Sota Higashide’s stoppage-time penalty gave Solomon Kings a crucial 3-2 victory over Vanuatu United at HFC Bank Stadium
With the matches counting down and not much separating those teams vying for a place in the Leaders Group, three points for either side would have been a precious commodity.
A noisy and passionate crowd inside HFC Bank Stadium greeted the sides, with those backing Solomon Kings especially boisterous.
It was Vanuatu United however who started brightly, with Owen Smith flashing an effort just over the bar in the early stages.
At the other end, Don Keana had a similar attempt narrowly miss Matt Acton’s left-hand post.
William Cardona has been a constant threat all season for Vanuatu United with his set-piece delivery and it once again paid off for Lars Hopp’s side. Cardona’s whipped corner-kick glanced in by Alex Saniel to break the deadlock.
Just six minutes later however the scores were level. A Junior David corner-kick wasn’t cleared sufficiently by the Vanuatu United defence and when the ball broke free, Gordon Iro was on hand to slam home through a crowd of bodies.
The end-to-end action continued apace, with Vanuatu United given the perfect chance to restore their lead when Azariah Soromon was brought down by Phillip Mango in the penalty area.
Owen Smith took the resulting spot-kick and despite getting a hand to it, Mango was unable to keep the ball out, as Vanuatu United re-took the lead.
The second period was only seven minutes in when the scores were level once again.
Atkin Kaua’s free-kick from the left-hand side was floated towards the back post and Javin Wae proved too strong, meeting the ball with a downward header that found the back of the net.
The game continued to open up, with both sides desperate for what would be a crucial three points.
Rafa Le’ai was denied by a save low down by Matt Acton from a tight angle, before Owen Smith almost found a way past Phillip Mango at the other end.
Sota Higashide was the next to go closest. The smallest man on the park finding space in the box but could only glance his header over the bar under pressure.
Nine minutes of stoppage time was displayed by the fourth official and in the third of those, Solomon Kings were given a wonderful chance to clinch the win. Barrie Limoki burst into the area and was brought down by Jordy Tasip, with referee Cory Mills pointing to the spot.
Sota Higashide took the responsibility and confidently swept home to send the crowd into raptures and give Solomon Kings a valuable three points.
Solomon Kings FC: 3 (Gordon IRO 22′, Javin WAE 52′, Sota HIGASHIDE (P) 90+7)
Vanuatu United FC: 2 (Alex SANIEL 16′, Owen SMITH (P) 34′)
HT: 1-2
Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek