Samoa were unceremoniously, but valiantly exiled from their own tournament today at the hands of close rivals Tonga.
Heading into the match knowing that a win would see them qualify for the semi-finals and a likely encounter with Oceanic heavyweights Fiji, the task seemed relatively
simple for the host nation – score more goals than Tonga.
With exciting prospects such as Florence Lam Sam and Natalie Davies promising so much against Tahiti and New Caledonia earlier in the tournament, it looked positive
from the outset for Samoa. They maintained nigh-on constant pressure for the majority of the fixture, with only the unique Penateti Feke posing any real threat when she burst away in counter-attack
mode for Tonga.
Samoa were almost their own worst enemies, as they had plenty of possession but just could not hit the target enough to make Mele Likiliki earn her keep between the
sticks for Tonga. However it does need to be addressed that when required, Likiliki was outstanding on the night – also assuming the mantle of captaining her country.
It was a fixture where each country’s water-tight defences cancelled each other out, with Samoa’s Henifa Bryce dispatching anything that looked like heading goalwards
deep into the surrounding night sky, including a battered Feke on numerous occasions.
To Feke’s credit, she bounced back every time – and this will be a quality that is for certain required when Tonga faces Fiji on Wednesday.
A huge, vocal crowd had gathered at the Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Playing Fields – and when the final whistle blew, a disbelieving silence wrung louder than the
multilingual chants that had graced the previous 90 minutes.
The tournament moves to the semi-final stages now, with Wednesday dictating who will get the chance to play off in the tournament final – and ultimately a shot at New
Zealand to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
WEDNESDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2007
1500 (GMT-13) Tahiti v Papua New Guinea
1500 (GMT-13) Fiji v Tonga
*times subject to change for television coverage
LIVE UPDATES:
1′ – the match is underway on a mild evening in Apia, with a modest but vocal crowd on hand
2′ – Tamasailau Leuta hits a powerful drive from the angle, but Mele Likiliki is equal to the task with a strong left hand
2′ – Florence Lam Sam is down injured from a late challenge, and leaves the field for treatment
4′ – Samoa are enjoying a spell of sustained pressure in Tonga’s defensive half
7′ – Lam Sam is back on the field for Samoa
10′ – save for two counter-attacks, Samoa has completely dominated the game thus far
12′ – the crowd is streaming in, with locals moving to the football from other events around the Faleata Sports Complex
15′ – Rosa Malama Solomona saves bravely at the feet of Penateti Feke, but takes a knock and requires brief treatment on the pitch
20′ – Samoa is well and truly on top at this stage, but with no reward
22′ – Tonga win a corner, but the ball is quickly dispatched back into the Tonga defensive half
27′ – Semeatu Lemana turns to release a shot destined for the left corner of the net, but Likiliki produces a top-drawer save to concede a corner
28′ – Claire Meni brings down Feke at full pace, conceding a free kick from which Tonga narrowly clear the crossbar from Matelita Misinale’s head
33′ – the Samoan defence recognises the threat of Feke bringing her down again, this time requiring treatment
35′ – Solomona moves well to meet Salome Vaunuku’s free kick from the left hand side
37′ – Solomona again beats two Tongan frontrunners to the ball, which ricochets for Meni to clear and Samoa to return on attack
38′ – Likiliki leaves her line to claim a high cross on her chest, through a pack of players
39′ – Salote Lautaha has a go from distance, but her shot is well right for a goal kick
41′ – Solomona is down again following a collision with Lautaha, requiring further treatment
— 3 minutes added time —
45’+2 – Salome Veamatahau rattles the crossbar with a dipping left foot volley from 30 yards
HALF TIME: TON 0 SAM 0
47′ – Marylynn Williams drives an early free kick straight into the Tongan wall
48′ – the crowd is still building for what should be an entertaining second half, with a victory for either side seeing them continue in the competition
52′ – the match is more evenly poised after the break, with Tonga enjoying time in Samoa’s half
55′ – 16. Marylynn WILLIAMS makes way for 12 June TUPOU
56′ – Sala Veamatahau attempts to break the net from 40 yards, but her shot tails wide
57′ – Samoa hit Tonga on the break, but can not register a shot on target
62′ – the game is filtering from end to end, but with no clear opportunities for either side
71′ – the game is still at a stalemate, with Tonga looking to hold the scoreline and qualify for the semi finals
77′ – 8. Neomai TUPOU makes way for 13. Makeleta FOLAUMOETAO
80′ – Feke lines up from a 25 yard free kick, but shoots well over
83′ – 6. Anarosa SIMONE makes way for 19. Sinaro PIO as Samoa search for the goal that would qualify them for the semi-finals
84′ – Likiliki rescues Tonga when a loose ball runs through traffic from a Samoan free kick
86′ – Feke is cut down on her route to goal in what looks like a penalty, but the referee signals a goal kick
88′ – 18. Maumea MAFI receives a yellow card for a vital foul preventing a Samoan counter attack
88′ – Feke is down again in the box, this time a little less suspiciously
— 2 minutes added time —
FULL TIME: TON 0 SAM 0
MATCH PHOTOS:
XIII SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES – SAMOA 2007
Women’s Group B
Match Day 5 – 2030 – 3 September 2007
Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Football Fields – Apia – Samoa
TONGA: 1. Mele LIKILIKI [gk][c]; 3. Kula FILO; 4. Pesalini LAVE; 5. Sala VEAMATAHAU; 7. Salome VAENUKU; 8. Neomai TUPOU (13. Makeleata FOLAUMOETAO 77′); 10.
Heilala LOTOANIU; 11. Matelita MISINALE; 12. Penateti FEKE; 15. Salote LAUTAHA; 18. Maumea MAFI.
Coach: Kilifi UELE
Substitutes not used: 2. Mele NIKAPAU; 6. Olive MATEIALONA; 14. Unise HAFOKA; 16. Karen UTAATU; 17. Lose PELE; 19. Uluaki KAUFUSI; 20. Elenoa LAUHINGOA
[gk].
Injured:
Suspended: 9. Atelaite MANU.
Not available:
Cautions: 18. Maumea MAFI (88′).
Red cards:
Goal scorers:
SAMOA: 1. Rosa Malama SOLOMONA [gk]; 3. Henifa BRYCE; 4. Claire MENI; 5. Leti TAMASESE; 6. Anarosa SIMONE (Sinaro PIO 83′); 7. Semeatu LEMANA; 9. Natalie DAVIES;
10. Florence LAM SAM; 13. Tamasailau LEUTA; 14. Vaitofigalumepa TIPERIA; 16. Marylynn WILLIAMS (12. June TUPOU 55′).
Coach: Junior SAAGA
Substitutes not used: 2. Helena THOMPSON; 15. Rasela PEILUA; 18. Saini UMUTAUA; 20. Rosina IAKOPO; 21. Kalaponi LEATO.
Injured: 11. Rosei LEOTA; 17. Havira TAYLOR.
Suspended:
Not available:
Cautions:
Red cards:
Goal scorers:
Referee: Chris LENGATA (SOL)
Assistant Referee: Jackson NAMO (SOL)
Assistant Referee: Hamilton SIAU (SOL)
Fourth Official: Jacques AVERII (TAH)