Honiara: Another stout defensive effort by the Cook Islands was not enough to halt the rampant Solomon Islands team from recording its second big win of the OFC Nations Cup/FIFA World Cup Stage 1-Group 1 preliminaries in Honiara.
The host team eventually took out the match 5-0 but their stars were kept quiet by the green and whites as other role players assumed the scoring duties.
Batram Suri, who was absent from the 6-0 win over Tonga in the first round started against the Cooks but was subbed off after only half an hour. Young striker Alick Maemae got his name on the scoresheet but Commins Menapi and Henry Fa’arodo failed to score.
Goals from Stanley Waita and Gideon Omokirio during a five minute spell in the middle of the first half was the only thing to cheer about for the over 15,518 strong crowd. But after the break, further goals to replacement Jack Samani, Maemae and Leslie Leo put the result beyond doubt.
In the crunch match that followed, Tahiti avoided a consecutive defeat (after their 0-4 loss during last year’s South Pacific Games) to french speaking rivals New Caledonia when they held them to a nil all draw.
Both sides failed to make the breakthrough in a physical match marked by tight defence. The draw now sets up the much anticipated meeting between the hosts and New Caledonia in Round 3 action this Saturday, 15 May which is bound to draw the biggest crowd yet to Lawson Tama Stadium.
* Over in Group 2 in Samoa, round 2 commences this afternoon with American Samoa taking on Vanuatu while Fiji plays their first match against Papua New Guinea, who impressed in their first round draw against Vanuatu.
Yesterday, the official opening for the Group 2 tournament and commemoration for the FIFA Centennial Celebrations in Oceania were held in front of the government buildings in Apia.
2004 OFC Nations Cup/FIFA World Cup – Stage 1 (Group 1) Preliminaries
Round 2 Review
Match 3: Solomon Islands vs Cook Islands
Full-time score: 5-0 Solomon Islands
Half-time score: 2-0 Solomon Islands
Goal-scorers: Sol – (16) Stanley Waita 21′; (17) Gideon Omokirio 27′; (14) Jack Samani 46′; (7) Alick Maemae 70′; (2) Leslie Leo 91+’
Cautions: none
Expulsions: none
Venue: Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara
Weather: fine, hot
Crowd attendance: 15,518
Match Officials
Referee: Lencie Fred (Vanuatu)
Assistant Referee 1: Dhirendra Kewal (Fiji), Assistant Referee 2: Bobby Memelong (PNG)
Fourth Official: Rajendra Singh (Fiji)
Match Commissioner: Mohammed Yusuf (Fiji)
Referee Inspector: Hari Naicker (Fiji)
Team lineups (& substitutions)
SOLOMON ISLANDS
1. Felix Ray Jr
3. Mahlon Houkarawa (-74′)
6. Nelson Sale
7. Alick Maemae
9. Commins Menapi (-46′)
10. Batram Suri (-30′)
16. Stanley Waita
17. Gideon Omokiria
18. Henry Fa’arodo Jr
19. Paul Kakai Jr
21. George Suri
Subs:
2. Leslie Leo (+74′)
5. Phillip Kaukui
8. Joel Konofilia
12. Francis Wasi
13. George Lui
14. Jack Samani (+30′)
15. Moses Toata (+46′)
Coach: Alan Gillett
COOK ISLANDS
1. Tony Jamieson GK
3. Mark Jamieson
4. John Pareanga
5. Eugenie Tatuava
6. Victor Samuel (-70′)
7. Christian Tauira
9. Joseph Chambers
10. Teariki Mateariki
12. Tuka Tisam (-70′)
13. Teatu Rangi Putere (-46′)
15. Albert Fariurangi Oti
Subs:
2. Paul Luiz Van Eijk
8. Roururoaroa Une (+70′)
11. Daniel Shephard (+46′)
14. David Angene (+70′)
16. Adrian Shephard
17. Geoffrey Strickland
20. Taranivao Tekeu
Coach: Tim Jerks
Round 2 Review
Match 4: Tahiti vs New Caledonia
Full-time score: 0-0
Half-time score: 0-0
Goal-scorers: none
Cautions:
Tah – (2) Angelo Tchen 55′, (10) Axel Temataua 89′
NCl – (4) Andre Sinedo 49′, (9) Frank Oiremoin 51′, (19) Lamel Kabeu 68′
Expulsions: none
Venue: Lawson Tama Stadium, Honiara
Weather: fine, humid
Crowd attendance: 15,518
Match Officials
Referee: Leone Rakaroi (Fiji)
Assistant Referee 1: David Crichton (Am Samoa), Assistant Referee 2: Elise Doriri (Vanuatu)
Fourth Official: Salaiau Sosongan (PNG)
Match Commissioner: Mohammed Yusuf (Fiji)
Referee Inspector: Hari Naicker (Fiji)
Team lineups (& substitutions)
TAHITI
20. Xavier Samin GK
2. Angelo Tchen
3. Pierre Kugogne
5. Jean Yves Li Waut
7. Samuel Garcia
8. Billy Maitai
9. Gabriel Wajoka (-45′)
10. Axel Temataua
11. Taufa Neuffer
12. Farahia Teuira
13. Vincent Simon
Subs:
1. Stanley Tien Wah
4. Iotua Kautai
6. Harry Tong Sang
14. Rino Moretta (+45′)
15. Larry Marmouyet
19. Daniel Tapeta
Coach: Gerard Kautai
NEW CALEDONIA
1 Michel Hne GK
4 Andre Sinedo
6 Jacky Wiako
8 Gil Elmour
9 Frank Oiremoin
11 Jules Wea
13 Michel Hmae
14 Pierre Wajoka (-45′)
16 Ramon Djamali (-60′)
18 Jose Hmae
19 Iamel Kabeu (-69′)
Subs:
3 Thedore Pian
5 Alain Kecine
7 Jacques Dahote (+69′)
10 Robert Wadriako
12 Nicolas Ouka
15 Robert Kauma
17 Paul Poatinda (+60′)
20 Fabrice Dremond
22 Steevens Longue (+45′)
Coach: Serge De Novak