Courtesy: Fiji Live


Solomons register second win

June 09, 2008

Solomon Islands continued its impressive run in the 2008 OFC Futsal Championship and beat a high spirited New Caledonian outfit 8-5 to record its second victory in as many matches.

Bad news though to the Islanders is that their top goalkeeper Alick Lioka will miss the next and crucial encounter against host nation Fiji in the feature match of Day 3 after copping a direct red card for a crude challenge on a New Caledonian opponent.

Backed by a vocal crowd comprising of island students studying at USP, FSM and Fulton College, the Solomon team led by inspirational captain Elliot Ragomo displayed entertaining football from the first whistle but had to suffer an early setback as New Caledonia scored two early goals in the first half to lead 2-0.

Francis Lafai revamped the Solomons attack by pulling one back and Jack Wetney equalized to take scores level midway in the first spell.

Lioka was sent off after their equalizer for a dangerous tackle and Solomons playing with just 4 men till half time managed to take the lead at the breather through a Ragomo penalty.

Solomon Islands scored two more through Jenan Kapu and Wetney before New Caledonia replied with a goal through Gino Marcias to change the scores to 5-3.

Ragomo completed his hatrick after netting two more and Micah Lea’alafa finished off the scoring for Solomons as they led 8-3.

A double by replacement Pourouro Yvan in the dying minutes brought back some respect for the New Caledonians as the match ended 8-5 in favor of Solomon Islands.

Starting teams:

Solomon Islands- Alick Lioka, Alfred Punguika, James Egeta, Micah Lea’alafa, Jack Wetney.

New Caledonia- Euzen Ronan, Hnailolo Albert, Rosso Alexandre, Pourouro Yvan, Iaruel Jerry.





Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com