TAFEA DOWN TEN MAN TUPUJI

PORT VILA -The race for the Port Vila Football Association (PVFA) Premier League title looks set to become a two horse race between Tafea FC and Amical FC after the latest round of matches. Tafea FC – last season’s O-League representatives – remain unbeaten after five rounds thanks to a commanding 4-1 win over Tupuji Imere.

Amical FC had to subdue a defiant opponent in Erakor Golden Star, grinding out an important 2-0 victory that keeps Amical FC within touching distance of runaway Tafea FC and opens up a small three point lead over the chasing pack.

Erakor Golden Star, Westtan Broncos and Seveners remain in the hunt but their inconsistent performances and defensive frailities are revealed in the goals against column. Not one of those clubs can boast a positive goal difference and already trail Tafea FC by a massive six points.

Ifira Black Birds FC were left shattered in their attempts to climb off the bottom of the table after conceding a late equaliser against Westtan Broncos.

Yatel FC and Seveners play their match later this week.

TAFEA FC DOWN TEN MAN TUPUJI

TAFEA FC (0) 4 (Francois Sakama, Michel Kaltak, Etienne Mermer 2)

TUPUJI IMERE (0) 1 (Fenethy Masauvakalo)

Tafea FC continued its winning form in the PVFA TVL Premier League but Tupuji Imere could point to two key events that unravelled its game plan in spectacular fashion:

A red card to Tupuji Imere defender Robert Elsen and the introduction of late Tafea FC substitute, the mercurial Vanuatu midfielder, Michel Kaltak.

Goals from Francois Sakama, Michael Kaltak and a brace to Etienne Mermer earned the club another win and increased their lead at the top of the table.

Although Tafea FC enjoyed a slight edge in the first half, Tupuji Imere duo of Fenethy Masauvakalo and Tony Chillia were constant threats to the Tafea defence without creating any clear-cut opportunities to score.

The match boiled-over after 38 minutes when the referee showed Tupuji Imere defender Robert Elsen a red card after receiving a second caution.

Francois Sakama gave Tafea FC the lead on 52 minutes when he hit an unstoppable volley from beyond the edge of the Tupuji Imere penalty box past former international team-mate David Chilia.

Tupuji Imere were level just four minutes later when Fenethy Masauvakalo celebrated his return to the TVL premier league with a quick equalizer and sent the Imere fans exult.

Despite being down to ten man, Tupuji Imere FC fought hard and battled bravely to keep the equaliser, but the insertion of substitute Michael Kaltak gave Tafea FC a much-needed boost.

The impact of the talented young Vanuatu international midfielder was almost immediate.

With Tupuji clinging on bravely for a point, it was Kaltak who nudged Tafea FC in front when his raking long range shot left David Chillia well-beaten on 69 minutes.

Tupuji were left demoralised as the match began to slip away.

Etienne Mermer scored the third goal on 76 minutes after collecting an inch perfect cross from Richard Iwai.

Mermer was in the action again scoring Tafea FC’s fourth on 82 minutes to give the reigning Port Vila champions a crushing victory that leaves them, as ever, at the top of the PVFA TVL Premier League.

AMICAL CONTINUE TITLE PURSUIT

AMICAL FC (0) 2 (Iakar Tess, Derek Malas)

ERAKOR GOLDEN STAR (0) 0

Amical FC capped a fantastic week with a 2-0 victory over Erakor Golden Star on Saturday to consolidate their second position in the TVL Premier league and keep up their dogged pursuit of Tafea FC.

After a bruising start, both sides had chances to open the scoring, but Amical FC needed until the 75th minute to open the score through their new signing striker from Nalkutan FC, Iakar Tess who steered a right footed shot into the net from close range.

Derek Malas sealed Amical FC victory in the injury time when he tapped the ball inside the net after a good setup of Lorenzo Saravanu.

Amical FC ‘s challenge for their first league title gets its first real test of the season next Saturday when they will take Tafea FC.

Amical FC’s last meeting with Tafea FC ended in tears after losing 2-0 to ‘Les Rouge’ in the Independence Cup.

BRONCOS BREAK BLACK BIRDS HEARTS

WESTTAN BRONCOS (0) 1 (Kevin Daniel)

IFIRA BLACK BIRDS (1) 1 (Koko Kalsal)

A late goal by Kevin Daniel deep iton injury time has helped earn Westtan Broncos a 1-1 draw against Ifira Black Birds.

Koko Kalsal opened the score for Ifira Black Birds after 21 minutes to help give a boost to the league’s bottom team.

But woeful finishing and great goalkeeping conspired to restrict Ifira Black Birds to a single goal advantage.

With time running out on the clock, Ifira goalscorer Koko Kalsal went from hero to villain after he conceded an unecessary free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and was sent off for his second caution.

Westtan Bronco’s Kevin Daniel  headed the free kick past goalkeeper Len Merka saving his team from defeat and snatching away Ifira’s hopes of a first up win the PVFA TVL Premier League.

PORT VILA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (PVFA) TELECOM VANUATU LIMITED (TVL)

PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS

Tafea FC vs. Tupuji Imere 4-1

Amical FC vs. Erakor Golden Star 2-0

Westtan Broncos vs. Ifira Black Birds 1-1

STANDINGS 22.09.08