirua
54′ Tuka Tisam fires over from close range
58′ Fenedy Masavakaulo shoots wide for Vanuatu
58′ SUBSTITUTION 6. Joseph Le Mouton out 17. Ngatamaine Sila in Cook Islands
61′ Play is stopped as Samuel Kalaros receives treatment for an injury
63′ Play restarts – the conditions are very difficult for players and officials – and fans!
63′ SUBSTITUTION 3. Bula Chillia comes on for 5. Samuel Kalaros due to injury for Vanuatu
65′ SUBSTITUTION 8. Grover Harmon comes on for 11. John Michael Quaijano for Cook Islands
68′ Great save by Remi Wearing from a Sakama shot
70′ The pitch is looking heavy underfoot as players from both teams struggle on in the difficult weather conditions
72′ SUBSTITUTION 12. Branden Turupu comes on 9. Paavo Mustonen exits for Cook Islands
75′ SUBSTITUTION 19. Tonny Chillia comes on 6. Wilson Kailo exits for Vanuatu
80′ Thomas Le Mouton races clear but is forced wide he crosses with the outside of his right boot and Vanuatu head clear for a corner
82′ A header from Tisam flies just over the crossbar – Cook Islands are creating some good chances at the end of this game
83′ GOAL! Vanuatu make it 4-0 on the counter-attack – a cruel blow for Cook Islands after enjoying its best spell of the match Tonny Chillia the hero for Vanuatu
86′ Shot on goal is saved by Remi Wearing yet again denying Vanuatu – the loose ball is hacked clear
89′ Thomas Le Mouton speeds clear with the ball but there is no support and Vanuatu counter-attack with Joseph Namariau shooting over the Cook Islands crossbar
90′ Time added on 3 minutes
90+2′ John Bataillard is through on Charley Kalanasei’s goal…but shoots high over the crossbar! A real let off for Vanuatu
90+3′ Referee Rakesh Varman brings to an end the second match of the OFC Mens Olympic Football Tournament
FULLTIME: COK 0 VAN 4
COK: 1. Remi WEARING; 2. Mii JOSEPH; 3. Eddie BROGAN; 4. Steve WILLIS; 6. Joseph LE MOUTON; 9. Paavo MUSTONEN; 10. Thomas LE MOUTON; 11. John Michael QUIJANO; 15. Gichin FUHINIU; 14. John BATAILLARD (c); 19. Tuka TISAM.
SUBS: 7. Davey SILVA; 8. Grover HARMON; 12. Branden TUREPU; 13. Roger MANUEL; 16. Ngatungane TANGIMETUA; 17. Ngatamaine SILA.
Coach: Tim JERKS (AUS)
VAN: 1. Charley KALNASEI; 2. Andrew CHICHIRUA; 5. Samuel KALOROS; 6. Wilson KAILO; 7. Spencer NOAL; 9. Roger JOE; 10. Fenedy MASAVAKAULO; 11. Jeffry NIMANIAN; 13. Francois SAKAMA; 14.
Joseph NAMARIAU; 17. Geoffrey Lego GETE.
SUBS: 3. Bula CHILLIA; 4. Rexley TARIVUTI; 8. Apete KARA; 12. Michel KALTAK; 15. Manu PETER; 16. Tchamaco MAHE; 18. Brian MELAR; 19. Tonny CHILLIA; 20. Yannick MERKA (RGK)
Referee: Rakesh VARMAN (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 1: Andrew ACHARI (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 2: Tevita MAKASINI (TGA)
Fourth Official: Andrew MOLI (SOL)